WAGS Social Media Policy
This policy applies to all parents, players, managers, coaches, family members, fans and other persons associated with WAGS regarding the use of social media. This policy applies to the above participants on and off the field. The goal of WAGS is to assure that all of its participants maintain the highest standard of sportsmanship and ethical behavior at all times. Adherence to this policy is a condition for continued participation in WAGS. All families with daughters registered in WAGS acknowledge and agree to this policy on behalf of their family members, relatives and fans with their WAGS membership. This policy will be maintained and documented on the WAGS website.
Definitions
Social media is defined to include: Web sites, Web logs (blogs), wikis, social networks (e.g. X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, Flickr, YouTube, etc.), online forums, virtual worlds, email and any other social media generally available to the public or consumers. Social media also includes any applications that are used to score and track games and/or keep team and player statistics (i.e. GameChanger, TeamSnap, Tourney, etc.)
WAGS has a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate use of social media.
Inappropriate is defined to include:
- Parents, players, managers, coaches, family members, fans or any other persons associated with WAGS who denigrates (i.e. attacks the character or reputation of, speaks ill of, defames, disparages or belittles) other WAGS participants, WAGS itself (including its Board members) or umpires using social media.
- Parents, players, managers, coaches, family members, fans or any other persons associated with WAGS who misuse or manipulate applications to that score and track games and/or keep team and player statistics (i.e. intentionally falsify or misrepresent scores or team or player statistics, intentionally delete scores, team or player statistics, without a valid purpose, etc.).
- Parents, players, managers, coaches, or family members who use social media and their association with WAGS to engage in harassing or illegal communications with minors.
REQUIREMENTS
All participants in WAGS are expected to serve as positive ambassadors of WAGS. Because readers of social media networks may view the participant as a representative of WAGS, this policy requires participants to observe the following rules when referring to WAGS, its parents, players, managers, coaches, family members, fans, WAGS Board members, volunteers, umpires, on any social media networks:
- Use of any social media network and postings, displays or communications on any social media network must comply with all state and federal laws and any WAGS and USA Softball of Southern California code of conduct.
- Participants must be respectful and professional in all communications (by word, image or other means). Participants shall not use obscene, profane or vulgar language on any social media network or engage in communications or conduct that is harassing, threatening, bullying, libelous or defamatory or that discusses or encourages any illegal activity or the inappropriate use of alcohol, use of illegal drugs, sexual behavior, or sexual harassment.
- Participants may not act as a spokesperson for WAGS except as authorized by the WAGS Board of Directors.
- Participants may not disclose information on any social media network that is confidential or proprietary to WAGS or its participants or that is otherwise protected by data privacy laws.
- Participants will be held responsible for the disclosure, whether purposeful or inadvertent, of confidential or private information, information that violates the privacy rights or other rights of a third party, or the content of anything posted on any social media network or internet site as it relates to WAGS.
- Anything related to WAGS posted on the participants website or weblog or other internet content for which the participant is responsible will be subject to all WAGS policies, rules, regulations or guidelines.
VIOLATIONS
Any WAGS participant who is alleged to have failed to comply with the requirements set forth in this policy may be subject to investigation by the Standards Committee and subject to discipline as outlined in the WAGS Bylaws, including, without limitation, no longer being eligible to participate in WAGS.
GUIDELINES
These are the guidelines for social media in WAGS. If you’re a participant contributing to blogs, wikis, social networks, virtual worlds or any other kind of social media, these guidelines are for you. We expect all who participate in social media to understand and follow these guidelines. Failure to do so could put you at risk. These guidelines will continually evolve as new technologies and social networking tools emerge, so check back once in a while to make sure you are up to date.
It’s your responsibility. What you write is ultimately your responsibility. If it seems inappropriate, use caution. What you publish is widely accessible and it will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully. Trademark, copyright and fair use requirements must be respected.
Ensure the safety of the players. When participants choose to join or engage in the social networking groups, they do so as an ambassador of WAGS and have the responsibility for monitoring content and addressing inappropriate behavior or activity on these networks. This includes acting to protect the safety of minors online.
Be transparent. Your honesty-or dishonesty-will be quickly noticed in the social media environment. If you are posting about your involvement, use your real name and identify your relationship with WAGS. Be clear about your role; if you have a vested interest in something you are discussing, be the first to point it out.
Protect confidential information. Be thoughtful about what you publish. You must make sure you do not disclose or use confidential information. Players, parents, managers, coaches, umpires and other participants should not be cited or obviously referenced without their approval. For example, ask permission before posting someone’s picture in a social network or publishing a conversation that was meant to be private.
Respect your audience and other participants. Always express ideas and opinions in a respectful manner. Make sure your communications are in good taste. Do not denigrate or insult others. Remember that our communities reflect a diverse set of customs, values and points of view.
Keep your cool. One of the aims of social media is to create dialogue and people will not always agree on an issue. When confronted with a difference of opinion, stay cool. Sometimes, it’s best to ignore a comment and not give it credibility by acknowledging it with a response.
Be careful with personal information. Make full use of privacy settings. Know how to disable anonymous postings and use moderating tools on your social media sites. If you used an application to take game videos and track team and player statistics, be mindful before deleting player videos or statistics as many families like to keep this information.
Be a positive role model. You are the adult. Model responsible, positive, supportive and respectable behavior.