HESPERIA STING YOUTH FOOTBALL & CHEER

Social Media Policy

Hesperia Sting Youth Football & Cheer. (“HSYFC”) recognizes the importance of the Internet in shaping the public’s perception of our organization. HSYFC also recognizes the importance of our Board members, executive directors, sport coordinators, sport committee members, coaches, employees, and volunteers in leading and setting the tone of social media interactions in a manner that advances HSYFC’s mission and goals.

Mission Statement

HSYFC is dedicated to the development of well-rounded youth through positive sports competition. We strive to develop fundamental skills through active participation of our players and to promote good sportsmanship from our players, coaches, and parents. HSYFC is dedicated to the support of the organized sports in the Hesperia Unified School District. HSYFC believes that our mission is to provide these organized sports with as many athletes as possible that are as well prepared as possible for that next level.

Applicability

This Social Media Policy applies to all board members, executive directors, sport coordinators, sport committee members, coaches, and volunteers (“HSYFC Members”), Player parents, players family members, as well as HSYFC players. This Social Media Policy applies to all social media content posted by HSYFC Members in their professional and personal capacity to the extent such content is related to HSYFC. 

Aspirations

HSYFC strives to create a positive and inclusive organization that is dedicated to helping young athletes reach their potential. In furtherance of this goal, HSYFC aspires to engage members of the Hesperia Sting community in positive, honest, transparent, and knowledgeable dialogue about HSYFC through social media. HSYFC views social media as an important tool for communicating its successes and opportunities for athletic and individual development. HSYFC also views social media as a platform for receiving constructive feedback from the community and for discussing HSYFC’s challenges and opportunities for improvement in a positive and constructive way.

Guidelines

All HSYFC Members (Members described as: Board Members, executive directors, volunteers of all capacities, player parents/guardians/family members as well as players) shall abide by the following guidelines when using social media:

1. Be positive and respectful, and always take the high road. When disagreeing with others’ opinions, remain appropriate and polite. If you find yourself in a situation online that is becoming antagonistic, ask the HSYFC Board of Directors or your sport coordinator for advice on how to disengage from the dialogue in a polite and respectful manner that reflects well on HSYFC.

2.     Do not post content that would harm HSYFC or damage HSYFC’s reputation. Remember that even while you are on your own personal time, you are a representative of HSYFC, and people may interpret your online postings or social interactions as though they were official HSYFC statements.

3.     Use good judgment when posting comments on any official HSYFC sites. Bear in mind that your comments can create liability for HSYFC as well as yourself. If you are unsure whether a comment is appropriate to post, either do not post it or obtain prior approval from the Board of Directors.

4.     Be smart about what you publish. Once something is posted, it exists online forever. Ask yourself, “Would I want to see this published in the newspaper or posted on a billboard tomorrow or ten years from now?” If the answer is “no,” do not post.

5.     Encourage others to engage in positive interactions on social media. If you are concerned about any HSYFC Member’s use of social media, please bring your concerns to the attention of your sport coordinator or a member of the HSYFC Board of Directors.

6.     Personally identifiable information (information, such as a name and date of birth and/or a street address which, when taken together, can identify a particular individual) should not be disclosed in any manner on official HSYFC social networking sites without the approval of the sport coordinator or HSYFC Board of Directors.

Violations of the Social Media Policy

The HSYFC Board of Directors shall have the authority to monitor and enforce this Social Media Policy. The HSYFC Board of Directors, and any individual appointed by the Board of Directors, shall have the authority to remove any inappropriate or offensive comments from official HSYFC sites and to block any individual or organization from posting on any official HSYFC social media platform if they determine, in their sole discretion, that such removal or block is in the best interests of HSYFC.

The failure of any HSYFC Member to adhere to this Social Media Policy shall be considered a violation of the HSYFC By-Laws, and any HSYFC A Member who fails to adhere to this Social Media Policy shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of such individual’s involvement in HSYFC, in accordance with the HSYFC Disciplinary Procedures.

In Addition, no participant, board members, executive directors, sport coordinators, sport committee members, coaches, and volunteers (“HSYFC Members”), Player parents, player’s family members, as well as HSYFC players may engage in prohibited internet and electronic communications, if the prohibited internet and electronic communications are directly related to or connected with a youth sport event. Any participant, board members, executive directors, sport coordinators, sport committee members, coaches, and volunteers (“HSYFC Members”), Player parents, players family members, as well as HSYFC players who engages in prohibited internet and electronic communications may be banned for a period not extending 12 months from the date of the incident and shall be subject to discipline as provided by the applicable team’s Code of Conduct.

Adopted by the HSYFC Board of Directors: _________________________________

2015