SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Draft: Millwood Bowling Club: Social Media Policy

1. Purpose

This policy ensures that all members of Millwood Bowling Club (MBC) use social media in a way that protects the reputation of the club, its members, and the sport of lawn bowls. It applies to the official club pages and the personal accounts of members when discussing club matters.

2. The "Think Before You Post" Rule

Before posting, liking, or sharing, ask yourself:

• Is this respectful to my fellow members and opponents?
• Would I say this to someone's face at the clubhouse bar?
• Could this post damage the reputation of Millwood Bowling Club?

3. Standards of Conduct

• Respect: Do not post comments that are insulting, threatening, or disparaging toward other members, visiting clubs, or officials.
• No Discrimination: Harassment or discriminatory language regarding race, gender, disability, age, or sexual orientation is strictly prohibited and may lead to disciplinary action.
• Confidentiality: Do not share private club matters, sensitive financial information, or internal committee grievances on public forums.
• Accuracy: Ensure that any information regarding match fixtures, results, or club events is accurate before posting to avoid confusion.

4. Photos and Privacy

• Consent: Always ask for permission before posting photos of other members or guests.
• Junior Members: Special care must be taken with images of minors. Written parental consent is mandatory before any photo of a child is posted on the official club page.
• Opt-Out: Respect the wishes of any member who asks for their image to be removed from club social media.

5. Official Club Accounts

• Only designated Social Media Officers or Committee members are authorized to post as "Millwood Bowling Club."
• Official posts should remain neutral, informative, and welcoming.
• Personal political or religious views must not be shared via official club channels.

6. Dealing with Conflict

• Do Not Engage: If the club is "trolled" or criticized by an outsider, members should not engage in a digital shouting match. Report the comment to the Social Media Officer.
• Internal Issues: If you have a grievance with a club decision, use the formal internal procedure rather than airing it on Facebook or X (Twitter).

7. Consequences of Breach

Social media activity that violates the Club Code of Conduct will be treated the same as physical misconduct. The Committee reserves the right to:

1. Request the immediate removal of a post.
2. Issue a formal warning.
3. Suspend or terminate membership for severe or repeated violations.

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Suggested "House Rules" for your Facebook Group

Copy and paste these into your "About" or "Rules" section:

Welcome to the Millwood BC Group!

1. Be Kind and Courteous.
2. No Hate Speech or Bullying.
3. No Promotions or Spam.
4. Respect Everyone's Privacy. Let's keep the focus on the bowls and the banter!

Appendix: WhatsApp Group Best Practice

1. Purpose of the Group

The Millwood Bowling Club WhatsApp groups (e.g., First Team, Social Committee, Ladies' Section) are for club-related information and coordination only.

• Use for: Match availability, green conditions, fixture changes, and essential club announcements.
• Avoid: Non-club memes, political debates, or "spam" (e.g., chain letters or unrelated advertising).

2. The "Golden Rules" of Group Chat

• Keep it Concise: If a message doesn't need a reply, don't feel the need to send an "OK" or a "Thumbs Up" emoji. This helps prevent everyone’s phone from buzzing 40 times a day.
• Respect the Clock: Unless it’s an absolute emergency (e.g., a match cancellation 30 minutes before start), avoid posting between 9:00 PM and 8:00 AM.
• One-to-One vs. One-to-Many: If your message is only relevant to one person (e.g., "Can you give me a lift?"), message them privately instead of posting to the whole group.
• No "Heated" Exchanges: If a disagreement starts to brew, take it "offline." WhatsApp is terrible for nuance, and things can escalate quickly. Call the person or speak to them at the clubhouse.

3. Admin Rights & Responsibilities

• Each group must have at least two Committee Admins.
• Admins have the right to delete inappropriate messages or remove members who repeatedly violate the Code of Conduct.
• When a member leaves the club, they should be removed from official groups within 48 hours to protect their privacy and club data.

4. Privacy & GDPR

• Contact Sharing: By joining the group, you acknowledge that your phone number will be visible to other members of that group.
• Do Not Share: Never share a fellow member’s phone number with an outside party without their explicit permission.
• Invite Links: Do not share the group "Invite Link" on public social media pages. Only send it directly to verified club members.

5. Leaving a Group

Members are free to leave any group at any time. If you find the notifications too much, we recommend using the "Mute" function rather than leaving entirely, so you don't miss vital match information.

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A Quick Tip for the Secretary:

When setting up a new group, you can post this "Welcome Message" to set the tone immediately:

"Welcome to the Millwood BC [Group Name]! 🎳 This group is for match tea coordination and fixture updates. Please keep chat relevant, avoid posting late at night, and use private messages for 1-on-1 chats. Let's keep it friendly! If you have any issues, please message the Admins directly."