Club Communication

CLUB COMMUNICATIONS POLICY

Our commitment

Electronic communication is essential for sharing club news and information with our members. Our communication will be timely, appropriate and related to club business.

What we will do

The committee will use a range of electronic tools to communicate with our members.

Our communication will protect members’ privacy, maintain clear boundaries and ensure that bullying and harassment does not occur.

A webmaster is appointed as part of the club committee to provide accountability and control over material published on our club’s website and any related discussion groups or social media websites, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.

Website

  • Our website will include current information on competitions, social events, committee & sub committees, policies, constitution, rules and by-laws, membership and event application forms.
  • No offensive content or photos will be published.
  • If we intend to publish a photo of a child, we will first seek permission from his or her parents and take care not to provide identifying information.
  • We will seek feedback from members to improve the information available on the clubs website and Facebook page.

SMS and email

Committee members may use SMS and email to provide information about competitions, workshops, training & proficiency tests, club-sanctioned social events and other club business, however:

  • SMS messages should be short and about club matters
  • Email communication and newsletters will be used when more information is required

Social media websites

  • We treat all social media postings, blogs, status updates and tweets as public ‘comment’.
  • Postings (written, photos or videos) will be family-friendly and feature positive club news and events.
  • No personal information about our members will be disclosed.
  • No statements will be made that are misleading, false or likely to injure a person’s reputation.
  • No statements will be made that might bring our club into disrepute.
  • Abusive, discriminatory, intimidating or offensive statements will not be tolerated. Offending posts will be removed and those responsible will be blocked from the site.

What we ask you to do

We expect all of our members to conduct themselves appropriately when using electronic communication to share information with other members or posting material on public websites or forums connected to the club.

Electronic communication:

  • Should be restricted to club matters
  • Must not offend, intimidate, humiliate or bully another person
  • Must not be misleading, false or injure the reputation of another person
  • Should respect and maintain the privacy of members
  • Must not bring the club into disrepute
  • Shall not post any advertisement with the intent to sell goods or services for commercial gain or profit, the advertisement of surplus or unwanted hobby items is permitted.
  • Address feedback, suggestions and grievances in writing via email to the committee at committee@toss.co.za 

As a club member, you are automatically required to abide by the conditions set out in this policy.

Non-compliance

Members may face disciplinary action for sending inappropriate electronic communication or posting online content or comments that harass, offend, intimidate or humiliate another member, as outlined in the clubs constitution.

Under certain circumstances, cyber bullying (e.g. bullying that is carried out through an internet service such as email, a chat room, discussion group, instant messaging or website) is a criminal offence that can be reported to the police.