- Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to set out the Edgbaston Croquet Club’s (ECC, the Club) requirements relating to use of technology, media channels and systems and to help empower Members to participate in representing croquet and sharing optimistic and positive conversations about croquet.
- Scope
- This policy applies to Users of all ECC systems, media channels and technology wherever their geographic location.
- The term “Member” means a member of the Edgbaston Croquet Club.
- The term “User” means Members and anyone else using any ECC systems, media channels or technology to communicate in a personal capacity or on behalf of the Club. This includes those with direct access to any ECC systems, media channels or technology or those using their own devices to access ECC media channels from home or elsewhere.
- All Users and Members are required to comply with this policy and each person is responsible for their own compliance.
- The term platform administrator refers to the person who is responsible for a particular ECC media channel or system.
- Requirements
Whether using the Club’s systems for professional or personal purposes, the following rules apply in all cases:
- The Club’s systems shall not be used for conveying messages that are likely to be considered defamatory, derogatory, obscene, harassing or discriminatory or are otherwise abusive or inappropriate.
- Users shall not post online, electronically send or circulate potentially contentious information about an individual or organisation without first checking that the content is accurate and checking that the material to be released is acceptable by receiving sign-off from the Chairman.
- Users are expected to use good judgement around what content or behaviour are likely to be deemed inappropriate or offensive. Deliberate accessing and/or sharing of inappropriate or offensive material is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Content or behaviour considered unacceptable includes but is not limited to:
- Pornography, sexually explicit material or language
- Discriminatory material or language of any kind
- Discriminatory jokes, video files, music files, cartoons
- Illegal activity of any kind
- Visiting sites promoting extreme behaviour or beliefs
- Deceptive or deliberately misleading information
- Bullying or harassment
- Causing upset or offence beyond generally accepted societal norms
- Abuse or obscenity
- Violation of intellectual property rights
- Violation of laws and regulations
- Spamming
- Discrimination on grounds of the protected characteristics
- Impersonation of other people when posting
- Confidentiality
Confidential communications shall be clearly labelled as such and Users are reminded that electronic communication carries with it a significant risk of breach of confidence and risk of forwarding or editing of material without permission.
- Data Protection and Copyright
- Users shall be aware of their obligations under the Data Protection legislation with respect to personal, commercially sensitive or otherwise confidential information; if you are in doubt seek guidance from the Chairman
- Users must ensure that copyright laws are not infringed by the downloading or circulation of material. Photographs and text on the internet is to be presumed to be covered by copyright restrictions unless stated otherwise. The permission of the photographer or copyright holder shall always be obtained before using material.
- Monitoring
- Misuse of ECC’s technology, media channels or systems could lead to legal action against a User or ECC so ECC may, from time to time, monitor its systems, media channels and technology to ensure Users are compliant with this policy and it will take action if necessary to remedy any breach of this policy
- ECC may at any time, without notice, remove content or withdraw a User’s access to its and systems; although the User will have the right to appeal (see paragraphs 8.3 and 8.4)
- Online Complaints Procedure
- Users, Members and officials of the Club are to report breaches, or perceived breaches, of this policy as a direct message by e-mail to cbej@btinternet.com
- Any Member may make a formal complaint by email or in writing to the Club’s committee, which will be dealt promptly
- A report of a breach of this policy involving a Member may be escalated to a formal complaint by either party at any time
- Remediation Process
- A report of a breach of this policy will be reviewed by the committee who will act quickly to remove the subject material from public view having first taken a screen grab of the material to aid further investigation.
- An investigation by one or more committee members acting together may result in the user being:
- exonerated, in which case the material may be re-displayed
- requested to modify the material before re-posting
- banned from ECC’s online platforms either for a specific period of time or permanently
- Appeals against withdrawal of a User’s access to the Club’s online platforms or systems shall be made to the Chairman.
- In the event the complainant or any other party directly involved with the reported breach, or alleged breach, is dissatisfied with the outcome they may write formally to the Chairman and the matter will be promptly dealt with.
- Content or actions that appear to be criminal or otherwise illegal will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authority.