Purpose

The purpose of this social media policy is to establish guidelines for the appropriate use of social media platforms by employees, volunteers, and representatives of the Licking County Art Association (LCAA). This policy aims to ensure professionalism, protect organizational reputation, and uphold ethical standards in online communications.

Scope

This policy applies to all individuals associated with LCAA, including but not limited to employees, volunteers, board members, and contractors, when representing or mentioning the organization on social media platforms.

Intent

The LCAA seeks to promote and support visual arts in Licking County in a manner that is family-safe and ideal.

Guidelines

Professional Conduct

Maintain a professional tone and demeanor in all social media interactions. Respect diversity, inclusivity, and cultural sensitivity.

Confidentiality and Privacy

Do not share confidential or proprietary information about LCAA, its members, donors, or beneficiaries on social media. Respect the privacy rights of individuals and obtain consent before sharing personal information or images.

Accuracy and Transparency

Ensure shared information is accurate and up to date. Clearly identify your role with LCAA when posting or commenting in a professional capacity.

Intellectual Property

Respect copyright laws and obtain proper permissions before sharing third-party content (such as images, videos, or articles) on social media. Attribute sources and credit creators appropriately.

Conflict of Interest

Avoid posting content or engaging in activities on social media that could create a conflict of interest with LCAA. Disclose personal relationships or affiliations that could be perceived as influencing your posts.

Personal Use

Differentiate personal social media accounts from those representing LCAA. Clearly state opinions expressed are your own and not necessarily reflective of the organization’s views.

Response to Comments and Messages

Respond promptly to inquiries and comments related to LCAA, directing sensitive or complex issues to appropriate staff members. Maintain a respectful tone when addressing criticism or negative feedback.

Monitoring and Enforcement

The organization reserves the right to monitor social media activity related to LCAA. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or volunteer status.

Specific Guidelines for Social Media Platforms

Official Platforms

LCAA manages official accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Designated personnel are responsible for posting content that aligns with LCAA’s mission and values.

Content Guidelines

All content posted on official LCAA accounts should be respectful, accurate, and relevant to our mission of promoting art and cultural awareness. Avoid sharing confidential information, internal disputes, or any content that may harm the organization’s reputation or legal standing.

Engagement

Respond promptly and professionally to comments, messages, and mentions directed at official accounts. Encourage positive dialogue and constructive feedback. Do not engage in arguments or offensive language.

Copyright and Crediting

Respect copyright laws and credit artists, photographers, and content sources. Obtain permission before sharing content that does not belong to LCAA.

Transparency

Clearly identify official LCAA posts with appropriate logos or hashtags. Disclose relationships with sponsors, partners, or affiliates when promoting their products or services.

Monitoring and Moderation

Regularly monitor official accounts for inappropriate content or unauthorized use of our brand. Remove or report content that violates these guidelines or legal regulations.

External Users' Posting Guidelines

User-Generated Content

Encourage users to share their experiences with LCAA through photos, videos, and comments. Monitor and moderate user-generated content to ensure it aligns with our values and guidelines.

Moderation Practices

Reserve the right to remove or edit user-generated content that is offensive, discriminatory, or irrelevant to our mission. Inform users of the reasons for removing their content and provide guidelines for acceptable posts.

User Rights and Permissions

Obtain permission from users before reposting or sharing their content on official LCAA accounts. Respect users’ privacy and confidentiality. Do not share personal information without consent.

Consequences of Policy Violations

Violations of this social media policy may result in disciplinary action, including warnings, suspension of social media privileges, or termination of association with LCAA, depending on the severity and recurrence of the offense.

To that end, such action must consist of:

First Violation: Warning

A written warning will be issued upon the first violation, as determined by:

  • The Social Media Director and the Board President together.
  • If the Social Media Director is unavailable, the Vice President and the Board President will evaluate the violation.

The warning shall be written and include the opinion of the board members issuing the warning, as well as this Consequences of Policy Violations entry within the Social Media Policy document, which has been adopted by the Board.

Second Violation: Restriction of Social Media Privileges

If a violation occurs after the first warning, social media privileges will be restricted. This includes:

  • Blocking the member from posting to the social media account using the platform’s blocking feature.
  • Written documentation of the offense, including the opinions of the Social Media Director (or other board member with administrative privileges) and the Board President.

Third Violation: Further Escalation

If a member circumvents the blocking feature by using a different account or hacking the social media account:

  • The Social Media Director and Board President (or Vice President and Board President) will bring the matter before the Board at a regular meeting.
  • The Board will evaluate the offense and may vote to:
    • Strip the offending member of their Board of Trustee status (if applicable).
    • Remove their general membership within the LCAA.

Such action must be approved by the entire Board of Trustees.

Policy Acknowledgment

All employees, volunteers, and external users engaging with the LCAA through social media platforms are required to read and acknowledge this policy. By participating in our online community, individuals agree to adhere to these guidelines and uphold the reputation and values of LCAA.

Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure relevance and effectiveness. Updates may be made as necessary to reflect changes in social media platforms or organizational practices.

Approval

This social media policy has been reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees of the LCAA.