Volunteer Handbook Last Updated September 2024 page 12 of 14 Social Media Policy and Guidelines for Volunteers SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. has established this Social Media Policy as a guide for all Volunteers regarding posts to social networking websites. Social media is described as any website or medium (including video) that allows for communication with the public. This includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, MySpace, YouTube, Flickr, Picasa, blogs, etc. This policy is in place to protect you, as a SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. Volunteer, below you will find both the policy and tips to protect yourself as a Volunteer. 1. SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. has numerous Social Media pages that are owned and managed exclusively by SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. and/or corresponding lead staff/volunteers. Ownership of these pages belongs to the SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. and not any Volunteer whose current job includes posting to or monitoring these accounts. Volunteers do not, under any circumstances, create social media page(s) for or with and version of the name SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. 2. Volunteers must be aware of their association with SkillsUSA, Inc. SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. and or the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Alumni & Friends Association when participating with online social networks. If a Volunteer identifies themself as a SkillsUSA Volunteer or has a public facing position for which your SkillsUSA association is known to the general public, the Volunteer must ensure their Social Media accounts and related content (even if it is of a personal and not an official nature) is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Values of SkillsUSA. 3. Volunteers must recognize that they are responsible and potentially liable for anything written or presented online. The public image of SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. Volunteers in social media, if they can be associated with SkillsUSA, SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. and or the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Alumni & Friends Association, does matter. Malicious, offensive, disparaging remarks, untruthful statements, demeaning behaviour, and illegal substance use, are all examples of behaviour that can initiate a non invite or dismissal from volunteer service with SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. Volunteers may also be disciplined by the corresponding lead staff/volunteers and/or Board of Directors for commentary, content, or images that are defamatory, lewd, proprietary, harassing, libellous, or that can create a hostile environment at SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. events, activities and conferences. 4. SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. requires Volunteers to write knowledgeably and accurately using appropriate professionalism. Speak respectfully about SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc., SkillsUSA Massachusetts Alumni & Friends Association, our current and potential members, and current and potential partners/affiliations. Despite any disclaimers made, SkillsUSA Massachusetts Volunteer’s social media posts can result in members of the public forming opinions about SkillsUSA and its members, Alumni, and partners. Do not engage in any behaviour that will reflect negatively on the reputation of SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. or SkillsUSA Alumni & Friends Association. 5. SkillsUSA Volunteers may not initiate contact or accept requests for social networking with students they meet at SkillsUSA events. The term student refers to anyone under the age of 18 or anyone who is currently enrolled in a SkillsUSA affiliated school (middle school-high school-college/post secondary). This includes those who are 18 years of age or older, but are still enrolled in a CTE school program. If a SkillsUSA student member finds a Volunteer’s social networking profile and requests to be linked, the Volunteer must respectfully decline. Any exceptions, including prior relationships, are subject to written explanation and approval from the corresponding lead staff/volunteers. 6. SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. Volunteers shall not post any pictures or videos of minors/students in or at SkillsUSA programs/events/activities/or SkillsUSA conference sites to their personal social network pages. 7. It is important that social media platforms are monitored for negative comments about SkillsUSA, SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. and the SkillsUSA Massachusetts Alumni & Friends Association. If Volunteers become aware of negative comments posted Volunteers should contact the corresponding lead staff/volunteers with any concerns. Tips to protect the Volunteer: 1. Volunteers must exercise common sense when using social networking websites. 2. Volunteers must make their online profiles private/unsearchable. 3. Volunteers must not accept “friend” invitations/invitations to connect from minors/students. 4. Volunteers must not affiliate their personal on-line presence with their Volunteer service with SkillsUSA Massachusetts 5. Volunteers must not post photos of minors/students associated with SkillsUSA. 6. Volunteers should have no expectation of online privacy. I understand that, by signing this Social Media Policy for Volunteers, if I am in violation of any of the above and/or conduct myself in a manner unbecoming a SkillsUSA Massachusetts, Inc. Volunteer, I may be removed from volunteer service or suspended from volunteer service. I further agree to accept the penalty imposed on me with the understanding that all such actions will be explained to me. I realize the severity of the penalty may increase with the severity of the violation. If signing electronically, each party agrees that the electronic signatures, whether digital or encrypted, of the parties included in this Agreement are intended to authenticate this writing and to have the same force and effect as manual signatures. Delivery of a copy of this Agreement or any other document contemplated hereby bearing an original or electronic signature by facsimile transmission (whether directly from one facsimile device to another by means of a dial-up connection or whether mediated by the worldwide web), by electronic mail in portable document format (.pdf) form, or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document, will have the same effect as physical delivery of the paper document bearing an original or electronic signature. Typed or Print Name of Volunteer Signature of Volunteer Date
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