Social Media Policy
for Volunteers

Social Media Policy for Volunteers

Gang Alternative, Inc. (GA) uses social media in its work and recognizes that those who are involved in its work may also use social media either as part of their role or in their private lives. A written policy is therefore required on the acceptable use of social networking with regards to volunteering. There is a separate policy for staff.

GA encourages the responsible use of social media. The purpose of this policy is to set out what GA expects from our volunteers when using social media. It is important to remember that we are all ambassadors for GA and that social media is never private.

This policy is solely for volunteers and aims to give clear guidelines on what volunteers can say about GA; comply with relevant legislation and protect volunteers; help volunteers draw a line between their private lives and their volunteering; protect GA against liability for the actions of volunteers; be clear about sensitive issues such as monitoring and explain how problems with inappropriate use will be addressed.

This policy aims to protect individuals volunteering with us in any role and to encourage you to take responsibility for what you write, while exercising good judgment and common sense. Inappropriate use of social media can pose risks to our confidential and proprietary information and reputation and can jeopardize our compliance with legal obligations.

Scope and purpose of the Policy

This policy deals with the use of all forms of social media, includingFacebook, Instagram, Twitter, all other social networking sites and all other internet postings, including blogs.

Volunteers may be required to remove internet postings which refer inappropriately to GA and are deemed to constitute a breach of this policy.

Personnel responsible for implementing the Policy

All volunteer supervisors have a specific responsibility for operating within the boundaries of this policy, ensuring that all volunteers understand the standards of behavior expected of them and taking action when behavior falls below this.

All volunteers are responsible for the success of this policy and should ensure that they take the time to read and understand it. Any misuse of social media or questions regarding the content or application of this policy should be reported to the Communications and Outreach Director at media@MyGA.org.

Guidelines for responsible use of social media

The following sections of the policy provide volunteers with common-sense guidelines and recommendations for using social media responsibly and safely.

We want you to help protect our reputation. Volunteers must not post disparaging or defamatory statements about: GA, GA staff, our clients, volunteers or members past or present; suppliers and vendors; and other affiliates and stakeholders.

Volunteers should also avoid social communications that might be misconstrued in a way that could damage our reputation, even indirectly.

Volunteers are personally responsible for what they communicate in social media (as part of their role or on personal sites). Remember that what you publish might be available to be read by the masses (including GA), colleagues, volunteers, future employers and social acquaintances for a long time. Keep this in mind before you post content.

GA does not permit tagging of vulnerable adults or anyone under the age of18.

Remember that you must respect confidentiality at all times and protect confidential information. Confidential information includes things such as unpublished details about our work, details of current projects, future projects, financial information or information held on our supporters, staff or volunteers.

If you are uncertain or concerned about the appropriateness of any statement or posting, refrain from making the communication until you discuss it with your volunteer supervisor.

If you see content in social media that disparages or reflects poorly on GA or our stakeholders, you should report it to your volunteer supervisor and/or the Communications and Outreach Director. All volunteers are responsible for protecting our reputation.

The contact details of business contacts made during the course of your volunteering are regarded as our confidential information, and as such you will be required to delete all such details from your personal social networking accounts, should you finish volunteering with GA.

Contact details of volunteers are subject to data protection. Staff are not permitted to access or store information on volunteers that would breach data protection.

Fundraising for Gang Alternative, Inc. using social media

We recognize social media can play a significant role in raising money from friends and family for a charity you support. We have the capability on our website to post fundraising events and allow volunteers to have their own page to raise money as well.

This has multiple purposes. First, GA would build a page with GA-provided imagery and text to describe the event. The volunteer would be able to use this to build their own page with a personal message to send to friends and family. All donations would go through the GA portal, absolving the volunteer the responsibility of submitting third-party donations at all.

This is the only acceptable method of volunteers fundraising online for GA. All requests should be directed to the Communications and Outreach Director at media@MyGA.org.