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Football Officiating => Texas Topics => Topic started by: TXMike on February 25, 2016, 07:48:43 AM
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Not sure how it will go but TASO Football is working on possible suggested revisions to the social media policy. Of course they would have to be accepted by the TASO Board but we do have a chance to provide input. I am reposting the current policy below. Do you have any suggestions for revisions and logic for the revision?
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Introduction:
TASO Social Media Policy
Social Media has become more accessible than ever and is changing the ways we communicate on a daily basis. The guidelines for functioning in an electronic world are similar to the values and ethics policies individuals are expected to live every day, whether you’re posting, Tweeting, talking with co-workers or chatting over the neighbor’s fence. Remember, your responsibility to TASO doesn’t end when you exit the court or playing field.
Purpose:
To assist TASO members in participating online in a respectful manner that protects the Mission and Reputation of TASO, the sports officiated by TASO and adhere to the policies of our organization. We have come up with a few guidelines to provide helpful and practical advice when operating on the internet as an identifiable TASO representative. These guidelines apply to members who create or contribute to blogs, wikis, social networks, or any other kind of social media. The list includes but is not limited to: Twitter, Yelp, Tumblr, Google+, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook pages/groups, or comments on online media stories.
Guidelines:
TASO members should exercise care in setting appropriate boundaries between their personal and public online behavior, understanding that what is private in the digital world often has the possibility of becoming public, even without their knowledge or consent. TASO strongly encourages all members to carefully review the privacy settings on any social media and networking sites they use and exercise care and good judgment when posting content and information on such sites.
Here are a few guidelines when operating on the internet.
• Read and familiarize yourself with the TASO Social Media policy and Guidelines.
• Any personal social media posts and comments must not potentially embarrass TASO, damage the TASO
reputation or tarnish its image.
• Never misrepresent yourself or TASO by making false or misleading comments or posts. All statements must be true and accurate.
• TASO members should NOT comment on any topic related to their officiating assignments to include:
o Specific game or match assignments, locations or dates, either past or future.
o The scores or outcome of any game or match.
o Teams or schools involved in any past, future or current assignments.
o Situations or events that occurred in a game or match.
o The officiating performance of other members, partners or officials in any association, sport or
level.
• Members should not be “friends” or “connections” with coaches, athletic directors, players or any other participants in the sport in which they officiate.
• Members should not create TASO specific Social Media profiles, or represent themselves as official TASO
websites, pages or blogs without the written consent of TASO.
Consequences of Violating the TASO Social Media Policy:
Inappropriate activity that is in conflict with this document’s guidelines may result in disciplinary action in accordance with TASO by-laws, ranging from private reprimand to expulsion, and may include fine, probation, suspension, reduction of any classification, or any combination of the above deemed appropriate by the decision making body.
Be smart about protecting yourself and your privacy. What you publish is widely accessible and will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully. The Internet has a long memory.
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Until we have a social media program having a policy is just stupid. Not to go into the lack of enforcement of such a policy and the whole constitution of the United States of America. Spend energy using social media to recruit officials not punish those who's wife post a picture of them at Jerry World calling a game.
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You got my input Mike. This current policy is way too restrictive. There are so many "what ifs" it will drive you nuts. I have two AD's that I'm "friends" with on FB, but it is because I know them outside of high school athletics.
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Our lacrosse association adopted the following after deciding not to model off the TASO policy at all:
Members of CTLOA, when interacting online, should be mindful that:
· Statements made by members of the officiating community about plays, games, or teams may
be construed by fans, players, and coaches as representative of official positions or
interpretations of rules or game situations.
· While the central Texas lacrosse community has traditionally been tight-knit, care should be
taken that interactions between officials and players and coaches do not give the impression of
bias or impropriety.
To this end:
· Officials should avoid discussing specific teams, games, standings, assignments, players, or
plays involving CTLOA or SWLOA members or teams served by CTLOA or SWLOA in openly
public fora such as facebook, instagram, twitter, vine, snapchat, blogs, etc.
· If discussing play situations with other officials, such as in a closed group, chat, or officiating
board, officials should obfuscate the teams, players, coaches, officials and other participants
involved.
· Online social interaction between officials and other members of the central Texas lacrosse
community should avoid any discussion of teams, games, standings, assignments, players, or
plays involving CTLOA or SWLOA members or teams served by CTLOA or SWLOA, even if
efforts are made to keep the participants anonymous.
Feel free to steal the good parts.
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In the UK, BAFRA has guidance for its members that can be found on its website here: http://www.bafra.org/info/handbook/BAFRAmediaguidance.pdf (http://www.bafra.org/info/handbook/BAFRAmediaguidance.pdf)
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I know I am a bit late to respond but I agree with Doc that " Members should not be “friends” or “connections” with coaches, athletic directors, players or any other participants in the sport in which they officiate" is too restrictive. I didn't realize this was in the policy. I don't post anything about games on social media but I have several "friends" that meet the criteria
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This provision...
• TASO members should NOT comment on any topic related to their officiating assignments to include:
o Specific game or match assignments, locations or dates, either past or future.
o The scores or outcome of any game or match.
o Teams or schools involved in any past, future or current assignments.
o Situations or events that occurred in a game or match.
o The officiating performance of other members, partners or officials in any association, sport or
level.
...pretty much needs to be eliminated.
Also, each sport should set their own provision under a general guideline list set by TASO.