Purpose
Social media offers the opportunity for people to gather in online communities of shared interest and create, share or consume content. Balnarring Picnic Racing Club recognises the benefits of social media as an important tool of engagement and enrichment for its staff, industry participants and customers.
Balnarring Picnic Racing Club and the racing industry have long histories and are highly respected organisations. It is important that our Club’s reputation is not tarnished by anyone using social media tools inappropriately, particularly in relation to any content that might refer to the organisation.
When someone clearly identifies their association with Balnarring Picnic Racing Club, and/or discusses their involvement in the organisation in this type of forum, they are expected to behave and express themselves in ways that are consistent with our Club’s stated values and principles.
Scope
This policy applies to all employees of Balnarring Picnic Racing Club and, contractors, secondees to Balnarring Picnic Racing Club from other organisations, volunteers and to any other person who is notified that this Policy applies to them.
If you are officially authorised to represent Balnarring Picnic Racing Club in social media, identify yourself as a Club employee, Committee member or are discussing Balnarring Picnic Racing Club or racing related issues in your personal use of social media platforms, you are required to follow this Policy.
What is “social media”?
“Social media” is user generated content online including (but not limited to):
- social networking sites e.g. Facebook, MySpace, Bebo, Friendster
- video and photo sharing websites e.g. Flickr, YouTube
- micro-blogging sites e.g. Twitter
- weblogs, including corporate blogs, personal blogs or blogs hosted by traditional media publications
- forums and discussion boards such as Whirlpool, Yahoo! Groups or Google Groups , including racing and sports related forums (e.g. racingandsports.com.au or forum.thoroughbredvillage.com.au)
- online encyclopaedias such as Wikipedia
- any other web sites that allow individual users or companies to use simple publishing tools.
When can I officially represent (Insert Club name) in the social media?
To represent Balnarring Picnic Racing Club on a social media platform you must have approval from Balnarring Picnic Racing Club Committee.
What are the general rules that apply?
Be mindful that any comments made on social media platforms, irrespective of privacy settings, are public remarks and can be copied, distributed and shared to a wider audience than intended.
Whether using social media in an official or personal capacity you are required to:
- disclose only publicly available information. You must not comment on or disclose confidential Country Racing Victoria information (such as financial information, future business performance, business plans, imminent departure of key executives)
- ensure that any content you publish is factually accurate and complies with relevant Club policies, particularly those relating to confidentiality and disclosure
- ensure you do not post material that is obscene, defamatory, threatening, harassing, discriminatory or hateful to another person or entity, including Balnarring Picnic Racing Club, its employees, its sponsors and community partners, its contractors, its partners, its participants, its competitors and/or other racing related individuals or organisations
- ensure you are not the first to make a Balnarring Picnic Racing Club announcement unless you have received the appropriate clearances and approvals
What happens if I breach this policy?
You may face disciplinary action, including verbal or written warning or, in serious cases termination of your services with the club.
For Assistance and Further Information
Please contact the club Secretary.
(Rev: 25/07/2022)
Social Media Policy