Social Media & Communication Policy

Effective communication between board members, staff and coaches of the Eliot River Soccer Club (ERRSC) and its members is vital to a successful and enjoyable soccer experience. However, the use of mobile devices, web-based applications, social media, and other forms of electronic communications increases the possibility for misunderstandings or even improprieties. 

For the purposes of this policy, social media means any medium for online publication and commentary, including without limitation blogs, wiki’s, social networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedln, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube. 

Policies regarding text messaging, email and communication by telephone are also covered here.

Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, and Similar Sites

• All posts, messages, text, or media of any kind between a coach, other volunteer, or staff member and players must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about the club, team activities or for team-oriented motivational purposes.
• Direct messaging or private messaging between a coach, other volunteer or staff member and a player that is a minor is prohibited. 
• In the event that a coach opens a team Facebook page or Blog of any sort the ERRSC’s Executive Coordinator must be contacted and given access to view the page at their discretion. 
• Team pages or blogs may not be used to bully, speak negatively of a player or family of a player, or to discuss discipline issues. 

Twitter, SnapChat, Instant Messaging and Similar Media 

• All posts, messages, text, or media of any kind between a coach, other volunteer, or staff member and players must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities or for team-oriented motivational purposes.
• Direct messaging or private messaging between a coach, other volunteer, or staff member and a player that is a minor is prohibited. 

Email, Texts and Similar Electronic Communications 

• Players and coaches or managers may use email and texts to communicate. 
• All email content between a coach or manager and players must be professional in nature and for the purpose of communicating information about team activities. 
• To ease communications, coaches or managers may set-up e-mail and texting groups with parent(s) or guardian(s) and players and make this group communication a norm for the team.
• Coaches or managers must include parents on all email and text messaging groups.
• Should a coach or manager inadvertently send a player an electronic or mobile communication without including the parent(s) or guardian(s), acknowledge the oversight to the parents and forward the communication to them as soon as possible.
• Coaches or managers that receive an electronic or mobile communication from a player that makes them uncomfortable should not hesitate to speak with the player’s parent(s) or guardian(s).
• Emails from a coach or manager to a player that is a minor must include a copy to the player’s parent(s) or guardian(s) unless they have previously approved in writing direct communications between the coach or manager and player. 

• Texting should not occur after 10:00 pm unless in emergency situations. 

Violations of this policy can be used to commit abuse and misconduct (e.g,. emotional, sexual, bullying, harassment, and hazing). Such transgressions by coaches, other volunteers, staff members or players will not be tolerated and are strictly prohibited by the ERRSC. Anyone who violates this policy is subject to appropriate disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension, expulsion and/or referral to law enforcement authorities. Violations of this policy should be reported to the ERRSC’s Executive Coordinator or to the President.