Internet Guidelines for Scouting Unit Web Sites Otetiana Council, BSA www.otetiana.org www.rochesterexploring.org

Policy Statement The Otetiana Council does not have a policy for websites that it does not own and operate including Unit websites. Unit websites are the property of the Chartered Partner and any such policy guidance must come from that organization.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites A good motto for Scouting Web design is KISMIF (keep it simple; make it fun)..

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Get approval from the Unit Committee and the Chartered Partner before hosting a site. If there is an issue of liability or a youth protection issue related to the site all of these principals may be affected.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Have written policies regarding privacy and terms and conditions. A privacy policy informs the members of the unit about the handling of information that is either on the site or obtained through the site. The terms and conditions inform the members and visitors about your potential liability for incorrect or missing information.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Avoid “interactivity” on the site such as unmoderated chat rooms, message boards, etc. These are difficult to control and can lead to embarrassing situations. Be careful and monitor how you use sarcasm or humor on your page, because your message may not be received in the spirit in which it was meant.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Assume that the website is a secondary method of communications. Not everyone is web friendly just as not everyone reads the written material that is sent to the home.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Keep the site current. Sounds simple but currency is a key to usability. Stale information leads to loss of confidence in the site and erodes usage. Make sure calendars have correct information. If you’re not sure, don’t post it. (It is better to have no information and keep looking for it, than to have the wrong information and miss the event.)

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Check your spelling. A misspelled wrod can change the mood of the mesage. Keep paragraphs short and succinct. Focus on one subject per message area. Separate subjects by lines or spaces. Just make sure the themes do not run together, cluttering the view and conveying incorrect information.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Decorum - Scouters should exercise propriety and good taste. Remember that the Internet (including Web sites, chat rooms, bulletin boards, and even e-mail messages) are a public medium. Your conduct reflects not only on yourself and your unit, but also on the entire Scouting movement whenever the audience knows you are a Scouter.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Be respectful of copyright law. Avoid copying information or images from other sites unless you have permission to use that information or those images.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Please do not post anything from the Member’s Side of www.otetiana.org out “in to open” on your website. Everything in the Member’s Side of the Otetiana Council’s site is placed there due to Member Privacy and/or Youth Protection requirements.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites BSA Policies and Procedures - All policies and procedures that apply to any activity are still in effect when that activity is conducted on the Internet. For example, any online recruiting must be done in accordance with policies and procedures that govern offline recruiting.

Helpful Hints for Unit Websites Legal Issues - Myriad federal and state laws govern publishing in any medium, including the Internet—copyright infringement, privacy of information, defamation, etc. Key among these legal issues are that (1) you should never collect personal information about youth members (COPPA), and (2) you should never reproduce or display on your Web sites content from some other sources without written permission.

Personal Safety Personal Safety - While most Internet users are honest, there is a criminal element that seeks information as a way to gain access to victims. For that reason, be especially careful about providing any personal information—names, e-mail addresses, phone numbers, etc.

Personal Safety Always get written permission before posting personal information about adult volunteers, and never publish personal information about youth members. If you display or post images of adult and youth members involved in Scouting activities on your Web site, you should first obtain written permissions from the adults and the parents or guardians of any youth members.

Member/Youth Protection Last names, last initials, or any identifying information about youth members should not be published on the Web. Names and information about any adult should be published only with the written approval of that individual.

Member/Youth Protection Pictures of youth may appear on the Web as long as no name or other personal information is associated with the picture. Under no circumstances should the address, personal phone number, or e-mail address of any youth be published on the Internet.

Member/Youth Protection Phone numbers of adult leaders may be published only with written permission. E-mail addresses of adults may be published, with the permission of the holder, if worthwhile benefit to the program would be achieved.

Commercialism on the Web The National Council’s policy on commercialism states: “A site cannot contain any advertisements or commercial endorsements whatsoever.” This means that in no way may a unit, district, or council page be involved in any type of commercial relationship, nor may units, districts, or councils endorse any business, corporation, commercial agency, or individual unless duly authorized by the National Executive Board.

Commercialism on the Web The BSA logo may not be used on any product, flier, or advertisement in any way that implies the Boy Scouts of America or any of its entities is sponsoring a commercial product or company.

Commercialism on the Web It is further suggested that a site should not use a provider like GeoCities or AOL because they will target advertisements to your page. Remember that a site is not free if the provider uses your page for advertising their product or services. Units should seek community support from their local neighbor/area provider, if possible.

Program Compatibility Avoid posting content that would compromise the way the program should be run. If a youth member should be talking to an adult for specific information then do not post that on the web, for example: The list of Council Merit Badge Counselors Scouting is not a web based activity but the internet can support Scouting.

Linking to Other Sites Think carefully about links to other sites, both Scouting and non-Scouting sites. Links to the Otetiana Council, National BSA, Order of the Arrow, or other official Scouting sites are safe.

Linking to Other Sites Review every proposed link for appropriateness and propriety: Any advertising? Any political intent? Consistent with the ideals of Scouting? Consistent with the values of the Chartered Partner? Any visitor information collected? Etc.

Consider the intent of the proposed link: Linking to Other Sites Consider the intent of the proposed link: Does it add value to the program or show a skill, or provide information about a trip, etc? How long should the link stay in place?

Scout Internet Hosting Some choices to consider: http://www.scoutinternethosting.com/ http://decisiondesign.com/decisiondesign/ScoutSite/Introduction.asp http://www.scouttroops.org/ http://soarol.com/

Internet Guidelines for Scouting Unit Web Sites Questions Comments Suggestions Thank You!