SOCIAL MEDIA Policy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Social Media Policy (“Policy”) is to address proper etiquette and use of social media tools and the WIA website. This Policy will apply to the WIA Board of Directors, committee members, members, and staff. This Policy will include, but not be limited to, the following communication outlets: Facebook, LinkedIn, the WIA website, and any other resource managed by a volunteer or staff.

DEFINITIONS

“Social Media” refers to a website or platform allowing the creation and exchange of user-generated content. This includes, but is not limited to, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and any WIA-affiliated internal or external online community platforms.

WIA Social Media Platforms

WIA Website: www.woodindustry.org
Facebook Page: Wood Industry Association - WIA
LinkedIn Company Page: WIA-Wood Industry Association

Management

• All WIA accounts will be administrated/managed/moderated by designated WIA staff (ie. Stringfellow Management Group)
• Staff will act/respond on behalf of WIA across all of its social media platforms.
• The WIA office shall retain login information for all social media sites and WIA website.

Goals

The goals of WIA with regards to social media and the WIA website are:

• To build professionalism and the image of WIA and/or the woodworking machinery industry
• Promote WIA events/services/resources
• Engage the public and/or legislators regarding WIA and the woodworking machinery industry
• Engage members of WIA or other industry-related individuals/organizations on issues pertinent to the woodworking machinery industry

Policy for Terms of Use

Anyone who represents the Wood Industry Association as an officer, board of director, committee member, liaison or staff member, will adhere to the following guidelines with regards to posting and/or comments on a social media outlet or the WIA website. WIA does not tolerate Social Media dialogue not conforming to the reasonable standards of civility outlined in this Policy. The Executive Director will oversee the implementation of this Policy.

Unless specified, members are not authorized to speak on behalf of WIA. However, members represent WIA and must always be aware of the impact online interactions may have on WIA brand. All WIA members are expected to conduct online interactions in accordance with the same values, ethics, confidentiality and other WIA policies applying to member’s off-line conduct, including this Policy.

• WIA Identity: WIA accepts responsibility for the content it posts on its Social Media sites and will not impersonate, mislead or purposely obscure WIA’s identity when using Social Media. Social Media is about enhancing WIA’s credibility and reputation. WIA also expects participants in dialogue on our Social Media sites to refrain from impersonating, misleading or purposely obscuring their identities.
• Intellectual Property: WIA protects its own intellectual property and respects the  intellectual property of others. We will not intentionally use copyrighted material without permission or use others’ business name, logo or other trademark-protected materials in a manner that may mislead or confuse others with regard to the business’s brand or business affiliation. WIA also expects participants in dialogue on our Social Media sites display the same respect for the intellectual property of WIA and others. Unless specified by WIA, individuals and entities may not use the intellectual property, including but not limited to copyright and trademark, of WIA.
• Courteous Dialogue: WIA accepts differences and differing opinions about issues affect the woodworking industry and we strive to maintain a courteous, polite and professional dialogue about these issues even when we might disagree with opinions expressed by others. WIA expects participants in dialogue on WIA’s Social Media sites also will accept differences and differing opinions by responding in a respectful way when they disagree or have a difference of opinion. 
• Bullying, Intimidation, or Threatening:  WIA does not use Social Media to bully, intimidate or threaten others and we expect participants in dialogues on WIA Social Media sites to refrain from posting/commenting offensive, threatening, illegal, defamatory, or hostile posts.
• Profanity: WIA does not publish or post profanity or obscene or pornographic communications on its Social Media sites. We do not tolerate the use of profanity or posting obscene or pornographic images by any participants in the dialogue on WIA’s Social Media sites, whether in a user profile or background or in response, comment, or message posting. 
• Antitrust:  WIA respects antitrust laws and does not use its Social Media sites to  improperly coordinate discussions between market participants about prices, salaries, expansion plans, market allocation, refusals to deal or any other anti-competitive practices. Postings/comments shall not promote a commercial product or service, unless the company being promoted purchased an applicable advertisement package.
• Privacy: WIA members are expected to protect and maintain the privacy of WIA and its members. Postings/comments should never contain personal contact information including emails or phone numbers of anyone other than the individual posting the information. WIA members are prohibited from disclosing any proprietary and nonpublic information to which members have access. 
• Other Abusive Uses: WIA intends Social Media to serve as an effective communications tool for WIA and will refrain from spamming and other abusive uses of the Social Media technology/capability. We expect participants in dialogue on WIA’s Social Media sites will properly use the technology/capabilities as an effective communications tool and will not engage in spam or other misuse of these technologies/capabilities.

Violations

WIA reserves the right to take appropriate actions against violations of this Policy. Appropriate actions depend on the nature and factors of the violation and include, but are not limited to:

1) Members:

a) Removal of any posting which conflicts with these guidelines or is deemed otherwise inappropriate by the WIA Board can be removed by the social media administrator at the request of the WIA Chair or Board.
b) Discipline within WIA;
c) Termination of WIA membership; and
d) Involvement of law enforcement.

2) Nonmember Violators:

a) Blocking the user;
b) Ending of communications with the user; and 
c) Involvement of law enforcement.