DYHA Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy
USA Hockey and the Connecticut Hockey Conference (“CHC”), as the governing body for the sport of ice hockey in Connecticut requires all registered participants and volunteers to comply with the USA Hockey Safe Sport Program Handbook. The Program Handbook addresses a number of policies, including a Social Media & Electronic Communications Policy.
Darien Youth Hockey Association (“DYHA”) recognizes the importance of social media and electronic communications in shaping the public’s perception of our organization. DYHA also recognizes the importance of our Board members, coaches, volunteers, parents, and players in leading and setting the tone of social media interactions that advance DYHA’s mission and goals. In addition to the USA Hockey Social Media & Electronic Communications Policy, DYHA expects its members to follow the DYHA Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy (“DYHA Policy” or “this Policy”).
The terms “social media” and “electronic communications” as used in this Policy encompass a wide array of online media and communications and their scope is constantly evolving. For purposes of this Policy, the terms “social media” and “electronic communications” include, but are not limited to, internal and external websites, blogs, online social networks ( e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), wikis, video, and photo and video sharing sites (e.g., YouTube, SKYPE and Flickr, Instagram, Snapchat, Tiktok), and other forms of personal online publishing and discourse. Policies regarding text messaging, email, and individual telephonic communications are also covered by the DYHA Policy. Social media forums are typically public.
Applicability
The DYHA Policy applies to all Board members, coaches, volunteers, parents, and players (collectively, “DYHA Members”). This DYHA Policy applies to all social media content posted by DYHA Members on any social media platform, whether in their professional and/or personal capacity, to the extent such content is related to DYHA, including, but not limited to, DYHA Members, games, game officials, practices, off-ice events, and tryouts.
Guidelines
All DYHA Members shall abide by the following guidelines when using social media and electronic communications:
- Be positive and respectful; when disagreeing with others’ opinions, remain appropriate and polite. If you find yourself in a situation online that is becoming antagonistic, ask the DYHA Board for advice on how to disengage from the dialogue politely and respectfully.
- Do not post content that would harm DYHA or damage DYHA’s reputation. Although you are on your own personal time, you are also a member of DYHA, and your online postings or social interactions may reflect negatively on DYHA.
- Do not single out or focus your social media post on other DYHA player(s) (including posts that may not necessarily identify the player(s)), without express permission from the player(s)' parents.
- In addition to the above, do not single out or focus your post on any player’s failure or mistakes in the course of a game or practice.
- Do not post any footage taken in a locker room or room area in violation of DYHA’s Locker Room policy or USA Hockey/CHC Locker Room policies.
- Use good judgment when posting comments on any official DYHA sites. Bear in mind that your comments can create liability for DYHA. If you are unsure whether a comment is appropriate, either do not post it or obtain prior approval from the Board.
- Be smart about what you publish; once something is posted, it can exist forever. Ask yourself, “would I want to see this published in the newspaper or posted on a billboard tomorrow or ten years from now?” If the answer is “no,” do not post.
- Personally identifiable information (such as a name and date of birth and/or a street address which, when taken together, can identify a particular individual) should not be disclosed on official DYHA social networking sites.
Electronic Communications with DYHA Minor Participants:
All electronic communications originating from a DYHA coach or adult member to an unrelated Minor Participant must be open and transparent and professional in nature. Unless an exception exists under the USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook Social Media & Electronic Communications Policy, if a DYHA coach or adult member communicates directly with a single DYHA minor athlete via electronic communications, the minor’s legal guardian, another adult family member or another DYHA adult coach or volunteer must be copied. If a minor athlete communicates to a DYHA coach or unrelated adult member privately first, the DYHA coach or unrelated adult member should only respond to the minor participant with a copy to another DYHA coach, adult volunteer or adult family member of the minor participant.
DYHA coaches are prohibited from having Minor participants joined to or connected through their personal social media applications (such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.), unless an exception exists under the USA Hockey Safe Sport Handbook.
To facilitate communication, a DYHA or team specific page may be set up and players and parents may join the official DYHA or team specific page and coaches should communicate through that site.
Violations of the Social Media Policy
The DYHA Board shall have the authority to monitor and enforce this Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy. The DYHA Board, and any individual appointed by the Board, shall have the authority to remove any inappropriate or offensive comments from official DYHA sites and to block any individual or organization from posting on any official DYHA social media platform if they determine, in their sole discretion, that such removal or block is in the best interests of DYHA.
The failure of any DYHA Member to adhere to this Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy shall be considered a violation of the DYHA Code of Conduct, and any DYHA Member who fails to adhere to this Social Media and Electronic Communications Policy shall be subject to disciplinary action under the DYHA Bylaws, CHC Bylaws and USA Hockey Bylaws. This could include termination of membership within the DYHA.