Troops/groups and service units agree to assume responsibility for
ensuring the safety and well-being of all Girl Scout members and the
integrity of the Girl Scout brand when creating and utilizing social
media/web sites, and agree that GSNEO is not responsible for the
content of these unofficial sites. The following guidelines are in
place so that girls are protected online, especially if posting
pictures and/or meeting dates and times on social media.
- The page name should be the service unit name or Group/Troop
#xxxxx and it must be stated in the “Info” or “About” section: “This
group is affiliated with Girl Scouts of North East Ohio, and
administrated by GSNEO volunteers. It is not officially endorsed or
regularly monitored by GSNEO.”
- Designate at least two
unrelated, registered, and background checked adult volunteers as
administrators to help monitor the group page. Service unit page
administrators must be active in a service unit team role and/or
appointed by a GSNEO staff member.
- GSNEO staff must be
granted access to view and/or be made a page administrator of
service unit or Group/Troop social media pages upon request. GSNEO
has jurisdiction over affiliated Girl Scout specific platforms; if
the page administrators are contacted by GSNEO or GSUSA and asked to
remove any content/links or to add/delete members, they must comply
with the request. It is important to reflect the Girl Scout Promise
and Law (see “Representing Girl Scouts” policy). When
sharing links to commercial sites, ensure they are in line with the
Girl Scout brand (see “Conflict of Interest” policy).
- Pages
may use the solid Girl Scout trefoil but not the official service
mark for GSNEO or GSUSA. Contact the council Marketing Department
with copyright questions and for permission to use Girl Scout images
and logos. Service units are encouraged to use branded cover photos
created and shared by the Marketing Department. Proprietary
information and publications (i.e. Badge or Journey requirements)
are the property of GSUSA and are not to be shared
electronically.
Maintain privacy by creating a “closed” group and utilizing
appropriate privacy settings. Only service unit members, volunteers,
parents/caregivers, and girls older than age 13 in that service unit
or group/troop (and GSNEO staff members) should be allowed to join.
Use caution when posting members’ last names and location information.
Any social media page that violates GSNEO policy will be
considered out of compliance, and the volunteer administrators may
jeopardize their volunteer roles.
Volunteer Personal Social Media
Volunteers who choose to affiliate with GSNEO/GSUSA/Girl Scouts on
their personal social media pages (i.e. “Troop Leader at GSNEO” in
“About” section) may be asked to remove the affiliation if reported
for content not aligned with the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Volunteers may also choose to include the following disclaimer on
their personal social media pages, if choosing to affiliate with
GSNEO/GSUSA/Girl Scouts: “The postings on this site are my own and do
not necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of
Girl Scouts of North East Ohio or Girl Scouts of the USA.” Please note
that GSNEO volunteers are expected to uphold the Girl Scout Promise
and Law at all times and may be removed from their roles for public
statements in direct conflict with the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
Family Communication
Troops must include all parents/caregivers, and service units must
include all volunteers who wish to be included on social media, unless
there is a legal or GSNEO based restriction. If any member of the page
violates GSNEO policies or creates an uncomfortable environment, page
administrators may request to remove that member by consulting with
GSNEO staff.
Whether through social media or other channels (phone, email,
newsletter, etc.), troop leaders must establish clear communication
with all parents/caregivers who request to be included, unless there
is a legal or GSNEO based restriction.
Refer to policies regarding cyberbullying in the section "Anti-Harassment," sharing of information in
the section "Emergencies," and virtual meeting guidelines,
including the Internet Safety Pledge in Safety Activity
Checkpoints.