Public Forum

Social Media

At OCVJC, we understand that social media can be a rewarding way to share your life and opinions with family, friends, and co-workers around the world. However, use of social media also presents certain risks and carries with it certain responsibilities. To assist you in making responsible decisions about your use of social media, we have established these guidelines.

You have the opportunity to help shape OCVJC’s reputation online. Use your expert knowledge to enrich discussions, help solve problems, share the excitement of our work environment, and promote learning and idea-sharing.

This policy applies to all OCVJC ambassadors. 

Guidelines

Social media includes all means of communicating or posting information or content of any sort on the internet, including to your own or someone else's web log or blog, journal or diary, personal websites, social networking or affinity website, web bulletin board or chat room, whether or not associated or affiliated with OCVJC, as well as any other form of electronic communication. 

You are personally and solely responsible for what you post online. Before creating online content, consider the risks and rewards that are involved. Please remember that when you participate on your personal social media account, you are speaking as an individual and not on behalf of OCVJC. Identify yourself using the first person singular. Keep in mind that any of your conduct that adversely affects your performance, the performance of fellow associates, or otherwise adversely affects members, clients, people who work and ambassador with OCVJC, or OCVJC’s legitimate business interests may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination. 

Due to a lack of non-verbal communication or cultural differences, readers may interpret the tone you use online in different ways. Some readers may not be familiar with abbreviations, emoticons, and other common codes used in online communication. Remember also that comments are often taken out of context, so stick to the facts.

Establishing an OCVJC account or becoming an official OCVJC representative that shares information about OCVJC and the areas we work in requires approval from the volunteer director. Only these accounts may display the organization’s logo. If you would like to represent OCVJC or create an OCVJC account, please contact your ambassador president. Do not use OCVJC email addresses to register on social networks, blogs, or other online tools utilized for personal use.

Know and Follow the Rules

Carefully read these guidelines, the OCVJC Statement of Ethics Policy, the OCVJC Information Policy, and the Discrimination & Harassment Prevention Policy, and ensure your postings are consistent with these policies. Inappropriate postings that may include discriminatory remarks, harassment, and threats of violence or similar inappropriate or unlawful conduct will not be tolerated and may subject you to disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Use of social media platforms in accordance with this policy can be a very effective and powerful communication tool. Be proud of what you do. Above all, please use good judgment, be attentive to others, and take the time to listen and be understood.

Be Respectful

Always be fair and courteous to everyone. Also, keep in mind that you are more likely to resolve work-related complaints by speaking directly with your co-workers or by utilizing our Open-Door Policy than by posting complaints to a social media outlet. Nevertheless, if you decide to post complaints or criticism, avoid using statements, photographs, video, or audio that reasonably could be viewed as malicious, obscene, threatening or intimidating. Examples of such conduct might include offensive posts meant to intentionally harm someone's reputation or posts that could contribute to a hostile work environment on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion or any other status protected by law or company policy. You may not make posts that disparage clients or staff or that might constitute harassment or bullying. In fact, mentioning client names, identifying information, case facts, or any client information at all is prohibited without express consent from the executive director or legal director.

Trust is the key element in building relationships. Build trust by keeping a respectful tone, even when disagreeing with others, and by responding to comments in a timely manner. If you realize that you’ve made a mistake, try to correct it promptly.

Be Honest and Accurate

Make sure you are always honest and accurate when posting information or news, and if you make a mistake, correct it quickly. Be open about any previous posts you have altered. Remember that the internet archives almost everything; therefore, even deleted posts can be searched. Never post any information or rumors that you know to be false about OCVJC, staff, ambassadors, or other people working on behalf of OCVJC or competitors.

Post Only Appropriate and Respectful Content

  • Maintain the confidentiality of OCVJC privileged and confidential information. Do not post internal reports, policies, procedures, or other internal business-related confidential communications.

  • Do not create a link from your blog, website or other social networking site to an OCVJC website without identifying yourself as your correct title, an OCVJC ambassador.

  • Express only your personal opinions. Never represent yourself as a spokesperson for OCVJC. If OCVJC is a subject of the content you are creating, be clear and open about the fact that you are an ambassador and make it clear that your views do not represent those of OCVJC. If you do publish a blog or post online related to the work you do or subjects associated with OCVJC, make it clear that you are not speaking on behalf of OCVJC. It is best to include a disclaimer such as "The views expressed on this site are my own and not those of OCVJC."

  • If you are unsure whether certain content is appropriate to share online, do not post it. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

  • Comply with laws and regulations and more particularly with laws governing intellectual property rights, including copyrights and trademarks. You must not post content or take any action that violates the law or infringes OCVJC or any third party’s intellectual property rights.

Retaliation is Prohibited

OCVJC prohibits taking negative action against any ambassador or staff for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in an investigation. Any ambassador or staff who retaliates for reporting a possible deviation from this policy or for cooperating in an investigation will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Media Contacts

Ambassadors may not speak to the media on OCVJC’s behalf. All media inquiries should be directed to the Executive Director, Cathy Harper Lee, cathyharperlee@ocvjc.org.