Internet and Social Media Policy
NAHMA and the NAHMA Educational Foundation (collectively referred to as NAHMA) have an overriding interest in maintaining and protecting the organization’s public image, brand and reputation. As part of this responsibility, it is incumbent on NAHMA to establish guidelines on what may be posted and/or stated by or on behalf of the organization on the internet and in social media. This document establishes NAHMA’s policy guidelines for the use of the internet and social media as it pertains to the organization.
A. General
1. NAHMA’s usage of the internet and social media website(s) shall comply with NAHMA’s Bylaws and Policies and Procedures.
2. NAHMA’s official website (www.nahma.org) shall be NAHMA’s primary and predominant internet presence.
3. NAHMA’s official website and any social media website(s), material(s) or posting(s) attributed to NAHMA will be administered by and subject to approval of NAHMA staff or approved designees.
4. NAHMA‘s official website and social media account(s) and website(s), services and equipment, including information transmitted or stored on them, are the sole property of NAHMA.
5. The intended purpose of NAHMA’s official website and any NAHMA social media website(s) is to serve as a mechanism for NAHMA to communicate with its members and members of the public.
6. The following forms of content shall not be allowed on NAHMA’s official website and social media website(s):
i. Profane language or content;
ii. Content that promotes, fosters or perpetuates discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, age, religion, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, national origin, physical or mental disability or sexual orientation;
iii. Sexual content or links to sexual content;
iv. Solicitations of commerce (other than NAHMA authorized advertising);
v. Promotions of products, events or services other than those sponsored by or affiliated with NAHMA;
vi. Conduct or encouragement of illegal activity;
vii. Information that may tend to compromise the safety or security of the public or public systems;
viii. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party;
ix. Discussion of pricing, such as the prices paid and the prices charged, including labor costs; market share and allocation; quality ratings of products or suppliers or any other areas that might have anticompetitive repercussions; or
x. Confidential information.
7. The following legal notice shall appear on all NAHMA administered internet forums that allow users to directly post content: LEGAL NOTICE: NAHMA is not responsible for screening, policing, editing or monitoring comments and encourages all to use reasonable discretion and caution in evaluating or reviewing any comment. NAHMA does not endorse the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or reliability of any advice, opinion, statement or other material displayed, uploaded or distributed by any user. Nevertheless, NAHMA reserves the right to delete or take other action with respect to postings (or parts thereof) that NAHMA believes in good faith violate this legal notice and/or are potentially harmful or unlawful. NAHMA may, in its sole discretion, remove or delete unacceptable content, issue a warning to offender and/or terminate offender’s use of this or any NAHMA site. Moreover, it is a policy of NAHMA to take appropriate actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and other applicable intellectual property laws. If you become aware of postings that violate these rules regarding acceptable behavior or content, you may contact NAHMA at (703) 683-8630.
8. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in these policies, NAHMA’s website and social media tools shall not allow users or visitors to post content unless the posting of such content is authorized by the NAHMA Board through its approved Policies and Procedures. NAHMA staff and approved designees will be responsible for implementing the NAHMA Board’s policies and procedures, including posting of approved content on NAHMA’s website and social media sites. NAHMA reserves the right to restrict or remove any content posted on NAHMA’s official site and any NAHMA social media website(s) that is deemed in violation of NAHMA Policies and Procedures or any applicable law.
9. Any content removed based on these guidelines must be retained by NAHMA staff, including the time, date and identity of the offender when available.
B. Social Media Content
1. The best, most appropriate NAHMA usage of social media falls generally into two categories:
i. As a channel for disseminating time‐sensitive information as quickly as possible.
ii. As a marketing/promotional channel, which increases NAHMA’s ability to broadcast its messages to the widest possible audience.
2. Wherever possible, content posted by NAHMA on social media website(s) will also be available on NAHMA’s official website.
3. Wherever possible, content posted by NAHMA on social media website(s) should contain links directing users back to NAHMA’s official website for in- depth information, forms, documents or online services.
4. As is the case for NAHMA’s official website, NAHMA staff or approved designees will be responsible for the content and upkeep of any NAHMA social media website(s).
5. NAHMA will approach the use of social media tools as consistently as possible.
6. Care will be taken to ensure that any photos, videos or other content shared via social media, which may be considered proprietary or promotional in nature, do not generate privacy, safety or intellectual property right concerns once such content is disseminated. When appropriate, consent forms will be required before posting.
C. Administration of Social Media
1. NAHMA staff will maintain a list of social media tools, which are approved for use by NAHMA.
2. NAHMA staff will maintain a list of all NAHMA social media website(s), including login and password information.
3. NAHMA staff must be able to immediately edit or remove content from social media website(s).
4. NAHMA staff will maintain operational use and guidelines for each of its social media tools and website.
