Martin County Bar Association

MARTIN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION (MCBA)
SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY

(Effective November 17, 2015)

A. OVERVIEW
The Martin County Bar Association (“MCBA”) recognizes various forms of online and internet communication including the use of social media and social networking sites. As such, the MCBA Executive Committee has approved the use of social media and social networking for the Martin County Bar Association subject to compliance with this policy.

B. BASIC PRINCIPLES

1. All use of social media and social networking sites (including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Google Plus) should be consistent with applicable state, federal, and local laws and regulations, and policies, including public record obligations.
2. All members are reminded that they are to abide by the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct and this policy will operate in conjunction with said Rules.

C. ACCEPTABLE USE

1. Those officially designated to use MCBA social media and social networking to speak for the MCBA are the Officers of the MCBA Executive Board, the MCBA Executive Director, and the MCBA Social Media Chair person and/or co-chair person.
2. Only Officers of the MCBA Executive Board, the MCBA Executive Director, and the MCBA Social Media Chair person and/or co-chair person may create official MCBA social media or social networking sites. MCBA reserves the right to have any unofficial pages removed by the social media/social networking site.
3.  The use of the MCBA name, logo, trademarks or other branding on social media and social networking sites is limited to official MCBA social media and social networking sites only.
4. All members of the MCBA are encouraged to use MCBA social media and social networking sites and to participate in MCBA social media and social networking communications.
   1. The MCBA trusts and expects its members to act professionally whenever they use social media or social networking in any manner related to the MCBA.
   2. MCBA members are encouraged to become fans or followers of MCBA’s social media and social networking sites. Members are welcome to comment using their own accounts, but should remember that they are being viewed in their professional capacity and should submit their comments accordingly and in accordance with the guidelines of this policy.
   3. MCBA social media and social networking sites exist for the exchange of substantive and topical information by, between, and for MCBA members. Negative or harmful conduct is strictly prohibited as well as any types of advertising not related to MCBA and/or any times of commercial solicitations.
   4. Use of MCBA social media and social networking should be limited to MCBA topics, events, meetings as well as MCBA member involvement within the community.
   5. Members may submit material to be posted on MCBA social media and social networking sites by providing said information to the MCBA Social Media Chair person and/or co-chair person. Said submissions will be reviewed for compliance with these rules and, if appropriate, posted to social media. These postings will be made at the sole discretion of the Officers of the MCBA Executive Board, the MCBA Executive Director, and the MCBA Social Media Chair person and/or co-chair person.
5. The MCBA cannot take positions on political or social issues that do not relate to or affect the practice of law or the administration of justice. Social media and social networking sites should not be used to endorse any political candidates or for other political activity.
6. The MCBA reserves the right not to friend, fan, follow, like or link to any official social media accounts for any reason.

D. ENFORCEMENT

1. The MCBA actively and closely monitors the social media and social networking sites for inappropriate or unrelated postings.
2. Failure to comply with any of the aforementioned guidelines or policies may result in any or all of the following:
   1. Removal of the content
   2. Withdrawal, without notice, of access to information and/or information resources
   3. Discontinuation of unauthorized social media accounts

E. COMPLIANCE

1. The MCBA does not verify any posts for compliance of Florida Bar Advertising/Marketing restrictions; compliance is the responsibility of the individual poster.

MCBA Emergency Contact Policy:
(Approved 11-17-15)

For emergencies, including but not limited to, issues involving community, catastrophe and/or members for immediate dissemination, the MCBA President or Executive Director (with President approval) shall represent the MCBA with an official statement via email/social media, written publications, media statements or personal announcement. The statement(s) will be released after Executive Board approval via telephone or email conference.

MCBA ADA Policy:

It the policy of the Martin County Bar Association to hold meetings in facilities that do not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability or religion.  The Association will engage in a good-faith interactive process with any employee, prospective employee, member or invitee to determine if a reasonable accommodation is needed and will make reasonable efforts to provide such accommodations.  Any requests for accommodation should be directed to the Executive Director, Robynm O’Heron at 772-288-6245 or via email at:  martincountybarassociation@msn.com.

MCBA Charity/Donation Policy:

The MCBA is a non-profit organization [501(c)6] and will consider donations to non-profit charities upon request which support our Mission at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Guidelines for consideration include but are not limited to: no conflict of interest between MCBA and charity, no violation of donor restrictions, clear intent of donated funds by charity & no negative impact on MCBA’s financial health.

Political Endorsement Policy:

MCBA members seeking to be added to the ballot are permitted to ask for signatures at the monthly general meeting luncheons.

The MCBA does not endorse judicial or political candidates nor accept paid advertising from candidates. Any person running for elective office is welcome to attend luncheons as a paid guest or at no charge if a member of the MCBA.  No political advertising materials shall be placed on tables, chairs or on the MCBA information stations.