YORK CURLING CLUB - SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

Definitions

The following terms have these meanings in this Policy:

“Digital Assets” include, but are not limited to:        

  • All social media profiles - a catch-all term that is applied broadly to new computer-mediated communication media including, but not limited to blogs, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (Formerly known as Twitter),
  • Video hosting platforms (e.g., YouTube, Vimeo).
  • The Club’s official website and domain names.
  • Email marketing accounts and subscriber lists.
  • Graphic design assets, logos, and official photography,

“Individuals” – Individuals employed by, or engaged in activities with YCC (“YCC”) including, but not limited to, athletes, coaches, convenors, referees, officials, volunteers, managers, administrators, committee members, medical and paramedical personnel, and Directors and Officers of YCC,

“Discipline Chair or Case Manager” – The person(s) appointed by YCC to oversee management and administration of complaints, as applicable.

 

Preamble

Exclusive Ownership

All Digital Assets created, maintained, or utilized in the name of the YCC are the sole and exclusive property of the YCC.        

  • Property Rights: Even if an account is created using a personal email address or managed by a volunteer’s personal device, the account itself, the handle/username, and the following/subscriber base remain the property of the YCC.

  • Content Rights: All content posted to these platforms (text, photos, videos) representing YCC activities is considered the intellectual property of the YCC.

YCC is aware that Individual interaction and communication occur frequently on social media.

YCC cautions Individuals that any conduct falling short of the standard of behaviour required by YCC’s Code of Conduct and Ethics will be subject to the disciplinary sanctions identified within YCC’s Discipline and Complaints Policy.

General Content Standards: All content must promote sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for participants, officials, volunteers, and spectators. Posts must be appropriate for a family-friendly audience and support a welcoming curling environment.

Safe Sport & Youth Protection: Content featuring youth must follow Safe Sport principles. Youth may only appear in posts from club-approved activities; when guardian consent is given. Minors must not be identified by full name or tagged without clear parent or guardian consent.

Brand Representation: Club branding, logos, and colours should be used consistently where possible. Content should reflect positively on the Club, Curling Ontario, Curling Canada, and the broader curling community.

Oversight & Accountability: Only YCC’s President, Social Media Director or other individual designated by the Board may post on official accounts.

Application of this Policy

 

This Policy applies to all Individuals as defined in the Definitions. 

 

Conduct and Behaviour

In accordance with YCC’s Discipline and Complaints Policy and Code of Conduct and Ethics, the following social media conduct may be considered minor or major infractions at the discretion of the Discipline Chair or Case Manager:

 

a) Posting a disrespectful, hateful, harmful, disparaging, insulting, or otherwise negative comment on a social medium that is directed at an Individual, at YCC, or at other individuals connected with York

Curling Club

  1. Posting a picture, altered picture, or video on a social medium that is harmful, disrespectful, insulting, or otherwise offensive, and that is directed at an Individual, at YCC, or at other individuals connected with YCC
  2. Creating or contributing to a groups, webpages, accounts, feeds, blogs, or online forums devoted solely or in part to promoting negative or disparaging remarks or commentary about YCC, its stakeholders, or its reputation
  3. Inappropriate personal or sexual relationships between Individuals who have a power imbalance in their interactions, such as between athletes and coaches, Directors and staff, officials and athletes, etc.
  4. Any instance of cyber-bullying or cyber-harassment between one Individual and another Individual (including a teammate, coach, opponent, volunteer, or official), where incidents of cyber-bullying and cyber-harassment can include but are not limited to the following conduct on any social medium, via text message, or via email: regular insults, negative comments, vexatious behaviour, pranks or jokes, threats, posing as another person, spreading rumours or lies, or other harmful behaviour.

 

All conduct and behaviour occurring on social media may be subject to YCC’s Discipline and Complaints Policy at the discretion of the Discipline Chair or Case Manager

Individuals Responsibilities

Individuals acknowledge that their social media activity may be viewed by anyone, including YCC.

 

If YCC unofficially engages with an Individual in social media (such as by retweeting a tweet or sharing a photo on Facebook) the Individual may, at any time, ask YCC to cease this engagement.

 

When using social media, an Individual must model appropriate behaviour befitting the Individual’s role and status in connection with YCC.

 

Removing content from social media after it has been posted (either publicly or privately) does not excuse the Individual from being subject to YCC’s Discipline and Complaints Policy.

 

An individual who believes that an Individual’s social media activity is inappropriate or may violate YCC’s policies and procedures should report the matter to YCC in the manner outlined by YCC’s Discipline and Complaints Policy

Board Approval

This policy was approved by the Board of Directors of York Curling Club on:

Date: May 13, 2026