Title: INTERNET SCOUTING
Author: Michael F. Bowman
Company: Attorney at Law

SCOUTS-L
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WEBSITE POLICIES

Date:         Mon, 17 Feb 1997 04:40:30 -0500
From: Michael Kauffmann <optimist@cris.com>
Subject:      Re: My Council's web publishing policy
 
>Here is what they concluded:

Hi Russ,

Thank you for sharing your Internet Use Policy with us. In this time of
developing strategies, I hope others will share their ideas on this matter.
The following are our proposed rules which, except for some minor changes,
should be finalized in March.

*******

Rules for Internet Scouting Web Sites (PROPOSED)

A.   Purpose: To promote positive use of the internet and the world wide
     web while providing for the protection of our youth and the Scouting
     program.

B.   Definitions:
     1.   Council (AAC) -- The Atlanta Area Council, BSA.
     2.   Council Approved Site (Official Sites) -- Any internet site used
          to publish information developed by or specifically for Council
          programs. Example: Publishing the contents of an AAC College of
          Commissioner Science brochure could only be done on an official
          Council approved site. Discussion and/or promotion of the college
          can be done on any site.
     3.   Council Webmaster -- The Council Webmaster is a member of the
          Council Internet Committee and is responsible for the day to day
          review of Council approved sites.
     4.   Internet Web Site Committee -- The Committee formed by the
          Council to promote the positive use of this electronic medium.
     5.   Internet Site -- Any public electronic medium accessible by
          computer to computer communication. This includes, but is not
          limited to, web, ftp and gopher sites.
     6.   Member -- Any adult or youth member of the Boy Scouts of America.
     7.   Private Sites -- Sites providing information about the Scouting
          program in an unofficial capacity.
     8.   Unit Sites -- Sites run by units of the AAC to promote their own
          programs.

C.   Publishing:
     1.   Providing information through an internet site is considered
          publishing and is subject to the same standards and restrictions
          of any publishing medium.
     2.   Copyrighted materials, other than those developed by the Council
          and the BSA, are strictly prohibited on Council approved sites.

D.   Council Approved Sites:
     1.   No member shall publish information covered under these rules or
          present themselves as an official site of Council programs or
          display the official web site logo without Council approval.
     2.   While useful information about Council programs and divisions may
          appear on many web sites, only one web site will be recognized as
          the official web site for that program.
     3.   The Council Internet Committee shall develop an application
          procedure for members wishing to operate Council approved sites.
     4.   Council approved sites are required to post a link to the
          Council's web site. This link shall include the official web site
          logo and the informational phrase developed by the internet
          committee.
     5.   Council approved status may be withdrawn without notice for
          failure to comply with these rules.

E.   Other Sites:
     1.   Unit sites, private sites and other internet sites may not
          publish substantial portions of published Council information.
          However, sharing program information is encouraged.
     2.   Sites sharing information about the Scouting program are
          encouraged to use common sense and the guidance of the Scout Law
          in the operation of their sites.

F.   Member Protection:
     1.   Names and information about youth members shall not be published
          on the web without good reason. Good reasons include recognition
          of achievement and providing names of program leadership.
     2.   Pictures of youth may appear on the web as long as no name or
          other personal information is associated with the picture.
     3.   Under no circumstances shall the address or phone number of any
          member, youth or adult, be published on the internet.
     4.   E-mail addresses may be published if worthwhile benefit to the
          program would be achieved.

G.   Security:
     1.   One adult with site access shall be named as the responsible
          contact for the each site.  In the case of youth run sites, one
          adult and one youth, both of which have site access, shall be
          named the responsible contacts for each site.
     2.   The name, address, phone number, and e-mail address of each
          responsible contact shall be provided to the internet committee.
          Other pertinent information may be required.
     3.   Passwords:
          a.   Accept as provided below, site access passwords should be
               restricted to the responsible contact and the Council
               Webmaster.
          b.   If it is necessary to share a password in order to work on a
               site as a team effort, the password should be changed often.
          c.   Passwords should be changed periodically.

H.   Liability: The Internet Web Site Committee, like other Council
     Committees, provides general oversight of this program. Members
     operating these internet sites are responsible for their content. The
     Council shall not be held liable for the contents of any web site
     whether or not such web site has obtained Council approved status.

*******

The Atlanta Area Council is in the process of forming a new Internet
Committee. We met last week and were assigned a Staff Advisor. Hopefully,
the rest of the new members will be chosen and leadership positions will
be filled at our next meeting.

YIS

Michael Kauffmann                  optimist@cris.com
Wood Badge 92-35                   http://www.cris.com/~optimist/
I used to be a Bobwhite...         | >--\/\/-\/\/-\/\/--> |
Villa Rica, GA                     "The City of Gold"

Date:         Wed, 19 Feb 1997 08:02:39 -0600
From: Barb Stephens <bsteph@CREIGHTON.EDU>
Subject:      Re: My Council's web publishing policy
 
On Mon, 17 Feb 1997, Michael Kauffmann wrote:

> developing strategies, I hope others will share their ideas on this matter.
> The following are our proposed rules which, except for some minor changes,
> should be finalized in March.

Over one year ago, the Mid-America (Council) Electronic Communications
Committee (MECC) was established, consisting of persons in our council who
have a strong interest in the Internet, the Web and the BSA.  I was asked
to join because I stumbled upon the council Web site and offered to help
out with those pages.

Our committee established some guidelines and a purpose, etc.  I don't
remember why we called them guidelines then, but I know now that by NOT
calling them RULES we also don't have to try to enforce them - hence
guidelines, for our purposes, imply 'strong suggestions'.

We also determined a name and purpose that don't limit us to just the Web
or just to e-mail, etc.  Anyway, here is what our committee developed and
adopted.  You can also view this information at:
        http://www.novia.net/~boyscouts/guidelines.html

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        Mid-America Electronic Communications Committee (MECC)

     Purpose
     Internet Policy and Guidelines
     Create A Web Page for Your Unit
     MECC Members

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PURPOSE

   * To promote a single unified presence for Mid-America Council
     (MAC) on the Internet.
   * To promote electronic access to information regarding MAC
     programs, special events, training, Council staff, and
     international Scouting Web links.
   * To encourage units within the Mid-America Council to create and
     maintain individual Web pages in support of the MAC Web page.
   * To provide guidance for development of unit Web pages.
   * To encourage communication between Scouts, Scouting
     Professionals, and volunteer Scouters.
   * To promote the establishment of contacts within each district who
     will actively promote the objectives of this committee.
   * To review and approve all data and information to be linked from
     the MAC Page.
   * To review future electronic communication development for use by
     the Mid-America Council.

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INTERNET POLICY

It is the policy of the Mid-America Council that all internet material
or information linked from, associated with, or utilizing the
Mid-America Council name or logos be approved by the Mid-America
Council through its Electronic Communications Committee, or designated
representative, and conform to the following guidelines.

GUIDELINES

  1. All documents, illustrations, photographs and linked material
     must conform to the principles, policies and traditions of the
     Boy Scouts of America, the Mid-America Council and the unit's
     chartered partner.
  2. All units and groups must have a registered adult advisor for the
     Web Page and all material must be approved by the advisor prior
     to placing it on a Web Page.
  3. The home page for the unit will contain a hyperlink to the
     Mid-America Council home page (http://www.novia.net/boyscouts)
     prominently displayed. There is only one official MAC home page.
     All unit web pages must clearly identify the unit that it
     represents and a contact person with e-mail address for comments.
  4. These guidelines must be followed for the unit (group) (i.e.
     pack, troop, post, district) to have a link established from the
     Mid-America Council's Web Page to the unit's home page.

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CREATING A UNIT WEB PAGE

There are several excellent examples of web pages available for units
to use as a guide. See the MAC web page and other URL's, e.g. Guide to
Web Page Development. Committee members will also be available to
answer questions and give advice.

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Committee Members:

   * John Davis
   * Ron Goodside
   * Carl Greco
   * Frank Ibero
   * Mike Mann
   * Jeff Quandt
   * Barb Stephens
   * Steve Wigodsky

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Return to MAC Home Page
http://www.novia.net/~boyscouts/guidelines.html#policy