Guidelines for all CMG electronic communication (emails, blogs, wikis, etc.):
The CMG Conduct Rules and Communication Policy provide the foundation of the guidelines for electronic communications of all types.
The same principles and guidelines that apply to CMG members in general and Board and Conference Committee member's activities on behalf of and as representatives of CMG apply to CMG related online activities. This includes all forms of online publishing and discussion, such as but not limited to WEBlogs (blogs), wikis, vlogs (video), audio podcasts and emails.
Per the CMG Mission Statement:
CMG's purpose is to promote the exchange of technical information among IT professionals.
Blogs, wikis, vlogs (video), audio podcasts and emails are all considered methods to communicate and exchange information among individuals. Only those officially designated by CMG as outlined in the Communication Policy have the authorization to speak officially on behalf of the organization.
What does personal responsibility mean when communicating?
Blogs, wikis, email and other forms of electronic communication are tools individuals can use to share their insights, express their opinions and communicate within the context of a globally distributed conversation. As with all tools, there are proper and improper uses.
Be who you are.
When discussing topics related to CMG, CMG Regions or CMG Conferences, CMG encourages you to use your real name, be clear who you are, and identify your role within CMG if a Board or Conference Committee member. Use caution to protect yourself, your privacy and the privacy of others. What you publish will be around for a long time, so consider the content carefully and be judicious in disclosing personal details.
Use a disclaimer.
Whether you publish a blog, participate in someone else's, or on a CMG hosted blog discussing CMG or CMG related topics, make it clear that what you say regarding CMG is representative of your views and opinions and do not necessarily represent CMG's official position. At a minimum you should include the following standard legal disclaimer language: "The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent CMG's official position."
CMG Board and Conference Committee members take special note.
A standard disclaimer does not by itself exempt you from a special responsibility when participating in any form of online publishing and discussion such as blogs, wikis, videocasts, audiocasts, podcasts, emails, etc. By virtue of your position, you must consider whether personal thoughts may be misconstrued as expressing an official CMG position. A public forum is not the place to discuss or communicate CMG Board or Conference related issues, or any topics under discussion by the Board or requiring Board approval.
Respect copyright and fair use laws.
It is critical that you show proper respect for the laws governing copyright and fair use of copyrighted material owned by others. You should never quote more than short excerpts of someone else's work without proper attribution.
Protect confidential and proprietary information. You must not disclose or use any confidential or proprietary information of any other person, company or organization in any CMG related or CMG hosted electronic communication. For example, ask permission to publish someone's picture or a conversation that was meant to be private.
Respect your audience. Be respectful. This includes not only the obvious (no ethnic slurs, personal insults, obscenity, etc.) but also proper consideration of privacy and of topics that may be considered objectionable or inflammatory. Do not make remarks which are disparaging, derogatory or defamatory about any product, vendor, service, person or organization. If the discussion is hosted by or related to CMG, focus on subjects that are of interest to CMG members or otherwise related to CMG or the CMG Conference. Do not use the forum to air your differences or engage in topical disagreements with others in an inappropriate manner.
Add value. Electronic communication forums such as blogs, wikis, vlogs, etc. that are hosted by CMG should bring value to CMG and its membership by the exchange of knowledge, ideas or skills, whether these are directly related to CMG, the CMG Conference or to technical topics of interest to our members and others interested in the same or similar topics. You may certainly disagree with other posters but always do so with respect and with the facts. Here and in other areas of public discussion, make sure that what you are saying is factually correct or otherwise indicate that it is your personal opinion.
Be the first to respond to your own mistakes. If you make an error, be up front about your mistake and correct it quickly. If you choose to modify an earlier post, make it clear that you have done so.
Use your best judgment. Remember that there are always consequences to what you write. If you're about to post something that makes you even, the slightest bit uncomfortable, review the guidelines above and the CMG Communication Policy. If you are still unsure, consider not posting. Ultimately, you have sole responsibility for what you choose to post or not.
