Social Media Policy
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) welcomes healthy and honest discourse on social media and values the views and opinions of its members. This policy provides guidelines for members who discuss Squadron matters on social media (whether on one of the Squadron’s social media sites or on another site).
Members may choose to associate themselves with the Squadron when posting on sailing- or Squadron-related matters to social media but it must be clear that their online posts are personal and purely their own and not the views of RMYS. Members must not post content on social media that could reasonably be expected to cause unjustifiable or unnecessary adverse repercussions for the Squadron, its members, employees, volunteers and contractors.
RMYS information that has been supplied to members on a confidential basis or is known by a member to be confidential must not be shared online or otherwise published.
When posting about the Squadron on social media (whether on a Squadron social media site or not), members are subject to the Squadron Rules, specifically Squadron House Rule 14:
“Members must not act in a manner which is unbecoming or prejudicial to the Squadron (a breach of common sense is a breach of Squadron rules).”
Here are some non-legalistic guidelines to what constitutes “common sense” in the use of social media for the purposes of this Social Media Rule:
Show proper consideration for people’s privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or sensitive (e.g. personal, religious or political). We all appreciate respect from our fellow RMYS members.
Show proper consideration for people’s privacy. Be careful not to inadvertently disclose private information such as private contact information.
Inappropriate text, audio or images content e.g. racial, ethnic, sexual, and religious or disability related slurs or offensive language, in.) and breaches of Rule 14 will not be tolerated on Squadron social media sites.
Be conscious that the Squadron is also a workplace. It is never appropriate to comment negatively on other members, staff, volunteers or contractors through social media posts. To do so may make you or the Squadron liable to legal redress.
There are multiple options to raise issues or concerns through the flag officers, other general committee members, the other committees of the Squadron or the General Manager. Social media is not one of these options and, while members are encouraged to make posts that are consistent with these “common sense” guidelines, the Squadron should not be expected to take action on any issue unless it is also raised through the appropriate channel.
Errors in content that you post are your responsibility to promptly correct. The Squadron retains the right, but not the obligation, to delete all or any part of content on any of its social media sites or services which it believes breaches this Social Media Policy.
Please ensure you do not breach copyright, trademarks, etc when you post.
Think about consequences of what you post. If in doubt, stop, walk away and review the next day before posting. Remember: the internet is forever!

Red Book Phone App Use Policy
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron (RMYS) provides the Red Book app (“the app”) free of charge to all members who wish to use it. It provides electronic access to the contents of the Red Book and to the Squadron’s electronic calendar and allows members to post photos and text relevant to the Squadron and its members, and to message another member directly. The app is not available to non-members.
The app has proved popular and is now an important part of the suite of member communication tools at the Squadron and we encourage you to use it.
The app is powered by GroupAhead Inc.software and use of the app is subject to their Terms of Service and their Privacy Policy. These can be accessed in full from the Home Page of the app. You must click to agree to these terms in order to use the app and you are therefore legally bound by them. You should familiarise yourself with these terms, but, in summary:
You are legally responsible for any content you upload or post to the app, you agree to adhere to community standards of acceptable content and you agree to not breaking any law or doing anything hateful, objectionable or shady. Your privacy will be respected as required by law and you agree to respect the privacy of others.
Use of the Red Book app is also subject to the Squadron Rules, specifically Squadron Rule 14:
Members must not act in a manner which is unbecoming or prejudicial to the Squadron (a breach of common sense is a breach of Squadron rules).
Here are some non-legalistic guidelines to what constitutes “common sense” in the use of the app:
Posts should be informative, brief and direct so that they add value for members.
Respect your audience. Don’t use language or engage in conduct that would not meet acceptable community standards.
Show proper consideration for people’s privacy and for topics that may be considered objectionable or sensitive (e.g. religion or politics). We all appreciate respect.
Inappropriate content includes racial, ethnic, sexual, religious, and physical disability slurs. Any such posts will not be tolerated and will be deleted by the app administrator.
Be conscious that the Squadron is also a workplace. It is never appropriate to comment negatively on staff or contractors through app posts and to do so may make you or the Squadron liable to legal redress.
There are multiple options to raise issues or concerns through the officers and committees or the General Manager. The app is not one of these options and, while members are free to make posts that are consistent these “common sense” guidelines, the Squadron will not take action on any issue unless it is also raised through the appropriate channel.
Errors in content that you post are your responsibility to correct promptly.
Please ensure you do not breach copyright, trademarks, etc when you post.
Think about consequences of what you post. If in doubt, stop, walk away and review the next day.