North Jersey Health Collaborative - Social Media Policy

The North Jersey Health Collaborative encourages its staff, partners and volunteers to use social media to promote awareness of the Collaborative, our mission, and our work.  

Our social media goals are:

• To connect with health care, public health and community organizations who are interested in improving the health status of communities in northern NJ.
• To encourage and enhance communication and continued engagement of our partners.
• To provide opportunities for networking and the sharing of expertise and resources within and outside the NJHC.

 Social Media: Generally includes all types of postings and/or interaction on the internet, including, but not limited to, social networking sites, (such as Facebook©, LinkedIn©, and Twitter ©), smartphone applications, multimedia host sites (such as YouTube©) and other similar media not specifically listed in this policy. Each individual or partner organization must determine whether or not to participate in the NJHC online community. However, it is in the NJHC’s interest to ensure that any individual who is going to participate in our social media sites understands the following.

By accessing, viewing and/or posting any content related directly or indirectly to NJHC on any Social Media Site on the internet, you accept, without limitation or qualification, the following terms of use. If you do not agree to the terms of this Policy, you may not view or post any content to any Social Media Site associated with NJHC. Your use of Social Media Sites is acceptance of this Policy and has the same effect as if you had actually physically signed an agreement.

As a guest posting content to any NJHC Social Media Site, you agree that you will not violate any local, state, federal and international laws and regulations, including but not limited to copyright and intellectual property rights laws regarding any content that you send or receive via this Policy.

Social Media Guidelines:

1. Be Responsible – All forms of online dialogue (unless posted by a NJHC employee) are individual interactions, not NJHC communications. Every individual is responsible for their own content/messaging.

2. Identify yourself and include a Disclaimer - Transparency is a core value of the NJHC. List your name and make it clear that you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the NJHC. Use a disclaimer such as “The posting on this site are my own and do not represent the views of the NJHC position, strategies or opinions. While this is a good practice, it does not exempt you from what you write.

3. Respect Confidentiality and Privacy of Others - Do not publish or cite personal information and/or photos of NJHC employees, partners or volunteers without their permission. Respect and maintain the confidentiality that has been entrusted to you. Do not divulge or discuss proprietary information, internal documents or other confidential material. Any disclosure of confidential and personal information will be subject to NJHC policy that applies to wrongful dissemination of information via email, conversations and written correspondence.
4. Write what you know - You have a unique perspective based on your experience, knowledge and engagement with the NJHC. Share your wisdom and passion in your contributions by writing about what you know. Be honest and open in your communications. Do not share assumptions, gossip, or hearsay.
5. Be Respectful - It is understandable that all members of the Collaborative will not agree on all issues. However, it is important to respect a diversity of opinions. Respect your audience and do not use obscenities, personal insults, ethnic slurs or other disparaging language to express yourself.
6. Include Links - It is a great way to connect to the bigger conversation and reach out to new audiences. Be sure to also link to NJHC at njhealthmatters.org., when appropriate.
7. Endorsements - You may not provide any content to a Social Media Site that contains any product or service endorsements or any content that may be construed as political lobbying, solicitations or contributions. Do not use the social media site to link to any political candidates or parties or to discuss political campaigns, issues, or for taking a position on any legislation or law.
8. Use Common Sense -Use common sense in all communications, particularly on a website accessible to anyone. If you would not be comfortable with your colleagues or the executive leadership team reading your words, do not write them.

Rights and Responsibilities:

1. NJHC has the right to monitor, prohibit, restrict, block, suspend, terminate, delete, or discontinue your access to any Social Media Site, at any time, without notice and for any reason. NJHC may remove, delete, block, filter or restrict posting of any materials at NJHC’s sole discretion.
2. You shall defend, indemnify, and hold NJHC and its respective trustees, officers, employees, and partners harmless from and against, and shall promptly reimburse them for, any and all losses, claims, damages, settlements, costs, and liabilities of any nature whatsoever (including reasonable attorneys' fees) to which any of them may become subject arising out of, based upon, as a result of, or in any way connected with, your posting of any content to a Social Media Site, any third party claims of infringement or any breach of this Policy.
3. YOU EXPRESSLY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU ASSUME ALL RESPONSIBILITY RELATED TO THE SECURITY, PRIVACY, AND CONFIDENTIALITY RISKS INHERENT IN SENDING ANY CONTENT OVER THE INTERNET.
4. By posting any content on any Social Media Site, you grant to NJHC the irrevocable right to reproduce, distribute, publish, and display such content, as well as the right to create works from your submitted content.

Note: This policy may be updated at any time without notice. Each time a user accesses a social networking site, the new policy will be in effect upon posting. NJHC suggests that your review the policy regularly. By continuing to post any content after such new terms are posted, you accept and agree to any and all modifications.