Internet Guidelines

Purpose

The purpose of the Scenic Trails Council web site is to present an informational presence on the World Wide Web (WWW) for the benefit of parents, Scouts, Scout leaders and professional Scouters. The Internet Guidelines of the Scenic Trails Council is based on common sense, commitment to maintaining Scouting's positive image, and to upholding the BSA's high standards for youth protection and member privacy.

BSA Requirements for Council Web Sites

• The council must have direct control over the content of its official web site.
• The content of the site must be appropriate to the Scouting movement.
• The site cannot contain any advertisements or commercial endorsements.
• The site cannot engage in the electronic sale of BSA Supply Division merchandise or competing products.
• The site cannot contain links to any sites that contain material that is not appropriate to the Scouting movement.
• The site cannot replicate any BSA publication currently for sale through the Supply Division.
• Sites must abide by all laws regarding copyrights, trademarks, and other intellectual property.
• Sites must consider the safety and privacy of their participants by obtaining the necessary permissions to release information about or images of any individual.

Internet Guidelines of the Scenic Trails Council

• The home address of Youth or Adult members should never be used.
• Pictures showing Youth and/or Adults involved in Scouting activities may be used as long as no names or other personal information is associated with the picture.
• Full names of Youth members may not be used. First name and last initial is permissible.
• Contact information for Youth (phone, email or address) may not be listed.
• The names and phone numbers of key public contacts for Council and District office-holders may be used as needed.
  • Any Council or District office-holder who prefers alternate contact info (email or other phone number), or does not want to be listed must notify the Council Webmaster.
• The names and phone numbers of Adult Unit Leaders may be used as needed.
  • For this purpose, Adult Unit Leaders are Scoutmasters, Cubmasters, their assistants and event chairpersons (popcorn, camporee, etc.)
  • Prospective members and those seeking information must be able to contact units and event chairpersons.
  • As this is a responsibility of the Adult Unit Leader, "Implied Consent" is given to disclose the leader's name, phone number, and email address for those seeking information about that specific unit or event.
  • Any Unit Leader who prefers alternate contact info (other email or phone number), or does not want to be listed must notify the Council Webmaster.
• While an individual can be shown as a unit contact, lists of unit's leaders must not be publicly available.
• Written permission should be obtained from other adults before publicly listing their names and contact info.
• A web site host, which requires 3rd-party advertisements, should not be used. These are commercial endorsements, and often contain material, which is inappropriate to a Scouting site.
• If the web site's ISP is donating the hosting, a link to their home page, and a note stating "Thanks to XXXX for hosting our web site." is allowed.
• Links to other sites dedicated to Scouting or other appropriate helpful information is allowed.
• Links to any individual's personal home page is not allowed.
• Unit Web Site Guidelines:
  • Unit web sites are expected/required to follow the Scenic Trails Council Internet Guidelines.
  • Unit web sites must have Committee and Chartering Organization approval.
  • Unit web sites may be developed by Scouts, but must be under the supervision of a registered adult.
  • The Council web site will link to a Unit web site only if the Unit site meets the Scenic Trails Council Internet Guidelines.
  • Contact the Council Webmaster to request that your web site be reviewed and linked.
  • Appropriate mechanisms must be used to ensure reasonable security for any private information on your site.

Please send questions and comments to Scenic Trails Council.

The latest version of this policy may be found at: http://www.stcbsa.org
Revised: 2/15/00 7:45:00 AM