Statement on Scouting Web Sites and Identity Protection
The Westmoreland-Fayette Council, Boy Scouts of America respects the opportunity that the Internet presents for offering effective communications to its members. But at the same time, recognizes that communications over the World Wide Web are viewable globally and need to be treated differently than publications that only go out to our members. As such, the Council Website committee has established guidelines intended to protect our members, particularly our youth, from potential harm. These guidelines are to be followed by all council-operated web sites. The Web Site committee also strongly urges the individual units and members of the council to take these guidelines into consideration prior to publishing anything to the Internet.
Photo Publication
Photographic identification of individuals is a particularly sensitive subject. There are many reasons why an individual might be put at risk by having their photograph published on the Internet. Therefore, websites will avoid publishing photographs of any youth members, volunteers, or employees without previous written consent from the individual (or a legal guardian in the case of a minor). Photographs where the subject of the photo is a minor (anybody under 18) are strongly discouraged. Photographs of minors will not be used when it would be easy for somebody viewing the web site to determine information about the identity or whereabouts of the individual.
Contact Information
Contact information including an individual's home address and phone number may not be published on council websites. Instead web pages should instruct interested parties to contact the Council Service Center for more information. Personal e-mail addresses for minors may not be published on council websites except where the addresses are controlled by the council (such as @wfbsa.org or @wagion.org).
News regarding events
Photographs from events will only be published on council websites if the event coordinator has collected publication consent forms from all event participants. News regarding past events may only contain the names of participants when a publication consent form is on file for those participants. Information intended to be historical in nature may be published if the event occurred more than 7 years prior to the publishing date.
Publication Consent
The forms below should be used for all non-employees of the council prior to publishing any information about those individuals on the council website. It is recommended that these forms be worked in to event registration forms, permission slips, etc... that are already presently used at events and then kept on file by the event coordinator.
For Adults (age 18 and over)
I am an adult over the age of 18 years. I authorize the Boy Scouts of America, its Councils, and units to use my name and contact information and display my image and likeness on The Westmoreland-Fayette Council's web sites. This authorization shall remain in effect until revoked by me in writing. ______________________________ __________ Signature Date
For Children (under age 18)
I am an adult over the age of 18 years and I am the parent or legal guardian
of ________________________, a minor ("child"). I have full authority and
do authorize the Boy Scouts of America, its councils, and units, to display
my child's name, contact information, image and likeness on The
Westmoreland-Fayette Council's web sites. This authorization shall remain
in effect until revoked by me or my child in writing.
______________________________ __________
Signature Date