The Cat Fanciers’ Association, Inc.
Social Media Guidelines

 

Introduction:

These Social Media Guidelines are intended to provide guidance for members of the Cat Fanciers’ Association Board of Directors, CFA Committee members, and judges. They are specifically focused on communication through social media, but should be considered in conjunction with other conduct and ethical standards such as Judging Program Guidelines, The Judges’ Code of Ethics and the CFA Show Rules.

Social media communications should be regarded as public at all times, even if created with private intentions. If you are going to use social media in any form, recognize that your communications might be read by anyone at any time, and that postings on the internet may be permanent. Social media covered by these guidelines include not only text, but also photographs, audio, video and any combinations of these. Commenting on lists or any other internet communication reaching multiple individuals, excluding your private email, is considered use of social media. “Re-tweeting” or clicking on the “like”, “share” or similar buttons on someone else’s social media comment is interpreted as commenting. For your safety, be careful in the sharing of your personal information, including photos, and adjust security settings accordingly.

Guidelines:

  1. As a Board member, CFA Committee Member, or Judge, you represent The Cat Fanciers’ Association at all times. Act accordingly. Promote your participation in the cat fancy in a positive light and with a general feeling of pride and professionalism.

  2. You have unique access to information. The same ethical restrictions that apply to any form of speech also apply to social media. Avoid commenting upon specifics of judging assignments. It is not appropriate to communicate specifics about judges, entries, breeders, exhibitors, club representatives, volunteers, or any related personnel, including employees of CFA. Avoid any situations where you single out a specific animal or breeder, whether it be a cat currently showing, or one that may be in the future. Do not put yourself in a position where you give the impression that you have given up your impartiality.

  3. Do not comment or speculate on any specific evaluation or result, whether it be of a show you judged, one where you exhibited or attended as a spectator, or in general about the impact of judging in any event.

  4. Do not engage in negative or critical commentary on how a show was run or how a show was officiated. Do not make negative or critical comments about any specific judge or group of judges at a show. Should such concerns arise, there are appropriate channels where these concerns can be raised.

  5. Communication among judges for learning purposes should be done privately, or in groups designed specifically for that purpose (IE the judges’ email group, workshops, training sessions, meetings among judges not open to the public) and not through social media. Be mindful that e-mail and other forms of direct communication might be made public.

  6. Cat Fanciers’ Association expects that Board members, CFA Committee Members , and Judges will self-monitor their conduct. Procedures for reporting communications that violate this Social Media Policy are covered in the associated Judging Program Guidelines, The Judges’ Code of Ethics and the CFA Show Rules.

  7. Any person whose acts, statements, or conduct violate the provisions of these Media guidelines is subject to review by the appropriate Cat Fanciers’ Association committee and to appropriate action under applicable rules, policies and procedures of the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

X