COR Written and Social Media Communications Policies

The content of all communications from the First Unitarian Church of Memphis, Tennessee, or Church of the River (COR), should directly support the mission of the church, our activities and programs, and be consistent with the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.

COR communications should not contain any inappropriate content, including but not limited to: disrespectful content; advertisements for private businesses; financial solicitations (other than for the church or church-approved events/activities); endorsements of a political candidate or party; and copyrighted material (unless permission has been obtained from the copyright owner).

Anyone who does not want their personal information on the COR website or other publications can contact the church office by email or by phone. The Office Manager will remove the information if necessary and maintain a list of who has requested that their name and information not be used. Before publishing direct contact information for any member (address, email or telephone), permission must be given by that member. Submission of an announcement/event by a by a church member or friend will constitute permission for publication of that person’s information.

For minors under age 18 only first names may be used in COR communications. No information containing last names, phone numbers, addresses or email addresses will be published without consent of the minor’s parent. Photos of minors may be used as long as the minor has a current signed registration form on file with the Director of Faith Development (DRE) that includes promotional/publicity consent.

A minister's sermons, printed or appearing on the website, remain the property of the minister and the congregation has no legal claim to them.

The COR web/social media administrator will have responsibility for monitoring content and will have full authority to create, maintain and delete the content, and remove any content that is inappropriate. Posts, comments, photos, and other content posted are expected to be relevant and respectful. We have the right to delete any inappropriate content, including but not limited to: disrespectful content; advertisements for private businesses; financial solicitations (other than for the church or church-approved events/activities); endorsements of a political candidate or party; and copyrighted material (unless permission has been obtained from the copyright owner). Habitual offenders may be banned from further contributions to the page.

COR Written and Social Media Communications Guidelines

General Communications Guidelines for Administrators

• Make every effort to ensure that the content presented in all media is accurate.
• Communications and content must be presented in clear and grammatically correct prose, and be free of typos and mistakes.
• Respecting the privacy of our congregation is important. Names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses of congregation members should not be published or posted, unless the contact has given permission. Submission of an announcement/event by a church member will constitute permission for publication of that member’s information. Check the list of members and friends that have requested their name and information not be used in communications.
• Do not publish or post the name of a child without permission from the DRE or the child’s parent.
• Never publish or post contact information of minors.
• All communications are speaking for the Church, not individuals. Be mindful of the tense you are using (We, not I).
• Do not publish or post material that contains profanity, off-color humor, or potentially slanderous or libelous statements.
• Any logos, colors and typefaces should be consistent across all media.
• Photos should be of a presentable quality.

General Social Media Guidelines for Administrators

All COR communications should directly support the mission of the church, our activities and programs, and be consistent with the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.

• The majority of COR social media content should promote events, activities and topics of interest to our members and visitors, and events in the Mid-South sponsored by Unitarian Universalist churches or UUA affiliated organizations.
• Make every effort to ensure that the content presented on our social media sites is accurate.
• Content must be written in clear and grammatically correct prose, and be free of typos and mistakes.
• Respecting the privacy of our congregation is important. Names, phone numbers, addresses, and email addresses of congregation members should not be posted, unless the contact has given permission. Submission of an announcement/event by a church member will constitute permission for publication of that member’s information.
• Do not post the name of a child without permission from the child’s parent or DRE.
• Never post last names or contact information of minors.
• All social media postings are speaking for the church, not the Minister or individuals. Be mindful of the tense you are using (We, not I).
• All posts on the church’s social media channels reflect, or can be perceived to reflect, official stances and policies. If a member post is unclear as to whether they are representing the church, their post may be moderated as: “this represents the opinions of this individual, and not Church of the River.”
• Do not create any posts that contain profanity, off-color humor, or potentially slanderous or libelous statements.
• Any logos, colors and typefaces should be consistent with and resemble the media “branding” styles of COR as portrayed on the website
• Photos should be of a presentable quality.
• Posts advertising private businesses or advocating for or against political candidates are NOT permitted.
• All words, pictures, videos, music, and other media must be the original work of the person posting or be attributed appropriately and follow all copyright laws.
• If a post or comment made by a member is potentially harmful to themselves or others, immediately contact the Minister.

Specific Facebook and Twitter Guidelines for Administrators

• COR has an official church Facebook page viewable by the public. Anyone can “like” our page and follow our updates and posts through their feed. Individuals can post to our wall under their own names. It is important, therefore, that Facebook posts be monitored and moderated, if necessary.
• It is our policy NOT to tag individuals in photos. Also please do not post images of children unless they have a written registration/permission form on file with the DRE.
• Do not comment or “like” other pages as COR. When you comment as COR on our own page, please be mindful of the tense “we” rather than the singular “I.”
• Administrators should not post more than 3 times per day. Replies to comments may be posted as needed.
• Do not edit the page or add any additional Facebook applications without prior approval.
• We do not follow or “like” other people, pages or groups on Facebook or Twitter.
• All Twitter conversations must be relevant to the church’s mission and communications strategies.
• In an effort to grow our Twitter account and expand our message, relevant tags should be used for each tweet.
• Ensure that all quotes are attributed correctly and correctly use the Re-tweet and Modified Tweet methods.

The First Unitarian Church reserves the right to change this policy at any time.