Electronics, Internet & Email
Technology Policy
General guidelines
- Use the technology to build relationships with the troop, find useful information, communicate and share excitement
about Scouting.
- Updates to social sites using appropriate, (non-embarrassing), photos or clips can share and build excitement
about Scouting.
- Don’t let technology detract from the outdoor experience, the program experience, or the Scouting experience
for the troop or patrol.
Trustworthy
- A Scout is truthful with others online and is careful of the information shared.
- S/he does the right thing when sharing and makes sure to have permission to share the words or pictures of others.
Loyal
- A Scout uses his phone or device in a way that adds to his troop or patrol.
- A loyal Scout is careful to post only appropriate photos or clips and would never want to embarrass others with
his updates or communication.
- A loyal Scout would not use a phone to exclude some Scouts from the conversation, for example with secret messages.
Helpful
- A Scout could use applications that can add to the outdoor experience, such as a star-map, first aid or GPS.
- A Scout should alert others to scams, cheats, and suspicious sites and point them to reliable sources of information.
Encourage people to report bad online behavior.
- A Scout may use a phone to take appropriate photos of events or situations for the troop or for personal memories.
Friendly
- A Scout could use his phone to assist someone else with information or access to communication.
- A Scout could use his phone to invite others to join Scouting or to remind his fellow Scouts of important events
and activities.
Courteous
- Ringers and alert messages should be muted — beeps, rings, and recorded music take away from the outdoor and
Scout experience.
- A device should not be a distraction. Scouts should pay attention to the program and fellow Scouts. In a program
or troop situation, a Scout should avoid checking his phone for incoming messages or emails, unless messages
related to the program are expected. Consider using “airplane mode” and wait to check at designated free
times.
- A courteous Scout does not interrupt a conversation with others to stop and check for inbound messages. The courteous
Scout focuses his attention on his personal interactions, such as conversations in which s/he is engaged.
- A phone should not be used to insulate a Scout from the outdoors or others. For example, a Scout should not use
headphones during a Scouting activity. During a Scout outing a phone should not be used for entertainment
such as playing solo electronic games, idle web surfing, shopping, etc.
- A phone should not be used to play music or videos — for himself or for others — at an outdoor experience. Phone
music at a campsite or campfire will take away from the outdoor experience for others.
Kind
- Not everyone can afford a smartphone. A Scout needs to be sensitive to others and avoid using his phone in a
way that looks like boasting and makes other Scouts disappointed that they cannot afford such a device. This
is no different from any other piece of gear.
- A Scout always treats people with respect while on social networks, playing games, talking, texting or in other
digital activities.
Obedient
- When using digital devices, a Scout follows the rules and examples set by parents, guardians, teachers, and Scout
leaders.
- A Scout abides by the rules on websites, services, devices and games.
- A Scout is aware that different settings, events or locations will have different rules for use of electronics.
Cheerful
- A Scout uses games, messaging tools and social forums to build relationships with others while having fun.
Thrifty
- A Scout recognizes that his phone may run out of power, and learns to take measures to conserve power in his
device such as by turning it off when not in use or by switching to “airplane mode” to conserve his battery.
- A Scout should not become overly reliant on his device. For example, a Scout should be ready with his map and
compass rather than rely on his smartphone GPS.
- A Scout is a smart consumer. S/he knows his voice, text, and data plans and uses them wisely, careful not to
run up charges on apps and sites.
Brave
- The Scout should not normally be calling home, or sending text messages back and forth with home. If the Scout
thinks there is an urgent need to contact home, s/he should consult an adult leader first.
- Parents need to understand and agree that they are normally not to send messages or call their Scout while s/he
is out with the program. Communication from home should be routed through an adult leader.
- Stand up for what is right. Do not participate in mocking or bullying others, even if others are doing it. Report
suspected abuse to a trusted adult, like a parent or leader or call 911 as appropriate.
Clean
- A Scout uses clean language and only discusses appropriate topics when using digital devices to communicate with
others.
- A Scout needs to take responsibility and take care of his device against damage from dirt, drops, water or other
hazards. S/he may want to keep it carefully packed away against damage. S/he keeps his gear in good, working
order.
Reverent
- A Scout respects the feelings of other people and would never use digital devices to spread irreverent ideas.
Purpose of the Policy
This policy sets forth the policies for the Venture Crew regarding the use of its domain, website, e-mail, and any
Internet features, including privacy.
The Venture Crew retains the right not to provide access to any person for any reason.
Please note: The Venture Crew reserves the right to change this policy at any time by posting the revised policy
on the Venture Crew website, http://www.troop128.net (the “Website”). No advance notice to any Users shall be
required or necessitated, and such changes shall be effective as soon as published. Changes to this Policy will
be considered and approved by majority vote of the Venture Crew Committee.
Purpose of the Website
The purpose of the Website is to provide a centralized communication tool for the troop members and parents, guardians
and leaders to share information, to plan outings and events, and to act as a conduit for disseminating information
to Venture Crew. The webmaster will make every effort to keep the Website updated, keeping in mind at all times
that the content and design of the Website should reflect the purposes and values of scouting and the unique
character of our Venture Crew.
Disclaimer
By using any of the Venture Crew’s features, the User and the User’s parents and User’s guardians understand, acknowledge
and agree the Venture Crew does not have the ability to monitor email or most usage of the Website, save the
disabling of email addresses and certain features by canceling or disabling the User’s account. Scouts are expected
to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the Boy Scout law, oath, and other codes of conduct and to
refrain from inappropriate or offensive conduct on the Website.
Every attempt will be made to preserve the integrity of the site and features and react to any issues that may arrive,
but there is no guarantee of the effectiveness of these preventative or reactive measures. By using the Venture
Crew’s features, the User and the User’s parents and guardians understand the inherent risks to using the site
and the Internet in general. All concerned acknowledge, agree and understand the Venture Crew cannot control
access or data of any kind to any resources not located on our domain.
The Venture Crew does not have any means to monitor or restrict emails, including spam or inappropriate emails that
come into or out of the Website. Any inappropriate emails or content should be reported to the webmaster immediately
so that Venture Crew adult leadership and the webmaster can investigate and take actions within their control
to eliminate and/or address the inappropriate emails and content.
Hold Harmless
Under any and all circumstances, the User and the User’s parent(s) and/or guardian(s) understand and agree the Venture
Crew provides these resources in good faith to aid in the proper development of the Venture Crew and the Scouts
and shall hold the Venture Crew, the Boy Scout’s organization (all levels), the webmaster, the leaders, the committee,
the sponsoring agents, and all persons related to the Venture Crew, the domain, the Website, the Boy Scouts,
the individual Scouts and their families, and anyone else, blameless and harmless without any type of responsibility
(financial or otherwise) for any difficulties, damages (financial or otherwise), or complaints (expressed or
otherwise) related to the Venture Crew’s domain or resources.
Every attempt has been made to comply with the National Boy Scouts of America’s Internet policies.
Privacy
In accordance with policies and standards regarding the protection of minors and personal information, all Users
agree not to post or cause to be posted in public areas the following information:
- Last names of minors (only first names shall be used), Personally Identifiable Information (including but not
limited to addresses, phone numbers, etc).
- This information may indirectly be made available, such as via a link to a newspaper article, etc. Efforts will
be made to restrict content posted on the Venture Crew’s site, but links will not be withheld solely on this
basis.
These privacy policies are in accordance with BSA Youth Protection Guidelines and the BSA policy against releasing
the names of its members in a public forum. The Youth Protection Guidelines are available at
http://www.scouting.org/YouthProtection.aspx.
The Venture Crew is committed to respecting and protecting the personal privacy of its members and those who visit
the Website. This site does not acquire or retain personal information from Users, other than from parents and
guardians.
Links
Venture Crew’s Website may contain links to other Scouts’-related websites. Venture Crew’s Policy does not apply
to such external websites and Venture Crew has no control over the contents of those external websites. Users
acknowledge and agree that by using such external links, they are subject to those other websites’ content and
their usage and privacy rules.
Photos
As the parent(s) and/or guardian(s), you acknowledge and agree and give permission for photos and the first name
of your Scout to be used freely for the Venture Crew’s purposes, including website photos, writings, or any other
legitimate purposes. In addition, you acknowledge and agree that, while efforts will be made to limit or prevent
any information containing last names in connection with photos on the full access portion of the Website, some
information might be indirectly made available as set forth above.
You also acknowledge and agree that, should a likeness of your Scout be used by Venture Crew or published in local
newspapers or other mediums, no compensation shall be due and owing to you for the use of such likeness.
Message Restriction
Communications of any type (including but not limited to emails, chats, images, etc) may not contain content that
a reasonable person would consider to be defamatory, offensive, harassing, disruptive, or degrading, including
but not limited to offensive language, sexual comments or images, slander, ethnic slurs, or other comments or
images that would offend someone on the basis of race, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, political
beliefs, or disability.
Users may not use the Venture Crew's resources in the creation, reception, or distribution of chain letters, spam,
distribution of jokes, or non-Venture Crew purposes.
Piracy
Users may not use the Venture Crew’s resources to upload, download, or transmit copyrighted, trademarked, patented,
confidential, private or proprietary information without proper authorization.
Users must not use the Internet or Venture Crew resources to pirate software, steal passwords, or hack into other
machines.
No unauthorized software may be loaded onto the Venture Crew’s site; this includes games, screensavers, music, and
any program without prior approval.
The introduction of viruses, attempts to breach the system, and other malicious tampering with any of the Venture
Crew’s resources is expressly prohibited.
Obscene materials
Users must not use the Venture Crew’s resources to view or exchange pornography or obscene materials, send discriminatory
or harassing email, or engage in any other unauthorized activities.
Users may not upload, download, or otherwise transmit any sexually explicit materials or images.
Account Usage Restrictions
The email addresses and any accounts provided by the Venture Crew or that bear the Venture Crew’s domain or a similar
domain’s name shall not be used for any purpose other than legitimate Venture Crew interests in accordance with
this Policy.
At no time shall any of these accounts or email addresses be used to subscribe to non-Boy Scouts of America or Venture
Crew services, sites, or activities.
Passwords and Security
No one may allow the use of his/her passwords by others. No one may enable unauthorized third parties to have access
to or use of Venture Crew resources or otherwise jeopardize the security of the Venture Crew’s systems.
Chats and Auctions
Users may not participate in newsgroups or chat group sessions unless expressly authorized and hosted by the Venture
Crew or a Boy Scouts of America sponsored or approved site. The usage of these type of activities or services
that are sponsored by other BSA Venture Crews or other sites will only be authorized IN WRITING by the Venture
Crew’s ADULT leadership.
Users are prohibited from buying and selling personal items using the Venture Crew’s resources (including email addresses).
Conduct and User Responsibility
Users will be held personally responsible for their online conduct. Any and all liabilities that may be caused by
the User is the sole responsibility of the User and his Parent(s) and/or Guardian(s) in accordance with applicable
laws.
Sanctions
Violations of the policies described above for legal and ethical use of the Venture Crew’s resources will be dealt
with seriously. Violators will be subject to the normal disciplinary procedures of the Venture Crew. Illegal
acts involving the Venture Crew’s resources may also be subject to prosecution by local, state and federal authorities.
In addition, any User found in the reasonable opinion of the Webmaster and Venture Crew adult leadership shall have
access and usage rights terminated.
Sole Discretion
The Venture Crew adult leadership has sole discretion in the canceling or restricting of any and all accounts, domain
name, any resources, email addresses and any other electronic features with or without notice, with or without
cause.
Mailing List Etiquette
*
- Please include relevant text from the original message. Trim it to the minimum, but do not overdo it. It should
still be possible for somebody who did not read the original message to understand what you are talking about.
This is especially important for postings of the type "yes, I see this too", where the initial posting was
dozens or hundreds of lines.
- Use some technique to identify which text came from the original message, and which text you add. A common convention
is to prepend “> ” to the original message. Leaving white space after the “> ”and leaving empty lines between
your text and the original text both make the result more readable.
- Please ensure that the attributions of the text you are quoting is correct. People can become offended if you
attribute words to them that they themselves did not write.
- Please do not top post. By this, we mean that if you are replying to a message, please put your replies after
the text that you copy in your reply.
A: Because it reverses the logical flow of conversation.
Q: Why is top posting frowned upon?
Youth Protection Guidelines
