RCI Creates Social Media Policy as Publications Tools Evolve

A little over a year ago, RCI’s Publications Department took a series of steps that enabled the association to greatly expand its digital publishing footprint. We hired Assistant Director of Publications Katherine “Katey” Springle Lempka, who brought digital experience to the department. Director of Marketing Communications William Myers also redesigned RCI’s website. This enabled us to expand our communication venues with the following:

• In July 2016, we updated and expanded social media postings on new LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ venues.
• In September 2016, we launched the RCI Newsfeed, delivering up-to-date releases of association and industry news for our membership and the public, accessible and searchable all the time on RCI’s website. This replaced our member newsletter, RCItems, and is the primary vehicle through which RCI conveys news to its members.
• In December 2016, we introduced the monthly Digital RCI Interface with a Flip version of the journal, a promotional technical article, and informational shorts for our readers to access wherever they have Internet connectivity.

RCI’s Publications Department staff produces and publishes numerous articles throughout the month, publishing them on the RCI Newsfeed and drawing attention to their publication via e-mail. These are accessible at any time on RCI’s website at iibec.org. On occasion, we solicit input for articles from officers, committee members, and other experts among our membership. Many of our Newsfeed articles are also posted on RCI’s Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter sites. We welcome input on any such communications.

The ability to augment our traditional print capabilities has also expanded opportunities for our members. Some have asked us how to express their support for RCI’s offerings and activities, and how to discuss building envelope issues of concern to themselves, our members, potential members, and the industry at large through digital media.

As a result, we have developed an RCI Social Media Use Policy, published below and available at iibec.org.

Social Media Use Policy

RCI, Inc. is blessed as an international organization comprised of learned members with informed opinions and positions on a myriad of industry-related issues. The association cannot (nor would we wish to) police the social media postings of its members. While we encourage open discourse on any platform, here are a few things to keep in mind when using social media in relation to RCI.

1. The only social media posts endorsed by RCI are those that come directly from RCI accounts and that are posted by RCI staff.
2. All social media communications by RCI members and registrants should abide by the RCI Code of Ethics, taking particular note of the following points:
   • Be objective and truthful in reports, statements, testimony, and on social media.
   • Preserve the confidentiality of clients and employers, and serve each in a professional and competent manner.
3. RCI members, including officers and other leaders, may identify themselves on social media as members of the organization. However, they should make it clear that their opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect any official position of RCI, Inc.
4. A share by RCI on its official social media platform(s) is not an endorsement of a position. If the content did not originate with RCI, it should not be construed as an official RCI policy or statement, regardless of the poster’s position within the organization.
5. Feel free to “tag” official RCI accounts with your building-envelope-related posts. In fact, we encourage this! (However, refer to number 4: A share is not an endorsement.)
6. Do not reveal confidential information. The discussions held within RCI’s committees and meetings are not public information. If you’re unsure whether to share: don’t. Social media is not a secure medium. You should never assume a post is or will remain private, regardless of your settings. If you are posting on a social media site, you are relinquishing control of the information.
7. Be nice. We think it’s wonderful that some of our members are so passionate about their work, but if a conversation is becoming heated, the best thing to do is walk away. Before you hit “send,” ask yourself if you would say, face-to-face, what you have just typed.
8. Admit your mistakes. If you post information that you later find to be inaccurate, add a comment or note to your post with the updated information (and a note saying that you did so, if the platform does not already provide an edit log).

Express yourself, but let’s be careful out there.