Rules for Internet Scouting Web Sites

Atlanta Area Council, BSA

  1. Purpose: To promote positive use of the internet and the world wide web while providing for the protection of our youth and the Scouting program.
  2. Definitions:
    1. Council (AAC) -- The Atlanta Area Council, BSA.
    2. Council Approved Site (Official Sites) -- Any internet site used to publish information developed by or specifically for Council programs. Example: Publishing the contents of the AAC College of Commissioner Science brochure could only be done on an official Council approved site. Discussion and/or promotion of the college can be done on any site.
    3. Council Webmaster -- The Council Webmaster is a member of the Council Internet Committee and is responsible for the day to day review of Council approved sites.
    4. Internet Web Site Committee -- The committee formed by the Council to promote the positive use of this electronic medium.
    5. Internet Site -- Any public electronic medium accessible by computer to computer communication. This includes, but is not limited to, web, ftp, and gopher sites.
    6. Member -- Any adult or youth member of the Boy Scouts of America.
    7. Private Sites -- Sites providing information about the Scouting program in an unofficial capacity.
    8. Unit Sites -- Sites run by units of the AAC to promote their own programs.
  3. Publishing:
    1. Providing information through an internet site is considered publishing and is subject to the same standards and restrictions of any publishing medium.
    2. Copyrighted materials are strictly prohibited on Council approved sites except for BSA materials.
  4. Council Approved Sites:
    1. No member shall publish information covered under these rules or present themselves as an official site of Council programs or display the official web site logo without Council approval.
    2. While useful information about Council programs and divisions may appear on many web sites, only one web site will be recognized as the official web site for that program.
    3. The Council Internet Committee shall develop an application procedure for members wishing to operate Council approved sites.
    4. Council approved sites are required to post a link to the Council's web site. This link shall include the official web site logo and the informational phrase developed by the internet committee.
    5. Council approved status may be withdrawn without notice for failure to comply with these rules.
  5. Other Sites:
    1. Unit sites, private sites, and other internet sites may not publish substantial portions of published Council information. However, sharing program information is encouraged.
    2. Sites sharing information about the Scouting program are encouraged to use common sense and the guidance of the Scout Law in the operation of their sites.
  6. Member Protection:
    1. Names and information about youth members shall not be published on the web without good reason. Good reasons include recognition of achievement and providing names of program leadership.
    2. Pictures of youth may appear on the web as long as no personal information is associated with the picture.
    3. Under no circumstances shall the address of phone number of any member, youth or adult, be published on the internet.
    4. E-mail addresses may be published if worthwhile benefit to the program would be achieved.
  7. Security:
    1. One adult with site access shall be named as the responsible contact for each site. In the case of youth run sites, one adult and one youth, both of which have access, shall be named the responsible contacts for each site.
    2. The name, address, phone number, and e-mail addresses of each responsible contact shall be provided to the internet committee. Other pertinent information may be required.
    3. Password:
      1. Accept as provided below, site access passwords should be restricted to the responsible contact and the Council Webmaster.
      2. If it is necessary to share a password in order to work on a site as a team effort, the password should be changed often.
      3. Passwords should be changed periodically.
  8. Liability: The Internet Web Site Committee, like other Council Committees, provides general oversight of this program. Members operating these internet sites are responsible for their content. The Council shall not be held liable for the contents of any web site whether or not such web site has obtained Council approved status.

Source: Atlanta Area Council Program Planning Packet, August 1998.

Home Page Council Approved Web Sites
AAC Web Rules How To Apply

Comments, corrections, and questions should be sent by e-mail to: aac@meritbadge.com

Last modified on Monday, June 21, 2004