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Quick Summary - What You’re Agreeing To

By using The Empower Network’s email, online systems, or social media accounts, you agree to:

• Use all Empower Network systems only for official nonprofit business — not personal or outside work.

• Represent the organization with professionalism and respect in all online communications.

• Keep passwords private and use approved secure methods for any shared logins.

• Protect confidentiality — share internal materials only with authorized people.

• Store and discuss sensitive information only within secure, restricted Google Workspace folders.

• Understand that all emails, files, and materials created or stored in Empower Network systems belong to the organization.

• Stop using Empower Network systems and return all materials when your role ends.

• Follow all related policies, including Privacy, Safeguarding, and Community Standards.

This summary is for convenience only. Please read the full agreement below, which is legally binding.

Purpose

This policy explains how The Empower Network manages its social media accounts and how staff, volunteers, and affiliates should communicate about the organization online. Its goal is to protect the safety, privacy, and dignity of our community while maintaining a consistent, accessible, and disability-affirming presence.

This policy applies to all official Empower Network email, online systems, and social media accounts, as well as any personal accounts when posting about the organization.

Authorized Posting

• Only designated individuals approved by the Executive Director or Operations/Communications Lead may post directly to official Empower Network accounts.

• All campaigns, collaborations, and external partnerships must be reviewed and approved before publishing.

• Urgent updates, such as accessibility or safety notices, can be cleared verbally and documented afterward.

• Any commenting, engagement, and interactions via social media must follow our designated brand voice and community standards. Those interactions are at the discretion of the social media manager and subject to review as needed.

3. Personal Accounts and Representation

Personal accounts can be powerful tools for spreading awareness and support for Empower’s mission. Staff, volunteers, and affiliates are free to maintain personal social media accounts, but any posts that mention or relate to The Empower Network must follow these guidelines:

• Be mindful that your posts, even on personal accounts, can affect the public perception of the organization. Act with the same care, respect, and professionalism you would on official accounts.

• Do not imply that you are speaking on behalf of the organization unless explicitly authorized. (e.g., use phrases instead like “I support this initiative”).

• If sharing Empower content, ensure your personal account overall aligns with the organization’s mission, values, and community standards.

• Avoid commenting publicly on disputes, conflicts, or operational decisions of the organization from personal accounts. Report concerns privately to the Communications Lead or Executive Director.

• Do not post internal materials, private communications, or any identifiable information about members, partners, or staff without written consent.

• Always consider the privacy and safety of the community when posting personal reflections or stories related to Empower.

Your personal account should not include content that conflicts with Empower’s Community Standards. Accounts and posts that conflict with these standards should remain separate from any reference to The Empower Network. Some examples include:

• Harassment, targeted attacks, or callouts

• Extreme or inflammatory political content that could be seen as representing the organization

• Content that mocks, trivializes, or sensationalizes disability, chronic illness, or neurodivergence

4. Brand and Language Standards

The Empower Network maintains an active Brand Guidelines document, that defines our brand voice and standards. This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Communications should be accurate, respectful, and free from sensational or tokenizing language.

• Avoid framing disability or chronic illness as tragedy or inspiration.

• Use plain, identity-affirming language that reflects the community’s preferences.

5. Accessibility Requirements

All Empower Network posts must include (and are subject to review):

• Alt text or image descriptions for all visuals

• Captions or transcripts for video and audio content

• Clear, high-contrast images and readable fonts

• Links with descriptive, accessible text

6. Confidentiality and Privacy

In alignment with the community standards policy, 

• Do not share internal materials, screenshots, private communications, or personal information about members, partners, or staff without written consent.

• When sharing stories, obtain explicit, written consent before publishing names, images, or identifiable details.

7. Conduct and Engagement

All public engagement should reflect Empower’s values of mutual respect, access, and care.

• If you encounter harassment, misinformation, or conflict, document it and alert the Operations or Communications Lead. Do not engage directly, but bring it to the attention of the team promptly, to help mitigate any challenging situations. 

• Avoid posting while distressed, fatigued, or unsure about tone or language. Pausing is encouraged.

8. Security and Access

• Access to Empower social media accounts will be granted only through approved password management systems.

• All accounts must have multi-factor authentication enabled.

• Access will be reviewed regularly and removed when a role ends or responsibilities change.

9. Training and Accountability

Anyone with access to Empower’s official accounts must complete onboarding that includes:

• Trauma-informed communication and language use

• Accessibility and content standards

• Security and approval procedures

Refresher sessions or updates will be provided as needed.

Violations of this policy may result in loss of account access or other corrective action.

10. Questions and Clarifications

Any uncertainty about posting, tone, accessibility, or audience should be directed to the Communications Lead or Executive Director before content is shared publicly.

11. Acknowledgment

By using any Empower Network email account, social media login, or online system, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to comply with this policy. Violations may result in suspension of access or other corrective action.

12. Relationship to Other Policies

This Volunteer Agreement works in connection with other policies adopted by The Empower Network, including (but not limited to) our Technology Acceptable Use Policy, Privacy Policy, Community Standards, Safeguarding Policy, and Website Terms of Use, all available at www.empower-network.org.

By completing the Technology Acceptable Use Agreement, you acknowledge that you have reviewed these policies and agree to abide by them in addition to the terms set out here. The Empower Network may update its policies from time to time, and volunteers will be notified of material changes.

Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to report a problem, please contact us.

The Empower Network, Inc.

Email: support@empower-network.orgWebsite: www.empower-network.org