Social Media Guidelines

 

The guidelines were developed under the chairmanship of the EVIM CEO by employees from various business areas. The guiding principle was to use the guidelines to provide positive and beneficial impetus to view the use of social networks as an opportunity.


1. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SOCIAL NETWORKS FOR EVIM?
Social networks are open information and communication platforms that offer access to anyone who has the technical requirements. 

Social networks enable any published information/post/comment/opinion and any image to be immediately available worldwide, viewed, read, archived, and forwarded. 

EVIM sees social networks as an opportunity and a chance to connect with a wide variety of target groups and stakeholders. 

With these guidelines, EVIM aims to provide all full-time and volunteer employees with guidance on how to use social networks. They are intended to be a source of support and assistance in shaping communication on social networks in a responsible manner and for the benefit of the company, its employees, cooperation partners, sponsors, customers, and their families, and to perceive and use them as a resource for successful communication. 


2. ON WHAT BASIS DO WE COMMUNICATE WHERE?
We communicate on all social networks that are constitutional and have a positive view of humanity. The following applies to communication on social networks:

  • the EVIM mission statement "We are there where people need us"
  • The EVIM mission statement:
  1. We perceive each individual as a creature of God and accompany people on the basis of a Christian self-image.
  2. We use our faith and expertise to serve people, especially seniors, people with disabilities, children, adolescents, and young adults.
  3. We support and empower individuals in what they need to live a self-determined and dignified life. We stand up for the dignity and protection of life.
  4. We focus on the reality of each individual's life and offer personalized help.
  5. We provide assistance where we ourselves reach our limits.
  6. We create a wide range of opportunities for participation in social life.
  7. We are constantly developing our professional profile, thereby giving new impetus to life and work. We make our work transparent and comprehensible and use all available resources responsibly.
  8. We cultivate a corporate culture based on mutual respect. Together, we create living spaces that enable both identification and development. Regardless of organizational forms, we have a common identity and ensure the exchange of experience between our fields of work.
  9. We take a goal-oriented approach to our work – for the sake of God's people!
  • The EVIM data protection guidelines


3. WHO COMMUNICATES?
The employees of the Social Networks Core Group (administrators) communicate on behalf of the Executive Board and management during their working hours. In addition to the Executive Board and the management/department heads, the core group includes other employees from each business area/department/volunteer engagement unit, as well as the communications and media relations and fundraising departments. 

The core group's tasks are: 

  • Monitoring
  • Communication
  • Moderation

For EVIM, the use of social media is always a learning process involving observation, trial and error, and adaptation. We promote this process through constructive internal feedback and collegial consultation. 

All other full-time and volunteer staff are also invited to visit social networks, post independently, and promote EVIM on social networks. The applicable regulations for private use of the internet at work must be observed.


4. BELONGING
It should be noted that the more you position yourself in the EVIM environment, the more you have to weigh up all your statements. This applies in particular to statements on party politics. If your personal opinion differs from that of the company, it must be identified as a personal opinion. 


5. HOW DO WE COMMUNICATE?
Every employee should make every effort to represent EVIM well to the best of their knowledge and belief and always be aware that statements that are sent out are no longer under personal control. Check the security settings on social networks beforehand, where you can set who can and cannot read your posts. In our posts (such as podcasts, videos, etc.), we take particular care to ensure that no personal data, such as addresses or family backgrounds, traumatic experiences, or private data, is disclosed in order to protect the protagonists, especially children and young people.


5.1. NETIQUETTE
Treat other people the way you would like to be treated yourself. If you already have a "gut feeling" or a queasy feeling when writing a post, it is better to refrain from posting it. 

The basic principles of everyday communication also apply to social networks:

  • Be professional
  • Be friendly and respectful
  • Be authentic
  • Remain objective, even when criticizing
  • post relevant comments
  • Do not allow yourself to be provoked
  • Do not fuel discussions
  • Identify quotations (source)
  • Links to relevant content are welcome


5.2. HOW DO WE ADDRESS OTHERS?
Depending on the context, informal or formal forms of address are possible.


5.3. HOW DO WE IDENTIFY OURSELVES AS THE SENDER?
If administrators are speaking on behalf of the company, they use the EVIM logo and refer to "EVIM" as the agent in their wording ("EVIM wants... EVIM shows... institution XY wants... department XY shows... project XY would like...").) and personally sign their posts with their first and last names. 

When commenting on posts, we establish a personal connection by using our first and last names and possibly adding a portrait photo. In the wording: 'I' form. 

Those who communicate on behalf of a group establish a personal connection to themselves as spokespersons. In the wording: 'On behalf of the department, working group, etc.,' stating their first and last names and possibly including a portrait photo.


5.4. WHEN ARE WE AVAILABLE?
As we want our communication to be reliable and transparent, we provide information about the times when we are available on behalf of the company: Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are happy to respond to comments or enquiries from users at the earliest opportunity.


5.5. COPYRIGHT AND RIGHT TO ONE'S OWN IMAGE
When it comes to the use of other people's contributions, copyright must be observed. The same applies to the use of photos, videos, and films. The procedure for approving photos from EVIM also applies to social networks (right to one's own image). An exception applies only to photos of larger groups of people at public events (church services and other official events).


5.6. HOW DO WE DEAL WITH EXTERNAL CONTENT?
Interesting, subject-related content/contributions from other organizations and associations outside your own company can be shared and/or recommended with a comment. The retweet or "share" function is available for this purpose.


6. WHERE DO WE PUBLISH THE EVIM SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES?
The EVIM Social Media Guidelines are published on the website and make EVIM's position on communication in social networks transparent.


7. WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EVIM SOCIAL MEDIA GUIDELINES ARE VIOLATED?
The EVIM Social Media Guidelines are based on the documents mentioned in point 2, compliance with which is regulated by labor law.


8. DURATION
The Social Media Guidelines are guidelines for action. Like social networks, they are subject to constant change. They must therefore be reviewed and further developed on an ongoing basis. 

Contact: Heide Künanz, EVIM Media Relations and Communications
Email: heide.kuenanz@evim.de
Phone: +49 611 99009 33