ASLMS Social Media Policy

I. INTRODUCTION

This is the official policy for using social media tools on behalf of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery (ASLMS). It is the expectation of ASLMS that social media is to be used as a tool to build relationships, increase learning, and support collaboration. All participants are required to adhere to the ASLMS Mission, Vision, Organizational Values, and social media policy.

1. ASLMS Mission

   The Mission of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery is to promote excellence in patient care by advancing biomedical application of lasers and other energy based technologies worldwide.
   

2. ASLMS Vision

   The Vision of the ASLMS is to be the world’s preeminent resource for biomedical laser and other energy based technologies research, education, and clinical knowledge.
   

3. Organizational Values
   1. Excellence – The “sine qua non” of our existence.
   2. Integrity – We advocate and emulate high ethical conduct in all we do.
   3. Multidisciplinary – We advocate inclusion and embrace all specialities with whom we work and share knowledge.
   4. Leadership – We lead through example and recognize caring must be a cornerstone of our professional and patient interactions.
   5. Professionalism – We strive to set professional standards in all we do.

II. SOCIAL MEDIA USE PRINCIPLES

1. Transparency

   Use your real name, identify and be clear about your role. Never impersonate someone else, or purposely obscure your identity. What you publish will be around for a long time, consider the content carefully and also be judicious in disclosing personal details.
   

2. Authenticity

   Provide unique, individual perspectives in areas of your expertise. All statements must be true and not misleading. ASLMS is not responsible for and will not substantiate any claims.
   

3. Disclosure

   Per FTC Guidelines for endorsements and testimonials in advertising, if there is a connection between the endorser and the seller of the product or service, full disclosure is required. Everyone must disclose any benefits received in exchange for a posting (payment or free merchandise, for example).
   

   All links to other Web sites linked from ASLMS’ social media sites are provided as a service to readers, but such linkage does not constitute endorsement of those sites by ASLMS and as such we are not responsible for the content of external Web sites.
   

4. Confidentiality and Copyright

   Respect proprietary information and content, confidentiality, brand, trademark, copyright, and fair use. You may not use ASLMS logos or trademarks as a part of your postings, including in your identity on a site, unless you are approved to do so.
   

5. HIPAA Compliance

   Individuals using any ASLMS social media platform must not disclose any patient health information that in any way might reveal the identity of the patient. All postings must abide by HIPAA Regulations.
   

6. Attribution

   Comments on interesting posts and work of others is welcome. Always cite when quoting someone else. Never post photos, videos, or other media without the consent of those exhibited in such media. Do not tag, identify, or comment on anyone in any social media without consent. Do not use copyrighted material without permission.
   

7. Propriety

   ASLMS reserves the sole right to review, edit and/or delete any comments it deems inappropriate. Comments including, but not limited to, the following may be deleted or edited by the moderators:
   

   1. Abusive or hurtful comments about a blogger or another participant.
   2. Off-topic and redundant comments (this includes promotion of events, groups, pages, Web sites, organizations, and programs not related to or affiliated with ASLMS).
   3. Comments that use foul language or “hate speech” (for example, including but not limited to racial, ethnic or gender bashing language).
   4. Personal attacks or defamatory statements or comments (i.e., making negative personal or untrue comments about a participant), instead of constructive criticism of his/her posting, opinion or comments.
8. Endorsement

   Make it clear you are speaking for yourself and not on behalf of the ASLMS. If you publish content online relevant to ASLMS in your personal capacity, use a disclaimer such as this “The postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent ASLMS’ positions, strategies, or disclosure policies.”
   

9. Self Promotion

   Overt self promotion of services will be subject to deletion and/or modification at the discretion of ASLMS.
   

10. Reporting Violations

    ASLMS requests and strongly urges participants in its social media platforms to report any possible or perceived violations to ASLMS. Violations include discussions of proprietary information and any unlawful activity related to blogging or social media.
    

11. Discipline for Violations

    ASLMS investigates and responds to reports of violations of this social media policy. Violation of the policy may result in loss of the privilege to use ASLMS social media tools. ASLMS reserves the right to take legal action where necessary against social media users who engage in prohibited or unlawful conduct. ASLMS members found to have violated the social media policy and/or ASLMS Code of Ethics may be subject to disciplinary action.
    

12. Disclaimer

    The opinions and/or views expressed on ASLMS’ social media platforms, including, but not limited to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and blog pages, represent the personal views of individual bloggers, social media managers, and online communities, and are not necessarily those of ASLMS or any of its affiliates or any of their respective members, directors, officers, and employees. The opinions and views expressed on these pages do not in any way reflect the views of the site they are posted on, other sites affiliated with the site, the staff involved with maintaining the site or any members of the site. Information posted on ASLMS Social Media sites is not a referral for medical services nor is it an endorsement of medical services or skills.
    

III. ASLMS-SPONSORED SOCIAL MEDIA

ASLMS-sponsored social media is social media officially endorsed by ASLMS. Any ASLMS-sponsored social media must clearly disclose that it is sponsored by ASLMS and include the following statement “This page is sponsored by the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.” If possible, an ASLMS logo also should be included.

IV. CONCLUSION

If you have any doubt at any time about whether to post or publish something via social media or have questions about this policy, contact ASLMS.

ASLMS reserves the right to amend this policy at any time. In the event of a dispute as to the interpretation of this policy, ASLMS’ interpretation shall be final.

This policy is effective immediately and was last updated February 1, 2012.

MEDIA INQUIRIES

Media inquiries of any kind, whether from online (i.e., news engines, bloggers) or mainstream (i.e., newspaper, magazines, broadcast) media outlets, must be directed to:

American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery
100 N. 72nd AVE.
Wausau, WI 54401
(715) 845-9283

information@aslms.org