INTERNET GUIDELINES. I: Compliant Websites

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1 INTERNET GUIDELINES The World Wide Web provides an excellent opportunity to inform other sorors and the public of Delta activities throughout the world. The National Information and Communications Committee, Technology Task Force and National Headquarters Staff have coordinated the development and maintenance of the official website of the Sorority. Sorors are encouraged to use the technology of the internet to create individual and chapter websites which complement the National Page and showcase local Delta activities. The Delta Internet Guidelines (DIG) have been approved by the Scholarship & Standards Committee, which is responsible for enforcing the policies and procedures of the Sorority. Guidelines for internet websites of Delta Sigma Theta chapters have been prepared in the interest of protecting Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and minimizing potential legal liability. Delta has intellectual property interests in its symbols, ceremonies and other interests which need protection from legal risks. Accurate, complete and current information is critical to legal protection. All information on the National Website is reviewed and approved by the sorority's National President. National Headquarters will be the sole source of the following topics as they appear on any website. Chapters and sorors with websites are permitted to share the following information via links to the National home page. History of the Sorority Membership Demographics Membership Information The Sale of Delta Publications/Artifacts I: Compliant Websites **All references to the National Website imply the Sorority s official internet website at A. The Chapter President will be held responsible for the content of the chapter website. B. Chapter websites must contain contact information such as the chapter mailing address, an address and/or phone number for the general chapter or a chapter officer. This should appear on the main page of the website. Example: Durham Alumnae Chapter Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated PO Box 1000 Durham, NC [email protected] C. Chapter websites should be kept updated and links checked often. Page 1 of 1

2 D. Internal chapter events must be password protected. Access to any password protected area of a chapter website must be limited to the financial membership of that chapter. The password for the site should be changed every dues cycle. E. Chapter Websites may include (but are not limited to): Calendar of Events Including the dates for chapter public service events, fundraisers, rush dates, Sorority meetings, and committee meetings. Chapters should include a contact name and/or address with the announcement of rush activities. Photographs -Websites may include various photographs depicting sorors participating in chapter activities, public service events or any photographs directly related to the chapter. Depictions of ceremonies (i.e. table set) are not allowed (see below for more detail). Chapter Histories-Chapter websites may include the chartering date of the chapter, charter members, the location of the chartered chapter, or any significant historical information about the chapter that is newsworthy. Significant Information-Should include the name and year of awards, stellar programs, and outstanding recognition for service. Chapter Charter Members-The names of charter members may be included on chapter websites. Charter members organized chapters and are not called Founders. Current Chapter Officers-The names of current chapter officers, their position and addresses (if permissible) should be included on chapter websites. The personal mailing addresses and phone numbers of current chapter officers mailing should not be included on chapter websites without prior consent from the officer. Past National, Regional, and Chapter Officers-Chapter websites may contain general information pertaining to past National, Regional or Chapter Officers. This includes listings of names of the past Regional and Chapter Officers and the years in which they served in the position, initiating chapter, current chapter affiliations, and pictures of these persons. Pictures of and information about Past National Presidents may be put on the chapter s website, but a link to the Sorority s National Website should be provided for the entire listing of the Past National Presidents. Links to the National Website, and Regional Website-Chapter websites should provide links to the National Website and to the official website of their region. These links should be explicitly tagged stating one of the following: Link to our sorority s official website at For more information, visit our National Website at Visit Delta Sigma Theta s National Website at Page 2 of 2

3 Regional Websites should also be listed in the above manner with the name of the region stated and the regional website s address provided. These website addresses should be provided as hyperlinks, meaning that a user can click on the address and be directly routed to the specified website. (For information on how to create a hyperlink, research html hyperlink tags or consult your website creation software manual). Contact information for chapter functions and fundraisers-names, mailing addresses, addresses and/or phone numbers for chapter members responsible for specific chapter functions or fundraisers may be listed under information pertaining to these functions or fundraisers with the consent of that chapter member. If chapter members would not like their information published on the website, the chapter s general mailing address, address and/or telephone number may be provided instead. Chapters are encouraged to use some type of contact information for functions or fundraisers that are open to the public and are listed on the chapter s website. F. Websites May Not Include: The following should not appear on any website in written, audio, video, or image form. All of the information listed below is privileged Delta information and should not be shared with non-deltas without the permission of Grand Chapter. The Sorority Crest-The Sorority Crest may not displayed on websites to prevent its inappropriate use. Secrets, Passwords, Signs, and Grips-Secrets, passwords, signs, and grips can only be transmitted by word of mouth from one Delta to another. Mottoes and Oath -The Sorority's motto cannot appear on websites since it is never to be written and should only be communicated in a closed Delta setting. The letters of the motto should only appear in personal correspondence between Sorors. is public correspondence. The Delta Oath is only given to women who have been duly initiated into the Sorority and it is not be displayed on websites. Official Delta Songs-The Official Sorority songs are as follows: Delta Mizpah Delta Sigma Theta National Hymn Delta Prayer Beta Hymn Delta Sweetheart Song Pyramid Hymn They may not appear on websites in any form. Ceremonies, Formal Openings, Membership Intake Activities-Ceremonies, formal openings, and membership intake activities are closed Delta assemblies; therefore these events may not be shared with non-deltas. Photos may be taken of sorors who are in Page 3 of 3

4 robes but are not actively participating in a ceremony. Membership intake activities are intended only for Deltas and Pyramids. Membership Information any information outside of chapter contact information, general chapter history, and rush dates. Information for prospective members should be provided only via links to the National Website. (This includes narratives for suggestions for seeking membership, chat rooms, bulletin boards, guestbooks, and quizzes targeted towards prospective members, and specific dues information). Past Chapter Lines - There should be no listing of the given names or "line names" of sorors initiated into a chapter during a specific year. Example of unacceptable information: 1996: 5 Downright Devastating Divas Katherine Adams Deloris Hampton Cherie Mayberry Janice Miller Barbara Thomspon Any internal chapter information or chapter doctrines - Examples include financial information, bylaws, chapter policies and procedures, committee reports, etc., unless this information is password protected and only viewable by current financial chapter members. Links to personal websites or websites of other chapters- Chapter websites may not include links to any other websites other than the National website ( or any official Delta regional websites. Links to other Pan-Hellenic or other Greek letter organizations- Chapter websites may not include any material that implies a relationship between Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and any other Greek letter organization. This includes audio, links, graphics, photographs, and/or text. Photographs in poor taste- Chapter websites may not include any material in poor taste. This includes scantily dressed persons, provocative poses, pictures of a sexual nature, or pictures of persons displaying the signs or wearing the paraphernalia of an organization to which they do not belong. Sale of Merchandise-Chapter websites may not offer items for sale through their site. Chapters may advertise fundraisers and other events with links to the address(es) of contact persons within the chapter, but no direct sales are allowed via the chapter website. Copyrighted Material or Illegal Material - This includes works of art, music, video,. Advertisements - Chapters are discouraged from using free webhosts that provide automatic advertising on websites. Page 4 of 4

5 II: A. General Confidential information should not be sent in an electronic message. When sending s to multiple people or to groups including members of the sorority and non-members, use the bcc (blind carbon copy) option to specify addresses. This will allow each recipient of the message to see only his or her own address. Do not forward that includes the previous recipients address. The addresses of sorors, chapters, or officers should not be given out without the explicit permission of those individuals. Addresses should not be sold, and the addresses should be used for official Sorority business only. B. Chapter Should be checked at least weekly. The specific addresses for the chapter or addresses reserved for chapter officers should be passed on to the new officers at the end of each sorority year. The current username and passwords, ways to access the account, and any other information pertaining to the account should be given to the new officer(s). The following officers should have access to the chapter address: President, Vice President, Secretary or Webmaster, and Advisor (for collegiate chapters). Passwords should be changed whenever officers change (during election cycles, resignations, or impeachment). The chapter mailing lists should be checked regularly for accuracy, especially during dues cycles and when sorors relocate or leave a chapter. s containing Sorority information are not to be forwarded outside the intended recipients. If there is a question about recipients of messages, the chapter webmaster should be contacted and the corresponding person should be verified and subsequently added to the list. III. Website Certification A. Each chapter website will be reviewed regularly for its compliance with the Delta Internet Guidelines. Chapter websites that are certified as being fully compliant with the Delta Internet Guidelines will be issued a custom certification logo that includes the chapter name and certification expiration date. This logo must be placed on the main page of their website to signify that this is an official and certified website of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. B. The general certification period will be one year. Certification may be revoked during the year if information is posted that is in conflict with the Delta Internet Guidelines. The chapter president and webmaster may receive a notice to change the inappropriate information immediately or have their certification revoked. C. Chapters cannot display a certification logo on their website if it is not certified, or if the certification has been revoked. D. The chapter President, chapter webmaster, or their representative must attend a Website Certification Workshop at the National Convention or Regional Conference. Page 5 of 5

6 Remember that the Internet is public accessible worldwide and the security of Delta properties are our responsibility. When the names of sorors appear on websites, use caution in providing identifying information such as telephone numbers, addresses and place of employment. Protect the privacy of Sorors at all times against such fraudulent and potentially criminal activities and unauthorized credit card and ATM usage and robbery. Any questions regarding guidelines and creation of websites should be ed to the national Information and Communications Committee or the Technology Task Force. LEGAL NOTICES The contents of all material available on the National website are copyrighted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. unless otherwise indicated. Copyright is not claimed as to any part of an original work prepared by a U.S. or state government officer or employee as part of that person s official duties. All rights are reserved by Delta Sigma Theta, and content may not be reproduced, downloaded, disseminated, published or transferred in any form or by any means, except with prior written permission of DST, Inc. or as indicated. Members of DST, Inc. may download pages or other content for their own use, consistent with the mission and purpose of DST, Inc. However, no part or such content may be otherwise or subsequently reproduced, downloaded, disseminated, published or transferred, in any form or by any means, except with the prior written permission of an with express attribution to DST, Inc. Copyright infringement is a violation of federal law subject to criminal and civil penalties. Chapters and/or Sorors should also refer to the Protocol & Traditions manual and the Code of Conduct for other guidelines. Page 6 of 6