RESOLUTION NO.

R-__________-12 A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ADOPTING AN INTERNET AND SOCIAL NETWORKING POLICY FOR THE VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK WHEREAS, the employees of the Village of Forest Park (the Village) have access to the internet and social networking sites; and WHEREAS, the Corporate Authorities of the Village find it to be in the best interest of the Village to adopt an Internet and Social Networking Policy. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, as follows: That the Internet and Social Networking Policy, attached hereto Section 1. and made a part hereof as Exhibit A, is hereby approved and the Mayor is hereby authorized and directed to execute the same. Section 2. That the officials, officers, employees and agents of the Village are hereby authorized to take such actions and execute such documents as are necessary to carry out the purpose and intent of the Internet and Social Networking Policy and this Resolution. Section 3. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect upon and after its passage in the manner provided by law. RESOLVED by the Council of the Village of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, this 13th day of February, 2012. AYES: ____________________ NAYS: ____________________ ABSENT: __________________ ___________________________________ Mayor Anthony T. Calderone ATTEST: _______________________________ Vanessa Moritz, Village Clerk

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EXHIBIT A Internet and Social Networking Policy

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Village of Forest Park Policy Update Social Media Internet Postings/Social Networking

1.

Purpose: The purpose of this policy is to direct the employees of the Village of Forest Park with respect to the use of the Internet, the world-wide web, and social networking as a medium of communication impacting the Village. The Village of Forest Park recognizes the importance of the Internet in shaping public thinking about the Village. The Village of Forest Park also recognizes the importance of our employees joining in and helping shape conversation and direction trough blogging and interaction in social media. Therefore, the Village of Forest Park is committed to supporting your right to interact knowledgeably and socially in the blogoshere and on the Internet through blogging and interaction in social media. Consequently, these guidelines in this social media policy will help you make appropriate decisions about your work-related blogging and the contents of your blogs, personal websites, postings on wikis and other interactive sites, postings on video or picture sharing sites, or in the comments that you make online on blogs, elsewhere on the public Internet, and in responding to comments from posters either publicly or via email. Our Interest and E-Mail Policy remains in effect in our workplace. These guidelines will help you open up a respectful, knowledgeable interaction with people on the Internet. They also protect the privacy, confidentiality, and interests of the Village of Forest Park and our residents. Note that these policies and guidelines apply only to work-related sites and issues and are not meant to infringe upon your personal interaction or commentary online.

II.

Policy: Guidelines for Interaction about the Village of Forest Park ("Village") on the Internet If you are developing a website or writing a blog that will mention the Village and/or Village Departments, Employees, Services, Residents, and Sponsored Events, identify that you are an employee of the Village and that the views expressed on the blog or website are yours alone and do not represent the views of the Village. Unless given permission by the Village Mayor, you are not authorized to speak on behalf of the Village, or to represent that you do so.

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If you are developing a site or writing a blog that will mention the Village and/or Village Departments, Employees, Services, Residents, and Sponsored Events, as a courtesy to the Village, please let the Village Mayor know that you are writing them. The Village Mayor may choose to visit from time to time to understand your point of view.

Confidential Information Component of the Blogging Policy You may not share information that is confidential and proprietary about the Village. If you have any question about whether information has been released publicly or doubts of any kind, speak with your Department Head or the Village Mayor before releasing information that could potentially harm the Village. The Village Official Seal, Logo, Department, Patch or Village-related graphic may not be used without explicit permission in writing from the Village. This is to prevent the appearance that you speak for or represent the Village officially.

Respect and Privacy Rights Components of the Blogging Policy Speak respectfully about the Village and our current policies, procedures, Village Departments, Employees, Services, Residents and Sponsored Events. Do not engage in name calling or behavior that will reflect negatively on the Village of Forest Park and its Departments. Note that the use of copyrighted materials, unfounded or derogatory statements, or misrepresentation is not viewed favorably by the Village and can result in disciplinary action, up to and including employment termination. The Village encourages you to write knowledgeably, accurately, and using appropriate professionalism. Despite disclaimers, your web interaction can result in members of the public forming opinions about the Village and/or Village Departments, Employees, Services, Residents, and Sponsored Events. Honor the privacy rights of our current employees by seeking their permission before writing about or displaying internal Village happenings that might be considered to be a breach of their privacy and confidentiality.

Your Legal Liability Component of the Blogging Policy Recognize that you are legally liable for anything you write or present online. Employees can be disciplined by the Village for commentary, content, or images that are defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous, or that can create a hostile work environment. You can also be sued by Village employees, and any individual or company that views your commentary, content, or images as defamatory, pornographic, proprietary, harassing, libelous or creating a hostile work environment.

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This Policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee's civil liability in any way. The Policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this Policy, if proven, can only be the basis of a complaint by the Village for non-judicial administrative action in accordance with the laws governing employee discipline.

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