Outreach for Sober in the Sun 2012

From the SITS 2012 Outreach Chair:
We are excited to announce that we have established a SECRET GROUP PAGE on Facebook! Although SITS is not affiliated with AA in any way we do try to follow AA Traditions and Convention Guidelines. 

AA Guidelines – Internet (dated 10/10)
GENERAL SOCIAL NETWORKING WEB SITES

Facebook and other social networking Web sites are public in nature. Though users create accounts and utilize usernames and passwords, once on the site, it is a public medium where A.A. members and non-A.A.’s mingle. As long as individuals do not identify themselves as A.A. members, there is no conflict of interest. However, someone using their full name and/or a likeness, such as a full-face photograph, would be contrary to the spirit of the Eleventh Tradition, which states in the Long Form that, “… our [last] names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed or publicly printed.”

Experience suggests that it is in keeping with the Eleventh Tradition not to disclose A.A. membership on social networking sites as well as on any other Web site, blog, electronic bulletin board, etc., that is not composed solely of A.A. members and not password protected, or is accessible to the public. Web sites like Facebook offer individuals the chance to post a great deal of personal information about themselves (and others).
These Web sites often allow users to create social networking “groups” and the ability to invite others to “events” for like-minded individuals. Some A.A.’s have chosen to create A.A.-related groups. Since this is a relatively new medium, A.A. members are frequently “learning as they go,” and technology and applications change practically on a daily basis. However, our experience suggests that A.A.-related groups and events are better listed as “closed” or invitation-only groups. Even then, some A.A.’s may not wish to be contacted for an A.A. event on their personal social networking page — they may feel their anonymity is breached by being included in an invitation list that can be viewed by all invitees.
Perhaps a better option is to create a completely “private” group, which does not appear in any group searches or on any personal profiles, and is by invitation to fellow A.A.’s only. Currently, this seems to be the closest option for trying to recreate the atmosphere of a “closed” A.A. meeting and would maintain members’ anonymity most effectively.

 JOIN SITS SECRET GROUP ON FACEBOOK

In keeping with these guidelines we have created a SECRET GROUP PAGE. This page meets the criteria just mentioned in this last paragraph above. What this means is only members of this group can see this page, see who is in it and see the posts and images posted.
In order to maintain the confidentiality of this group we are asking everyone to follow the three procedures listed below: 

1.  Please send a reply email to outreach@soberinthesun.net stating that you are giving me permission to add you to the Facebook page along with your complete Facebook name.
2. If you wish to add friends please have them send me an email to outreach@soberinthesun.net stating they wish to be added to this secret page. PLEASE DO NOT add friends to this page yourself. 
3. Please be aware that many images from the SITS Fundraising Events as well as the conference itself may be posted on this secret page. Facebook has recently initiated new procedures for individuals maintaining their own anonymity with images etc. Please familiarize yourself with these new Facebook procedures as they may pertain to you and your concern with anonymity should you choose to join our secret site.

Thank you to everyone for your cooperation with these guidelines.  We hope you enjoy using our new Facebook page and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming conference May 10th-13th, 2012.

Steve M
SITS Outreach Chair 2012

For more information contact us at: outreach@soberinthesun.net
Steve M. – Outreach Chair
OPEN - Outreach Co-Chair