11/19/2023
To maintain The Eastlake Resident’s Coalitions’ primary purpose of creating a close strong community family via safety, security, collaboration, current happenings, civic affairs, information sharing, healthy lives and relationships with the understanding that quality of life has a direct correlation to the depths of relationships, safety and security in a community, this group's timeline and the resulting notifications to member news feeds shall, whenever possible, require approval.
Member posts unrelated or indirectly related to the group's mission yet contributing to quality of life may also be approved. Topics include, but are not necessarily limited to:
1. Lost & Found
a. Pets
b. Personal items
2. Local business or event promotion
3. Anything goes on Newsday Tuesday
Posts that may NOT be approved include:
1. "411" or "Yellow Pages" requests for information such business hours, referrals or recommendations for products or services, etc.;
2. Personal status or memes; within the comment section
3. Without prior approval, 'Go Fund Me' or Fundraising Requests due to the potential for fraud and misrepresentation.
4. Political posts during an election year, shall not exceed 3 per week and may begin when political signs begin, no sooner than 90 days prior to election. Links to a politicians page are allowed only. No national political posts allowed at any time during the year.
Administrators shall make the final determination and approval as to what content shall appear within the group.
CODE OF CONDUCT
I. MISSION STATEMENT.
A. The mission of The Eastlake Resident’s Coalition landing page is to improve the knowledge, safety, security and quality of life in the residents of Eastlake by providing a platform where people, regardless of age, race, sect, denomination, political organization or institution affiliation, may become more connected by sharing information, content, messages and ideas while still respecting the rights of others. When people can engage in meaningful conversations and exchanges on-line, positive results can be obtained.
B. This is a private Facebook group and is not directly affiliated with any employee, department or public official of the City of Eastlake. Members seeking a response and/or action by public officials should contact the City directly.
II. ADMINISTRATOR(S).
A. To fulfill our mission, the Administrator(s) endeavor to make this group a safe and respectful place for sharing and connection. This requires the Administrator(s) to make difficult decisions and balance concerns about free expression and community respect.
B. Any member who perceives a violation of the Code of Conduct shall immediately and formally notify the Administrator(s) of the occurrence, being sure to identify the specific post in question and the name of the person responsible. Blocking the Administrator(s) shall be grounds for dismissal from the group.
C. Admins do NOT allow members to join with a Facebook account younger than 1 year.
III. CONTENT.
A. Except for circumstances in which a clear and immediate threat to local public safety exists, members should expect no posts will be approved between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. US Eastern Time.
B. Posts containing content which the Administrator(s) deem to be harmful, offensive, unnecessarily or exceedingly controversial, racist, intended to inflict emotional distress on a specific private individual (e.g. bullying or trolling), rants, posting or commenting with the purpose of arguing, commercial or 'for profit' including yard/garage/tag sales, help wanted solicitations or postings requesting donations or financial support for individuals or entities not legally recognized as a 501(C)(3) are prohibited and subject to deletion. If you have an issue with content, feel free to remove yourself from the group. Boundaries and rues are important, while not always popular, we reserve the right to remove comments, posts, member or all three. Comments relating to them are allowed in the comment section
C. The Administrator(s) reserve the right to determine what content shall or shall not appear in this group. Content includes, but is not necessarily limited to, all posts, comments, replies, private messages, images and links. The Administrator(s) are under no obligation to provide a warning, prior notification or explanation regarding a determination as to what content shall or shall not appear. Minutes or details of Blockwatch meetings will not be recapped or posted.
IV. EXCEPTIONS TO CONTENT.
A. Posts containing content regarding Eastlake non-profit community activities and sports, lost pets, requests for business or service recommendations, disposal of items for free in support of charity and private enterprises recognized by the Administrator(s) as providing significant support of the group shall be permitted provided the post adheres to all other requirements for content.
B. The posting member shall be responsible for deleting the post once its objective has been achieved or the event has passed. The posting member also cannot turn off comments in their post, unless directed by an Admin. Delete the post if you no longer wish to deal with comments. Admins reserve the right to turn off commenting for the sanctity of the group, if the message has been exhausted, or if it is at the end of the day.
V. SAFETY.
A. This group is not a substitute or alternative to calling 9-1-1. Any member observing suspicious, criminal or unsafe behavior or situations should IMMEDIATELY contact emergency responders.
B. Anyone seeking to add property within the City of Eastlake to the Police Department's vacation watch list should call the department's non-emergency number, 440.951.1400.
C. Members are responsible for their own personal safety and, in doing so, should refrain from posting addresses, telephone numbers, photographs and other personal information.
VI. PRIVACY.
A. Members shall refrain from disclosing names, addresses, photographs and other personal information regarding both non-members and members.
B. Exceptions may be considered regarding a member's illness, injury, death or other circumstances where the group's knowledge and support would benefit the member in question. In such cases, approval in advance by the Administrator(s) shall be required as the member may wish to maintain his or her privacy.
VII. CIVILITY.
A. Content seeking to disparage, berate, defame, slander, embarrass, disrespect or coerce any individual, group or business will not be tolerated and are subject to deletion. To be included is members joining, creating or participating in satirical or opposition pages.
B. The Eastlake Community Blockwatch Forum is comprised of people from all walks of life. Name calling as well as unsolicited or negative comments regarding race, creed, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation or disabilities are to be avoided. Consider posting comments in the context of "I" rather than "you", e.g. "I disagree" rather than "You are wrong."
C. Civility can be subjective. The Administrator(s) shall make the final determination as to what content may or may not be civil. Administrators reserve the right to remove for ANY reason they deem necessary.
D. Regarding content. Any content dealing with military matters will be next to opsec and persec rules and therefore approved on a case by case basis, keeping that in mind.
VII. NO AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.
A. It has been the experience of the Administrator(s) that, when a violation of the Code of Conduct occurs, offenders frequently offer one of three excuses, none of which shall be considered an affirmative defense:
1. A failure to read and become familiar with the Code of Conduct;
2. Freedom of Speech; or
3. The conduct was not unreasonable.
B. Members are asked to consider themselves as guests in the home of the Administrator(s) serving as your host. This forum is a private group requiring you to request permission to enter and participate just as if you were to walk up and knock on the front door of the Administrator(s). The host may give you permission to enter and participate provided you engage in acceptable conduct. When the host determines your conduct is unacceptable, you have the choice of:
1. Correcting your conduct and remaining;
2. Not correcting your conduct and departing; or
3. Not correcting your conduct and being dismissed.
4. If you are removed, you will have 1 year to wait to rejoin.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from the consequences of your actions. Freedom of Speech does not mean you get to dictate what can or cannot be posted in a forum you do not administer. This also applies to membership of other anti-page facebook group, you choose to engage in. Your membership there negates your membership here.
IX. MISCELLANEOUS.
The Administrator(s) reserve the right to amend this Code of Conduct at will. Since it is not possible to foresee all potential situations or circumstances, the Administrator(s) shall have sole discretion in assessing any situation or incident not covered herein on a case by case basis. The decision of the Administrator(s) is final.
X. MEMBERSHIP.
A. By submitting a request to join &/or remaining a member of the Eastlake Community Blockwatch Forum, each member agrees to abide by this Code of Conduct at all times.
B. Failure to abide by the Code of Conduct may result in administrative action up to and including dismissal from the group. Administrator(s) shall have sole discretion in determining when, why and what administrative action(s) shall be taken, if any, in response to violations and when someone may return or not.
