Social Networking VS Privacy
For the most part, people put themselves out there. They paste their pictures all over Facebook.com, share their family photos on Shutterfly.com, and put their entire resumes on LinkedIn.com. Twitter.com will tweet every last breath you take if you let it: "What are you doing now?" "I'm breathing."
It's all voluntary. It's all good fun, and it's a great way to let people know you're still alive and well. With the special interest groups, you can direct people's attention to favorite charities, important public events, (like the reunion) and track your favorite celebrity's page.
But there are some people who have no interest in social networking and prefer to remain private. They have not succumbed to the idea of Twittering their private thoughts in 50 characters or less. And some don't want to have anything to do with the reunion.
So be cautious about posting private information on the class website when you have control of it. Remember that you should ask permission before publishing anyone's email address, phone # or home address in an online yearbook or website. It's easy to ask permission right off the bat when you conduct your survey to collect information. Ask the question, Shall we list you in the Reunion directory: By name only? By name and email address? Full information?
If the answer is "name only" - then resist the temptation to publish anything else. You can keep it in your database to update them on what's going on by email or snail mail blasts if they are interested, but don't publish it if they don't want it published.
While we're on the subject of privacy, I have found that some people simply don't want to be found at all. So if you do happen to find them against all odds, don't consider their reluctance to participate a challenge that you must surmount. Simply make a note in your database that they should not be included in the mailings - AND LEAVE THEM ALONE.
Not everyone is as gung-ho about the reunion as you are. You'll just have to accept it.
Any one have any stories along these lines? Please share.
It's all voluntary. It's all good fun, and it's a great way to let people know you're still alive and well. With the special interest groups, you can direct people's attention to favorite charities, important public events, (like the reunion) and track your favorite celebrity's page.
But there are some people who have no interest in social networking and prefer to remain private. They have not succumbed to the idea of Twittering their private thoughts in 50 characters or less. And some don't want to have anything to do with the reunion.
So be cautious about posting private information on the class website when you have control of it. Remember that you should ask permission before publishing anyone's email address, phone # or home address in an online yearbook or website. It's easy to ask permission right off the bat when you conduct your survey to collect information. Ask the question, Shall we list you in the Reunion directory: By name only? By name and email address? Full information?
If the answer is "name only" - then resist the temptation to publish anything else. You can keep it in your database to update them on what's going on by email or snail mail blasts if they are interested, but don't publish it if they don't want it published.
While we're on the subject of privacy, I have found that some people simply don't want to be found at all. So if you do happen to find them against all odds, don't consider their reluctance to participate a challenge that you must surmount. Simply make a note in your database that they should not be included in the mailings - AND LEAVE THEM ALONE.
Not everyone is as gung-ho about the reunion as you are. You'll just have to accept it.
Any one have any stories along these lines? Please share.
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