FAMSACA’s Communications Policy as at August 2022

FAMSACA Privacy Policy

FAMSACA Executive Committee Communication Policy
AIM:

Provide guidance for the committee on communication within the committee, with membership and with external agencies. The content of any communication should be accurate and unbiased and delivered with respect and not risk the reputation of the organization.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

SECRETARY: The secretary is the primary point for communication from external agencies and members to the executive Committee (EC). Responsibility for ongoing communication can be delegated to other EC members or ordinary members were appropriate. If the secretary is unavailable to fulfill secretarial duties for more than 40 days they should notify the EC and another committee member will be nominated for temporary responsibility. If the position of secretary becomes permanently vacant the position can be filled by appointment by the EC from the membership until the next AGM.

ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS: In the situation where the Secretary will be unavailable temporarily any other EC member can volunteer to take on this role. This change must be approved by the President or in their absence one of the Vice Presidents, preferably with notification of the whole EC and with their approval and with the necessary changes to communication channels e.g. email address or links on the Website.

All EC members are ambassadors for FAMSACA and will encounter opportunities to promote the organization, encourage membership of FAMSACA and involvement in its activities and this should be encouraged. If EC members are confident in their knowledge of the Constitution and processes of FAMSACA they should discuss the goals of the organization, its education, professional support and advocacy roles and activities and procedural aspects with members and non-members. The content of discussions should be accurate, unbiased and not risk the reputation of FAMSACA. Any communication that raises concern for reputational risk or improper activity by FAMSACA or a person acting as a representative of FAMSACA must be conveyed to the EC immediately.

FAMSACA is a national organization and has a commitment to representation of all Australian states and territories in the Executive Committee. However, the Executive Committee and its office bearers must be unbiased and non-directional in relation to the process of decision making in the election of office bearers to the Executive Committee and communication related to it.

CONTACT WITH MEDIA:

All communication with media agencies should be via the President. The President may direct this responsibility to another EC member for specific contact. Reputational risk is an important consideration in communication with media agencies.

PROCESSES:

The membership list of FAMSACA must not be provided to any member or non-member unless demanded by legal process.

Requests for communication via the membership list from a member or non-member must be submitted in writing to the Secretary.

Requests for the contact details of individual members from other FAMSACA members or external agencies must be done with the permission of all persons involved.

The Secretary can assess the request and approve it for relevant

• Internal FAMSACA processes
• Internal educational events / material
• External educational events /material
• Employment opportunities
• Research opportunities
• Requests for advocacy.
• See below for assessment criteria.

External Educational Events:

• Sexual assault care, prevention or advocacy related
• Agency with recognised professional credentials providing the event
• Timeframe for advertising
• Conflict with goals or values of FAMSACA

Employment Opportunities:

• Sexual assault related for nurse, nurse practitioner or doctor
• Suitable timeframe for advertising the position
  

Research Opportunities:

• The following must be satisfied
• Creditable ethics approval obtained
• FAMSACA members meet the inclusion criteria
• There is no reputational risk to FAMSAC
• Also consider the general value of the research activity.
  

Advocacy Support:

• Is in line with the values and goals of FAMSACA
• No reputational risk to FAMSACA
  

If the Secretary is unsure if the request should be granted they should bring the request to the EC for review.

WEBSITE

Members of FAMSACA and non-members wanting to access FAMSACA members broadly or by using the membership list should contact the FAMSAC committee through the Secretary [via info@samsaca.org.au).

Information about employment for nurses or doctors, education, research and advocacy related to prevention and management of sexual assault will be relevant to members of FAMSACA.

Please note that this contact is not monitored daily and we aim to provide a response in 7 days.

FAMSACA members wanting to contact the Committee about FAMSACA organisational issues should contact the secretary or other appropriate committee member as listed on this website