General Guidelines for Troops and Service Unit Web Sites*

Contact: Website Manager
888-771-5170 webmaster@kyanags.org

The website manager at the Kentuckiana council should review your website or web page before it is published to ensure that it complies with GSUSA and council standards. If there is a site already published, email us with the URL so that we can review the site.

• GSUSA and the Kentuckiana council does not host, or link to, individual troop, service unit, or member sites at this time. We do, however, suggest the following: many Internet service providers offer their subscribers space on their servers. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) about hosting your website and how much space they provide.

• Girl Scouts of the USA is a not-for-profit organization and cannot, therefore, endorse any commercial or profit-making product or service. We generally do not link to commercial websites, since to do so may imply endorsement.
  • If you choose to offer links to outside sites, please make it clear that the link leads off of your site. Also, you will be responsible for monitoring those links frequently to make sure that they are operable.
  • Avoid using trademarks, banners, icons, graphics, or logos from other sites, if possible. Any advertisements or links that come with free web pages (like geocities) should have a disclaimer below it that states: "Neither GSUSA nor its council is responsible for the content of any other site linked to this site. The inclusion of any link to such a site does not create or imply any approval or endorsement of that site by GSUSA or its council. GSUSA and its councils make no representations whatsoever as to any other Web site that you may access through this one." (You can make this text very small. You can also use this text where other links to non-GS sites are posted.)

• It is the policy of GSUSA that no sales shall be made by anyone at any time on a website on the Internet of any products sold in “council-sponsored product sales,” including, but not limited to, products such as Girl Scout cookies, candy, nuts, or calendars.
  • It is also the policy of GSUSA that only councils, and other licensed agents, may engage in online sales of GS merchandise.
  • Sales for any GS “troop/group money earning activities” may not be conducted by individual girls, parents, or other adults on the Internet. This includes posting a phone number to order products, or listing where and when sales will take place (something vague, like “It’s Girl Scout Cookie Month” is permissible, but “We will be at Wal-mart at 1st and Main from noon to three,” is not permissible. See Safety-Wise.)

• You must have photo permission for any recognizable persons in photos placed on the site. Photo permission can be found on each individual's registration form.

• Please keep graphics within a reasonable size. Visitors get frustrated if pages take too long to download. Have someone test your site to see if graphics or other things are taking too long.
  • Usually, you should save graphics as .gif files and photos as .jpg files.
  • Resolution for images should be set to 72 dpi.

• If you have links to other areas that you do not maintain personally, you should have a place for girls to take the Online Safety Pledge before having access to these links. These links should be monitored closely for inappropriate messages, advertisements, etc. Do not include links blindly on your site without thoroughly browsing the site to which they refer.

• You should have a copyright notice on the bottom of each page that reads "Copyright 2008. Girl Scouts of the USA. All rights reserved." (Use current year.)

• Of course, you should not alter the trefoil logo in any way other than changing the color or size. The "Girl Scouts" under or next to it must never be separated from the trefoil part and may never be typed in separately. The tagline "Where Girls Grow Strong" is now no longer being used. Please do not include it on your site.
  • The GS logo may not be incorporated into another graphic or used as wallpaper or buttons.
  • The GS logo must be kept in the correct proportions and color and be placed against a solid colored background.
  • If you need this image, please let us know, and we will email it to you.

• Be very careful when listing event details. You should not put directions or specific times on the page. You don't want strangers to know where there will be groups of girls together. Be vague when the location is well known.
  • When in doubt, simply list a contact number for more information.
  • Do not include phone numbers if possible. It is much safer to put email addresses on the site, but make sure you have the adult's permission to do so.
  • No personal girl information at any time, including phone numbers, email addresses, street addresses, hometowns, last names, etc.
  • Never use a messaging system that allows anyone to post information without it first being reviewed. This includes guestbooks and chat rooms.
  • Do not give troop numbers and individuals' names in the same place.
  • Do not use names with photos, and make sure you blur out any names that may appear on nametags, swimcaps, t-shirts, etc. in the photo.

• If you provide something on your website that requires a plug-in, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, always provide a link to obtain it. If you are not sure how to do this, let us know, and we will help you.

• You should not have any dead-end pages. Every page should at least have a "Back" link so visitors are able to get back to earlier pages.

• Always include an email contact to whoever manages the site. Visitors like to be able to tell you if there are problems.

• Remember that underlining is reserved for hyperlinks. Use bold or large fonts for emphasis.

• Copyright code of conduct is the same with websites as it is for publications. A basic principle for graphics and other design is, "if it's not yours, don't use it," even if it is easily downloadable. If you would really like to use something that you did not create yourself, you must obtain written permission to do so from the owner.
  • We suggest that you learn to use a graphic program, such as the paint program that comes with your computer, to create your own original graphics. You can also draw your own pictures and text on paper and then scan them in.
  • You can also download free graphics from the GSUSA Web site. Visit their graphics gallery at http://girlscouts.org/program/gs_central/graphics/

• Using music or sound on your site (or the printed words to songs) follows the same copyright rules. Make sure you have permission!

• Try to keep information current. Visitors will appreciate this!

• Feel free to email or call the website manager with any questions.

*These guidelines are subject to change, as new issues arise and new safety concerns are addressed.