This network is managed by the Student Volunteering Team at Volunteering England.
Charity No: 1102770

1. You must be 16 or over to use the network.

2. The network is only to be used to discuss areas linked with volunteering.

3. Do not give out your personal details over the network, e.g. phone number, address etc.

4. Make sure you know people via other means before organising volunteer outings.

5. Only meet for volunteer meetings where there will be many people present.

6. Do not make racist or derogatory/offensive comments.

7. If you think there is someone who is misusing the network or is making comments towards you that are unacceptable please contact the manager of the network on jenny.lowthrop@volunteeringengland.org

What to look out for.

There are various ways that someone may try to befriend people for later abuse. Here are a few techniques that they might use that you should look out for.

• Suggestions that you should leave a public chat room and move to a private one to one communication such as Instant messaging.

• Asking for personal details: name, address, telephone number, mobile number, photograph etc.

• Offering opportunities for modelling.

• Promising meetings with pop idols or celebrities.

• Offering cheap tickets to sports or pop concerts.

• Offering material gifts including electronic games, music or software.

• Suggesting quick and easy ways to make money.

• Asking where your computer is situated and who else is around.

• Seeming eager to meet up offline.

• Encouraging you to share or talk about any personal difficulties you may be experiencing.

• Threatening or intimidating behaviour.

• Telling you they know how to locate you.

We hope that misuse of the network, such as grooming, abuse or offensive behaviour will not be a problem on the Student Volunteers Network, but if you have any concerns please do contact jenny.lowthrop@volunteeringengland.org

The network will be monitored on a regular basis by the manager and all discussions via the network can be read by the manager.

You can also report any serious breaches of the guidelines to the relevant national authorities. You can find out more information at www.virtualglobaltaskforce.com and www.iwf.org.uk

Netiquette!

Alongside the guidelines there are certain etiquette rules.

• Try not to use capitals except for emphasising a point as it can be classed as SHOUTING!

• Don’t pester people for a response. Once you have asked a question don’t keep asking until you get a reply. It is not a chat room so people are not likely to be on throughout the day.

• Please don’t advertise anything from external organisations to other members. If there is something you think people on the network would be interested in then email it to jenny.lowthrop@volunteeringengland.org and we will decide if we can promote it to everyone on the network.

• Be nice! The network is there for you to help each other to make an even bigger impact in your volunteering and learn from each others experiences and gain new ideas!

If you have any questions about any of the above guidelines or ‘netiquette’ then please email jenny.lowthrop@volunteeringengland.org