Governance Policy: Communications

1. The Executive Director, or his/her designee, is OUTSERVE-SLDN’s spokesperson. Board Members should refer all press inquiries to the Director of Communications, except for the limited situations set forth below.

a. Board Members may state OUTSERVE-SLDN’s mission, describe their own experiences with the military’s exclusionary policies, if any, and describe their personal reasons for making the serious commitment to serve on OUTSERVE-SLDN’s board.

b. Board Members may provide logistical information about events, such as time, date, theme and location.

c. Board Members may name and describe civilian speakers for events, after coordinating with the Director of Communications to confirm that the speaker has given such permission and to coordinate appropriate information for release.

d. Board Members may give reporters OUTSERVE-SLDN staff summaries describing event speakers who are service members, OUTSERVE-SLDN clients or former clients. Board Members shall not release any information about service members, OUTSERVE-SLDN clients or former clients except the one provided in writing by OUTSERVE-SLDN staff for a particular event.

2. Board Members shall follow these additional guidelines for events:

a. Board Members shall notify the Director of Communications of any reporters who are expected to attend an event.

b. Board Members shall coordinate with the Director of Communications or his/her designee to devise a plan to protect service members in attendance from being involuntarily outed.

c. Board Members shall try to ensure that photographers do not take pictures of event guests, including those in background shots, without their permission (for example, by assigning an escort to each photographer).

ADOPTED: August 6, 2000

REAFFIRMED: June 1, 2003

REVISED: May 13, 2006