OTSO Public Content and Media Policy

Old Time Strongman Organization Inc.

Date: January 5th, 2025                                 

1. Purpose and Scope

This policy outlines the guidelines for all Old Time Strongman Organization (OTSO) members, volunteers, officials, and staff regarding the use of social media. For the purposes of this document, all references to OTSO refer to the private corporation, Old Time Strongman Inc. This policy is designed to protect the organization’s brand, reputation, and intellectual property while also respecting individual rights to privacy and freedom of expression.

This policy applies to all social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, as well as personal blogs and online forums. Additionally, this policy governs the use of photos and videos for all OTSO promotional purposes, which includes but is not limited to, print materials and use on our website.

Jurisdictional Scope: OTSO is incorporated in Ontario, Canada, and its membership eligibility, as defined in the OTSO MEMBER FORM, RELEASE OF LIABILITY, WAIVER OF CLAIMS, ASSUMPTION OF RISKS AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, excludes residents of the Province of Quebec. Accordingly, this policy is governed by the laws of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada and the United States, and it is not intended to apply to, or comply with, specific legislation such as the Quebec Charter of the French Language.

2. Guiding Principles

  • Respect and Professionalism: All individuals associated with OTSO are expected to conduct themselves in a respectful and professional manner online, in a way that aligns with the OTSO Code of Conduct. Harassment, discrimination, personal attacks, or any form of disrespectful behavior towards other members, officials, or the public will not be tolerated.
  • Confidentiality: Do not share any confidential or proprietary information about OTSO, its members, events, or internal operations. This includes financial information, unreleased event details, or private communications.
  • Accuracy: All information posted about OTSO should be accurate and factual. Do not post or share rumors, misleading information, or unconfirmed details.
  • Intellectual Property: Do not use OTSO’s logos, branding, or copyrighted materials without explicit written consent from the OTSO leadership.

3. Photo, Video, and Content Consent

OTSO is committed to protecting the privacy of its members. The use of any individual’s likeness (photo, video, or audio) for promotional or public purposes requires their express written consent. This is in accordance with privacy laws in Canada, such as the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), and various state laws in the United States.

  • Consent for Use: By participating in an OTSO-sanctioned event, individuals acknowledge that they may be photographed or video recorded. OTSO will only use an individual’s image or likeness in promotional materials (e.g., website, social media, advertisements, or print) based on the explicit consent selection made by the member in Section 3.1 during the registration process.
  • Withdrawal of Consent (Opt-Out): An individual who previously provided consent (checked “YES” in Section 3.1) has the right to withdraw or opt out of the use of their image or likeness at any time. This withdrawal must be submitted to OTSO leadership in writing. Upon receipt of a written withdrawal, OTSO will take all reasonable steps to remove the individual’s image or likeness from future promotional materials. OTSO is not obligated to remove content from third-party sites or from materials already in circulation but will make a good-faith effort to do so when possible.
  • Sharing and Tagging: Members are permitted to share photos and videos from OTSO events on their personal social media accounts. However, they must respect the privacy of others. Do not tag or post images of other members without their verbal or written consent.
  • Minors: For any individual under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must provide signed written consent for any photo or video use. OTSO will not collect or post any images or information about minors without this consent, in compliance with laws such as the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and similar Canadian provincial laws.

3.1 Media Release Consent Selection

As part of the OTSO membership registration process, you have provided your official consent regarding the use of your image and likeness by OTSO. Registration constitutes an agreement granting the Old Time Strongman Organization (OTSO)
permission to use your likeness (photos and/or videos) for promotional materials and marketing, including, but not limited to, the OTSO website, all official OTSO social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and TikTok, etc.), and print-related promotional materials.

4. Public Representation of OTSO

  • Official Accounts: Only designated OTSO staff and leadership are authorized to post on official OTSO social media accounts.
  • Personal Accounts: When posting on personal accounts, members should be mindful that their online behavior can reflect on the organization. While you are free to express your personal views, you must not present them as the official position of OTSO. If you are discussing the organization, it is recommended to include a disclaimer such as “The views expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Old Time Strongman Organization.”

5. Non-Compliance and Enforcement

Violations of this social media policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including the suspension or termination of membership and removal from an event. All complaints regarding social media behavior should be submitted in writing via the Improvement Opportunity Report (IOR) form, as outlined in the OTSO Code of Conduct.

6. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed and updated as needed to ensure compliance with evolving social media standards and legal requirements in both Canada and the United States. All updates will be communicated to members via email and on the official OTSO website.

© 2025 Old Time Strongman Organization Inc. All rights reserved. This document and its contents are for the exclusive use of OTSO members and are not to be reproduced or distributed without the express written consent of the OTSO leadership.