We rely on the Twelve Traditions to guide us when making decisions on anonymity.
- Tradition 5: Each group has but one primary purpose to carry its message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.
- Tradition 11: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio and films.*
- Tradition 12: Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.
GSA Social Media Best Practice Guidelines for Members
In line with these Traditions, the following suggestions are designed to assist you in protecting your anonymity and that of other members when using social media.
- As long as individuals do not identify themselves as GreySheeters Anonymous members in their profile or on their page where their full name and photo appear, there is no conflict of interest.
- It is suggested that we do not disclose our GreySheeters Anonymous membership on social networking sites as well as on any other website, blog, electronic bulletin board, etc., that is not composed solely of Greysheet members and not password protected, or is accessible to the public.
- “Private” or “Closed” social media groups can be used if there is a moderator that admits members to ensure that only GS members have access. Even then it may be wise to avoid identifying yourself as a member of GreySheeters Anonymous where your photo and last name appear. However, in this environment, it is up to individual members to be responsible for their own anonymity at this level if they so choose e.g. setting up an alternative identity for this purpose.
- We should avoid using the GreySheeters Anonymous name or any other GSA copyrighted materials on Facebook and other social networking websites [unless we are carrying out public information service agreed by Greysheeters Anonymous World Services].
- No member should act as a spokesperson for Greysheeters Anonymous or act as if they represent GSA World Services outside of the remit of Public Information [see Guidelines for Public Information].
- When creating/naming private groups it would be wise not to have Greysheeters Anonymous in the name to avoid the impression that it is affiliated with Greysheeters Anonymous World Services.
- Make your profile page private.
- If you make comments/posts avoid mentioning the name of the fellowship.
- To protect your anonymity in email correspondence with other members mentioning fellowship service and recovery etc, consider using an alternative email (e.g. harrygsaservice@gmail.com) for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions about Social Media
Are the social media outlets we see online part of GSAWS?
With the exception of the GreyNet Online Forum, the GSAWS Public Facebook Page, the Southern States Intergroup YouTube Channel, and the sites listed under "Other GSA Websites," social media outlets and postings are neither the domain of GSAWS nor an official representation of Greysheeters Anonymous.
Are my comments, postings and images private?
What you post there does not guarantee or ensure protection of your anonymity. Your comments, postings, images and identity are within the Terms of Service of the social platform you subscribe to. GSAWS has neither jurisdiction nor control of this.
Can my anonymity be breached and my identity exposed on social media platforms?
Artificial Intelligence, bots, scrapers, redirects, data breaches, spamming, masked identities, facial recognition and other digital tools associated with identity exposure are ever present with the ecosystem of Social Media. What you post is your personal responsibility.
What if the moderator from a social media outlet takes down my postings as they pertain to GreySheet?
GSAWS doesn’t regulate independent social media outlets, is not associated legally with those pages or postings nor endorses the moderators of those pages. Each social media platform has their own TOS – terms of service. It’s useful to familiarize yourself with those if you are concerned.
Use of the GSA logo, trademarks and copyrighted material is not permitted unless officially sanctioned by GSAWS.