Media Comment & Public Speaking Policy

1. Authority
   This policy is in all respects subordinate to the articles of incorporation, by- laws and standing rules of the corporation.

2. Policy
   No board member, staff member, committee co-chair, and/or member or general member shall comment in any fashion whatsoever to the media or publicly without the express authorization of the Board President and/or Executive Director which two people shall be solely responsible for media comment. The Board President may, however, authorize individual board members to speak to the media on a case- by- case basis in situations where an SF Pride pride spokesperson from a designated community is required.

3. Free Speech
   Nothing in this policy is designed to restrict, in any manner whatsoever, the right of any member to free speech, a right cherished by the corporation. This policy only applies to situations in which persons are commenting on behalf of the corporation, not in their capacity as free individuals. Board members have a higher standard of responsibility and should refrain from commenting about the corporation or matters concerning the corporation, commenting in their capacity as free individuals, bearing in mind legal liability issues.

Approved: at Board Meeting 12.08.98
Amended at Board Meeting 09.07.99
Amended at Board Meeting 08.01.00