SBC WhatsApp Guidelines

Our WhatsApp groups have proved much more popular than expected but this has led to postings which do not fit in with the groups’ purposes and members leaving the groups.  These are WhatsApp groups not Social Media accounts and there is a distinct difference in their usage. Accordingly the Club asks all members who wish to belong to a SBC WhatsApp group to comply with the following:

Generally

  • To message a response privately unless the other members of the group need to know what you are saying
  • To only post if relevant to the SBC recording area (SBC Area)/field trip
  • Every group member is to display their first and preferably last name (not a nickname nor solely a phone number) so everyone knows who has made a posting
  • New members are asked to sign up to these guidelines before they are joined up to any SBC group
  • No information is to be posted about personal matters such as health conditions
  • Messages are to be in full and not use “text speak” (as group members are of varying ages)
  • Membership of the groups are restricted to club members only and those members who are over the age of 18
  • Any posts outside of any of these guidelines may be removed by one of the Administrators

SBC Field Meetings postings should only relate to the following:

  • Details of an upcoming field trip/event
  • Members posting if they are attending, with no need to say not coming unless you wish to cancel, in which case then Direct Message (DM)
  • Offers of / requests for car sharing
  • Queries on the trip should be raised in a DM with the organiser – Andy, Penny etc.
  • Any additional information requested by the organiser e.g. car registration is to be messaged directly to the organiser
  • Lists of species seen on the trip (please note photos taken on the trip are to be posted on the SBC Surrey Bird Info group)

SBC Surrey Bird Info postings should only relate to the following

The purpose of this group is to share sightings, sites, information and photos relating to the Surrey Bird Club recording area (SBC Area) and should be limited to the following topics:

  • Details of sightings in the SBC Area.
  • Suggested locations in Surrey – further information relating to exact location, parking, public transport should be discussed as DMs, to reduce traffic on the group.
  • Photos of birds taken in Surrey with species name, location and date (species name can be left out if help is needed with ID)
  • Photos of birds taken on club field trips with species name, location and date.
  • Requests for help on camera and optical equipment – however, again to reduce traffic, it will be more appropriate if suggestions are made as a DM.  Anyone also interested can join the discussion outside of the group.
  • Conservation of birds in the SBC Area
  • Ornithological educational opportunities in the SBC Area
  • Volunteering opportunities with SBC
  • Information about conservation measures that can be applied to the SBC Area

Surrey Stonechatters postings should only relate to the following

  • Details of upcoming field trips.
  • Members posting if they are attending, with no need to say not coming unless you wish to cancel, in which case then Direct Message
  • Any queries on the trip to be raised in a DM with the organiser or Gail
  • Any photos taken on the trip with species name, location and date

18th March 2026