Confidentiality and Appropriate Use Rules
Everything in Board.org is confidential — from any source, in any format.
- All Board.org content is confidential, including informal conversations. This includes emails, discussions, calls, documents, audio recordings, files, and everything else you receive from Board.org. This means no forwarding, quoting, copying, or reposting information — inside or outside of your company. You may not allow anyone to access your member login or messages. Casual and informal conversations are also confidential.
- Board.org content must not be shared without explicit consent. Assume everything is confidential unless the person who provided the information specifically tells you otherwise.
- The identities of participants in a conversation are confidential.
- Only members who were in a specific conversation may receive details of that conversation. You can’t share information with members (at your company or other companies) who weren’t in that conversation unless you have explicit permission.
- Do not share Board.org content with co-workers. If they have not signed a confidentiality agreement for this Board.org community, they may not see our content (even if they are a member of another Board.org community).
- Outsiders may never, ever see Board.org content. This includes vendors, partners, agencies, consultants, journalists, the public, or anyone else.
- You must follow Board.org’s Appropriate Use Rules to share what you learn.
Members who violate the confidentiality rules will be removed from the community, and their company’s membership will be cancelled without refund. You are bound by these rules even if you leave the community.
Appropriate Use Rules
The Appropriate Use Rules are the only way you are allowed to share the knowledge you gain from the community. The rules are:
- Summarize. You can summarize the big ideas, concepts, and what you learn. That means you need to rewrite or restate it in your own words. Don’t use any original quotes from Board.org communications.
- Anonymize. You may never share identifying information about other members, or say anything that would allow someone to figure out identities. You can use generalities like “a major tech company.” You cannot say, “I was talking to Susan Jones at XYZ Company, and she said ______.” You can credit Board.org, and the full list of member companies is public.
- Ask permission. If you’re not sure what can be shared, ask permission from the member who gave you the information. If you ever have a question, clear it with Board.org before sharing. Be cautious — avoid any gray areas.
