Online Activities Policy

Updated July 18, 2022 EV

After two years of successfully using the online platforms for fraternal activities and answering many questions on which can be used and how, the Internet Technology Committee has revised the Online Activities Policy to better address the needs and security concerns of our leaders, local and national. The new system is mapped on a modified Traffic Light Protocol (TLP) for ease of use.

If you wish to use a technology not mentioned, please contact tech@oto-usa.org to request an evaluation or assume it is only approved for Green level events.

Green: Type of Events: Open to the Public.

Topic Restrictions: No degree discussions. No initiations symbolism. No Personal Identifying Information.

Approved Technologies: Google Meet, Zoom, Slack, Discord, Signal, What’s App, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok.

Amber 1: Type of Events: Members only events, Minerval and above.

Topic Restrictions: no initiation symbolism or performance. General membership meetings. Discussions not suitable to the public. No Personal Identifying Information.

Approved Technologies: Google Meet, Slack, or Discord limited to invited attendees only

Amber 2: Type of Events: Committee meetings, specific attendance restricted events, First Degree and above. (e.g. Education, Families, Kaaba).

Topic Restrictions: no initiation symbolism or performance. Specific meetings. Discussions not suitable to the public. No Personal Identifying Information.

Approved Technologies: Google Meet or Secure Discord limited to invited attendees only

Amber 3: Type of Events: Initiation discussions and rehearsals (scheduling details, AIT, symbolism reviews restricted by degree).

Topic Restrictions: see Guidelines for Online Degree Discussions

Approved Technologies: Google Meet with attendee registration including an emailed security attestation (e.g. "I attest that I will make my viewing of this presentation secure, so as not to expose the audio or the screen images to anyone not holding the Fifth Degree.")

Red: Type of Events: Governmental meetings, local body officer meetings, and online initiations (must receive Executive sanction in advance).

Topic Restrictions: none (with sanction if required), digital space where Personal Identifying Information will be discussed.

Approved Technologies: Google Meet with internal attendees only (e.g. person@oto-usa.org).