Communication guide

communications_guidelines.md

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+# Communication Guidelines
+These guidelines are applicable when acting as a representitive of Matplotlib (for example at sprints or when giving official talks or tutorials) and in the following community venues managed by matplotlib:
+* https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotlib
+* https://discourse.matplotlib.org/
+* https://gitter.im/matplotlib/ 
+* https://github.com/matplotlib/matplotblog 
+* https://twitter.com/matplotlib
+* https://instagram.com/matplotart/
+
+## Content Guidelines:
+- stick to Matplotlib, 3rd party packages, and visualizations made with Matplotlib
+- also acceptable topics: Python, Visualization, Numfocus libraries
+- no gratuitous disparaging of other visualization libraries and tools; criticism is acceptable so long as it serves a constructive purpose
+- follow visualization communication best practices
+    - don't share non-expert visualizations when it could be harmful
+      - put on meeting agenda when answer isn't clearly to hold off on sharing. 
+    - clearly state when the visualization data/conclusions cannot be verified
+      - do not rely on machine translations for sensitive visualizations
+    - example: https://twitter.com/matplotlib/status/1244178154618605568
+- verify sourcing of content (especially on instagram & blog)
+    - Instagram/blog: ensure mpl has right to repost/share content 
+    - make sure content is clearly cited
+        - example: a tutorial using someone else’s example clearly cites the original source
+- Limited self/corporate promotion is acceptable, but should be no more than about a quarter of the content of the blog/discourse post. 
+- if you think content is borderline, ask before publishing it 
+- acceptable image guide:
+    - union of site guidelines favoring caution:
+        - keep  it geared towards science/data visualization, and non-controversial images 
+    - site guidelines:
+        - https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/twitter-rules
+        - https://help.instagram.com/477434105621119
+
+## Communication Guidelines
+- keep responses polite, assume user statements are in good faith unless they violate the [Code of Conduct](https://www.python.org/psf/conduct/)
+
+## Recurrent Social Media Campaigns:
+- Release Announcements
+    - Highlight new features & major deprecations
+    - Link to download/install instructions
+    - Ask folks to try it out. 
+- signal  boost third party packages
+- GSOC work during GSOC recruiting and work times
+- John Hunter Excellence in Plotting, submission and winners
+
+## Social Media Following Guide:
+- only follow organizations/projects - mostly numfocus projects 
+    - especially 3rd party packages
+    - should at least be visualization related
+    - sponsors are also acceptable
+- do not follow individual accounts for any reason (even maintainers/project leads/Guido!)