Preston City Mela Community Interest Company 11620054
Email and Internet Usage Policy
Endorsed 27th Feb 2026
Review Date February 2030
The Mela Board Member – Shreya Ghodke to be the responsible lead for this policy
Introduction
Preston City Mela Community Interest Company (PCM CIC) has adapted Email and Internet Usage Policy for its Board members and volunteers. The following policy is designed to keep PCM CIC safe from threats on the internet or via email and other social media platforms.
It will be a core part of PCM CIC governance.
Principles
1). Users must comply with all applicable laws and regulations and must respect the legal protection provided by copyright and licenses with respect to both programs and data.
2). Internet usage must be able to survive public scrutiny and/or disclosure.
3). The policy is based on ‘Culture&’ [ values, attitudes and behaviours] good practice and rooted in principles of trust and respect.
Email and Internet Usage Policy
PCM CIC email and website use should only be for the purpose of our core business, and it will be subject to monitoring, which could occur at any time.
Administrators of the website will not download pornographic, sexual, or questionable content, nor may they send such material by email or other social media.
Do not disparage Culture&, and workers must promote the Mela in a professional manner.
Culture may encrypt certain material to protect security.
No one on Mela business, may not send emails or post on social media in a way that discriminates or ridicules anyone in any manner, including using language or other content that disparages groups based on age, race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, weight, physical appearance, or other protected group.
It is not acceptable to harass, threaten, sexually harass, or send offensive, vulgar, or obscene material on Culture& computers, or on any computer when engaged in Culture& business.
You are not allowed to use Mela equipment Culture& computers for playing video or other games.
Emails and website use should not communicate Culture& confidential and privileged information to anyone unless authorised to do so.
Do not send emails to hundreds of addresses at once, which constitutes spam
You may not receive email or newsletters from private companies for personal use, personal causes, or purchases unrelated to Culture& business.
Do not download software, including music, without consulting the supervisor or IT department, so that spyware and viruses aren’t transferred to the computer or network.
Culture& staff may not commit piracy, violate copyrights, discuss religion or politics, commit defamation, or use the internet for any unlawful purposes.
You should not transmit chain letters, hate or incendiary mail, videos, or memes.
You may be denied access to Culture& computers, and may be subject to disciplinary action or dismissal, if you do any of the above. • Culture& computers, and any communication on Culture& business, may not be used
Culture& computers, and any communication on Culture& business, may not be used to harass or make threats, nor be offensive or disruptive in nature.
You may not use offensive language or images related to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, pornography, religious or political beliefs, national origin, or disability.
Further tips:
Don’t open email attachments from unknown sources, and only open attachments from known sources after confirming the sender.
Never click on links in emails, which do not seem authentic.
Don’t respond to requests for personal or sensitive information via email, even if the request appears to be from a trusted source.
Verify the authenticity of requests from companies or individuals by contacting them directly. • Encrypt any proprietary or sensitive information sent via email
View this resource on how to spot phishing emails.
Phishing attacks aim to steal or damage sensitive data by deceiving people into revealing personal information like passwords and credit card numbers.