Private Business & Self Promotion Policy

1. 1. Purpose of This Policy
      Chester Triathlon Club recognises that some members own or have links to private triathlon related businesses — which could include (and not limited to) coaching, sports therapy, nutrition, photography, or equipment sales — that may be of interest to our wider membership.
      We welcome a reasonable level of self‑promotion (i.e. promoting your business or services) when it adds value to the club or wider community, which may include seeking sponsorship for positive activities.
      This policy ensures that such promotion is fair, transparent, non‑intrusive, and aligned with the club’s ethos.
   2. Guiding Principles
      – Member-first: Any promotion must benefit the club or community, not overwhelm it.
      – Fairness: All businesses are treated equally, regardless of size or personal relationships.
      – Respect: No spamming, pressure selling, or repeated unsolicited messages.
      – Transparency: Members must be clear when they are promoting a paid service.
      – Non members posts on facebook will be monitored, where it creates spam or is unrelated to the club it will be removed.
      – Members may signpost to triathlon related businesses outside of the club e.g. they can recommend a bike service.
   3. What Members Can Do
      1. Members that have given their time to the club, through taking on roles or volunteering at club events, or that have been members for a year or more, may promote in accordance with this policy.
      2. Share Relevant Triathlon Related Services Occasionally
         – Post up to one promotional message per month across all the club’s official communication channels (e.g., Facebook group, WhatsApp, newsletter), provided it is relevant to triathlon, fitness, or wellbeing themes that would interest our members.
         – In the WhatsApp channels please keep only to the most relevant group e.g. swim channel for a swim workshop, or general for physio.
      3. Offer Exclusive Value to Club Members
         – Promote discounts, free taster sessions, workshops, or educational content that directly benefit club members.
         – Run club-approved sessions (e.g., technique workshops) if agreed with the committee.
      4. Respond to Requests
         – If a member asks for recommendations (e.g., “Does anyone know a physio?”), relevant related business owners may reply with their services in addition to the one promotional message per month, so long as it does not create spam.
      5. In addition to direct promotion, members may provide content that educates
         – Share non-promotional, value-led content (e.g., training tips, injury prevention advice) without sales language, from their base of expertise.
      6. In addition to direct promotion, members may Seek Sponsorship
         – members may put out sponsorship forms for activities that they are doing. This should also follow the steps within this policy.
   4. What Members Cannot Do
      Members may not:
      1. 1. Spam or Over-Promote.
            – No repeated or frequent promotional posts, if for a current option, members may refer to the original post, but no more than weekly
            – when posting, please consider ensuring posts are clear and to the point, avoiding a significant word count (unless it has an educational purpose).
         2. Direct Message Members Unsolicited
            – No cold-DM advertising or pressure selling to individual members.
         3. Use Club Sessions for Sales
            Coaches or business owners must not use club training sessions to:
            – Recruit clients
            – Promote paid services
            – Hand out flyers or business cards
            – Push upgrades or add-ons
         4. Misrepresent Club Endorsement
            – Businesses may not claim the club officially endorses their services unless the committee has formally agreed.
         5. Sell Competing Services During Club Activities
            – For example, a private coach cannot promote their paid coaching during a club-coached session.
   5. Committee Oversight
      The committee reserves the right to approve, decline, or remove promotional posts that do not align with this policy.
      Repeated breaches may result in:
      – A written warning
      – Removal of posting privileges
      – Suspension of membership in serious cases
   6. How to Promote Within the Rules
      To keep things simple, members should follow this process:
      1. If members are unsure, if they meet the policy, they may submit promotional content to the committee (or designated comms officer).
      2. Stick to the one post per month limit.
      3. Ensure posts are relevant, respectful, and beneficial to the club or its members.
      4. Be transparent about any commercial interest.
   7. Club-Supported Opportunities
      The club may, at its discretion, offer structured opportunities for member businesses, such as:
      – A “Member Services” section on the website
      – A monthly spotlight in the newsletter
      – Occasional guest workshops
      – A directory of trusted providers
      These are optional and managed by the committee to ensure fairness.

Escalating concerns – if you are concerned about how this policy is being used you can reach out to exec@nullchestertri.org.uk