Discussion List

[ktoneal at cox.net]

Has anyone read the disclaimer that appears at the bottom of each and every e-mail that is posted on this list? Does GCNA pay  for this thing or not? And if so, what kind of costs are there? And why bother with the disclaimer if someone is just going to screen the e-mails anyway?
 
---- GCNA President <president at gcna.info> wrote: 
> Howdy all:
> 
> First, let me apologize for your having been subjected to the recent
> unpleasant exchanges on the list serve.  I know from the private e-mails I
> received how offended many of you were, and I am sorry to learn that once
> again we have neighbors who are dropping their subscriptions to the list
> serve because of the unacceptable behavior of a few unpleasant people.  
> 
>  
> 
> As the Board indicated in the e-mail we sent out in June (copied below), it
> has been our hope that we could rely on neighbors to conduct themselves in a
> civil manner.  While most have, a few people are unable to grasp that this
> list serve is provided and paid for by GCNA as a forum for the neighborly
> exchange of information only.  Nobody -- absolutely nobody -- has any right
> to use this exchange for anything else.  
> 
>  
> 
> Before I hear any howls about "freedom of speech" from those involved, let
> me just remind them that there is nothing in your freedom to speak your mind
> that obligates Greater Coronado to pay for it.  Anyone who wants a forum for
> rude, uncivilized ranting at each other is more than welcome to shell out
> the bucks to set up one for themselves.  
> 
>  
> 
> For everybody else, please know that we have instituted full "moderation"
> for those responsible for the recent exchanges; their e-mails will be
> screened before being released to the list, as time permits.
> 
>  
> 
> I hope this helps.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks much,
> 
> Tyler
> 
>  
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: GCNA President [mailto:president at gcna.info] 
> Sent: Sunday, June 11, 2006 3:21 PM
> To: GCNA discussion
> Subject: Discussion List Ideas
> 
>  
> 
> To the Members of the Greater Coronado Discussion List:
> 
>  
> 
> As we start a new term of officers at the Greater Coronado Neighborhood
> Association, the new Board would like to take a moment to say thank you to
> all the neighbors who participate in this, our Coronado discussion list.  
> 
>  
> 
> Over the years that GCNA has provided this list, all of you have contributed
> to making this a terrific place for neighbors to exchange information and
> ideas that help make this a better neighborhood for all of us.  
> 
>  
> 
> In that spirit of building a stronger neighborhood and better relationships
> among neighbors, the GCNA Board also decided that we would like to address
> some of the concerns that have been raised about the discussion list.  As we
> all know, there are times when the e-mails on the discussion list have
> turned into virtual shouting matches.  There are times when some of us have
> insulted our neighbors on the list and used inappropriate language.  There
> are times when we've been just plain mean to each other.  
> 
>  
> 
> In response, some have said, "if you don't like an e-mail, just delete it."
> The problem with that approach is that while some of us will delete
> unpleasant messages, many many others have simply cancelled their
> subscriptions to the list serve altogether.  Many long-time participants
> have dropped out; many who are new to the neighborhood and the list are so
> appalled that they drop off the list serve and out of participation in GCNA
> as a whole.
> 
>  
> 
> We're grateful to the current and former members of GCNA - especially Kevin,
> our volunteer webmaster - whose dedication and volunteer efforts resulted in
> this list serve being provided free of charge to the Greater Coronado
> neighborhood.  Without GCNA funds and volunteers, this terrific tool for
> communication between neighbors would not exist.  We would like to preserve
> it as a means of communication with as many participants as possible.  
> 
>  
> 
> To that end, we ask that you please keep in mind a few simple ideas as you
> participate in the list serve:
> 
> -- Please keep your tone and language neighborly and friendly; remember,
> you're talking to friends and neighbors;
> 
> -- If you have a disagreement with someone, please e-mail them privately
> rather than sending to the entire list;
> 
> -- Please refrain from conducting political campaigning or business
> transactions on this list.  We encourage you to let your neighbors know
> about your activities and your business events and announcements by using
> this list, but please deal with the subsequent details via private e-mails;
> 
> -- Please change your e-mail "subject" line if you change the subject of an
> e-mail exchange;
> 
> -- Please be cautious about sending large attachments that might "clog"
> someone else's computer;
> 
> -- Above all, remember that the purpose of this list is to help foster a
> sense of community in a large neighborhood with people of many differing
> backgrounds, convictions, and sensibilities.  Let's all respect each other
> in our conversations.
> 
>  
> 
> The Board sincerely believes that it is possible for this list serve to be
> conducted in a common-sense and respectful manner, adhering to the purpose
> for which the list was created, and without the need to set up a monitoring
> system.  We appreciate all your help in making this so.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks very much,
> 
>  
> 
> Your GCNA Board
> 
>  
> 
>  
>