Draft Discussion List Guidlines/subscriber review

[ktoneal at cox.net]

Thank you, MJ, for your acknowledgment of this committees hard work.  Members of this committee spent countless hours discussing, researching, incorporating ideas and forming conclusions.  We did not take our task lightly.  Each member acknowledged their own part in contributing to the problem as well as the problems of the list as a whole.  Each member's main goal was to come to a solution that would promote goodwill as well as good conversation. I am honored to be a part of this intelligent, hard working group and I personally thank you for aknowledging and supporting us. 

 Many members of this community are not even aware that they have contributed to our final product.  A post from Roobin on August 27, 2006 to the list serv was carefully reviewed by myself and others.  He  suggests that each sender "backspace"  before sending out a response.  This is an extremely important point.  He explains that jumping to a response out of anger will only lead to more anger and possibly a regretted response.  By "backspacing" we will be given the opportunity to clear our thoughts  and ask ourselves, Do we really want to send this to the entire list?  Members of the committee talked of how to implement this.  We concluded that if the reply default is set to "reply to the sender" rather than "reply to the list serv ', any responses made in haste will be sent to the original sender only.  You need to take an extra step to send to the entire list.  "Backspace!"  We believe this will work even better than a moderator.  We implemented in our proposal other forms of self moderation that we also believe will address other issues that were brought to our attention.  Read the guidelines and you will find them.  

There are several reasons why this committee believes that a moderator is unnecessary.  One of which tjvick already addressed.  The discussion on this list happens in real time.  A "moderation" by a single person will delay conversation.  We concluded that this unique, open form of conversation should be preserved.  We also have faith in the community of Coronado. Now that a list of guidelines has been set,  they will be upheld and protected by ALL, and not just one entity. Quoting a famous song poet, "All we are asking, is give peace a chance."  We are adults and should act as such and should not require the "parenting" of a stranger.  Furthermore, the "Who" and the "How" of appointing a single moderator was not something we, on this committee, could accomplish because we did not believe it necessary or practical.

    This committee worked very hard to form this set of guidelines.  We realize, however, that our work is not done. We were just recently told that out of 5000 households only 100 people are utilizing this resource.  Some of us have been discussing ways to reach out to the rest of the community.  The possibilities for the Coronado neighbors are endless if we all pull together.  This is a valuable resource for doing just that.  The committee recognizes this fact and will do all that is possible to promote and preserve this list serv's unique nature. 

Katie O'Neal
List Serv Committee Member

  
---- mjfritz at cox.net wrote: 
> Suggestions may be more productive than observations....
> This, by no means, is an easy task for this group of volunteers to acomplish. They deserve our thanks as well as our comments.
> 
> ---- roobin <roobin at theriver.com> wrote: 
> > Observations:
> > 1. This proposal is very similar to the existing system.
> > 2. The Delete key is still your only control.
> > 3. There are no provisions for enforcement.
> > 4. Some of the most strident opposition to Moderators were on this guideline committee, and without enforcement self-moderation equals no moderation.
> > 5. Those on the listserve any amount of time have seen many numerous posts to "play nice" with one another.  If past requests for self moderation were unsuccessful, why would this one be?
> > 
> > R.
> > 
> > PS: If the committee is receiving comments on this proposal in private, please share them.
> > 
> >   ----- Original Message ----- 
> >   From: Wayne Murray 
> >   To: Gcna-Members 
> >   Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 10:02 AM
> >   Subject: Draft Discussion List Guidelines/subscriber review
> > 
> > 
> >   Draft Proposal from Discussion List Committee for Subscriber review, comment and input.
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   History: Concerns have been raised as to the present discussion list format.  If you are a subscriber you are aware of these concerns.
> > 
> >   Action:  The board of the GCNA appointed a committee to "look into the problems" and recommend "solutions".
> > 
> >   Where we are now:  Attached is a draft of the proposed format of the discussion list. It is open for comment, suggestions, and changes.
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   It is ironic that the committee was made up in part by those who were viewed as being unique to the "problem".  So it has been interesting to discover how and why things occurred, as well as discuss resolution and prevention.  We spent a lot of time selecting from the archive those times when "concern" may have been in order, discovering patterns and coming up with solutions.  We also searched the internet for examples of similar discussion lists and their rules and codes of conduct.  Additionally, we set up an e-mail box whatevercomments at cox.net  to receive comments from individuals.
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >      
> > 
> >   The Discussion List has a unique role to play in the Coronado Neighborhood.  It is an entry point for new residents.  A place for those who can't attend or don't like meetings. A place to see if and 
> > 
> >   how you may want to become more involved.  A place to engage in exciting politics, passionate issues, and information exchange.  We thought it very important that it operate in real time, as that is what most of the threads were all about.  It would be impossible to operate it through delayed postings.  We also thought it very important that subscribers be empowered to moderate the information coming into their own computers,  but at the same time not moderate what someone else may desire to have come into theirs.  We hope that along with giving you that responsibility,  we have provided you with the tools to customize the list to serve to your standards. Safety and caution with regard to personal information, on this list serv, originates and ends with you.  We hope we have given you a guide for that also.
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >     
> > 
> >   When you are reviewing the Discussion List proposal keep in mind what we have preserved.  It is only one part of the information resource available to Coronado. Others exist, also.   If you prefer a more structured format we invite you to rediscover the Discussion Forum at  http://www.gcna.info/forum.htm  as an alternate to the discussion list.  Or you may join the Announcement Group, if that is what you would prefer.  See below:
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   Joining the Announcements Group
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   The announcements group is a usergroup that allows you to receive  announcements in your email from administrators of the Forums.  This group can be joined voluntarily.  You can also remove yourself at any time.    
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   To join the group: 
> > 
> >    .     Log In to the Forum. 
> > 
> >    .     Click Usergroups from the menu at the top of the screen. 
> > 
> >    .     Under Current Memberships, select Announcements. 
> > 
> >    .     Click View Information. 
> > 
> >    .     On the following screen, click Join Group. 
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >    Once you have joined, an email will go to a moderator.  The moderator 
> > 
> >    will approve your membership, and you will then be able to receive any
> > 
> >   announcements that are sent out by the administrator or GCNA Board Member.
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >     
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   The Discussion List Committee is looking for your input into this proposed solution. Again the proposal is attached here as a word document.
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   It is our goal to maintain the list serve as a unique part of the Diversity offered to the residents of Coronado and beyond.  
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   Discuss this online or send comments to Whatevercoments at cox.net  
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   Thank you in advance for your interest in making this a better place.  
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   "Collect responsibility...don't give it away"
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >   Submitted by Discussion List Serve Committee Members
> > 
> >    
> > 
> >    
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> > 
> > 
> >   _______________________________________________
> >   --Note--
> >   By replying to this email, you will be sending to the entire list.
> >   Be sure to change the recipient of the email if you do not want to post
> >   to the central-city-discuss list.
> > 
> >   --Disclaimer-- 
> >   The messages exchanged on this list in no way reflect the official
> >   position of the Greater Coronado Neighborhood association.  This e-mail
> >   list is maintained by an outside source, with no financial tie, or
> >   editorial directive from the Greater Coronado Neighborhood Association. 
> > 
> >   To maintain your subscription, visit http://www.gcna.info/list
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> --Note--
> By replying to this email, you will be sending to the entire list.
> Be sure to change the recipient of the email if you do not want to post
> to the central-city-discuss list.
> 
> --Disclaimer-- 
> The messages exchanged on this list in no way reflect the official
> position of the Greater Coronado Neighborhood association.  This e-mail
> list is maintained by an outside source, with no financial tie, or
> editorial directive from the Greater Coronado Neighborhood Association. 
> 
> To maintain your subscription, visit http://www.gcna.info/list