Draft Discussion List Guidlines/subscriber review

Sat Sep 30 11:00:15 PDT 2006

Hi Maureen:
Just my thoughts on the issues you raise
I believe the phrase "all topics" makes it clear that we can share information about anything that anyone in the neighborhood thinks might be interesting to the others on the listserve.  To limit it to just Coronado issues, we would have to determine what those are, list them somewhere and require that people only speak to those issues.  Way too restrictive, I think.  There are so many things going on that we can and should be sharing with one another that could impact us from any number areas, it should not be limited.

We are advocating for a self-monitored system and under the heading "Moderator" we define that, It can certainly be changed to "Listserve is Self Moderated"

The whole point of this exercise was to provide neighbors with a set of guidelines that they would agree to if they chose to participate on the listserve.   We will always retain the right and the ability to remove people if we cannot stop the flow of "prohibited" language such as discriminatory language or criminal behavior but we believe that people will accept the guidelines, understand them and act accordingly.   

Setting forth these guidelines gives participants an understanding of their personal responsibility when posting without squelching the free flow of good ideas, important information, and the opportunity to get to know one another without a third party watching, controlling and dictating how we communicate.  The purpose behind the creation of the guidelines was to set some broad parameters, giving people a wide berth to express themselves in a positive, neighborly manner.

I don't think we have to be punitive to get people to adhere to the guidelines, so providing for some sort of enforcement automatically sets a negative tone.  We really wanted to create something that would give people the responsibility to police themselves and each other, take ownership and create buy in.  That's the way to encouraging good behavior, not with threats and punishment.

and something has changed, we now have written guidelines that set forth our standards for use of the listserve with expectation that we will all follow them.
Michelle

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www.servicearizona.com

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Maureen Rooney 
  To: central-city-discuss at gcna.info 
  Sent: Saturday, September 30, 2006 9:26 AM
  Subject: Re: Draft Discussion List Guidlines/subscriber review

  For what it is (or isn't) worth, here are some specific comments on the proposed guidelines: 

  - "This listserv is open to all topics." Isn't the topic Coronado... the neighborhood... as broad as that may be? (but as opposed to world politics, just as one example) 
  - Message size: 2 mg may be fine with the server, but that's huge if you are dial-up (some people still are. I think that even 1 mg would be a problem for them.) 
  - The heading "moderator" is doublespeak. Sorry. But if there is no moderation in the proposed guidelines, which seems to be the case, then just say it. Unmoderated. 
  - I don't understand the "never post unsubscribe messages to the list" rule that's suggested. How is that "unfair to others" exactly? Why wouldn't we want to know that people are leaving, and why, if they choose to share their reasons? 
  - "We prohibit..." and "Never" show up in several places. Yet as Roobin points out, there is no way to enforce that language. 

  In general, it seems that the guidelines use a lot of words to say that nothing has changed. If a subscriber doesn't like what's happening, they are free to leave. That hardly seems neighborly--Maureen

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Jo Clute 
    To: central-city-discuss at gcna.info
    Sent: 9/29/2006 11:04:26 AM 
    Subject: Re: Draft Discussion List Guidlines/subscriber review

    Roobin,

    What were your specific suggestions?

    Please share those with us also..

    Everyone was invited to be on the committee.

    This proposal incorporated EVERY single suggestion we, the comittee, recieved from everyone who provided input

    we also sent the proposal out and again asked for futher input. And refined it again.

    The result is what we have shared with everyone in "public" everything has been disclosed.

    thank you for your input........?

    ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: roobin 
      To: Central City Discussion 
      Sent: Friday, September 29, 2006 10:33 AM
      Subject: Re: Draft Discussion List Guidlines/subscriber review

      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

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      --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
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      --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

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  _______________________________________________
  --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
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