Society for Community Research and Action :: SCRA Listserv Guidelines

The Rules are:

Rule 1: Do not use the forum for illegal purposes including but not limited to defamation, violation of intellectual property laws (including copyright laws), violation of antitrust or unfair competition laws or violation of criminal laws.

Rule 2: Do not intentionally interfere with or disrupt other forum members, network services, or network equipment. This includes distribution of unsolicited advertisement or chain letters, propagation of computer worms and viruses, and use of the network to make unauthorized entry to any other machine accessible via the Forum. If you break these rules then you will be unsubscribed because the rules govern the very heart of our arrangements with our service provider---or any other service provider for Internet.

Rule 3: Do not use the forum for commercial purposes. "Commercial" as used for purposes of evaluating listserv messages means communications whose primary purpose is to advance the business or financial interests of any person or entity, or otherwise to promote a financial transaction for the benefit of the author directly or indirectly.

Examples of messages that are not prohibited because they do not inure to the financial benefit of the author include news of job listings or position openings, or discussion of professionally-related products or services where the listserv member conveying the information is not in the business of selling the products or services.

Announcements that provide useful professional information to List members but may also have some incidental commercial benefit to the sender (e.g. an author who is a listmember merely advising the List of publication of a professional book) typically would not be “commercial” for purposes of this restriction.

Rule 4: Do not use this forum for any communication that could be construed in any way as support for or opposition to any candidate for a federal, state or local public office. The Federal law providing for the American Psychological Association's tax exempt status absolutely forbids the use of APA resources or facilities, including this forum, in any way that would even appear to support or oppose such a political candidate. Likewise, the listserv policy is to prohibit politicking/campaigning for individuals for APA/Division offices.

Political statements affecting tax exemption - Listserv exchanges must avoid electioneering or endorsing a candidate for federal, state, or local political office. While using the list to endorse political candidates in a federal, state, or local election or for commercial purposes likely won't expose a member to personal legal risk, it can jeopardize APA's tax exempt status under section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code. To keep this advantageous tax status, APA cannot ever be involved in or support in any way electioneering or endorse a candidate for federal, state, or local political office. APA must assure that its activities are focused on the scientific, educative, and charitable purposes for which it gained tax-exempt status.

Lobbying Elected Officials - Advocacy on substantive issues is separate from electioneering for candidates. While electioneering is absolutely prohibited, advocacy on legislative issues is not part of this prohibition. However, for APA Divisions, “calls to action” asking listserv members to contact their elected officials to express a view on legislation are considered a statement of the division under APA Rule 100-1.4, and are subject to the mandatory review and disclaimer requirements therein. Such statements may not be included on the listserv unless and until they have received such review and, where appropriate, have included required disclaimer language.

Rule 5: Do not use the forum to solicit survey or research respondents.

In addition to these rules, various standards have emerged within the *culture* of electronic list forums. These standards do NOT mean requirements. However, by following these standards and rules, you will contribute to a climate of trust and collegiality that encourages a friendly and informed, yet spontaneous, discourse.

Please sign each of your messages, including your Email address. This enables List subscribers to directly communicate with you in response to your message. Most Email software includes a signature option that automatically generates this information and any other you wish.

If your Email software program includes, and you utilize, an option that repeats the message to which you are responding, please do not repeat any part of the message that is not essential. This will save considerable space (bandwidth) for everyone who receives your message.

Please think globally. Though most of our members are from the U.S., some List members are not. Thus, try to avoid the use of colloquial/slang terms or long and complex sentences.

Please avoid "me too" messages in response to postings. These simply tend to clutter people's inboxes.

Please be supportive of fellow Forum members and show mutual respect.