Guest guest Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 Sometimes we all need a quick reminder that we are all here for the same reason...our kids! Liz > > > Dear Faithful Members, > > We have 1300 members now. (Well, today it is 1299). Some people have been > on this list for 15 years, some, 15 days. A LOT of conversations have come > and gone in the meantime. It sometimes takes a while to sort out all the > personalities, particular issues, writing styles, etc. There are a LOT of > topics being discussed. > > I have been seeing a trend lately where several people have jumped in on a > thread, but the topic has changed, or some have missed others' input- sort > of a three-way or more conversation. People have been taking personal > offense at someone's " tone " , or decided they were being attacked. > > I also know firsthand what can happen when something gets me riled up and I > fire off a reply without giving myself a chance to re-read, edit, or just > WAIT before hitting that " send " button. > > PLEASE take time to sort out what is going on and what might have already > transpired with a thread. > > WHEN YOU POST: > > 1. Check to make sure you are replying to the topic in the subject line. If > not, change the subject line to convey the NEW thread. > > 2. Do not just write a response and then re-send the entire thread with all > the other posts on it. Just cut and paste what is necessary for clarity, > please. > > 3. If you are a parent, please add your child's name, age, and where you > are in the world. We have 1300 members and WE GET MIXED UP ABOUT WHO'S > WHO!!! > > And now, a few words about respect, from Joan's Welcome letter that I think > is sent out to each new member automatically when they are approved for > membership. (Click on the " Files " link on the list website and open up > " infoletter.txt " for the entire letter.) > > ********************************************************************* > > " ......Last, there are a few things that will not be tolerated on the > list. They include: > -- " Flaming, " > -- Endless or mean-spirited arguments (discussion, yes!), > -- Insulting or degrading posts, > -- Selling products (sharing information, yes!), > -- The use of " alias " email names, or > -- Disrespectful tone or behavior. > > To accomplish this, I do ask that people think carefully about how they are > wording their posts. Treat the list as if it were a " real time " support > group. Write email with a style that you would easily receive face-to-face; > even on the most delicate topic for you personally. We are all here for the > purpose of sharing, supporting each other, and learning-there's no one way > to do this. There simply isn't time to waste on pettiness. As the list > owner, I do reserve the right to remind folks of the rules or remove > subscribers from the list if necessary. > > Warmly, > Joan E. Medlen > List Owner > Mom of Andy (21) who has Down syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder, > from Portland, Oregon.... " > > ********************************************************************** > > Please be thoughtful when posting. We all need one another! > > Beth > Membership Moderator > > 20 y/o Pete's Mum > Central Ohio > > > -- Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. - Special Olympics Motto-RIP Eunice Kennedy Shriver “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.-Author Unknown " Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can understand persistence. " - Hal Borland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 The list serve format is great with a few members, in the low hundreds. Any thought of moving the format to a bulletin board forum? Then topics can be arranged by threads. This would do away with sorting through the volume of emails. Here is a topic on the wiki discussing the BB forum format: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_forum And List Serves: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_mailing_list vBulletin is the software that I am most familiar with when I visit other BB forums: http://www.vbulletin.com/ I am sure a number of us members would be willing to contribute financially to the upkeep of this. The service of this list serve has been invaluable. I have been here under 2 pseuodnyms for 3 years. The advice and encouragement I have gotten here to help manage my 10 year old easily exceeds in value what I have purchased elsewhere. You can count me in as a regular financial backer of a project like this if someone has the expertise and you feel willing to transition to that type of format. Shane Avery ________________________________ To: Sent: Mon, August 23, 2010 9:47:11 AM Subject: Re: Gentle Reminder Sometimes we all need a quick reminder that we are all here for the same reason...our kids! Liz > > > Dear Faithful Members, > > We have 1300 members now. (Well, today it is 1299). Some people have been > on this list for 15 years, some, 15 days. A LOT of conversations have come > and gone in the meantime. It sometimes takes a while to sort out all the > personalities, particular issues, writing styles, etc. There are a LOT of > topics being discussed. > > I have been seeing a trend lately where several people have jumped in on a > thread, but the topic has changed, or some have missed others' input- sort > of a three-way or more conversation. People have been taking personal > offense at someone's " tone " , or decided they were being attacked. > > I also know firsthand what can happen when something gets me riled up and I > fire off a reply without giving myself a chance to re-read, edit, or just > WAIT before hitting that " send " button. > > PLEASE take time to sort out what is going on and what might have already > transpired with a thread. > > WHEN YOU POST: > > 1. Check to make sure you are replying to the topic in the subject line. If > not, change the subject line to convey the NEW thread. > > 2. Do not just write a response and then re-send the entire thread with all > the other posts on it. Just cut and paste what is necessary for clarity, > please. > > 3. If you are a parent, please add your child's name, age, and where you > are in the world. We have 1300 members and WE GET MIXED UP ABOUT WHO'S > WHO!!! > > And now, a few words about respect, from Joan's Welcome letter that I think > is sent out to each new member automatically when they are approved for > membership. (Click on the " Files " link on the list website and open up > " infoletter.txt " for the entire letter.) > > ********************************************************************* > > " ......Last, there are a few things that will not be tolerated on the > list. They include: > -- " Flaming, " > -- Endless or mean-spirited arguments (discussion, yes!), > -- Insulting or degrading posts, > -- Selling products (sharing information, yes!), > -- The use of " alias " email names, or > -- Disrespectful tone or behavior. > > To accomplish this, I do ask that people think carefully about how they are > wording their posts. Treat the list as if it were a " real time " support > group. Write email with a style that you would easily receive face-to-face; > even on the most delicate topic for you personally. We are all here for the > purpose of sharing, supporting each other, and learning-there's no one way > to do this. There simply isn't time to waste on pettiness. As the list > owner, I do reserve the right to remind folks of the rules or remove > subscribers from the list if necessary. > > Warmly, > Joan E. Medlen > List Owner > Mom of Andy (21) who has Down syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder, > from Portland, Oregon.... " > > ********************************************************************** > > Please be thoughtful when posting. We all need one another! > > Beth > Membership Moderator > > 20 y/o Pete's Mum > Central Ohio > > > -- Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. - Special Olympics Motto-RIP Eunice Kennedy Shriver “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.-Author Unknown " Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can understand persistence. "  - Hal Borland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2010 Report Share Posted August 23, 2010 I have my yahoo group setting to threads. When you log in there is an option somewhere at the top. I honestly don't remember how I changed it. Maybe someone else remembers. http://thekitchenexperiments.blogspot.com/ > > > > > > > Dear Faithful Members, > > > > We have 1300 members now. (Well, today it is 1299). Some people have been > > on this list for 15 years, some, 15 days. A LOT of conversations have come > > and gone in the meantime. It sometimes takes a while to sort out all the > > personalities, particular issues, writing styles, etc. There are a LOT of > > topics being discussed. > > > > I have been seeing a trend lately where several people have jumped in on a > > thread, but the topic has changed, or some have missed others' input- sort > > of a three-way or more conversation. People have been taking personal > > offense at someone's " tone " , or decided they were being attacked. > > > > I also know firsthand what can happen when something gets me riled up and I > > fire off a reply without giving myself a chance to re-read, edit, or just > > WAIT before hitting that " send " button. > > > > PLEASE take time to sort out what is going on and what might have already > > transpired with a thread. > > > > WHEN YOU POST: > > > > 1. Check to make sure you are replying to the topic in the subject line. If > > not, change the subject line to convey the NEW thread. > > > > 2. Do not just write a response and then re-send the entire thread with all > > the other posts on it. Just cut and paste what is necessary for clarity, > > please. > > > > 3. If you are a parent, please add your child's name, age, and where you > > are in the world. We have 1300 members and WE GET MIXED UP ABOUT WHO'S > > WHO!!! > > > > And now, a few words about respect, from Joan's Welcome letter that I think > > is sent out to each new member automatically when they are approved for > > membership. (Click on the " Files " link on the list website and open up > > " infoletter.txt " for the entire letter.) > > > > ********************************************************************* > > > > " ......Last, there are a few things that will not be tolerated on the > > list. They include: > > -- " Flaming, " > > -- Endless or mean-spirited arguments (discussion, yes!), > > -- Insulting or degrading posts, > > -- Selling products (sharing information, yes!), > > -- The use of " alias " email names, or > > -- Disrespectful tone or behavior. > > > > To accomplish this, I do ask that people think carefully about how they are > > wording their posts. Treat the list as if it were a " real time " support > > group. Write email with a style that you would easily receive face-to-face; > > even on the most delicate topic for you personally. We are all here for the > > purpose of sharing, supporting each other, and learning-there's no one way > > to do this. There simply isn't time to waste on pettiness. As the list > > owner, I do reserve the right to remind folks of the rules or remove > > subscribers from the list if necessary. > > > > Warmly, > > Joan E. Medlen > > List Owner > > Mom of Andy (21) who has Down syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder, > > from Portland, Oregon.... " > > > > ********************************************************************** > > > > Please be thoughtful when posting. We all need one another! > > > > Beth > > Membership Moderator > > > > 20 y/o Pete's Mum > > Central Ohio > > > > > > > > > > -- > Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. - Special > Olympics Motto-RIP Eunice Kennedy Shriver > > “When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong > in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.-Author Unknown > > " Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can > understand persistence. "  - Hal Borland > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2010 Report Share Posted August 24, 2010 Shane (and All....) I think you hit the nail on the head with the challenge of having cohesive conversations within a large group. I personally am familiar with the bulletin boards, but not with the one in the link that you provided. I suspect that if we were really strict about the using the thread function here, things would be more manageable. And there have been some new interest groups formed off of this list, as well as some folks meeting on Facebook. Since its inception, this has been a free format run by volunteers. I do not imagine that changing unless Joan has something else in mind. I haven't heard a peep from anyone about changing things up, but it doesn't mean that would never happen or happen since some members have started up other kinds of list or bulletin boards that have a different focus from DS-autism. I think it's also important to hear just how important the info generated here can be, and how it has impacted our lives. THANK YOU for your testimony about DS-autism! That was lovely. Anyone else have thoughts on how to make things more manageable here, or want to respond to Shane's suggestions? Beth 20 y/o Pete's Mum Central OH > > The list serve format is great with a few members, in the low hundreds. Any > thought of moving the format to a bulletin board forum? Then topics can be > arranged by threads. This would do away with sorting through the volume of > emails. Here is a topic on the wiki discussing the BB forum format: > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2010 Report Share Posted August 24, 2010 Hi Beth, Unfortunately the only suggestion I can think of to make this list more manageable is for it to be more heavily moderated...not re:content so much as the thread function...like you mentioned. As it stands I cannot even imagine trying to search the archives for previous discussions of current topics. The threads have the subject line filled with people's names, topics that bear no resemblance whatsoever to the discussion that has morphed out of control etc. And I find that discouraging as there is so much valuable info stuck in the archives. I suggested to Joan once that we should dive into the archives and collect info relevant to specific topics that reappear constantly and publish it. We have the definitive informational source on the dual diagnosis right here. Perhaps we might even divide topics between several (or dozens of) listmembers. I'd be willing to give it a go but I imagine we'd need some sort of permission or blessing from our listCEO. Please don't think I am saying you all don't do a good job of moderating!! You're always there when we need you. But the list is getting huge now and Shane is correct in both his praise and his concerns...I personally don't like the BB format, then again I don't particularly like the Facebook/Twitter genre so many unmoderated lists are turning into. I admit it -I'm a dinosaur....I still like real conversation, and thoughtful posting. I can't help it...I was an English major in the land before time lol. Sherry Shane (and All....) I think you hit the nail on the head with the challenge of having cohesive conversations within a large group. I personally am familiar with the bulletin boards, but not with the one in the link that you provided. I suspect that if we were really strict about the using the thread function here, things would be more manageable. And there have been some new interest groups formed off of this list, as well as some folks meeting on Facebook. Since its inception, this has been a free format run by volunteers. I do not imagine that changing unless Joan has something else in mind. I haven't heard a peep from anyone about changing things up, but it doesn't mean that would never happen or happen since some members have started up other kinds of list or bulletin boards that have a different focus from DS-autism. I think it's also important to hear just how important the info generated here can be, and how it has impacted our lives. THANK YOU for your testimony about DS-autism! That was lovely. Anyone else have thoughts on how to make things more manageable here, or want to respond to Shane's suggestions? Beth 20 y/o Pete's Mum Central OH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2010 Report Share Posted August 24, 2010 I agree with Sherry! I'm not on Facebook and I really don't have time to search a bulletin board. Email is the next best thing to real conversation in my opinion and so much more personal! Heidi -- Wisconsin, USA (Mom to 8-1/2 w/ DS, ASD, epilepsy; Clara 3-1/2 going on 13!) No two flowers bloom in exactly the same way, but all are beautiful ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.