Hello EEFC list subscribers, Please take a few minutes to review the purpose of this discussion list and the rules and guidelines that we have established for this list. CHARTER: This mailing list is for discussion of Balkan Music and Dance as well as all issues concerning the EEFC and the events it sponsors, including the Balkan Music and Dance Workshops and EEFC fundraisers. INSTRUCTIONS: https://eefc.org/stay-in-touch/join-the-listserv/ WHERE TO SEND MAIL FOR THE LIST ITSELF: eefc@eefc.org ETIQUETTE FOR POSTING: Messages should fit the charter. Please be considerate when writing to the list. Please be tolerant when reading the list. Personal attacks are not acceptable. Be sure to read the RULES AND GUIDELINES below before posting. When sending messages to the EEFC list please: - Keep messages short - under 200 lines if possible - Do not send any attachments - Do not post virus warnings, political messages, petitions, chain letters, get-rich-quick schemes, etc. When announcing an event, such as a concert or dance party, please include the location (city, state) as the first words in the subject line. Your message could be delayed if it is especially long or mentions "subscribe" or other words that cause majordomo to suspect that the message is meant for administrators. Such messages will be sent to a list administrator for approval. We will try to be as quick as we can in passing your message on to the list. ARCHIVES: All EEFC list postings since the list started in March 1993 are available on the web: visit http://sympa.services.net/eefc/arc/eefc Scroll to the bottom to see the latest messages, or use the search options. THE EAST EUROPEAN FOLKLIFE CENTER: The EEFC has its own web site: http://www.eefc.org/ The email address for EEFC administrative correspondence is office@eefc.org. A representative or liaison to the board can be emailed at the address: board@eefc.org The content of messages sent to the EEFC list is the responsibility of the sender. Only messages from the EEFC Board of Directors or its representatives, acting on Board business, are the responsibility of the EEFC. ADMINISTRATION: The list administrators AKA “list angels” manages any list errors or intercepted administrative requests. If you experience any technical troubles or have any questions, please write to the list administrators at eefc-request@eefc.org. ************************************************************************* RULES AND GUIDELINES FOR POSTING TO THE EEFC LIST ************************************************************************* Our goal in writing these rules and guidelines is for list members to be able to freely express their ideas and thoughts, while keeping the discussions from straying far from the list charter stated above or degenerating into partisan or political argument ("flame war"). In addition we assert that no member of this list should be the subject of personal attack or insult by another member. PLEASE, be tolerant when writing to the list. Considering the cultural diversity within the list, we should be cautious about the way we write and interpret the messages on this list. Some statements might be considered insulting and offensive to some subscribers, while being perfectly acceptable to others and maybe borderline to the rest. Please be very careful when responding to messages. If you are not sure about the meaning of a certain message please do not speculate and do not jump to conclusions based on assumptions. Also, refrain from using sarcasm and ironical statements for the purpose of insulting others. Don't expect that every message sent to the list will be to your liking. It is certain that you will receive messages that represent ideas, beliefs, and thoughts that are different from yours. However this should not be a reason for attacking and insulting the other members. Every person is entitled to his/her own opinion as long as it is stated clearly without the use of profane and offensive language. Please do not make blatant statements without having an argument and evidence to back them up. It is important that you remember if someone does not agree with your idea it does NOT mean that s/he is your enemy. Posts that do not fall under a topic mentioned in the list charter are not usually appropriate. Off-topic posts that espouse political or personal viewpoints are often objectionable, primarily because they tend to start arguments and thus disrupt the list. Posts containing personal attacks are not permitted. If you feel a need to post something that is not within the charter, keep it short and to the point, and make sure the subject line identifies the nature of the post clearly. Tell readers where they can go to find out more, or how to continue the discussion off the list. Replies to off topic posts should be directed to the person who made the post, not to the entire list. The following fictional example shows how you could write an off topic message in a way that would not disrupt the list: Subject: [Off topic] Misleading portrayal of massacre in Kittimoor The message posted by John Smith regarding Klingon head scarves contained what I believe to be misleading statements about the role of the Romulans in the battle of Kittimoor. Please see the web site http://empire.com/history or contact me directly via email for another side to the story. The following fictional example shows an unacceptable and potentially disruptive off topic message: Subject: John Smith doesn't know what he's talking about The message posted by John Smith showed lack of knowledge of the history of the Cardassian Empire. He claims that the Romulans killed thousands of Klingons without provocation in the battle of Kittimoor. But according to reliable eye witness sources only one Klingon slipped on a banana peel and broke his head ridge. (additional 5 paragraphs on the author's opinion of the truth) Note that the second example goes into some depth in arguing the off-topic point of view, whereas the acceptable example states an opinion and suggests where to go for more information. This example also attacks John Smith personally. The role of the volunteer administrators is to make sure that the list operates without disruption. BUT due to the diversity of list members and the sarcasm and irony that some of them write with, often times it becomes difficult to determine whether a violation has occurred. If you feel that any violation has taken place please notify the administrators by writing to eefc-request@eefc.org. From time to time the administrators may decide that a particular discussion has devolved into a flame war and may declare that thread or topic to be off limits for some definite period of time. Once the list has been notified, additional postings on this topic will be considered violations. At times you will undoubtedly receive postings that violate the rules and guidelines. Replying to or commenting on such messages is likely to start an argument. Please refrain from replying to such messages and instead notify the administrators about your concern so that appropriate measures can be taken. Please note that there is not much we can do if another list member insults you via private email. Whenever you participate in a public forum you are exposed to a potentially hostile audience. Violations of Rules and Guidelines In the case of a violation the list administrators send a warning message via private e-mail to the poster who has violated the rules. In case of repetitive breaking of the rules and guidelines or of an intentional disturbance of the list, the errant subscribers are placed under moderation for a definite period of time and the list is notified. Moderation vs. non-moderation (free posting). Moderation means that someone's messages are screened by the administrators or by a board-appointed committee. Messages that do not conform to the Rules and Guidelines are not forwarded to the full list.