Very nicely put, Pavi. Cindy --- Pavi Mehta <pavim@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: > Hi All, > > The subject of the need for a moderator on the > Bookshare lists has come up at various points in the > past, and again this last week. After discussion > with staff, I'd like to share our perspective on the > matter and a system for moving forward. > > In our view, what the list needs is not an > eagle-eyed moderator combing through every line of > every post, but simply defined objectives for the > list, a clear set of guidelines for list users, and > a system to report and address violation of those > guidelines when necessary. > > List Objectives: Bookshare's primary objective in > running these lists is to provide members and > volunteers with a common platform to exchange ideas, > questions and answers primarily relating to their > work and experiences with Bookshare. In our view the > lists are useful in as much as they facilitate > sharing, foster cooperation and good-will, and > promote lively, amicable discussion among its member > and volunteer communities. > > Guidelines for List Users: When engaging in a debate > or choosing to disagree with another member or > volunteer, please be mindful of people's feelings. > All posts whether on or off topic are expected to > maintain the spirit of friendly cooperation, > courtesy and mutual respect. Those folks unable or > unwilling to follow these guidelines will be > required by Bookshare to leave the list. > > Reporting an Issue: If a person on the list feels > that another list user is abusing this platform with > posts of an unduly negative and/or offensive nature > we ask that they write in their complaint off-list > to volunteer@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx I or another > administrator will review the complaint and if > deemed appropriate will write to the individual in > question with an initial warning. If posts of the > same nature persist they will be required to leave > the list. We have not taken this sort of action in > the past, but are happy to do so here on for the > well-being of the lists. > > My own exposure to the list has led me to a real > appreciation of how much each one of you has to > share. Collectively you have taken this platform > and helped create a unique and deep-rooted sense of > community among Bookshare's members and volunteers. > We hope the objectives and guidelines put forward in > this mail will help put a stop to posts that have a > detrimental effect on that sense of community. > Please feel free to contact me if you have questions > about any of the above. > > Warm regards, > > Pavi Mehta > > Volunteer Coordinator, Bookshare > > Benetech > > 480 S. California Ave., Suite 201 > > Palo Alto, CA 94306-1609 USA > > Phone: +1 650 644-3459 > > > > pavim@xxxxxxxxxxxx > > www.benetech.org > > > > The Benetech Initiative - Technology Serving > Humanity > > WISH LIST (CALLED REQUESTED ADDITIONS TO THE BOOKSHARE COLLECTION)IS AVAILABLE AT http://www.friendsofbookshare.org/wish_list/wish_list.htm www.lljfm.net/bookshare/home.htm A LIST OF BOOKS CURRENTLY BEING SCANNED IS AVAILABLE AT http://www.friendsofbookshare.org/ www.lljfm.net/bookshare/home.htm To unsubscribe from this list send a blank Email to bksvol-discuss-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx put the word 'unsubscribe' by itself in the subject line. To get a list of available commands, put the word 'help' by itself in the subject line.