Listservs Etiquette

How to Get the Most Out of TASC/NDRN Listservs

Other Listservs

The TASC/NDRN listservs have become a popular and effective method of sharing information and ideas.  With just one address entry it is possible to seek the comments, guidance, and technical assistance of your peers in the P&A/CAP network, as well as to share thoughts and ideas on case issues/strategies and exchange resources which will help us to do our good work.  So what is the matter with that?  Nothing - except that messages can become overwhelming and difficult to manage. Remembering a few simple rules can help keep the lists purposeful.  1.  When responding to a listserv query, keep your messages brief and identify yourself at the close of your message by including your first and last name and the agency where you work. 2.  Don't send meaningless messages with no content, such as "I agree!" or "me too" or "thank you." Your contribution should move the discussion along, not just make it longer 3.  If your post is relevant only to one member of the list, please contact that person directly using personal e-mail. (If the person is the sender of the message to which you are responding, his or her e-mail address will be in the "from" line.)  Remember, when you hit "reply to" when responding to a listserv message, you are replying to the entire listserv.  Note: messages sent through the listserv will show groupname@yahoogroups.com in the To: line of your open message. 4.  Do not be critical of people's queries posted on the listserv since we established these to be "safe" areas for discussion.  Remember, staff people change and people may be new.  If a question has been asked and answered before, and the issue is long or involved  you might suggest they check the listserv archives for pertinent information. (This works only if people keep to the subject lines of the message.  More on this later.) 5.  Do not forward a listserv message outside of your agency without first receiving the author's permission. 6. Be careful when using humor in your messages, as it often can be misconstrued. 7.  Be sure to notify the listserv moderator when your email address changes.  Although you may be able to receive your messages if they are forwarded, you will not be able to respond or send any messages to the group.   Similarly, if your email is undeliverable and "bounces" for any period of time,  you may automatically be suspended from future delivery and eventually removed from the list.   The Benefit of Listserv Archives One of the benefits of the listserv is the technical assistance function of the archived messages.  All the messages are permanently stored at www.yahoogroups.com and can be researched by subject line topic.  The list "manages" itself and tracks responses based on the "threads" identified in the subject line and the number of "replies" to that message.   If you change subjects in your response (for example (in CAP) change from IPE Development to VR Services while in Jail), then your questions/ issues cannot be researched because they are not properly identified and will get lost in the "subject line" of the last message.  When this happens, the only way to locate or review them is to read manually through all of the messages on the list. This becomes a cumbersome task. Questions are good, but if the question will take the discussion in another direction it is best to start with a new message and new subject line. Many messages contain attachments which can be easily overlooked because they appear at the far end of the message, after any/all yahoo instructions and advertisements.  Be sure to go to the end of the message to look for attached documents.  Attachments which are sent with a message are no longer permanently stored on the webpage.  If you wish to keep the document you must save it to your hard drive. So How do you Reach the Archives?? You must go to http://groups.yahoo.com, and either sign in or register.  If you have signed in before, you will be asked for your user name and password. If you are registering for the first time, it will take you to the register page. This asks for 1. a user name (which you make up) and 2. a password, which you also make up and must remember. (This password is case sensitive and you must enter it twice.) You will then be asked a couple of security questions (in case you forget your password and have to ask them for it later) including things like "what is your dogs name." You will also be asked for your birthday. At this time you can identify an alternate e-mail address that can be used to access this listserv, such as a home address.  Only one alternate will be accepted.  Once you complete and submit this information it should bring you what will later become the home page for you.  It will show all your “groups" on the left side column.  If you belong to other groups not sponsored by NDRN but operated through Yahoo these will also appear on your list since Yahoo searches their lists to find your email address and then brings your lists together.  [This process can take several hours.]  Once there, you can click on the group you wish to visit, and either review messages or look at the members list.  So take your time and browse away! Email address changes:  Inform the listserv monitor if your email address changes. Although you may be able to receive messages (mail forwarding), the list will not allow you to reply.  You will be blocked unless the address you are using matches the one on the subscribers list.  Also, if your email is undeliverable and begins bouncing, you will be “bounced” off of the list. This will become obvious to you when you stop receiving information from an otherwise active list. To correct this situation you should contact the listserv monitor.The monitor can reactivate you, but it usually requires a response from your computer.  Additional P&Qs 1. To send a message, the address is (groupname)@yahoogroups.com.  You should include a subject in the subject line, and should not change subjects when responding.  This makes the content searchable.  2.  If you hit "reply to" - you are not having a private conversation.  The entire list will get the message.  To respond to one person "forward" or "redirect" the message.  You will then have to fill in an address - this way you know you have taken the conversation off the list.  There are some things we DON'T all need to know. 3.  All messages (except those containing an attachment with a Virus) are stored at http://groups.yahoo.com.  They are searchable by key word, message number, subject, sender, etc. If you change subjects when responding, you will make it that much harder to use the archives.   4.  NDRN established the listservs after realizing that staff  were answering a lot of the same questions over and over again. It was an efficient use of our time to establish and use the "listserv forum" to provide TA and provide a "safe" area for discussion on issues and case strategies, hence the lists started.  We now have 14 or so established by NDRN, each specific to particular topics such as CAP advocacy, ReturntoWork, abuse and neglect, community integration, etc.   You may join any/all of the NDRN lists.

Please note: the following listservs are not endorsed by TASC/NDRN If you notice that any of these listservs are not available any more please contact the Webmaster so that we can update our list.  Thanks! DADVOCAT Fathers of children with Disabilities or Special Health Needs Discussion List. This is a forum for discussion of information, inquires, ideas, and opinions on matters pertaining to challenges. The unmoderated list is open to any interested persons, including fathers, professionals with an interest in the topic, and others. LISTERV owner or contact: Bruce Thomas bthomas@mplaces.com To subscribe: e-mail to majordomo@mplaces.com; in the body of the message, type SUBSCRIBE DADVOCAT, followed by your real name. IEP GUIDE JUSTICE FOR ALL A list that sends out alert regarding federal government activities related to disability issues. Anyone willing to help get JFA Alerts out to their constituencies, may subscribe for free by sending e-amil to majordomo@mailbot.com with the following in the body of the message: subscribe justice. Moderator: Fred Fay MOBILITY A discussion on issues related to mobility including technology funding and systems change. To subscribe: fill out the form at http://listserv.icors.org/scripts/wa-icors.exe?SUBED1=MOBILITY&A=1. Owner/moderator Jesse Wechsler. SINGLE-PAYER A moderate discussion of a universal health system. Benefits are discussed. To subscribe, send e-mail to majordomo@peak.org and in the body of the message put: subscribe single-payer and your e-mail address. Owner: James Ramsell