GUIDELINES
These are not part of the Code of Conduct instituted in 2008.
Welcome to the SATW Members-only Discussion Forums. These forums are a valuable part of your membership. It's a way to connect with fellow members around the country and the world, share information, ask questions--in short, enjoy the benefits of networking with colleagues from your home office.
SATW Forums are private. Conversations on them are held in strict confidence. Archived messages are available only to SATW members. We ask only that you follow a few simple rules and suggestions.
Professional courtesy must be followed in online postings. Objectionable postings profanity, harassment of another member, etc. that are reported to the Web master will be removed, and the Web master is to report such posts to the Ethics Committee. That committee is directed to consider these objectionable posts as it would violations of the standards for behavior while at Society functions meetings, tours, etc.
This area resides on our own website: no annoying ads or pop-up windows. And, there is no way spammers can post to our forums.
GUIDELINES FOR THE ELECTRONIC ROAD
1. Post ONLY messages you have written yourself or those for which you have EXPRESS permission from the author to post. If you rely on copyrighted material, you can include only a brief excerpt or quotation, and supply full credit to the source or author.
If you want other members to read an article or other material that's not yours, please post an appropriate reference, such as a URL, an issue and page number for a periodical, full publishing data for a book, etc. Do not post any confidential information or any information that would infringe upon the proprietary, privacy or personal rights of others.
SATW is serious about respecting copyright rules, and this is for everyone's benefit.
2. Personal attacks are not tolerated. If you want to express disagreement, attack the idea, not the person. Be MORE civil and polite than you would in face to face conversation. If you have serious disagreement with a person, or think the person has made a personal attack on you, please direct your comments to the person in private email or to the moderator info@satw.org. SATW does not, on its own, undertake editorial control of postings. However, in the event that any inappropriate posting or unauthorized use of the discussion board is brought to SATW's attention,
SATW will take all appropriate action in its sole discretion.
SATW reserves the right to terminate, without prior notice, the access or any user who does not abide by these guidelines.
3. The legal stuff. SATW accepts no responsibility for the opinions and information posted by others. SATW disclaims all warranties with regard to information posted on this discussion board, whether posted by SATW or others; this disclaimer includes all implied warranties or merchantability and fitness. In no event shall SATW be liable for any special, indirect or consequential damages, or damages of any kind whatsoever, resulting from loss of use, data, or profits arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of any information posted on the this forum.
SUGGESTIONS FOR GOOD FORUM CONDUCT
Though these are not "rules," their observance will help to minimize confusion and annoyance within the list community.
1. Signature. There really is no reason to include a long signature because the Forums are on the SATW Web site and member profiles are readily available. If you feel the need to use a signature, please limit it to 2 lines.
2. Keep It Brief. Not everything has to go online. It's gracious to thank people for their help, but try not to clutter forums with thank-yous or other two- or three-word postings. Send thank-yous in a private email message.
For longer texts, consider uploading a file with your message, or entering a link to a page posted elsewhere.
Remember, the Forums have a searchable archive. Consider doing a search to see if your topic has been covered.
3. Confidentiality. Finally, be careful and respectful about other people's messages. Don't forward them outside the membership or copy in any way without permission, and keep information you receive here strictly confidential.
Welcome once again to SATWconnect!. Have fun!
Address all concerns regarding the above to info@satw.org.