To keep things friendly and neighborly, here are a few simple ground rules.
In general, we are following the model of the Front Porch Forum in Burlington. They have been managing several neighborhood email lists for quite a while now, and so we will try their ground rules. If you're really interested, look at their FAQ.
1. Who can be on the list? The list is only for residents of the Montpelier neighborhood. All messages must include the full name and street address of the person posting the message.
2. How do you define the Meadow neighborhood? The Meadow as the land between Hubbard Park hill and the Winooski River, including both sides of Elm St. and Spring St. The Meadow ends just north of Pearl St., and just south of Spring St. If there is doubt, we'd like to be neighborly.
3. Who in my household can be on the list? Can children & teenagers participate?
Individual household members may each be on the list. We are following the guidance of the Front Porch Forum -- the list is open to anyone age 16 and up. We strongly encourage parents to work closely with their children to practice safe and responsible internet use.
4. Can I advertise my business on the list? Yes, but in moderation. Please restrict posting to one message per year, or to chronicle significant news or events -- a new business opening, changing store hours, or something unusual. If we join the Front Porch Forum in the future, they have paid sponsors.
5. Can elected officials campaign through the email list? Anyone running for local office may submit one message per election to be published on the list. If you do not live in the neighborhood, please email the subscriptions manager to ask her to post for you. Individuals may post messages in support of candidates for office, similar to what you would see in the "letters to the editor" section of the newspaper: "I support so&so for school board because blah blah blah." Please no debates, and let's leave politics beyond Montpelier alone.
6. What's the protocol for personal sales or freebies? (selling a car, giving away something your kids outgrew) To keep list volume low, please try to combine items into one post. Anyone replying should reply only to the individual, not to the whole list. When the transaction is completed, you can post one follow-up message to let everyone know the resolution.
7. When should I cc' the list? When you post to the list, you are sending email to over 90 people. Please post mindfully. If you can communicate with just one or two people, do that instead. If you need someone's email address, you can look it up if you log into your list-affiliated google account - or email the subscriptions manager to ask for an address. (Include your full name & address so we know you're not an evil spammer on the prowl.)
8. What if I'm getting too much email? If your email address is connected with a google account, you should be able to change your setting to receive digest messages or read the messages only online. If you need help with this, email the subscriptions manager.
9. What about the "blog"? How do I use the blog? Contrary to the "blogspot" name on this website, the Meadows email list is just an email list. A blog is basically an online (public) diary. This is not really used as a blog. We used "blogspot" for this website you are reading right now, only because it is an easy and free way to put up an attractive website to serve as a homepage for the email list.
10. How can I find this website again? We are pleased that we are now the top hit if you Google "Montpelier Meadow." Feel free to pass this onto your friends & neighbors.
Updated 12/31/09
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