I thought this information might be useful. I don't think every state
has to do the same thing, I just think there's no need to operate in
a vacuum when you don't have to. So I sent an email to the SCs of
the other 49 state projects to find out how their mandatory state
lists are set, i.e. to 'read-only' or 2-way' communication. This is
just to share what I found out.
49 SCs were sent the same email, which only asked *how* their
mandatory list is set.
41 have responded to date, but since one didn't answer the question,
I'm only counting 40 actual responses.
Of those 40 who responded:
35 states have their mandatory state list set to "2-way" communication.
2 states (TN & TX) have their mandatory list set to "read-only."
3 states are so small they don't have a formal state list; the SC and
cc's just communicate directly through email.
Most of the SCs volunteered some additional details about their
lists, even though they weren't asked. Since this was "volunteered"
information, it can't be compared across states, but still seems useful:
* Not every state runs their list on Rootsweb. Since I didn't ask
about what email servers the states use, I don't know how many do.
However, two SCs mentioned specifically that their list is on Yahoo
Groups.
* Many states noted that their list is “closed,” i.e. configured to
ensure that only project members are able to subscribe.
* Many states said their list is NOT “archived," i.e. messages are
not saved and posted online for anyone to read.
* Some states maintain 2 lists, with both set to 2-way communication;
one is designated as the business list whereas the other is for less
formal communications (like NC's Discuss list).
* The two states whose mandatory lists are set to "read only" also
maintain an optional list set for 2-way discussion (like NC's Discuss
list).
Unexpected “jewels”:
One SC wrote:
“[Our] list has never been read-only. We have not had a list at
rootsweb for several years. Currently, we have a Yahoo Group. The
CCs are not required to have a Yahoo ID, however, I highly recommend
it because Yahoo has some great features that help us share files,
links and contact information. We feel that it gives the CCs the
opportunity to network with each other. We have a few that do not
want the extra email, so they are allowed to set their subscription
to Special Notices only. I use Special Notices to contact everyone
with important info.”
One SC wrote:
“We have ours set to Two way communications all CC's can post and
reply to any emails that come acroos the list. We have had some that
dont like all the email so Me and My ASC started using "BIZ" in the
subject line that way any with out BIZ in it can be safely deleted
and any with it are required reading as they pertain to State
Business and are Important to all CC's. Its not perfect but seems to
work for us pretty well.”
One SC wrote:
“Our state list is set up so that everyone can post to it. It is not
archived … I have one rule of my own, and that is that no (USA gov.)
politics are allowed.
… We do have off topic messages at times, and I ask that those be
marked with TOT (totally off topic) in the subject line. Those can
easily be deleted if someone doesn't wish to read them. Some of these
kind of messages have helped us to get to know each other better and
made us a more cohesive group."
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-Sandy