[MPWG] Posting Guidelines

[Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov]

Dear Subscribers,

After a weeklong illness, I have returned to find a SLEW of MPWG listserve
e-mails in my inbox - most of which have nothing to do with the sustainable
use and conservation of medicinal plants.   In addition, I am appalled by
the disparaging remarks and inflammatory language being used in several of
the e-mails.

Since becoming the Chair of the Medicinal Plant Working Group, I have
worked very hard to increase our listserve membership to foster a wider
diversity of perspectives on medicinal plant issues.  I will not sit back
and allow the actions of one or two people to wreak havoc on these
intentions.  My apologies to those members who have been offended, some of
whom have since quit the list!

Herein, I reiterate the posting guidelines for this list.  Our website is
currently being updated so that these guidelines are more visible.

The MPWG listserve is intended for discussions regarding the conservation
and sustainable use of medicinal plants.
                                                                            
       Cover appropriate subject matter. E-mails should pertain to topics   
       related to the sustainable use and conservation of medicinal plants. 
       This is not a venue for discussing specific remedies or treatments.  
       The list is also a networking tool. Members are encouraged to use    
       this list to make initial contacts with people on any variety of     
       medicinal plant issues. However, if it does not pertain specifically 
       to the sustainable use and conservation of the plant, continued      
       conversations should be conducted using personal e-mail addresses.   
       Autoreply function. The list is configured so that "autoreply" will  
       send your message back to the sender.  Before posting responses back 
       to the entire list, ask yourself, "Is your message of general        
       interest?"  If yes, copy and paste the list address to share with    
       the whole group. Personal messages should be sent directly to the    
       intended recipient.                                                  
       Be mindful of your message. Each member brings a unique perspective  
       to the table and there will be differences of opinion.  This list    
       supports constructive discussion with respect to these differences.  
       There is a fine line between constructive and destructive discussion 
       and members are requested to be mindful of this when posting to the  
       list.                                                                
       Remember the venue. In an effort to foster open communication, our   
       list is not moderated. Members are asked to monitor their own        
       postings before pushing the send button.  Remember, most of us have  
       never met each other; we do not know each other's sense of humor;    
       and, we do not know when another person is being sarcastic.  Please  
       remember that what you write may be misconstrued by others.          
       Accusatory or inflammatory language is not consistent with the free  
       and open exchange of ideas that MPWG was formed to promote.          
       Offensive e-mails will result in a personal warning to the offending 
       listserve member(s).  Continued abuse of the posting guidelines will 
       result in removal from the list.  If you have any suggestions,       
       complaints or questions regarding the list, please contact the MPWG  
       Chairperson directly at: Patricia_DeAngelis at fws.gov                  
                                                                            



Thank you for your attention to these issues.

Sincerely,
Patricia

Patricia S. De Angelis, Ph.D.
Botanist - Division of Scientific Authority
Chair - Plant Conservation Alliance - Medicinal Plant Working Group
US Fish & Wildlife Service
4401 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 750
Arlington, VA  22203
703-358-1708 x1753
FAX: 703-358-2276
Working for the conservation and sustainable use of our green natural
resources.
<www.nps.gov/plants/medicinal>