Charter for the AEU's "EthicalAction" Email List

Article I. Purpose

The purpose of this list is to expand knowledge about and improve the effectiveness of ethical action programs undertaken under the sponsorship of the AEU and its members.

The list is intended to focus on concrete, specific activities -- actual or proposed -- and how they are working or can work. One measure of its success will be an increase in "networking" among individuals and groups in the AEU who are concerned with ethical action programs.

We hope to minimize on-list discussion about the philosophical merit (or lack of it) of any given program. Subscribers are encouraged to use the Dialogue email list, or direct email, for such discussions.

(1) The list will be used to distribute reports and announcements from the National Ethical Action Committee (NEAC) about its activities.

(2) List participants are also encouraged to post reports and announcements concerning ethical action activities at their Societies and Fellowships.

(3) Discussion of these postings on the list is encouraged, for example to clarify what is being done in a particular program, to suggest helpful methods and techniques, or to share positive (or negative) experiences with similar programs.

(4) Please do not re-post "ethical action" announcements from other organizations on this list. These can be lengthy and burdensome. A brief description of such an announcement is welcome, and it may of course include an offer to forward the original to any individual list member(s) who request it.

(5) It may be particularly useful to share web or email addresses at which list subscribers can get further information on a non-AEU ethical action program, or get help with a local program at their Society or Fellowship.

Article II. Membership

Any member of the AEU (members of local Ethical Societies and Fellowships and Members-at-Large) may become a subscriber to The AEU "ethicalaction" list as may members of affiliated organizations such as circles and exploratory groups.

Subscription requests are submitted on the list's web page. The subscription request will be automatically forwarded to the list managers for approval after you've confirmed your email address by replying to an automatically-generated email.

Article III. "Netiquette"

Section 1. The primary rule of "netiquette" is "Think before you post." Does your message fit with the stated purpose of the list? Would a sizable portion of the list be interested in your message, or should you privately address it to one or more individuals? Is there another place that would be more appropriate for the posting of your message?

Section 2. Keep messages and paragraphs short and to the point. Focus on one subject per message and make sure the subject title is informative.

Section 3. Capitalize words only to highlight an important point or to distinguish a title or heading. *Asterisks* around words can be used for emphasis. Capitalizing whole words that are not titles is generally termed SHOUTING!

Section 4. Be careful when using sarcasm and humor. :-), <grin>, and <g> are often used to show that humor was intended.

Section 5. Send personal messages direct to the individual concerned, not to the list.