[nabs-l] NABS List Manners

Wed Aug 13 02:47:29 UTC 2014

What about a conference call about Internet etiquette? Such a topic would not only assist us in dealing with our list issues, but would also be a helpful seminar for people interested in professional environments to attend. Topics might include the following:

Definitions of flaming and trolling
Things one absolutely should not say
Appropriate ways for stating a dissenting opinion
What constitutes harassment
The impact of gossip and rumors
Annoying email and Internet habits
Avoiding language that could be construed as sexist, racist, etc.
Online conflict resolution techniques. Such as expressing and receiving emotions appropriately
The benefits and drawbacks of written communication as opposed to spoken communication
How to appropriately respond to someone else who is behaving poorly on list

There are plenty of resources on Internet etiquette that conference call facilitators can use to assist in leading the discussion.

If it helps, the question anyone on list should ask themselves before posting is whether they would be in barest to read their post sometime in the future. Or, as has already been suggested, would they be embarrassed if a future boss read the post?

Respectfully,
Jedi

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 12, 2014, at 8:21 PM, kcj21 via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I too agree that there has been a lack of courtesy on the NABS mailing list . I agree with the suggestions and observations that were previously state, but I'd also like to point out that there have been a lot of people disparaging others' questions. Assume that the questioner has already researched this topic and for whatever reason was unsuccessful or is seeking additional feedback. Please do not reply to their question by telling them to check the manual or do a Google search. If you personally do not know the answer, you don't have to respond. We should all respect each others' questions.
> 
> Thank you,
> Kaley 
> 
> 
> On Tuesday, August 12, 2014 7:20 PM, Kaiti Shelton via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 
> 
> Hi all,
> 
> I am pleased to say that a lot of student federationists I know and
> highly respect have already posted on this thread, and they have
> similar views to mine on this topic.  I will add the following.
> 
> The fact is, it seems some either have forgotten or do not realize
> that everyone is entitled to have their own opinion.  You don't have
> to necessarily agree with it or like it, but you owe your fellow NABS
> members the integrity and respect that Miso talked about to let them
> have their own opinion.  Slamming someone else for having personal
> preferences on different topics just makes you seem disagreeable in
> the long run, not to mention that the other person in addition to
> other students on the list might not necessarily always agree with
> your personal opinions or preferences either.  Just because something
> doesn't fit in with your view of the world, it doesn't mean that it is
> wrong, or make it right for you to champion your own opinions with
> insults at the other person's expense.  You can just as easily
> politely state your countering opinion without putting others down,
> there is no need for that on a list serve that is supposed to be
> supportive.  Saying I disagree because X Y Z is enough.  On the other
> hand, the bra size thing was totally uncalled for, and was probably as
> inappropriate as you could get on a public forum like this.  That was
> simply completely unacceptable, as I'm sure we can all agree.
> 
> I don't know what the moderating rules are, but perhaps there should
> be some checks and balances set up.  I do not think they should be
> sent out once a month, as I think like with other sites it is the
> individual's responsibility to personally gain information on terms of
> service, policies, etc.  Some kind of a warning system might be good
> for policing negative list content.  For example, the bra size comment
> and really inappropriate or offensive content might garner an
> immediate booting from the list, whereas profanity or a harsh email
> might be met with an email advising the person to watch their tone or
> language in the future.  If a person receives a certain number of
> warnings in a given time, they might be eligible for removal from the
> list.  I think that would be a fair system, but with a list this size
> I am not sure how practical it would be to implement.  Just a thought.
> 
>> On 8/11/14, Matthew Dierckens via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Hello.
>> I agree with what all has been said here. Thank you.
>> 
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Aug 11, 2014, at 12:28, Miso Kwak via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> I have been off of the listserve for a while and came back just a few days
>>> ago.
>>> Eve now I don't read everything that is sent on the list so I have less
>>> ground to speak from.
>>> Being searched by your future boss is certainly something to be concerned
>>> about. However, bigger picture here is plain integrity and respect in
>>> general.
>>> These two concepts are hard to grasp and I do not mean that I am perfect
>>> in mastering these virtues.
>>> What I am intending to say is that we, as people who affiliate ourselves
>>> with the National Federation of the Blind, seeking greater independence
>>> and dignity as blind people, should strive for these virtues and practice
>>> to our best.
>>> As for reasons mentioned above, I don't think I am at a right place to
>>> suggest some practical solutions at the moment.
>>> I am just here to take what I need and want and help out if I can.
>>> I just would like to ask everyone to think twice before you click the send
>>> button.
>>> I wrote about integrity and respect because I value those virtues and care
>>> what kind of people I surround myself with as well as how I present myself
>>> to others.
>>> Thank you for reading.
>>> Miso Kwak
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Beth Taurasi via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> To: blindcowgirl1993 <blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com>; National Association of
>>> Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Mon, Aug 11, 2014 5:31 am
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] NABS List Manners
>>> 
>>> I agree.  I've been slammed for writing "garbage".  So I want
>>> this listserv to serve as a polite resource of info.
>>> Beth
>>> 
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Aleeha Dudley via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> To: Mary Fernandez <trillian551 at gmail.com>,National Association
>>> of Blind Students mailing list <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> Date sent: Mon, 11 Aug 2014 08:25:57 -0400
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] NABS List Manners
>>> 
>>> Hello,
>>> I agree that some reform does need to take place. I have seen
>>> more and more frequently the manners that some people choose to
>>> display on this list. It is unfortunate because you are impacting
>>> yourself should your future boss choose to do a Google search of
>>> your name. I don't think that limiting who can subscribe will
>>> help, as those who subscribe with malicious intent can always
>>> fabricate responses to a generated form. I think we need to rely
>>> more on people's senses of respect, and also need to more
>>> strictly enforce the rules of the list, e.g. not slamming anyone,
>>> being polite, etc.
>>> 
>>> Aleeha Dudley
>>> Vice President
>>> Ohio Association of blind students.
>>> 
>>> On Aug 10, 2014, at 8:55 PM, Mary Fernandez via nabs-l
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Good evening all,
>>> I hope everyone's weekend was very enjoyable.
>>> I am writing because I am deeply concerned about the manners, or
>>> lack
>>> thereof, which are more and more frequently being displayed on
>>> the
>>> list serv. I'll quickly remind you that the list is supposed to
>>> be a
>>> resource for blind students, of all ages, young professionals,
>>> parents
>>> and teachers. The list is "public" and "archivable", which means
>>> that
>>> anything we write on here is easily brought up when someone,
>>> anyone,
>>> conducts a Google search.
>>> When someone inquires about software, or help with anything,
>>> which
>>> relates to blindness, or has a question and asks that you
>>> contact them
>>> off line, it does not mean that you can be disrespectful to that
>>> person. The list is NOT here for insults to be thrown back and
>>> forth,
>>> for inappropriate comments, or for general disrespect towards
>>> others.
>>> So, here is my question, how can we improve communication among
>>> list
>>> members? Does this list still have value, and if so what are the
>>> values and how to we maintain them? Let's have a discussion
>>> about
>>> issues and solutions. I'm probably opening a can of worms, but
>>> I'm
>>> truly concerned about the tone of the messages on here, and the
>>> frequency with which they have been occurring. Please, be polite
>>> and
>>> respectful when responding to this message, and if you have
>>> strong
>>> feelings you do not wish to make public, simply click on my
>>> email
>>> address: trillian551 at gmail.com and reply to me directly.
>>> 
>>> Thank you,
>>> Sincerely,
>>> Your list moderator,
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Mary Fernandez
>>> "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will
>>> forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made
>>> them
>>> feel."
>>> --
>>> Maya Angelou
>>> 
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Kaiti
> 
> 
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