Fireside Posts - Important Posting Notes - July 12 2011

[Malcolm Dilts]

Important Posting NOTES!!  ODSP Fireside Group on Google All Members   Post Topics:  Post requests have been veering away from the group mandate of ODSP TOPICS.  There have been a number of post submissions rejected under this guideline with members forgetting that internet rates, buss schedules, etc. are not ODSP topics or issues.  If your post is not about an ODSP related issue it will most likely be REJECTED!   ODSP Fireside has passed the 1,200 member mark and is still growing.  If you know of other ODSP recipients who may benefit from ODSP Fireside please remember to send them the link to join us.  If you are having problems with ODSP Fireside please remember to contact Maggie or myself first before trying to rectify any problem with another member.  We can be contacted by email at m...@magmac.ca   We wish to thank our members for your participation in discussions and tolerance with other members.  Currently inappropriate language, failing to delete extraneous text and changing topics without warning continue to be the main issues with denied posts.   If your post is not submitted to the group please check this post before contacting us to ensure that your post was not culled for one of the reasons listed below.  If you do feel that your post just disappeared please contact us before re-posting so we can watch for the post and ensure it goes up.  Due to health reasons Angela has been co-moderating the group - still not back on track as health issues are bouncing - and we wish to extend a thank you for her efforts.  This post will be available at the top of the main messages page for easy future reference.  There is also a page on the group's Google site with the information.  Please visit the page and bookmark it for future reference.  http://groups.google.ca/group/odspfireside/web/posting-notes   Remember posts are archived online.  All posts are stored online for reference and searching.  They are found in Google Groups under ODSPFireside and a login is not required - web address: http://groups.google.ca/group/odspfireside/topics You may also manage your membership online (change email addresses, how you receive messages even leave the group if necessary) by visiting: http://groups.google.ca/group/odspfireside/subscribe   Some guidelines on including previous posts.  Maggie and I wish to thank everyone on your support in editing previous posts when you reply.  As a general guideline on including text from older posts when replying please limit the previous text to 10 lines.  This should not be a problem as the majority of you already only include a few lines.  If you don't know how to delete the old text please contact us and we will attempt to help out.  Restricting the amount of old text will be of great benefit to our members who are on dialup internet access.  It also makes working through posts much quicker for those who receive digest versions.    Quick Reminder List:               If you change the topic ensure the subject line is changed to reflect new topic        Posts that do not meet guidelines will be deleted       Images and links inserted to messages may not display - See Blank Posts note       Flaming or Bullying to any fashion will not be posted       Fireside is an OPEN group and ANYONE may read your posts        Foul, vulgar or questionable language will prevent a post from being approved and sent out to the group!        Search, Read, Promote Fireside       Keep New Subject Posts on Topic       Delete all unnecessary text       Only quote relevant sections of previous posts       Check your email signatures for improper text         Ontario Law and Regulations prohibit the giving of Legal advice without license!!        Please reference the full text of an abbreviated term (phrase or title) somewhere in the post thread.       Members sending unsolicited mass emails via private members email addresses will be banned from the group!   Blank Posts.  Posts submitted with no text in the message body and only links to graphics or websites are troublesome.  I am not sure how this is happening but we as moderators cannot view these images and are only left with the option to delete the post.  If anyone has an answer to why this is happening please let us now.    Language Usage. The amount of restraint members are exercising in regard to language has been admiral and we wish to thank all for their creativity when expressing their feelings about a bad situation. It only takes a bit longer to come up with a non-vulgar phraseology than a vulgar one and it is a great mental exercise to boot. Please remember that substituting characters for actual letters is the same as using the actual letter and this practice will not circumvent our Language Usage policy.      Flaming. A situation arose in the past where mild flaming was present.  Fortunately Flaming has not been a big problem with Fireside and most members are maintaining courtesy with other members.  Please write as though you were writing to yourself and give others the same courtesy and considerations you would give yourself.   Posts to Google groups are not editable by moderators.  Moderators can only approve or delete posts and as such posts that contain inappropriate entries cannot be made acceptable and must be deleted in full.    Only members so licensed to provide Legal Advice can safely provide "Advice on Legal Issues".  We can provide experiences we have had and things we have done but please refrain from attempting to Interpret the law when answering posts.  I do believe that general members may provide their experiences and where to go for (where to find) the proper information.  Please refrain from using vague verbal references... E.g.: my worker told me, or my friend said.  These references do not provide any solid information as most often the information given is misleading.  If you are answering a post please provide a solid lead for others to follow.  If you are referencing a Directive please list the directive and if possible include a link to the web page.  If you reference a piece of legislation then include the legislative reference so others may do their own interpreting.  I realize that this request will mean more work for some but it will help avoid anyone from finding themselves in the 'sights of the Ontario Legal Profession'.   More information on Posting is available on ODSP Fireside Pages.  Visit http://groups.google.com/group/odspfireside/web/posting-notes   Please remember that Fireside is an OPEN group and anyone may read your posts.   Do not post anything to this group that you would not want the general public reading!  If you need to correspond with another member about a private subject please contact them directly.   Maggie and I continue to thank all Fireside members for this groups continuing success.  There continue to be many great ideas shared, Excellent advice given, solid answers to tough questions and strong shoulders for leaning on.  Please continue to focus on the Purpose of this group.   Please share Fireside with everyone you know. Currently there are over 1000 members in Fireside.  More members means more information to share, more experiences to draw from.  If you know someone who is not a member and is on ODSP please invite them to join.    A copy of this post is kept at the top of the messages list at the ODSP Fireside Group web page.  http://groups.google.ca/group/odspfireside/topics   Thank you for your co-operation Maggie & Malcolm