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ADMIN: Read This First! Newsgroup policies and charter

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The Newsgroup Moderation Team

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Oct 7, 2000, 3:00:00 AM10/7/00

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Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup Policy Posting
soc.religion.christian.youth-work (moderated)
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Last updated Monday, October 4, 1999 23:30:43 PDT
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Table of Contents
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1.0 WELCOME
2.0 WHY WE ARE HERE
3.0 RULES AND GUIDELINES OF THE NEWSGROUP
4.0 THE NEWSGROUP STAFF
5.0 SUGGESTIONS
6.0 NEWSGROUP CHARTER
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1.0 WELCOME to the Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup,
soc.religion.christian.youth-work (moderated). Please read this
policy posting thoroughly before sending anything to the newsgroup as
there are important procedures that must be followed before any
messages will be accepted. Additionally, this policy posting contains
valuable information, so please keep it for future reference. The
Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup policy posting is updated
periodically and posted weekly to the newsgroup.

This document explains the policies of the newsgroup, which are
decided upon and maintained by its moderator(s), who have the
responsibility and authority to enforce them per newsgroup charter.
These policies are based upon

- The Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup charter
- Commonly accepted standards of moderation for Usenet World-Wide
Newsgroups
- Feedback of active participants within the newsgroup.

More information is given at the end of this document on how active
participants may make suggestions to the newsgroup staff.

Please note The term "newsgroup staff" refers to the group of
volunteers who serve as moderators, facilitators, and advisory board
members to this newsgroup. This forum is served 100% by volunteers
and there is NO money involved.

2.0 WHY WE ARE HERE

This newsgroup is designed to provide a forum for

- discussing topics relevant to working with young people.
- exchanging ideas regarding youth/children's work
- support (prayer and otherwise) for youth leaders
- keeping in touch with developments in other countries/denominations
- discussing available resources
- sharing experiences (both good and bad) to help others
- discussing current projects
- giving and receiving advice from others

Both "open" and "closed" youth work is discussed - the discussion of
work with inner-city kids, street kids, etc. is explicitly included.

- Articles from those involved in non-Christian youth/children's work
are welcome providing they are also relevant to Christian
youth/children's work.

- Articles briefly informing about youth clubs/youth events etc - both
Christian and non-Christian are acceptable. Details of a particular
youth club's weekly program is considered too detailed!

3.0 RULES AND GUIDELINES OF THE NEWSGROUP

The Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup is a moderated newsgroup, which
means everything sent to the newsgroup is screened for content and
must meet the criteria laid out in the charter and this policy
posting. Only material related to youth work will be posted to the
newsgroup. Non-compliant messages are automatically rejected and
bounced back to the author.

3.1 SUBMISSION PROCEDURES

3.1.1 SUBMISSIONS FOR POSTING TO THE NEWSGROUP

To post to the newsgroup, address your submission to
mailto:yout...@csun.edu

3.1.2 E-MAIL TO THE STAFF

To send mail to the newsgroup staff which is not intended for posting
to the newsgroup (i.e. a request for information), send your mail to
mailto:cameron...@csun.edu

3.1.3 E-MAIL TO ORIGINAL AUTHOR

To send private mail to the original author of a post or any other
person, use the address located in the subscriber's signature file
and/or in the article header/footer in the message to which you wish
to reply.

3.1.4 POSTING TURNAROUND TIMETABLE

As a guideline, please anticipate a minimum 1 day, maximum 3 day
turnaround time from the point which you hit "Send" of your submission
to the point that it actually appears on the newsgroup and can be seen
by your newsreader. This timetable assumes that your post meets all
requirements and is not rejected.

3.2 NEWSGROUP SUBJECTS

Each article sent to the newsgroup should contain a subject header
that is as descriptive as possible indicating the general area of the
article's contents.

The subject heading "ADMIN:" is reserved for use by the newsgroup
moderators only. Important Newsgroup news, really a must read for
all. Replies/Follow-ups to ADMIN messages are accepted via e-mail to
<cameron...@csun.edu> only, and will not be posted to the
newsgroup.

3.2.1 DISCUSSION SUBJECTS NOT PERMITTED ON SRCY-W(M)

The following topics are considered to be "off topic" for this
newsgroup, and will be rejected. Please make note of suggestions for
more appropriate forums to post discussion related to these topics

- Bible study outlines should be referred to s.r.c.bible-study, unless
specifically youth-oriented with explicitly defined youth
characteristics.

- Discussions about infant/adult baptism, doctrinal differences, what
is a cult, etc. should be referred to soc.religion.christian.

- Discussions of general youth behavior will be evaluated as to
whether it is better here or in misc.kids, alt.parents-teens, or
alt.religion.christian-teen.

- Discussions about church/christian music (as opposed to youth
performances or music in youth events) should be referred to
rec.music.christian.

- Discussions about home schooling and release-time christian
education will be evaluated as to whether it is better here or in
alt.education.home-school.christian or misc.education.

3.3 COPYRIGHTS AND REDISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT POSTED TO SRCY-W(M)

A newsgroup is a public forum, and the Christian Youth Workers'
Newsgroup staff can not control the re posting of material in other
mediums. Therefore, let the author beware.

All postings to the newsgroup are assumed to be copyrighted by the
poster or original author. When posting someone else's copy-righted
material, exercise great care and integrety to state the copyright and
original author (with Publisher/Date) at the beginning and/or end of
the post. The newsgroup staff assume no responsibility for the proper
exercise of copyright permissions in any post to the newsgroup.

3.4 POSTING OF SENSITIVE, PERSONALLY IDENTIFYING INFORMATION

As with any other public forum, it is not appropriate to broadcast
personal identifying information, such as home address, telephone
number, social security numbers, etc. about oneself or any other
person on this newsgroup. Further, one should use careful judgement
and extreme caution
before posting the full names or identifying information about youth
group members to a public forum such as this. The staff takes no
responsibility for the outcome of any information posted to the
newsgroup.

3.5 DISAGREEMENTS/DEBATES/DIFFERENCES OF OPINION

Disagreement among newsgroup participants is welcome, and expression
of different opinions is encouraged; however, personal attacks are not
permitted and will not be tolerated. Also, personal debates are
rarely interesting to other, non participatory newsgroup subscribers
after the first message or two. If an extended debate develops
between you and another subscriber, it must be taken off-line to
private e-mail. The moderator is the final authority as to deciding
when a discussion needs to be taken off the newsgroup.

3.6 ADVERTISING POLICY

It is generally understood and accepted that Usenet Newsgroups are not
to be used for commercial advertising. Except in newsgroups
specifically created and chartered for the purpose of commercial
advertising (ie "Marketplace" newsgroups), moderated newsgroups by and
large prohibit all forms of advertising.

The Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup staff believe that there is a
thin line between information and solicitation. It is helpful for
Christian youth workers to be informed about resources (products and
services) available to them, and even more helpful to be able to
discuss these resources in a forum such as this. For this reason, The
Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup does allow LIMITED commercial
advertising on the newsgroup. All advertising of any product or
service (including seminars, conferences, workshops, and lectures)
must meet the following criteria without variance or exception:

- The author must clearly identify them self with full name, name of
church or organization and church or organization mailing address.

- The "From" and/or "Reply To" headers of the original message must be
authentic and must lead directly to the author (no remailers, bulk
mailers, or anonymous addresses accepted).

- The author must clearly state that they have no direct or indirect
financial connection to the product or service being mentioned.

- The product/service being advertised must be directly and
specifically related to Christian youth work.

- The tone of the message must be one of "information", not
"solicitation". The message may indicate whom to contact for more
information, but may not take the format of an online order form.

- Discussion of fund raising methods, ideas, and/or projects is
permitted. However, the actual act of fund raising via this newsgroup
is prohibited. Messages seeking donations are not acceptable and will
be rejected.

These criteria DO NOT guarantee that your advertisement message will
be approved. The moderator has the authority to reject any message of
an advertisement nature for any reason without recourse.

Additionally, the newsgroup staff is powerless over who reads this
group and chooses to solicit people in email based on a post. Please
ask others for recommendations and do everything you can to educate
yourself before giving money to anyone. This goes double for giving
over money based on an unsolicited advertisement in your email.

3.7 SIGNATURE LIMITATIONS

Signature files may not include mention of any goods or services a
business provides and are limited to no more than 4 lines of text.
The moderator(s) have the authority, at their discretion, to delete a
non-compliant signature file from any submission prior to posting it
to the newsgroup, or to simply reject the submission with an
explanation.

3.8 SEXUAL HARASSMENT

The newsgroup staff exercise a "zero tolerance" of sexual harassment
of any kind. Any subscriber who feels that they are being personally
harassed in connection with this newsgroup should immediately report
the harassment to their own ISP and privately to the Newsgroup Staff,
cameron...@csun.edu. The newsgroup staff will work in full
cooperation with the victim's ISP to insure an environment that is a
safe place for everyone.

3.9 NETIQUETTE

Postings to soc.religion.christian.youth-work (moderated) should be
compliant with the standards for all material posted to Usenet. The
following articles may be found in news.announce.newusers, and should
be reviewed by all posters

-Emily Postnews Answers Your Questions on Netiquette
-Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Usenet
-A Primer on How to Work With the Usenet Community
-Rules for posting to Usenet
-What is Usenet?

3.9.1 LONG QUOTATIONS

When replying to an article on the newsgroup, you must edit the quoted
text from the original message. Many lines of quoted text are an
annoyance to most readers. Remember, the message to which you are
replying has already been read, therefore there is no need to quote a
lot of text in a response. If your reply message contains more than
50% of the original message as quoted text, it will be rejected and
you will be asked to pare down the quoted text.

3.9.2 ME TOO!

Messages offering personal sentiments or "I agree 100%" type
responses should be sent via private email. Remember the silver rule
of Netiquette Thou shalt never say "Me too".

3.10 PROFANITY

The Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup prohibits the use of profanity
in any articles submitted for posting. Unless directly quoting
scripture, the words "damn", "hell", and "ass" are considered
profane. The moderator has the final authority to decide what is and
is not profane.

4.0 THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH WORKERS' NEWSGROUP STAFF

4.0.1 STAFF JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND SELECTION PROCESS

4.0.1.1 MODERATOR

The Christian Youth Workers' Newsgroup moderator has the following
responsibilities:

- Ensure that all newsgroup content is within the guidelines
established by the charter and policies.

- Ensure the continuation and day-to-day management of the newsgroup.

- Work with the assistant moderator(s) to make changes and continually
move the newsgroup towards its goals and to benefit its subscribers.

4.0.1.2 ASSISTANT MODERATORS

- Volunteers who assist the moderator in the above through the
fulfillment of various responsibilities.

- Participate with the moderator in implementing changes and
continually moving the newsgroup towards its goals and to benefit its
readers.

Assistant Moderators are selected by the newsgroup moderator,
primarily based on need and specific talents/benefits a person has
shown themselves to offer the newsgroup and are chosen from the active
participants of the newsgroup.

The Moderator and Assistant Moderators are known, collectively, as
"the moderators".

4.0.2 CONTINGENCY PLANS

4.0.2.1 TEMPORARY REPLACEMENT OF MODERATOR

During temporary absences of the moderator (i.e. vacations,
emergencies, etc.), the moderator shall choose one of the assistant
moderators to temporarily assume the responsibilities and authority of
the moderator.

4.0.2.2 LENGTH OF SERVICE

The moderator remains in office until s/he resigns their position and
names a successor.

Assistant moderators, once appointed, remain in office until

- They are chosen to replace the outgoing moderator.
- They voluntarily resign.
- They are dismissed as the result of a dispute resolution action by
the rest of the staff.

In all cases above, death is considered the same as voluntary
resignation.

4.0.2.3 DISPUTE RESOLUTION

In the event of a dispute between staff members, the moderator shall
convene an offline discussion of the entire staff to remedy the
situation. It is the moderator's responsibility to ensure the smooth
day-to-day operations of the newsgroup during such time, and s/he may
appoint
temporary facilitators from the active participants in order to
fulfill this responsibility should the need arise.

4.0.2.4 SUCCESSION

4.0.2.4.1 MODERATOR

The outgoing moderator shall choose their successor from among the
existing assistant moderators and submit their name to the active
readership of the group for a vote of confidence. A simple majority
vote of confidence shall be evidence enough for the moderator to
install the nominated assistant moderator as the newsgroup moderator.
In the event of an untimely departure of the moderator (i.e. death),
the existing assistant moderators will choose one of the assistants to
assume moderatorship of the group.

4.0.2.4.2 ASSISTANT MODERATOR(S)

Outgoing assistant moderators may be replaced, if a need exists, by
appointment from the moderator. Assistant moderators are chosen from
the active participants of the newsgroup.

4.0.3 1998 STAFF ROSTER (as of 10/4/99)

Moderator: Cameron Byrd cameron...@csun.edu OR
csb4...@csun.edu

Assistant Moderator: Darryl Parsons - dar...@direct.ca

5.0 SUGGESTIONS

Suggestions for newsgroup improvements are welcome. Please mail such
suggestions to youth-w...@netcom.com and include Newsgroup
Suggestion in the subject field of your mail. Suggestions are
reviewed by the moderators weekly.

6.0 NEWSGROUP CHARTER

CHARTER soc.religion.christian.youth-work

Soc.religion.christian.youth-work is a moderated group providing a
forum for

Both "open" and "closed" youth work is discussed - the discussion of
work with eg inner-city kids, street kids etc is explicitly included.
Articles from those involved in non-Christian youth/children's work
are welcome providing they are also relevant to Christian
youth/children's work.

This is not an appropriate place to post general Bible study outlines,
sermons, or essays regarding Christian doctrine, theology, or dogma.
This is not an appropriate place for discussion about infant/adult
baptism, doctrinal differences, what is a cult, general youth
behavior, church/christian music (as opposed to youth performances or
music in youth events), home schooling or release-time christian
education. This is not an appropriate place to ask us to do your
homework or school paper.

Moderation policies

1.) Commercial advertising is permitted on
soc.religion.christian.youth-work with the following strict
limitations

- The author must clearly identify them self with full name, name of
church or organization and church or organization mailing address.

- The "From" and/or "Reply To" headers of the original message must be
authentic and must lead directly to the author (no remailers, bulk
mailers, or anonymous addresses accepted).

- The author must clearly state that they have no direct or indirect
financial connection to the product or service being mentioned.

- The product/service being advertised must be directly and
specifically related to Christian youth work.

- The tone of the message must be one of "information", not
"solicitation". The message may indicate whom to contact for more
information, but may not take the format of an online order form.

These criteria DO NOT guarantee that your advertisement message will
be approved. The moderator has the authority to reject any message of
an advertisement nature for any reason without recourse.

2.) No cross posting of other groups with
soc.religion.christian.youth-work in the newsgroup line. Exceptions
for informational postings (RFD, FAQs announcements of new groups,
etc) will be made on a case by case basis.

3.) Inflammatory remarks directed at specific newsgroup members will
be excluded at the moderator's discretion. Also, inflammatory remarks
directed at the race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. of an
individual or group will not be tolerated.

4.) Profanity is prohibited on this newsgroup. The moderator has the
final authority as to what is and is not profanity.

MODERATOR INFO soc.religion.christian.youth-work

Moderator Cameron Byrd <cameron...@csun.edu> OR
<csb4...@csun.edu>
Assistant Moderator: Darryl Parsons <dar...@direct.ca >

Soc.religion.christian.youth-work will be moderated so that posts
outside the scope of the charter can be rejected.

The moderator's duty is to uphold and enforce the charter and policies
of the newsgroup.

END CHARTER

This Policy Posting (c)Copyright 1998, 1999 S. Cameron Byrd
(mailto:csb4...@csun.edu). All Rights Reserved. Permission is
hereby granted for this policy posting to be duplicated or
redistributed in any fashion (except publication to CD ROM or other
merchandiseable media) provided said duplication or redistribution
includes the entire posting with no additions, deletions, or changes,
and provided this copyright notice is left intact on all copies or
redistributions. Permission is specifically denied for any
duplication, quotation, or redistribution of this posting on any CD
ROM or other merchandiseable media.

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