Netiquette and Chat Room Policy for the Order of Eternal Light

Welcome to the Policies for the Order of Eternal Light and Subgroups. We hope that you find
our service of value in your life. All of our policies and programs were established to provide
support, education, and a chart room for the sharing of ideas and solutions.

Management (the Elders and Owners) reserves the right to restrict posting privileges,
terminate any subscription, or ban anyone from the chatroom and the group (as well as
subgroups) for any reason when in the opinion of management, such action is in the best
interests of the organization.

Policies and Netiquette

While we want our programs and messaging to be as open and lively as possible, there are a
few rules of netiquette that we apply and insist on:
 Courtesy and civility.  This is often the biggest problem on mailing lists and other
programs where individuals must exchange views. Remember that this is first, and
foremost, a support and information resource. We are here to help each other - not
call names or make snide remarks. So-called "flame" messages or other acts of
intolerance will not be permitted. If you are really upset about something that has
been said, "Sit on it" for a day or two. Then, if you still feel a need to "talk", reply
privately - not to the full list or group. Try to never make an honest disagreement
personal. They are controversial because there is no absolute answer, and we must
respect both sides of an issue, as well as those who believe in one side or the other.  
 Off-topic and private conversations.  Off topic offerings are inappropriate for the ()
and is subgroups. Private, two - or three sided conversations carried on by mailings
to the list show poor judgment. and subgroups foster many good friendships, which
is one of its many benefits. But please keep private conversations between a few
people private - send them directly to one another. 
 Commercial Posts Are not permitted. Subscribers are certainly free to express
opinions about commercial products, medicines and the like. However, strictly
commercial messages are a no-no. A commercial message is defined as a
recommendation or information of any sort that could result in self-gain by the
individual making the recommendation or providing the information.
 Controversial Subjects.  Politics, explicit sexual jokes, jokes with a religious theme,
and other such controversial or potentially offensive subjects are always difficult
among a large group of people. Therefore these subjects should always be avoided
when communicating within any of our groups and chat room. This restriction
includes the signature tag at the end of message.  
 Privacy.  The audience for our programs that require subscription is intended to be
for subscribers to that program alone. Thus posting content from this list to other
sources violates this sense of trust and privacy. Likewise, posting private messages
from an individual or from another list to any of our lists without the specific
permission of the author also violates our privacy policy. The key thing to consider is
whether or not anyone's privacy has been compromised without their specific
permission.

 
In-Chatroom Protocols

1. Special Protocols for Topic & Focused Chats.    

The following special protocols may be called upon by the Host during Topic or Focused chat
sessions. They establish measures so that the host can provide the maximum amount of
information and answer the most questions during the time allotted. A non hosted free chat
session will be held immediately after the close of any subject session for those who may
want to visit with their neighbors. This protocol is similar to others used in online classrooms.
Essentially, during subject oriented chat, the host has the floor at all times and no one is
allowed to speak unless called on. There are no greetings to late arrivals nor are private
messages to the entire group allowed. There is a system for indicating your desire to talk.

This is the way the protocol works:

The Host will advise when protocol rules are in effect and when they are lifted. During
protocol, you must be recognized by the host to speak.

?   If you want to ask a question, type a question mark and send to the group.
 
??  If you want to make a follow-up question on the answer being given, type a
double question mark and send to the group. (The host may not acknowledge your
question at this time if they need to move on).
 
!   If you want to make a comment, type an exclamation point and send to the group.
 
After being recognized by the moderator/ Elder, you may ask your question or
comment to all participants and after that is answered, you may ask one more question
or make one more comment regarding the original question. If you have an unrelated
question or comment, you must wait until it is your turn again.
 
// after you have directed your question or comment to the group, send a double slash
to let everyone know that you are through. 

Please note that any offensive as well as any sexual references will get you a final
warning then banned not only from the Chat room but from the () and its subgroups.

The Order of Eternal Light cannot be held responsible for any action taken by its
members, conclusions drawn as well as statements made by individual members.