On 10/7/05, Marion Sumerianlibrarian <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
>
> I'm shocked to learn that positngs for jobs are inappropriate.
> Can anyone direct me to an outline of the exact purpose of this listserv?
>
> Thanks in advance, MSL
>

Nothing is exact, but this is exact as it gets, the Introduction message
(that most people ignore or discard) when they join:

***************************************************************************************
Hi new subscriber--Welcome to the Records Management List
(RECMGMT-L).

Please PRINT AND SAVE this message for future reference.
I am the list owner/host--Susan McKinney, CRM, at the University of
Minnesota, (<[log in to unmask]>) and along with Marc Wolfe
([log in to unmask]), manage the RECMGMT list. If you have questions or
problems, please direct them to us via [log in to unmask] This
will contact both of us simultaneously, ensuring a prompt response.

WARNING: This list is for the discussion of records management and related
issues. However, there are and will continue to be posts that are
non-records management related. If this is a problem for you, or if it
bothers you, the directions for unsubscribing from this listserv can be
found in this message.
GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTABLE TONE/CONTENT for postings: This list is
for the discussion of records management and related issues. Other
topics, while interesting in and of themselves, are not appropriate.
Postings of a commercial nature are prohibited, except for short
informational items related to list content. When in doubt, please contact
the list owners ([log in to unmask]).
TONE: this list maintains a civil tone; while legitimate and passionate
disagreements occur, "flames" are not allowed.
GUIDELINES FOR USING THE LIST:
--To send a message to all the people currently subscribed to the list, just
send mail to: [log in to unmask] (The system is not case sensitive, I
just use it for clarification.) This is called *sending mail to the list*,
because you send mail to a single address and LISTSERV makes copies for all
the people who have subscribed. This address is also called the *list
address.* The list is the mechanism for the actual distribution of mail
messages to the subscriber. Only those messages intended for redistribution
to everyone subscribed to the list should be sent to the list address.
To change how your subscription is set up, you send commands to the SERVER
address. That address is: [log in to unmask] The system maintains the
subscription list by receiving and processing request commands form
individual subscribers and the list hosts. The server is essentially a
machine, not a human. It is very important to understand the differences
between the two. The SYSTEM address acts like a fax machine, while the
LISTSERV address is like a phone line. If you accidentally make your fax
call someone*s voice line, the person receiving the call will be annoyed. It
is the same with mailing lists, with the difference being that you are
calling thousands of people at the same time, so a lot more people get
annoyed if you use the wrong number.
UNSUBSCRIBING
You may leave the list at any time.
--send command to [log in to unmask] with the message: unsubscribe
RECMGMT-L. Once your request is processed, you will receive confirmation
that you have been deleted from the listserv.
GOING ON VACATION
--to turn off your mail for a short period of time, send a request to
[log in to unmask] with the message: set RECMGMT-L nomail
This is very important, as many email systems do not have the capacity to
handle very large volumes of messages. Once your request has been processed,
you will receive confirmation that your subscription was changed.
If your email system uses auto-replies when you are out, you MUST set
recmgmt-l to nomail! If you don't, one of two things will happen: Either
your auto-reply will go out to over 2,300 members of the listserv each time
a message is posted, or I will get error messages each time there is a
posting. Either way, it won't be a pretty sight, and once you come back,
your access will be deleted.
BACK FROM VACATION
--when you want to turn on your mail again, send your request to
[log in to unmask] with the message: set RECMGMT-L mail.
ATTACHMENTS
---Attachments are automatically stripped from messages posted to the list.
SIGN YOUR MESSAGES, COMMENTS, AND REMARKS
--This is important!!! ALWAYS sign your messages with your name and
email address, so that you can get full credit, or so people can respond
directly back to you. Many email systems do not display the sender*s
email address.
MONITORING LIST
--This listserv is not monitored. Nobody sees or approves postings before
they go to the list. Therefore, YOU are responsible for whatever you send to
the list.
FIRST POSTING
--Introduce yourself to the list members. We love to know you who
you are and where you are from. Your e-mail addresses don't
necessarily explain who you represent.
PERSONAL REPLIES
--The RECMGMT-L LISTSERV is set to send replies automatically to the entire
listserv membership. This means that using the REPLY function will send your
message directly to the list and not an individual person. To respond
privately, you will need to rekey the address of the person you wish to
respond to. Please be considerate of others and send your personal comments
not to the list but the person you want the reply to go to.
GET COPIES OF YOUR POSTINGS BACK (REPRO/NOREPRO)
--You will automatically be set to receive a copy of your own message.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT (ACK/NOACK)
--You will automatically be set to receive a confirmation that your message
was sent.
Note: neither REPRO nor ACK lets you know if any/all list members have
yet received a particular posting. Due to electronic "distances", net
problems, and routing considerations, people can receive the same
posting at wildly varying times. You will receive a note when the
server finishes processing your message, indicating successful
distribution of your message.
DIGEST
--if you want to have the day's postings to the list come back to you
in one message, rather than individual messages, with a table
of contents at the beginning send your request to
[log in to unmask] with the message: set RECMGMT-L digest
(To take it off digest mode, send the message: set RECMGMT-L mail) NOTE: If
you are using the digest function and do not receive all of the listserv
messages, it is because your email system can not handle the large message.
This should not occur very often, but on days that are especially heavy for
listserv use, this may happen.
GETTING ARCHIVES OF THE LIST
-- The historical archives of message traffic is temporarily unavailable
An announcement will be made when they are available again.

--GETTING LIST OF MEMBERSHIP
The membership list of the RECMGMT Listserv is closed. Only the List
managers can access the subscriber list.
--PROBLEMS WITH YOUR SUBSCRIPTION?
If you have problems with these commands, or your email address changes,
please send a message to [log in to unmask] and either Marc or
I will help you.

In addition, the following Recmgmt Rules of Conduct should be followed.
Please take a minute to look these over. If you have any questions, please
do not hesitate to contact me at [log in to unmask] (that is a
one-seven).
1. Be considerate of others. List members will treat each other with respect
and civility. This list will maintain a civil tone, and while legitimate
disagreements can and will occur, "flames" are not allowed.
2. Flames: A "flame" is an emotionally charged posting, and is often
directed at someone. Flames are not allowed on this listserv. Members of
this list are all professionals, and are expected to conduct themselves
as such.
3. Think before you post. Do you really want to say this to over 2,000
members of this list, or do you want to send a personal reply? Be careful
when using the reply function of your email system. Many email systems will
send your reply to the entire list if you simply use a reply command.
Re-read what you write before you send it. Remember, it is easy for others
to misunderstand facetiousness and sarcasm in messages. Did you really say
what was intended? Once a message is sent, typically it can't be retrieved.
Remember that this listserv was set up to discuss records management and
related issues.
4. Include a subject line in each posting.
5. When replying to another message, refrain from quoting entire messages.
Paraphrasing or quoting selectively are both kinder to people's eyes and
email boxes. Also, do not attach the message you are replying to at the end
of your message. While it is sometimes nice for people to be able to follow
the subject that way, the length of the message creates havoc with email
systems and digest users.
6. At the end of your message, include your name and email address. Many
systems do not show the sender's email address, which makes it difficult to
send personal replies. Because it can be difficult to interpret email
addresses, you are also encouraged to include your institutional
affiliation. Also, please try and keep your signature files short--again, it
only adds to the length of the message for our digest friends.
7. Participate and Discuss! Everyone's ideas are important.
8. This list has it own character (and characters), just like any "real"
grouping of people (such as a meeting or party). The list functions best
when people respect the character of the list. It is also good to respect
the differences among list members and have certain tolerances for our
individual eccentricities. (and curmudgeons) :)
9. "I agree" and "me too" replies are discouraged, as are "send me the
information also." These replies should be directed to the sender of the
message.
11. Blatant marketing statements should be avoided, but information on new
products or major new versions is welcome, as are notices of product
seminars, open houses, and the like. You should always identify yourself and
your company in the signature line. Vendors and producers should feel free
to engage in theoretical discussions about the list topic, but should
refrain from turning their replies into commercials for their own products.
12. Be considerate of others. We have all violated the above rules either
through inexperience, impatience or limited local software. A private
message to the offender from the List Host is more appropriate than a
public flame.
Enjoy the List!
Susan and Marc

List archives at http://lists.ufl.edu/archives/recmgmt-l.html
Contact [log in to unmask] for assistance