CLSA Discussion Board - Updated Rules

[Administrator]

This Board is designed to be a place where the land surveying community can gather and hold discussion on various subjects in a professional environment. It is the goal of the CLSA Board of Directors to continue providing this valuable resource and allow every person to have an enjoyable experience. The following rules have been written in accordance with this goal.

CLSA Discussion Board Rules and Etiquette

By participating in the CLSA Discussion Board, you are agreeing to abide by the following rules:

• The CLSA Discussion Boards can be used only in a noncommercial manner. You may not post messages containing any solicitation of funds, advertising, or solicitation of goods or services. Solicitations of this sort may be posted on the Classified Section only.
• Do not post material that is protected by copyright unless you are the copyright holder or have the author's written permission.
• Do not post the work product of another unless you have their written permission.
• We encourage lively discussion and debate but remember that disagreeing with an idea is different from attacking an individual. In that spirit, do not post messages that contain personal attacks against other individuals, including CLSA members, officers, or staff. Messages and materials that are defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, offensive, or illegal are strictly prohibited. Do not post anything on the CLSA Discussion Board that you would not want made public or that you would not want anyone to know came from you.
• When posting, please keep your comments consistent with the subject and purpose of the thread of discussion.
• Use caution when discussing products. Information posted on the CLSA Discussion Board is available for all to see, and comments are subject to libel, slander, and antitrust laws. Should a post occur which violates any law, such post will be removed upon discovery and the originator of the post notified.
• CLSA reserves the right to deny access to the CLSA Discussion Board or remove the posting privileges of anyone who violates the CLSA Discussion Board Rules and Etiquette requirements. Anyone violating the CLSA Discussion Board Rules and Etiquette requirements will receive a communication from CLSA as to the inappropriate nature of the posting, which may lead to immediate removal and being denied further posting privileges. Should a second violation occur, the user will be notified that any future inappropriate postings will result in the user being denied CLSA Discussion Boards posting privileges. Should a third violation occur, the user will immediately lose posting privileges. Decisions may be appealed to the CLSA Board of Directors.

The CLSA Discussion Board allows messages to be copied by others. CLSA cannot control this activity. While CLSA does not and cannot review every message posted on CLSA Discussion Board and is not responsible for the content of these messages, CLSA reserves the right to delete, move, or edit messages that are deemed abusive, defamatory, obscene, in violation of copyright or trademark laws, or otherwise unacceptable.
CLSA reserves the right to deny access to the CLSA Discussion Board or remove the posting privileges of users who violate the CLSA Discussion Board Rules and Etiquette requirements.

CLSA Discussion Board Etiquette
As with any community, there are simple rules of etiquette that guide the group in communicating with ease and ensure a free flow of information:

• There are a number of CLSA Discussion Forums currently operating. While each has some overlap, select the forum most appropriate for your posting.
• While not required, users are encouraged to include their name on all posts.
• State concisely and clearly the specific topic of the comments in the subject line of the posting. This allows users to respond more appropriately to your posting and makes it easier for users to search the archives by subject.
• The "tone" is a very important part of electronic communication.

a) Humor can be difficult to convey in text, so make sure everyone realizes when you are trying to be funny. It is easy for messages to be misinterpreted since there are no physical gestures or voice inflections that accompany the text.
b) Think through and re-read your comments before you post them.
c) Be nice. Refrain from inappropriate language and derogatory or personal attacks.
d) Make a personal commitment to learning about, understanding, and supporting your peers.
e) Disagree with ideas, but avoid challenges that may be interpreted as a personal attack.
f) Challenge others with the intent of facilitating growth. Do not demean, harass, or embarrass others.
g) Encourage others to develop and share their ideas.

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[land butcher]

So this thread is illegal?
"What's wrong here?" since he posted a map.

[pls7809]

And now, the death of this forum...duh duh duh...It may be a slow death, but I am foreseeing this in our future.

[pls7809]

(BTW - the post above is a feeble attempt at sarcasm - and yes, we need a sarcasm font on this board) (I guess I should have read those rules up there.)

[bruce hall]

as though we need a Rule 62. Just a thought.

[Dave Karoly, PLS]

42 is the answer.

[Sunburned_Surveyor]

I also enjoy following the discussions here:
http://surveyorconnect.com/

It might be a good alternative for some more free form discussions.

Landon

[dewardkb]

http://landsurveyorsunited.com/ I prefer the discussions here where different points of view may be expressed.

[Anthony Maffia]

> + Do not post material that is protected by copyright unless you
> are the copyright holder or have the author's written permission.
> + Do not post the work product of another unless you have their
> written permission.

So don't post any more scans of maps or portions of legal descriptions, you hooligans!

[dmi]

The guy I know already has 3 strikes in just one post....
he used to be a thread killer but now that tables are turned and it is the thread that is killing him...

[mpallamary]

I think it is inadvisable for the Board of Directors to oversee the postings as it is an inherent conflict of interest. There are those who may wish to comment or protest the actions of the board and this is the forum for that to occur. Some folks to not attend the board meetings. If the Executive Board is in charge, that will discourage free speech and will discourage direct democracy.

An impartial panel should be formed, if at all.

CLSA should not suppress the exchange of ideas and thoughts. All CLSA needs to do is to post a disclaimer like every other forum if it is interested in protecting the organization from outside problems. There can be recommended rules but the notion of barring someone because the Executive Board does not agree with them is wrong at a myriad of levels.

The last time I checked, ALL members were entitled to the same privileges as anyone else. In the real world of electronic communications, the rules of civility are clear.

I urge everyone to stop and consider the implications of these rules.

[MFORD]

[font=&quot]The “if you don’t like it go somewhere elseâ€￾ sentiment is the crux of these discussion threads. The leadership of the BOD seems to have forgotten that CLSA is a bottom up organization. The Directors serve at the pleasure of the members at large and the BOD leadership serves at the pleasure of the Directors. IMHO the leadership needs to tone down the “my way or the highway rhetoric.â€￾ The last simple rule listed in the Discussion Board Etiquette says it all, [/font][font=&quot]The "tone" is a very important part of electronic communication. [/font][font=&quot]The tone of the message from the leadership doesn’t invite open discussion if it doesn’t support the BOD decisions.[/font]
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[/font][font=&quot]The duties and responsibilities of a Director don’t take away the right to disagree or to express disagreement with the BOD decisions. Let’s face it, sometimes the BOD and the Executive Committee gets it wrong. When that happens, the Directors and the membership have the right to express their opinions.[/font]
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[/font][font=&quot]There seems to be a veil of secrecy around the BOD meetings. There is a perception in the general membership that the only opinion that counts is the Ex Com’s opinion. In reality the opinion of the general membership is the lynch pin to the continued success of the organization. Transparency in all matters of the organization is essential. The reputation of CLSA is hanging in the balance.[/font]

[TTaylor]

Well said Mr. Ford.

Dave K.: Great reference. Douglas Adams has always been one of my favorites. So, what is the question? ;-)

[pls7809]

I agree wholeheartedly with Mike Ford. Nothing else for me to say. Good day and happy forum-ing!