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E- Democracy Forum Rules <br />These rules are the basis for all E- Democracy.Org- sponsored citizen -to- citizen discussion forums <br />including e -mail discussion lists, web forums, and other online events. <br />You have a right to participate. The following rules of participation define accountability and the limited <br />powers of volunteer forum managers and E- Democracy.Org. <br />Based on a decade of experience, these rules provide a citizen -based foundation for online civility by <br />focusing on public issues in order to promote effective public agenda- setting through dialogue. These <br />online public forums about the sharing of ideas and information rather than being right with one's <br />ideology or winning an argument. Our forums are not designed for debating abstract political philosophy <br />or ridiculing others for their beliefs, backgrounds, or speculative motivations. <br />The purpose statement in each forum charter defines a forum's scope. A charter may establish additional <br />rules and highlight essential rules. The rules are further supported E- Democracy.Org's constitution and <br />by -laws. As the legal forum host, E- Democracy.Org seeks to exercise your public trust by responsibly <br />mediating conflict among member rights and expectations for the benefit of the community. <br />Participants are responsible for reading and understanding these rules. By participating you agree to the <br />spirit of a forum's purpose and these rules. <br />Rules Summary <br />1. Sign Posts Use your real name. <br />2. Limits on Posting Two per member per day in most forum charters. <br />3. Keep Topics within Forum Purpose Local issues on a local forum for example. <br />4. Be Civil This is a public forum with real people. Respect among citizens with differing views is <br />our cornerstone. <br />5. No Attacks or Threats This keeps the forums safe. If content is illegal it will be forwarded to the <br />proper legal authorities. <br />6. Private Stays Private Don't forward private replies without permission. <br />7. Avoid False Rumors Asking for clarification of what you've heard in the community can be <br />appropriate if issues based. You alone are responsible for what you post. <br />8. Right to Post and Reply Sharing your knowledge and opinions with your fellow citizens is a <br />democratic right. <br />9. Items Not Allowed in Forums No attachments, etc. <br />10. Public Content and Use You are sharing your content, but retain your copyright. <br />11. Warnings You may receive informal or official warnings from the Forum Manager. <br />12. Suspension With your second official warning in one year, you are suspended for two weeks. It <br />goes up from there. <br />13. Appeals Process You can appeal a warning(s) once you receive a third warning and six month <br />removal. About 1 in 1500 forum members each year have appealed a six month removal in past <br />years. <br />Full Rules <br />Sign Posts All forum posts must be signed at the bottom of every message by the author with their <br />real first and last name, and city and /or neighborhood. Posting with a pseudonym, anonymously or <br />the use /theft of another person's identity is strictly forbidden and has special penalties described <br />under Warnings #7. <br />Roseville Issues Forum Project: Tim Erickson, 651 246 -5045 or tim e- democracy.org_ Page 5 <br />6 June 2006 <br />