By joining and using the SHSMD Special Interest Groups (SIGs), you agree that you have read and will follow the below guidelines for these discussions groups. The listserv rules are designed to ensure that the SIGs remain a useful communication tool for you and other members.

Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with these important guidelines. If you have questions, contact SHSMD at strat@aha.org.

Rules

• Do not sell any products or contractor services on the SHSMD SIGs. The SIGs are not to be used to promote an individual person, product or company. One may not imply that additional information is available through follow-up and then sell or solicit contributions for a product or service. Do direct questions about who people are using for a particular service/what alternative products they are using and what their experience with the person/products.
  
  
• Use caution when discussing products or services. Information posted on the lists is available for all to see. Colorful commentary, jokes and unrelated topics, even if they are interesting, are not appropriate for this listserv.
  
  
• Please be civil, even if you disagree with another’s opinion—express it in concrete terms. The discussions on the lists are meant to stimulate conversation not to create contention.
  
  
• You must not post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, profane or otherwise objectionable information of any kind, including, without limitation, any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law.
  
  
• SHSMD reserves all rights to edit or delete posted messages it considers inappropriate, or to deny access to the SIGs to anyone who violates these terms.
  
  
• The opinions expressed in the listservs are those of the e-mail contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SHSMD.
  

Best Practices

• Always include a signature tag on all messages. Include your name, title, city, state and e-mail address.
  
  
• Send messages such as “thank you for the information” or “me, too” directly to the individuals, NOT to the entire list. Do this by using your e-mail application’s forwarding option and typing in or cutting and pasting in the e-mail address of the individual to whom you want to respond.
  
  
• When possible, be brief and concise. Keep content relevant to the topics of the SIGs.
  
  
• Warn other subscribers of lengthy messages whether in the subject line or at the beginning of the message body with a line that reads “Long Message.”
  
  
• Send your messages only to the most appropriate SIG. Do not spam several lists with the same message.
  
  

These guidelines may change at any time. Be sure to review these guidelines periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version.