From Mick Souder, E-Democracy.org co-founder, Board member and Rules Committee Chair:
Greetings,
Every few years E-Democracy.org reviews the rules we ask our forum participants to abide by. Â We are currently collecting input for a rules review we have scheduled to complete by the end of this year. Â We invite our forum participants and moderators to submit suggestions on rules adjustments that may enhance our forums’ effectiveness.
The rules can be found at http://e-democracy.org/rules
At this time the request for input is open ended. Â Later in our process the Board of Directors will decide what changes (if any) our rules committee should focus on based on the input we receive and in light of E-Democracy.org’s mission and strategic plan.
If you have any suggestions on rule changes or re-wording, please send your suggestions to committee members at – OFFICIAL COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED, use comment section below.
The suggestion should include:
1) Â Â Â The specific rule that you are interested in E-Democracy.org reviewing.
2) Â Â Â What change or rewording you suggest E-Democracy.org make.
3) Â Â Â Why you suggest E-Democracy.org make the adjustment to the rule.
Please submit these suggestions by Tuesday 14 September 2010. You may also post copies of your submissions on the blog, but official input should go in – OFFICIAL COMMENT PERIOD CLOSED, use comment section below
Thank you.
Mick Souder
E-Democracy.Org Rules Committee, Board of Directors
Editors Note:Â Our home grown rules have evolved since 1994. We uniquely use a warning and time-based suspension process for violating our rules rather than a moderate everything or delete violating posts process. These rules are not just “terms of service” that don’t matter. They give participants rights and limit our power as hosts based on our democratic ideals and mission. – Steven Clift
Please read the full rules, but here is the current summary:
Rules Summary
1. Real Names – Sign posts including your real name and city.
2. Limits on Posting – Two per member per day in most forum charters.
3. Keep Topics within Forum Purpose – Local issues on a local forum for example.
4. Be Civil – No name-calling. Respect among citizens with differing views is our cornerstone.
5. No Attacks or Threats – This keeps the forums safe. If content is illegal it will be forwarded to the proper legal authorities.
6. Private Stays Private – Don’t forward private replies without permission.
7. Avoid False Rumors – Asking for clarification of what you’ve heard in the community can be appropriate if issues-based. You alone are responsible for what you post.
8. Right to Post and Reply – Sharing your knowledge and opinions with your fellow citizens is a democratic right.
9. Items Not Allowed in Forums – No chain letters, etc.
10. Public Content and Use – You are sharing your content forever, but retain your copyright.
11. Warnings – You may receive informal or official warnings from the Forum Manager.
12. Suspension – With your second official warning in one year, you are suspended for two weeks. It goes up from there.
13. Appeals Process – You can appeal a warning(s) once you receive a third warning and six month removal. Rare appeals are not received most years.