[LA-Policies] DRAFT mailing list policy for discussion and feedback

[Linux Australia Secretary]

Dear Colleagues,

We're now in a position to send the first draft policy to this mailing 
list to seek feedback, comments and input, which is warmly welcomed by 
reply to list or to myself privately.

The driver for this policy is unfortunately a negative one; in the past 
abuse of Linux Australia mailing lists through poor behaviour has taken 
significant time to contain and to steer back to an 'unheated' state. 
This policy seeks to enable community moderation while clearly 
demarcating expected standards of behaviour and consequences for 
transgressing such.

Your time and efforts in review are appreciated and valued.

With kind regards,
Kathy



DRAFT - Mailing list acceptable use policy


    Definitions


Council: The member-elected governing body of Linux Australia. Council 
has the authority to create, moderate and delete lists and list postings 
for all mailing lists it hosts, and the authority to delegate these 
actions to Moderators. Council is responsible for the creation, 
promulgation and enforcement of this policy.


Moderator: A natural person with delegated authority to create, 
moderate, and delete lists and list postings in line with this policy. A 
moderator is appointed at the pleasure of Council and may be changed at 
Council's discretion. Council authorises Moderators to act without 
seeking prior approval from Council and trusts them to exercise their 
duties in a responsible and professional manner.


List member:A natural person, who may or may not be a member of Linux 
Australia, who has voluntarily or as part of their membership of Linux 
Australia, been subscribed to one or more mailing lists hosted by Linux 
Australia. To continue being a list member, the list member accepts to 
be bound by this policy.


    Introduction and rationale


This document outlines policy in relation to acceptable use of mailing 
lists hosted by Linux Australia. This policy exists so that;


  *

    List participants have a clear understanding of what is acceptable

  *

    Moderators of the list alike have a clear understanding of what is
    acceptable and a basis to take corrective action if required

  *

    and so that mailing lists are a better instrument for furthering the
    values of Linux Australia - open technology, community, freedom,
    respect and diversity.


This policy therefore articulates boundaries around acceptable use of 
mailing lists hosted by Linux Australia, and defines appropriate actions 
and recourse where those boundaries are transgressed.


    Policy


 1.


          Creation of lists


     1.

        Any Member of Linux Australia may request in writing to Council
        that a mailing list ('list') be created. The request will
        contain the purpose of the list and the names of 2 (two)
        proposed Moderators, who will be Members of Linux Australia.
        Council will consider the creation request, and if approved
        ensure the list is created with the nominated Moderators
        ascribed appropriate privileges in line with this policy.

     2.

        The decision to reject a list creation request is final and
        cannot be appealed, although the Council must provide a
        justification for rejection in writing to the requestor.

     3.

        By default lists will be created such that;

         1.

            They are publicly viewable and archived

         2.

            They are not in moderation by default

         3.

            That subscription requests must be confirmed

         4.

            That only list participants may post to the list

Deviations from these defaults will be negotiated on a case by case 
basis with the list Moderators to best suit the needs of the list.

 2.


          Appointment of Moderators


     1.

        At creation, each list will have two Moderators appointed.
        Moderators will ensure that there are 2 (two) Moderators active
        for each list at all times, and will inform Council in writing
        if new Moderators should be appointed for a list.

     2.

        Council will consider such a request and act to ensure ongoing
        moderation for a list, or alternatively determine that the list
        should be decommissioned.


      3. Acceptable use of list


     1.

        A Linux Australia list may be created to support discussion,
        free and open exchange of ideas and to build social and
        intellectual capital amongst list participants in the fields of
        open technology, culture, hardware and software.

     2.

        List participants may subscribe voluntarily or be subscribed as
        part of their membership of Linux Australia, if they are a member.

     3.

        List participants shall be able to unsubscribe at any time.

     4.

        List participants shall ensure that postings they make to a list
        will not contain;

         1.

            offensive verbal or written remarks related to gender,
            sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body
            size, race or religion;

         2.

            sexual or violent imagery or written depictions thereof;

         3.

            sexist, racist, or other exclusionary jokes;

         4.

            deliberately inflammatory remarks intended to divide, damage
            or provoke ill will within the community - commonly referred
            to as 'troll bait'.


      4. Moderation of acceptable use of list

     1.

        Should a violation of clause 3(d) occur, the Moderators of a
        list should confer and reach consensus that a violation has
        occurred and that response action is warranted.

     2.

        The moderators may choose from an escalating list of response
        actions to ensure appropriate use of the list, including;


         1.

            Private email to the transgressor outlining how they have
            transgressed the policy and requesting them to refrain

         2.

            Temporarily banning the transgressor from the list for a
            period not exceeding thirty (30) days

         3.

            Placing the list into emergency moderation, whereupon each
            post is moderated

         4.

            Permanently banning the transgressor from the list

         5.

            Recommending to Linux Australia Council that the
            transgressor's membership of Linux Australia (if a member)
            be revoked in line with the Constitution


      5. Right to appeal


     1.

        In line with the principles of natural justice, a transgressor
        who is the target of a response action from a moderator under
        4(b) may appeal to Council.


     2.

        Council will deliberate and provide a ruling within 30 (thirty)
        days of receiving an appeal.


     3.

        Council may choose from the following outcomes;

         1.

            Council may uphold the actions of the Moderators

         2.

            Council may find that the actions of the Moderators were not
            in line with this policy and choose to counsel the
            Moderators or revoke their Moderation privileges and
            reinstate any privileges of the list member

         3.

            Council may find that the actions of the Moderators were
            lenient and apply harsher actions to the transgressor


-- 
Kathy Reid
Secretary
Linux Australia

secretary at linux.org.au
http://linux.org.au



Linux Australia Inc
GPO Box 4788
Sydney NSW 2001
Australia

ABN 56 987 117 479
	

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