Conference turris::womannotes-v2

   Because the policy string was becoming uncomfortably long, we decided
   to condense it, summarising the history of the changes so that we
   don't lose track of how things have evolved...OR the very fact that
   we're still working on who we are as a community and how we want to
   do all this!   
    
   It isn't necessary to read this history to know where we are today;
   current file policy is contained in 1.2 et seq. 
   
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .1  (23AP86)  At Tom Blinn's suggestion, I made explicit the fact
                 that participation by men is welcomed and encouraged.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .2  (25AP86)  The burden of the formal "Press Release":
   
       To all DEC-ies, women AND men: 

       Please feel free to participate in the new, open VAXnotes
       notesfile =WOMANNOTES=, dedicated to discussion of all topics
       of interest to women. 
                             
       Essentially any subject is fair game.  Career, family,
       children, education, health, hopes, poetry, sport, DEC, world
       events,.... 
    
       Whatever. 
    
       Real-world (as opposed to intimate) relations between men and
       women are certainly a potentially legitimate subject: men
       know very little of us as people...and perhaps we are nearly
       as ignorant about them. 
    
       Sexism whether overt or covert is unwelcome.  It's expression
       will be the subject either of gentle correction or scathing
       criticism according to the will of the community in the
       actual event. 
       
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .3  (06MY86) If we want to preserve our community, we must do
   two things:  contribute to the discussions, and not harrass each
   other by extracting and republishing material in an offensive
   way.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .4  (09JL86) Brief introductions solicited from *all* members,
   including read-onlys.  Women in 2.*, men in 7.*
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .7  (20OC86) Karen Taber ("Bugsy") agreed to help out as co-mod
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .8  (07NO86) 107.0 becomes the first note to be set hidden because
   of an objection.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .11 (28JA87) Anonymous postings via the moderators are explicitly
   encouraged whenever desired. "No one should ever have to refrain from
   starting or participating in discussions because of fear." 
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .14 (02AP87) Bonnie Reinke agrees to replace Karen, who has taken
   on other responsibilities that keep her too busy, as co-mod.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .16 (07AP87) We reserve the right do summarily delete entries
   posted anonymously by someone other than one of the moderators.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .20 (07JL87) We clarify that our policy is to only hide or delete
   notes when we're forced to do so.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .21 (08JL87) A pointer to 378.0 et seq.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .24 (19AU87) We are voted (438.*) the authority to summarily delete
   or otherwise dispose of "trashnotes", defined as "entries that appear
   to be pointlessly provocative, or otherwise devoid of worthy content
   according to the purposes for which this file exists. Notes that are
   merely light-heartedly trivial are specifically *not* considered
   trashnotes within the meaning of this policy.  Since any action is
   necessarily a judgement call on the part of the moderator(s)
   involved, you might wish to save a copy of any marginal submissions
   for later re-posting if needed.  Responses that will be "orphaned" by
   the removal of a trashnote will also be removed." 
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .25 (20AU87) Keywords are made available and their use encouraged
   where appropriate:
     DEC           HOME            STRAIGHT
     EEO           KIDS            TRADITIONAL
     FAMILY        LESBIAN         WC2
     FEMINISM      NETWORKING      WC4
     FOOD          RELATIONSHIPS   WORK
     FUN           SO
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .28 (04OC87)  In response to objections from members of the
   community (mostly men), we delete the original 1.28 (a clip of
   another note, written by Lee Tatistcheff).
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .29 (09OC87)  A current-directory string (500.*) is finally established.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .34 (27OC87)  Some housekeeping requests:
       
    -- If the link to the file hangs, please control-Y out, not control-C.
    -- Please don't leave a connection to the file unless you are actively
       reading it.
    -- Please defer exciting things (like major extracts) til off-hours.
    -- Please don't run multiple simultaneous connects unless you really
       need to.
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .38 (16DE87)  We plead for fewer tangents and (again) for fewer
   duplicate topics (check the directory:  your topic may have been
   discussed last year and all it needs is revival)
   --------------------------------------------------------------------
   .39 (01JA88)  Liz Augustine and Holly Hendricks join us as co-mods.
   New blood!  (and zero sense of self-preservation)
   --------------------------------------------------------------------

    This file is meant to serve as a forum for the discussion of topics
    that are interesting or important to women.  Essentially any topic is
    fair game:  art, children, cookery, crafts, family, history, home,
    humor, life, politics, religion, sport, spouses, work, the world...
    anything at all. 
   
    In this file, the views of *all* DEC women --all skin colors, ages,
    nationalities, jobs, sexual orientations, native languages, and degrees
    of feminist/traditionalist consciousness are sought for and welcomed.
    This is our place to talk with one another. 
   
    While we also generally encourage and support participation by men
    in this space, this file does not exist to meet men's needs for
    education or sport. Whenever it seems clear to us that the needs of
    women and the needs of men are in conflict --and ONLY in that
    limited case-- the needs of women will take precedence and we will
    take whatever action seems appropriate to meet those needs. 
                                                                
    Whether this file succeeds or fails is up to the members of the
    community, not the moderators.  We will do our best to manage the file
    on an ad hoc basis, but formal policy decisions are made by the members
    of the community through a balloting process. The privilege of voting
    is limited to those members registered in notestrings 2.* or 7.*.
    Where the voting reveals a division of opinion by sex, the views of the
    women will prevail.  We will enforce whatever decisions are taken in
    this way by the community.  

       
    In general, we encourage all types of discussions here. However, some
    notes need to be answered with tenderness, sensitivity and support. At
    those times, judgement and nit-picking are inappropriate. 
   
    When you start a new topic that you are particularly sensitive about,
    please let other noters know what type of response you want, and be as
    specific as you can. For example, say something like: 
      .  I need support only right now
      .  I need support and also welcome supportive questions
      .  I would like support and also welcome discussion pro and con
      .  I'd like feedback from other noters
      .  All responses welcome
   
    We, the moderators, expect all noters to comply with these requests.
    Next time you see a note that starts something like: 
      .  I'm having trouble with...
      .  I'm at the end of my rope...
      .  I have a deeply painful problem...

    Please stop, think and feel. In a similar situation, how would you
    feel? What kind of response would you want? What kind of response has
    been asked for? How can you be most helpful to this person? Will you
    feel proud of your response? 
    
    Thank you
    Bonnie, Holly, Liz & Maggie
    

    
    In this file, you may occasionally feel offended by something you 
    read here. You may even be inspired to write an attacking note in 
    reply, but that approach quickly leads to name-calling and counter-
    attacks. Instead, please follow these guidelines when deciding what 
    to do:

    1) Think about whether the author intended something else.
       Is there an alternate interpretation for what you read? If you
       knew that the author was having a bad day or that English is not 
       their native tongue, would you feel differently? Do you object 
       to the author's style or to the content of the note?
    
    2) Do a reality check.  
       Are you feeling extra sensitive? Would you still feel offended
       after waiting 24 hours? Ask a friend or two whether they're 
       offended by the same material.
    
    3) Contact the author.
       Send mail to the author. One way to avoid putting the author on 
       the defensive is to explain how their note made you feel. Also
       describe what you want the author to do. Come to a mutually 
       acceptable resolution.
    
    4) Contact the moderators.
       Explain why you feel offended, what steps you've taken, and what 
       action you'd like us to take. We will try to respond in a timely
       manner. 
    
    Bonnie, Holly, Liz & Maggie
    
    

    I just finished a spec for a challenging project and am starting
    to write the course today.  For the rest of this year working on
    this course may preclude much active participation in notes.
    
    After thinking about it a lot, I decided that I didn't feel right
    about continuing to be a moderator of womannotes if I couldn't commit
    to keeping up with the file on a very regular basis.
    
    I'll still be reading and even writing occasionally, but mostly
    on weekends.
    
    Holly Hendricks
    

    We have been notified by Corporate Personnel of a forthcoming
    revision to corporate policy 6.54 that will clearly invalidate our
    FWO/FGD program. Accordingly, the moderators will no longer enforce
    the FWO restrictions, and from this moment on *any* member of the
    community may write an appropriate response in *any* open notestring
    in this file.  No restriction will be enforced based on the sex
    membership of the author. 

    Basenotes may still be marked FWO (and if so marked should still be
    followed by an FGD basenote), but such FWO flags must be recognised
    as being no more than polite requests for self-restraint.

    Please let's all join together in making this policy revision work
    to the benefit of our community. 

    						in Sisterhood,
    						=maggie

    It has once again been brought to my attention that people who
    have written to this file have received mail in response to their
    notes that they regarded as harassing. This information seldom
    comes to any of the moderators directly, but rather second or
    third hand, so that we are unable to do anything about the
    situaton. We would appreciate it if people receiving such mail
    let us know about it. Also we would request that when you send
    mail, especially on issues that you care very strongly about, that
    you be careful not to do so in a fashion that could be interpreted
    as harassing or bullying other noters.

    Thankyou
    
    Bonnie J Reinke
    comoderator

    When you need some sort of moderator action, please send mail to at
    least two (if not all) of us if you mind waiting for the results. On
    occasion, one of us returns from vacation or sick leave to find a
    series of messages from an author who's convinced that she's being
    ignored. 
    
    Thanks
    Liz Augustine, comoderator
        

    In an effort to find time for life outside the computer ;')  Bonnie,
    Liz, and I have invited three other women to join us for at least a
    brief stint as moderators.  Oddly enough they all accepted. 
    
    They are going to be spending the next two weeks getting acclimated
    before actually taking on their new responsibilities, and I feel quite
    sure that if everyone treats them even half so well as we've been
    treated, they will feel well-supported indeed.
    
    Please join us in welcoming Jody Bobbitt, AnnMarie Lupacchino, and
    Mary Ellen Zurko to the =womannotes= staff.
    
    						in Sisterhood,
    						=maggie 
    

    
    We've recently learned that a Digital employee has been contacting
    women members of this community and, in the context of seeking
    information and help with a personal relationship, engaging in
    sexually explicit conversations with them.  We have asked him to
    stop and to seek further help through more conventional channels
    such as the EAP. 
    
    Here are some things you can do if this person contacts you: 

    1) Do not feel obligated to answer any questions at all.   
    
    2) If you are talking to this person and start to feel
    uncomfortable, let him know that you feel this way and disengage
    from the conversation.  For example, "I don't want to be rude, but I
    don't feel comfortable talking about personal matters with you and I
    want to stop now.  Goodbye." 
    
    3) Let the moderators know *right away* so that we can work on
    preventing this behavior in the future.  This is important! 
    
    Thank you
    the moderators
              

    Several people have asked about FWO and FGD notes. Occasionally,
    women may wish to have notes that are For Women Only (FWO). This
    convention is a courtesy and is unenforceable. 
    
    If you'd like to have an FWO note, please do the following:
    - Put "FWO" in the title of the topic.
    - The very next base topic should be "For general discussion"
      and should have the acronym "FGD" in its title.
    - We request that men refrain from writing in the FWO topic.
    
    Liz Augustine
    =wn= comoderator
    

    The moderators would like once again to remind everyone that this
    file is intended to be a supportive place for *all* women at DEC, of
    whatever political, social, or sexual orientation...and particularly
    of women whose views, orientation or status tends to place them in a
    minority within our community. 
    
    If moderator assistance is needed in order for your views to be heard,
    your legitimate needs to be met, or your activity to go forward without
    hassle, please let one or more of us know by email.  We promise early,
    vigorous, and impartial action. 
    
                            

    Dear friends,
    
    As of today, I am taking off my "moderator hat" and returning to
    life as a womannotes civilian. I've thought hard about this decision,
    and it's come about for a number of reasons. My intention is to
    remain a member of this community and to continue working on issues
    of concern to women at DEC. 
    
    I've been working with the other moderators in order to ensure a
    smooth transition. Rest assured that this file is in the hands of
    five very capable women.
    
    My thanks go to my sister moderators and to other members of the
    community who have supported me and worked with me. I'll see you
    all around the network.
    
    
    Liz Augustine

    
    From time to time authors post basenotes or responses from "generic"
    accounts that are used by more than one person.  Such accounts can
    range from "duty" accounts, such as for operators or security
    personnel, to "transient" accounts such as those given to people who
    are away from their home system for training or other temporary
    purposes.
    
    The problem arises when people use such accounts without further
    identifying themselves in the body of their notes.  Without such
    personal identification, determining the name of the author can be a
    time-consuming activity if it should become necessary for some reason.
    
    Because of this lack of accountability, postings from generic accounts
    are not allowed in this file unless the appropriate condition has been
    met:
    
    1) duty accounts: the author has introduced her/himself in 2.* or 3.*
    and signs her/his notes.
    
    2) transient accounts:  each note includes the name and usual email
    address (node::account) of the author.
    
    
    This is in no way meant to discourage members of our community from
    posting anonymously via one of the moderators.  In those cases, there
    is no violation of systems security because a responsible party --the
    moderator-- does know the identity of the otherwise-anonymous author.

    						=maggie

    
    The moderators of Womannotes wish the community to understand that we
    support their efforts to communicate their opinions within this
    notesfile, according to the guidelines of this notesfile. 

    If anyone feels they have been the target of harassment or attempted
    intimidation because of something they have communicated in this
    notesfile, we strongly urge them to keep full records of the
    experience(s) (dates, times, copies of mail, transcriptions of
    telephone contacts) and make copies of them available to us along with
    any request for action.  In no other way will we be able to take any
    effective steps to correct such abuses, should they occur. 

    The co-moderators of this file perceive a need for a more sensitive way
    to discuss certain topics.  After reading through the anonymous survey
    responses, the topical discussion of "safe space", and after watching
    several times how a basenote dealing with some painful and sensitive
    issues will still get replies that include censure, moral judgement,
    and insensitive discussion, we have decided to try extending the
    FWO/FGD concept to meet the need for a safer environment. 

    Like the FWO/FGD system (see 1.* for details), these topics will have
    two parallel, adjacent strings, the first labeled SRO (Supportive
    Responses Only) and the other FGD (For General Discussion).  SRO/FGD
    notes may be started by either women or men. 

    "Supportive" responses, in this instance, will show respect for the
    intelligence and motivation of the basenote author, use non-judgemental
    and non-insulting language, and will be aimed at helping the basenote
    author move along the path that she or he is choosing.  We will move
    responses from the SRO to the FGD string if it appears they do not meet
    these criteria. 

    Hopefully, even the replies in the FGD note will be written with regard
    to the basenote author's feelings.  The FGD note will allow people more
    room to conjecture, question, and explore alternatives that might be
    slightly more forceful or awkward than the basenoter (and anyone else
    in a similar position) would like to read. 

    Please use this mechanism for topics which are highly emotionally
    charged for you.  You can also post anonymously through the
    co-moderators, and request the discussion be in the form of an SRO/FGD
    topic. 

    If you have any questions on how, or whether or not, to use this new
    method of seeking community resonse and support, please get in touch
    with any of the co-moderators. 

    Thank you. 
    
    Mez Zurko
    Maggie Tarbet
    Bonnie Reinke
    Jody Bobbitt
    

    Due to increased availability of disk space, Volume 1 of our file is
    once again available online for reference.  To add it to your notebook, 
    type 
    
    	ADD ENTRY somename/FILE=MOSAIC::WOMANNOTES-V1
    
    							=maggie

    Participation by all members of our community (and particularly by
    women) is always actively encouraged.  
    
    To preserve the environment we have all painstakingly built over
    several years, please avoid the harsh, confrontative noting styles 
    that are popular in "vigorous discussion" files such as =soapbox=. 
    While the impact of such a style may not be obvious to the person using
    it, it is typically an aversive experience for people who find
    themselves on the receiving end involuntarily.
    
    Where indicated, we will take action to control the spread of such
    styles.
    
    						Bonnie
    						Jody
    						=maggie
    						Mez

    Besides being a potential violation of copyright laws, posting 
    articles, songs, etc. in their entirety is unfair to the authors
    when they lose the royalty they would otherwise be paid from the
    sale of additional copies of their work.  If no such loss is likely,
    there is no problem.
    
    Unless changed by formal vote of the community, our policy is that
    posting of published work must meet ONE of the following criteria:
    
    a)  the poster has sought and obtained the permission of the author/
        copyright holder and makes reference to that in the first line of
        the note. 
    
    b)  the material posted is an excerpt from a larger work.  This is
        legitimate under copyright law.  Many reviewers, for example, will
        reprint a small selection of poems from a collection; although the
        selected poems are reprinted whole, they typically represent only 
        a small fraction of the whole work being reviewed.
    
    c)  the work posted is not copyrighted (ie, long out of date, or
        specifically identified as being in the public domain).  The words
        to the children's song "Row Row Row Your Boat" is an example of
        public-domain material.
    
    d)  the source is not something casual readers could be expected to
        obtain.  Examples:  yesterday's local newspaper;  an out-of-print
        book; an out-of-date copy of a magazine.
    
    e)  the source is available free of charge to subscribers and not
        generally available to anyone else.  Example:  EE Times; a church
        newsletter.
    
    

    Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the
    United States or by any state on account of sex.
    
    The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate
    legislation, the provisions of this article.
    
    This amendment shall take effect two years after the date of
    ratification.
    
    ==================================================================
    
    This is the full and complete text of the proposed Equal Rights
    Amendment.  

    						=maggie

    We are experiencing problems with the network lines in and out of LJO2. 
    The phone company, from whom we lease the lines, has been called and we
    are awaiting their action.
    
    						=maggie

    Ron Glover, the new P&P Manager, recently wrote a memo prohibiting the
    posting of any negative comments about third-party businesses.  Until
    the intent and extent of this memo can be clarified, if you have had a
    negative experience with a third-party business (this includes
    professional practitioners such as doctors and lawyers) please say only
    that you have dealt with the business in question and that you are
    willing to report on that experience by mail or phone. 
    
    						=maggie

    
    
    Every time I have to read or write this clarification, I wish Barbara
    Walker had chosen a less foggy term than "Valuing Differences".
    
    To "value" differences doesn't mean to *approve* of them, it means to
    *evaluate* them.  
    
    Some are an asset in terms of the momentary context, some a liability;
    most are a mixture...and a very large percentage are simply
    *irrelevant* (eg, hair color), though we may judge them "bad" or "good"
    out of our own fears, desires, childhood training, or whatever.  Most
    traits that aren't irrelevant (eg, sex membership) vary from "asset" to
    "liability" and back as the context changes.
    
    So let's take sex membership as an example:  being a female may or may
    not be an asset if a baby must be breast-fed but being a male is
    certainly a liability; being male or female is probably irrelevant if
    there's an engineering task to be done; being female is probably a
    liability if raw physical strength is needed; being female or male is
    probably irrelevant if artistic ability is needed;....  Fill in some
    blanks yourself.
    
    Similarly race membership, sexual orientation, national identity,
    musical ability, skin color, psychological tenacity....   All of
    varying "value" depending on context in the moment.
    
    The only people who fail to "value differences" are those who fail to
    think hard and continuously about them.  
    
    						=maggie

    When writing, please remember that surface-critical language which
    seems obviously ironic to you, such as "musta been those damn [members
    of an ethnic group]", may not seem so ironic to a member of the group
    in question.  This is particularly true if the group has traditionally
    been the target of slurs and unjustifiable attributions.
    
    If you're making such a reference, and there is *any* possibility of
    your intentions being misinterpreted, please be careful to either
    clearly label the irony or, preferably, figure out some other way to
    express yourself.
     

    
    There has been a question recently about the use of SRO/FGD notes.  As
    with FWO/FGD notes, any member of the community can post (either by
    themselves, or anonymously through a co-moderator) their own SRO/FGD
    basenote-pair providing they:

1.  follow the guidelines of this conference
2.  seem to warrant treatment via the SRO/FGD basenote-pair where
    they may be revealing information which they fear might be
    attacked or challenged in such a way that the basenote
    author may feel hurt by such responses to their sensitive
    issue.

    The concept of the SRO/FGD note pair was brought about by the need for
    sensitive responses to sensitive issues.  Responses to the SRO basenote
    must be sensitive, as the basenote author indicates.  However, the
    parallel FGD note WILL be For General Discussion, including whatever
    "open discussion" entails.  The primary use of the SRO/FGD split is so
    that the person who posted the SRO/FGD basenotes, and others who are in
    a similar position or have similar feelings, can garner the sensitivity
    and support they feel they need in the SRO topic, and yet need NOT read
    the FGD responses if they so choose.  

    The cluster on which the =womannotes= volumes are located now has a
    cluster alias that can be used to simplify getting through to the file
    when one or another of the component nodes is down.  You can use the
    alias by typing
    
    	MOD ENTRY whateveryoucallus/FILE=RANGER::WOMANNOTES-V2
    
    Once you've done that, you should always be able to get through to the
    file as long as at least one of the three nodes is running.

    
    It's hard to believe, but we'll be starting our *fifth* year tomorrow,
    thanks to all of us around the world, women and men alike.  It's been
    an interesting time for us all, hasn't it?
    
    Since we archived V1 on our second anniversary, this our fourth
    seems like a good point at which to move to Volume 3, since V2 is
    even larger than V1 was. Accordingly, if we can get the furniture in
    place in time, the new volume will open for business tomorrow at the
    expected address:
    
    		RANGER::WOMANNOTES-V3  (kp7 or select to add)
    
    ...and V2 will be locked and archived at the end of the month.
    
    					BonnieJ, Jody, =maggie & Mez

    
    A good long while ago, we (I think it was just Bonnie and I, that's
    *how* long ago!) asked Justine Sullivan to join us as a mod.  Having a
    good sense of self-preservation :-) she promptly turned us down flat! 
    But as you all know, we mods are nothing if not persistent and so we
    kept after her.  And she has finally given in:  she'll be joining us
    for the opening of Volume 3 tomorrow.
    
    As with all new mods, I extracted a promise that she'll give us at
    least six months before collapsing, and it was a good thing too: her
    first comment after watching us behind-the-scenes for two days was
    "Geesh, this is a busy job."
    
    Please join us in welcoming Justine to the WomanNotes staff.
    
    						in Sisterhood,
    						=maggie
                        

    �Anyone currently involved in an active discussion that would
    like the whole discussion or the topic note (at one extreme
    or the other) moved to the new file, please contact us and we
    will be glad to move notes (*within reason*) but check and
    see if your favorite topic is already in the new file.
    
    Don't hesitate to copy your old notes and edit them as appropriate
    for the new file. Ask the mods for advice if you have a problem.
    
    Bonnie J
    =wn= comod

    Volume 3 is finally open for business, thank you all for your patience.
    
    Rather than do a kp7-or-select, which would give you two entries with
    only the last letter different, thus forcing you to type the whole name
    every time, type these two lines at the Notes> prompt:
    
    	ADD ENTRY V3/FILE=RANGER::WOMANNOTES-V3
    
        MOD ENTRY whateveryoucallv2/NAME=V2
    
    now you can get at whichever one you choose by simply typing two
    letters.
    
    						=maggie

We're going to have to shut down V2 to replies sooner than expected (the system
is swamped with connects). I'll be locking the entire conference (no more
replies allowed) Wednesday (tomorrow) (if I can find the command :-).
	Mez

I've set V2 /NOWRITE.
	Mez