Dr. Ted Flickinger
IAPD President and Chief Executive Officer
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ARE YOU ON BOARD?
Networking
It Isn't Just for Conference Anymore |
Networking. As a board member you are well aware of the importance of meeting with people for opportunities to make new connections, solve tough problems and cultivate professional standing. But generally, networking requires that you go to yet another meeting or event, spend another night away from your family or work. Networking can be fun and rewarding, but it can also be inconvenient. IAPD now has a new way for you to network -literally and virtually - and you don't need to leave work early or get home late. You can network anytime, day or night, seven days a week. And it won't cost you a dime. How? Access the new ListServers on IAPD's web site and you will immediately be connected to other IAPD board members or professionals to make new connections, to solve tough problems and to cultivate professional standing - to network.
What is a ListServer?
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ListServers speak to one of the primary functions of just about every organization today:
providing a platform for members to communicate with other members.
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A ListServer is an
opportunity for people to "meet," virtually, to facilitate person-to-person interaction through an established online group. According to Robert MacKenzie, the manager of web site content and publications for the Canadian Society of Association Executives, a ListServer is an "e-mail-based communication system that allows single e-mail communications to be shared with large groups of users." The old adage, "two heads are better than one," applies here. Through the ListServer, you can submit a question or concern and have hundreds of people consider the problem and provide solutions for your consideration.
How do you Subscribe?
Getting this service is easy. Go to the IAPD web site at www.ilparks.org/programs_listserver.htm. IAPD is initially offering four forums on its ListServer:
1. Boardmanship: Potential subjects could range from evaluating an executive director to questions about forming model ethics ordinances to gathering up foursomes for the IAPD golf tour.
2. Executive directors: Here's where directors could exchange ideas about budgeting, hiring employees or working with the board.
3. Eagle Eye: Members of agencies that use the Eagle Eye Neighborhood Park Watch Program - and those that are thinking about adopting it - can exchange ideas about how it can work more effectively. 4. Legal/legislative issues: Share your experiences on how to reduce liability claims, write better contracts and adhere to new laws. You need to decide which groups are right for you. Once you've signed up, IAPD will verify that you are with the correct groups, so when you post your comment or question, you're sure to reach - and hear from - the experts you need.
How it Works
On IAPD's ListServer, you will get an e-mail each time someone posts to your group. But if you do not want an e-mail for every posting, you may choose to receive postings in digest or indexed forms. In digest mode, you'll receive only one e-mail each day containing all the messages contributed to the group for the
6 ¦ Illinois Parks and Recreation
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Guidelines for Posting to the ListServer
Post to ListServer
When posting, submit your message in plain text.
Keep it Relevant
Keep your postings related to the identified topics. If you want to share ideas on other topics, use personal e-mail.
Do Not Autorespond
If you plan to use an autoresponder (an automatic reply that is sent to everyone who e-mails you) when you are going to be away from your e-mail, you should change your ListServer setting to "no mail." If you don't disable your autoresponder, then every ListServer message will prompt an autoresponse to the entire list, jamming the list with useless messages.
Make Sure Your Message is Pertinent to the Entire List
If you wish to reply to a specific individual (e.g., to request fax or attachment), do not reply to the entire list. Use the individual's e-mail address and request or share your information.
Do Not Post Pricing, Terms/Conditions of Sales, Salaries, Profit Information, or Human Resources Confidential Information
Messages that encourage or facilitate an agreement about the following subjects are inappropriate: prices, discounts, or terms or conditions of sale; salaries; profits, profit margins or cost data; or selection, rejection or termination of venders, services, suppliers or employees.
Do Not Advertise Services or Job Listings
The ListServer is a discussion forum, not an advertising vehicle. Contact individuals directly with products and services you believe would help them.
Be Mindful that Messages Are NOT Confidential
As with any e-mail communication, messages on the ListServer are not confidential. Users must assume that any information posted is accessible by others, including employers and employees.
Be Courteous
Please treat everyone with respect. Refrain from using angry or condescending tones toward individuals when posting to the list. Abusive and obscene language will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the list. All defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, offensive or illegal materials are strictly prohibited.
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previous 24 hours. In index mode, you'll receive one e-mail each day that contains the subject lines of all the messages posted to the group in the previous 24 hours. If you are interested in any of the messages, the bottom of the index gives the email command that will retrieve the bodies of the messages. If you'd like no mail whatsoever from your group, you can choose the "no mail" option. In this mode you can go to the group's web page to read and post messages.
Sometimes you may want to change your settings. For example, when you know you will be away from your computer for a week or so, you may want to choose the "no mail" option. Here's how:
1. Go to the ListServer main page at www.ilparks.org/programs_listserver.htm.
2. Click the "Change Your Settings" button.
3. Choose the ListServer you want to change your settings for (e.g. "Boardmanship"),
4. Let the pop-up screens guide you from there.
If you are subscribed to more than one ListServer (e.g., "Boardmanship" and "Eagle Eye"), you will have to repeat the process to change your settings for each ListServer. There is no limit to how many times you can change your settings.
What's in it for You?
You may wonder how this service will benefit you or your agency, since you already "talk" to lots of people every day. As an IAPD member or friend, it's free, and as Robert MacKenzie points out, "ListServers are much more than simply another channel for talking to members. ListServers speak to one of the primary functions of just about every organization today: providing a platform for members to communicate with other members."
So, if you are a commissioner, executive director, or a park and recreation professional, this service will provide you with access to people as resources and problem-solvers who would otherwise be unavailable.
ListServers will never replace seminars, golf outings or the annual conference: We learn too much, have too much fun and create too much of a group camaraderie to ever let that happen. But ListServers will help build our IAPD community, providing members a forum at which to talk about a variety of issues at any time. Even at 1:00 o'clock in the morning, that community is now just a few clicks and keystrokes away. All it takes is for you to sign up.
May/ June 2004 7
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