The CAPAJoliet Listserv
What is a listserv?
Practically speaking, a listserv is an e-mail-based mailing list for a group of people who share similar interests, in this case, the work of the Cathedral Area Preservation Association (CAPA) and of the Cathedral Area neighborhood. When e-mail is addressed to a listserv mailing list, it is automatically distributed to everyone on the list, giving CAPA members a way to have open discussions with dozens or even hundreds of people through e-mail.
We call the CAPA e-mail listserve “CAPAJoliet”. It was created on April 8, 2000 as CAPA membership began to grow rapidly. It was seen as a means to enhance communication between members of the organization and as a way for CAPA Board members to send important information to members in a timely manner. A subscription to the CAPAJoliet listserv is a benefit of membership and also a privilege that must not be abused.
What is the listserv most frequently used for?
There are two primary uses:
- Let’s say you would like to find out if any of your neighbors/CAPA members can recommend a good plumber that understands the intricacies of old houses. Simply post a message to the listserv with your question. Your e-mail will automatically be distributed to all of those on the e-mail list. Then, anyone who wants to respond with the name and number of a good plumber can then do so. Their response will go to all those on the list, if they choose. As a result, you may receive a handful of great suggestions – but others on the list will also receive the response, so it’s a great way to share and learn.
- Another way that the listserv is used is for announcements and information sharing. The CAPA Board and other volunteers who coordinate activity and frequently make announcements to the CAPA membership use the listserv to communicate with members at times when “time is of the essence” and it is too costly or inconvenient to use regular mail or flyers to send out information to the membership.
There are numerous other ways to use the listserv. The two above are the most common. Please see the Usage Guidelines section below or contact the listserv administrator if you have any doubt about the content of the message you wish to send to the listserv.
How do I subscribe to the CAPAJoliet listserv?
It’s easy. Simply send an e-mail with your name, address, and a request to join the list to: CAPAJoliet-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Your request will be sent to the listserv owner or moderator, who will approve or deny the request based on your identity. (This is an important step, because often, we have people who are not CAPA members, who are spammers, or who are those simply seeking access to our mailing list try to join the listserv.) Once approved, you will receive a confirmation message informing you that you have been added to the listserv. New members will automatically receive a copy of this usage and guidelines brochure upon being approved.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Does CAPA own the server and software for the CAPAJoliet listserv?
No. CAPA takes advantage of a free service provided called Yahoo! Groups which owns the computer servers and software for the listserv. CAPA has simply signed up for the right to use the service free of charge.
Why are there advertisements associated with the listserv?
You’ll find advertisements on e-mails posted via the listserv. These advertisements allow our listserv to be provided at no cost to CAPA. Please just ignore the ads, unless, of course, you’re interested. These ads are not endorsements and do not necessarily reflect the policies and/or official positions of CAPA.
Who can join the CAPAJoliet e-mail listserv?
Any CAPA member can join, provided they wish to participate in discussions that take place on the listserv or receive announcements that are sent through the system. As of May, 2007 there are 151 CAPA members subscribed to CAPAJoliet. This is a very small percentage of the CAPA membership. The more members who use the listserv, the richer the conversation and the more plentiful the knowledge base will be.
Who is subscribed to the listserv?
All of those who are part of the listserv are CAPA members. All the CAPA Board members are subscribed, as well as City of Joliet staff members, several of our City Councilpersons, as well as CAPA members who no longer live in our neighborhood but wish to still learn about what is happening here in the neighborhood.
What are those dates, announcements, and messages that appear at the bottom of every listserv message that gets sent out?
The information that you see in the “footer” of every e-mail is a series of standard announcements and upcoming events and important dates that are included by the CAPA listserv moderator.
What if I do not want to receive e-mails from the list as they are written and posted, but instead, want to receive one “digest” version of all the day’s e-mails at the end of each day? Simply send an e-mail to the list administrator requesting the digest version of messages at: CAPAJoliet-owner@yahoogroups.com and this can be arranged.
How will I know which of the messages I receive on a daily basis are from the CAPAJoliet listserv members?
All messages sent through the listserve include [CAPA Listserv] in the subject line of the e-mail. This helps you distinguish those which you receive through the listserv.
If I join the CAPAJoliet listserve will I get spam or unwanted e-mails?
No! The CAPAJoliet listserve is a closed e-mail list, meaning that membership must be approved by the list moderator, which is currently the CAPA President. No spam is ever sent and rarely (if ever) does inappropriate material appear.
What if I no longer want to be part of the list?
If you move out of the neighborhood, or if you no longer want to be subscribed, simply send an e-mail to us at info@capajoliet.net and we’ll take you off this list. (It’s just as easy to re-subscribe if you change your mind!) You can also unsubscribe manually by sending an e-mail to: CAPAJoliet-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
What happens to messages sent on the listserv if my mailbox is full or if I stop using a particular e-mail address?
If you no longer use your e-mail address or e-mail is “bouncing” when sent to your address, the listserv administrator will receive a message from Yahoo! Groups. Yahoo! Groups will automatically send messages to the bouncing e-mail address every week to try and reconnect with the member. Members whose e-mail bounces for more than a month will be deleted from the listserv membership and will need to re-subscribe to join the list again.
CAPAJoliet USER GUIDELINES
CAPAJoliet listserv members are expected to adhere to the guidelines set forth in this document, as well as any future additions. By subscribing to CAPAJoliet, you agree to be bound by these guidelines. CAPAJoliet members who do not follow the guidelines may be removed from the list at the discretion of the listserv administrator.
Sending/posting a message to the listserv:
To send or post a message to the listserv, simply address your e-mail to CAPAJoliet@yahoogroups.com
How long will it take for my e-mail message to be distributed to those on the list? In most cases, messages are distributed within 3-5 minutes of clicking “send.” However, depending on how heavy traffic is on the listserv, and depending on the speed of the servers at Yahoo! Groups, it can sometimes take 12-24 hours for a message to be distributed. This is very rare.
What happens when I want to reply to a message I receive via the listserv?
The REPLY button addresses your message to the entire list. To send your message to a specific person, you will need to retype that person's e-mail address in the “To” field when you reply. Otherwise, your reply intended for specific individuals will, instead, go to the entire list.
I would like to advertise a product that I sell as part of my business. Can I use the listserv to do this?
The CAPAJoliet listserv is intended for non-commercial use only. Subscribers should, therefore, refrain from posting advertisements of products or services in which they have a direct or indirect financial interest. We invite you to spread the word about your service or product through the various sponsorship opportunities that CAPA offers. Please visit www.capajoliet.net for additional information.
I’m selling my house or have an apartment to rent. Can I use the listserv to make an announcement about this?
At this time, the CAPA Board has indicated that the listserv should not be used for the advertisement of properties for sale or for rent. However, CAPA is currently developing a page on our website that will facilitate communication about properties for sale in the neighborhood.
COMMON LISTSERV ETIQUETTE
- Once you click the SEND button, you can't get the e-mail back.
- Be kind when writing e-mail. People cannot see your facial expressions and something you intended as humorous may not be received in kind.
- Don't write in ALL CAPITAL letters as it is perceived as "e-mail shouting."
- Participate, but don't overwhelm your neighbors with long and/or multiple e-mails.
- When you send a message to the list, please include your full name at the bottom, so that other list members will know who sent the message (this isn’t always evident when referring to the e-mail address of the sender. Some e-mail programs do not always include the e-mail address of the sender in the “From” line of the e-mail. You may also want to include your e-mail address along with your name at the bottom of each e-mail.
- Please include a descriptive subject line in each posting.
- Use discretion when composing and posting your messages; there is always the possibility that your message may be received by someone other than your intended audience.
- E-mail listservs are as good, and only as good, as the subscribers make them. Lists work best when people bring fresh knowledge and ideas to the table. New ideas can stimulate discussion. Trivial comments often kill discussion. Write thoughtful things and everyone will benefit from the list.
DISCLAIMER:
The Cathedral Area Preservation Association (CAPA) is not responsible for information posted by list participants. Opinions expressed by members of this list are not necessarily the views of CAPA. Please use your professional judgment in evaluating the appropriateness and application of the information posted. As stated above, commercial advertisements and defamatory remarks should not be included on this forum. CAPA reserves the right to revoke a subscription to this list that violates this policy.
CONTACT:
For questions, comments, concerns, or to report technical difficulties about the listserv, send your e-mail to Kurt Schackmuth (listserv administrator) at CAPAJoliet-owner@yahoogroups.com
