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Subject: Orange County, NC Beekeepers

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  • From: Todd Walker <mtwalker AT imageray.net>
  • To: Orange County Bees <ocba AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [ocba] The state of the OCBA ListServ
  • Date: Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:00:59 -0400

There have been some recent posts on the listserv by a few folks who seem to want get on on a soapbox and rant or simply "stir the pot". Since this started a couple of months ago approximately 20 people have unsubscribed from the list. Some emailed to inform me of their reason or to ask me how to go about it. Others simply, to paraphrase Jim, quietly unsubscribed. That is sad. We no longer have a way to reach them to invite them to meetings, to help or be helped with beekeeping, recruit them as volunteers for club events, etc. Additionally, because of the recent activity there have been several requests to moderate the list. I have researched it somewhat and wanted to let the group know what I have found.


The listserv system through our web host is fairly simple. It does have some controls but they are also fairly simple, would need to be set up, and need to be monitored. Personally, I don't want to devote my energy to it and nor do I think we should do it. Members should be able to freely use this listserv (within reason). However, the primary purpose of the OCBA ListServ is for us to communicate with each other about club events, news, meetings, etc. It doesn't work well for lengthy debates (and never for rude ones). The software is, in my opinion, not sophisticated enough for that kind of exchange. There are several good forums out there that work as a better venue. I would ask that you use those for this kind of debate. A few I would recommend are:


General beekeeping:

http://www.beesource.com/

http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/


and for a purely organic discussion:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/Organicbeekeepers/


Myself, Geneva, and Lewis have all sent out emails trying to encourage people to keep it civil but they don't seem to have much effect. So I will be blunt. If you want to get folks stirred up, if you want to pick fights, if you want to make inflammatory statements, if you want to be rude… TAKE IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. However, if you need help or want to help someone else, if you want to find out about club meetings and events, if you want to give a report from the apiary that may help or be of interest, if you catch a swarm or do a cutout and want to tell/brag/cry about it…THIS IS THE PLACE!


Myself and the other officers have been working hard to try to make the OCBA a great resource for its members and the community. I have received quite a bit of positive feedback and really appreciate it. We are all volunteers and take time out of our lives and jobs to devote energy to the club. It helps to know people are getting something out of it. That being said, a few individuals have made some disparaging (and inaccurate) remarks about the officers in respect to their work in the club and the bee school. Since none of them bothered to address us directly but rather made comments on lists (that we also happen to read), I don't feel the need to respond directly. However, to the rest of you… we really want to do a good job and to do what we can to help you be successful beekeepers. If you have ideas for the club or issues with what we are doing or how we are doing it, please feel free to contact us to discuss it. Our contact info is on the club website. If you would like to take a greater role in the club, please let us know. We could use the help. If you REALLY want to take a greater role, elections are in November and we welcome new energy. 


So in closing, I am not going to take any steps to moderate the list. I think Randall's suggestion is the best solution at this time. Changing your email client settings to block those making comments that bother you will keep your inbox clear, while allowing those that do want those emails to still receive them. I really hope the listserv can go back to being a civil resource for the club. We have a lot of fun and interesting events scheduled this year and would like to reach as many folks as possible.


Sincerely, 


Todd



  • [ocba] The state of the OCBA ListServ, Todd Walker, 04/09/2012

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