MPA Listserv

1. MPA SOCIAL MEDIA/LISTSERV PARTICIPATION

All participants are expected to read and follow the MPA Social Media & Listserv Policy.

The Communications Committee actively monitors the listserv, and please note that failure to follow the policy may result in suspension.

The summary below covers the basic rules for participation. It is not a substitute for reading the complete policy, but is meant to help you understand it at a glance.

2. SOCIAL MEDIA & LISTSERV SUSPENSION PROCEDURES

Failure to adhere to the MPA Social Media/Listserv Policy may result in suspension of privileges. The process is as follows:



• First violation: The member receives a reminder of the Social Media/Listserv Policy from MPA's Executive Director or the Communications Committee. In most cases, a general reminder is also posted to the list to help educate all members.
• Second violation: The member receives a private warning by email, along with a reminder of the rules and an explanation of the violation. The member is informed that a third violation will result in a six-month suspension from the forum.
• Third violation: The member is suspended from the forum for six months.

After the six-month suspension period, the member may request reinstatement by submitting a request to the Communications Committee for consideration. Reapplication does not guarantee immediate reinstatement.

• If reinstated, prior violations are disregarded, and the violation procedure begins again from the first step.
• If not reinstated, the member will receive an explanation of the decision.

All actions and decisions under this policy may be appealed to the Board of Directors.

In egregious cases, MPA's Executive Director may immediately suspend a violator without proceeding through the standard steps above.

3.  NETIQUETTE

Because some members are new to email discussion groups, the following etiquette guidelines are provided to help you navigate this type of communication. These norms have evolved as people have gained experience with email listservs, and they're especially important on the MPA list, where sensitive information about patient care or clinical approaches may be discussed.

• In your first message to the list, introduce yourself — your professional affiliation, where you live or practice, and any questions or requests you may have.
• Keep your messages constructive, courteous, brief, and to the point.
• Use an accurate subject line describing your message's content. When a thread evolves, the topic can shift without the subject line being updated. An accurate subject line helps members decide what's relevant and helps others follow the discussion.
• Send personal messages (e.g., "Enjoyed dinner last night!") directly to the intended recipient, not to the whole list.
• Sign each message and include your email address. Your email header or signature may already do this, but if you share an email account, be sure your name is identified, at minimum in your signature.
• Double-check the address line before sending. Some email programs make it easy to accidentally send to the whole group when you meant to reply to one person, which can be embarrassing or damaging. On the MPA list, "Reply All" sends to the entire listserv, while "Reply" responds only to the individual.
• Quote only as much of a previous message as needed for context. There's no need to repeat an entire conversation. When possible, place your reply at the top of the message so readers don't have to scroll through repeated content. This is especially important if you're using digest format.
• Be supportive of fellow list members. As discussions heat up, remember that tone doesn't always come through in writing. Please keep exchanges respectful and constructive.
• Use copyrighted material only with permission (see the Copyright guidelines above).
• When seeking opinions or advice on patient care, protect confidentiality by avoiding identifying details. For more direct support, contact the Professional Affairs Officer or the Ethics Committee. They're available to help.
• Do not copy or forward other members' listserv communications without their explicit permission. Messages on the list are intended for MPA listserv members only, which helps maintain trust and keeps discussions within their intended context.

Following these guidelines helps create a climate of trust, collegiality, and open, informative discussion.

4. JOINING THE MPA LISTSERV

Because this list is for MPA members only, anyone wishing to join must be approved in advance. To request access, contact the MPA office.

5. SENDING MESSAGES TO ALL MEMBERS ON THE LISTSERV

Once you've been accepted to the MPA listserv, you can send email postings to: MPA@lists.APAServices.org.

Choosing "Reply All" on MPA list messages sends your response to the entire listserv, while a simple "Reply" responds only to the individual who posted.

6. HOW TO ADJUST YOUR LISTSERV SETTINGS (Vacation, Digest, Unsubscribe, etc.)

Once you're on the MPA listserv, you can communicate directly with the listserv software to change how messages are delivered, temporarily pause mail, or unsubscribe.

To change your settings, send an email to listserv@lists.apaservices.org. Leave the subject line blank, and include only the designated command (see below) in the body of the message — no signature block.

7. LISTSERV ARCHIVES

The MPA listserv archive contains years of postings full of useful information. With just a few steps, you can browse and search a wealth of accumulated discussion and knowledge from fellow members.

The archives are available to MPA members currently subscribed to the listserv. If this is your first time accessing the archives, you'll need to set up a separate username and password. You cannot log in with your MPA member credentials.