Guidelines for AACN E-mail Lists

1. The AACN e-mail list (aacn-list@googlegroups.com) is open only to AACN members in good standing, who agree to abide by the guidelines herein. Participation on the list is a privilege of membership that may be restricted or removed at the discretion of the AACN Board of Directors or its appointed list administrator. All of the statements herein also apply to the AACN community discussion list (community-aacn@googlegroups.com), except that it is also open to AACN affiliate members.

2. Postings on the lists are intended only for AACN list members, and should not be shared with non-list members who do not qualify for list inclusion without permission. Passing posts to attorneys for use in medico-legal applications is a violation of these rules and will result in loss of e-mail list privileges.

3. These lists are designed to stimulate exchange and debate of ideas and knowledge, including novel approaches. It is expected that members will employ solid empirical and clinical reasoning and avoid specious or pseudoscientific claims. It is not appropriate to make such claims in a provocative and repeated manner and doing so may result in suspension or termination of list privileges.

4. Names of patients or other confidential information should not ever be included in postings on these lists. In addition, list members must use their real names, sign all postings, and indicate when they have a financial interest in any product under discussion.

5. List members should take care to post personal replies or personal requests directly to the message sender, rather than to the entire list. Even if one deletes the e-mail list name from the "To" address line, some e-mail software will still send your one's response to everyone on the list. If one intends to contact an individual list-serve member "back channel" (i.e., without your message going to the entire list), it is best to launch a new e-mail and to manually enter that individual's e-mail address. It is further requested that list members edit the subject line of all postings to accurately reflect the subject.

6. The AACN and community discussion lists represent a professional community and there is an expectation at all times that members will display mutual respect and civility. Profanity, ad hominem accusations, and inflammatory comments will not be tolerated, and violators will be immediately contacted and informed that their behavior is considered unacceptable for the list. Their access to the AACN and community discussion e-mail lists may subsequently be restricted or removed entirely, depending on the nature of the transgression and whether previous warnings have already been given and disregarded. Some contributions, while not profane or directed personal attacks, may also be considered inappropriate by list members, and there may be no simple or objective way to define postings of this nature. The list administrator and Board of Directors may restrict or remove privileges at any time they consider such actions appropriate to the optimal functioning and community spirit of the list.

Any member who feels that he or she has been inappropriately restricted or removed from the list may petition the Board of Directors for a reconsideration of any sanction(s) imposed for alleged misconduct on the list.

7. The AACN Board of Directors appoints the list administrator. The list administrator and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors collectively make decisions about any issues that arise with respect to the e-mail lists. All actions taken to restrict a list member's access result from a committee decision, and no unilateral actions are taken.

8. Distribution of copyright protected information (e.g., PDFs of journal articles, test forms, other intellectual property, etc.) is prohibited. Violation of this policy may result in suspension of privileges on the list.

If a list member violates the letter or the intent of these rules, other list members may e-mail the list administrator with a description of the alleged violation. The current list administrator is Robert N. Davis, Ph.D., ABPP (dr.rob.davis@gmail.com). List members may also e-mail any of the Board members directly with concerns. A list of current Board members may be obtained at http://www.theaacn.org/board_of_directors/.

Additional Notes and Disclaimers

1. As is stated in the footer of all messages: The AACN Board requests that messages be treated as private communications among AACN members. However, the confidentiality of any communication cannot be assured.

2. These guidelines may continue to be updated, edited, or otherwise modified as needed. Changes will be announced to list members as they are made. Comments about these guidelines may be directed to the Board of Directors or the list administrator.