RLS: Group reminder

[Guest guest]

Dear Group...

As a way of helping Jodi out, just a bit, I'm reposting one of our periodic

reminders on group protocol. It really helps ME, to review the list from

time to time. I can be one of the worst culprits...so...please join

me...and give it a read.

Please note, these are NOT my own ideas, I'm reposting from earlier emails.

Sometimes we forget and get off track a bit, posting jokes, personal

comments, reprimands, praise, etc. Please check the list, below, and be

reminded of what is appropriate. A little humor or disagreement is fine,

but we try to keep it to a minimum, so as not to offend and so we don't

overload people's mailboxes.

Here are a few subject matters that ARE appropriate...taken from the Group

Information site: http://www.mLists.net/judson/RLSINTRO.html Hopefully,

they will trigger interesting discussions.

WHAT TOPICS ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS GROUP?

--Introductory letters from new members, usually describing their symptoms

and history

--Medications, dosages, side effects, detoxification, augmentation, and

rebound

--Alternative therapies: brushing, massage, stretching, exercise, aroma

therapy, music, mind control, vitamins, diet, etc.

--Causes - We often do VERY unofficial surveys. (One member will post a

question and have everyone respond to him/she directly. He/she compiles the

results and posts them to the group.) We’ve discovered similar aggravations

as well as similar solutions. Some seem silly at first, until we find out

that lots of others have had the same experience.

--Descriptions of symptoms and other complicating illnesses

--Doctors: choosing a doctor, helping to locate one, how to inform your

doctor, how to insure good service

--Concerns with addiction or immunity to medications

--Other related problems, such as depression, family relations,

frustration, panic, etc.

--How to deal with RLS when going in for surgery, flying in airplanes, etc.

REMINDERS:

1. TRY TO AVOID EXPRESSING AN OPINION ON EVERYTHING to the whole group.

Use private email when appropriate.

2. AVOID POSTING PERSONAL MESSAGES TO THE LIST. If you're not sure, ask

yourself whether you think at least three people will benefit from reading

your letter. Unless someone has gone to extreme measures to help you,

please post thank-you messages or praises privately, too.

3. POST PERSONAL ARGUMENTS OR JUDGEMENTS TO THE INDIVIDUAL OR THE LIST

MODERATOR. If you think someone has been inappropriate, please tell them

in private, or express your concerns to the list moderator. If their

information is dangerous or incorrect, of course feel free to voice your

concerns within the group.

4. EDIT. When you quote a previous message, include only the pertinent

parts. In other words, don't quote a 60-line message only to add 5 lines of

new material.

5. " ME, TOO " IS NOT AN APPROPRIATE MESSAGE. The temptation to post such

messages is great, but it can be overcome. If you want to say " Me, too, "

consider posting it privately, unless you have more information to add to

the discussion.

6. RE-POST INFORMATION FROM OTHER SOURCES WITH EXTREME CAUTION. Every once

in a while, a joke or funny reposted story will lift the group's spirits

and provide the good laughs we need. But as a general rule, the RLS group

is not the place to share Forwarded jokes or stories. Many of the members

share them privately, with good results, and without filling up the

mailboxes of those who are pressed for time or running the risk of

offending someone.

7. PAUSE BEFORE POSTING. Would you enjoy reading the message you're about

to send if somebody else sent it to you? Does it add anything to the

discussion? If you're disagreeing with someone, are you doing so in a way

that fosters discussion and understanding?