Staying On-Topic
The ECHO-MN Yahoo! Group is a homeschooling email group. Please try to
keep the conversation on topic. On-topic material includes
homeschooling methods, philosophy, curriculum, parenting, etc. Because
homeschoolers represent such a wide variety of ethnic backgrounds,
religious convictions, lifestyle choices and educational styles,
determining what is and isn't off-topic can often be difficult and we
hesitate to set specific limits. Therefore, please post with care and
with respect to the diversity of this group. ECHO is an inclusive group
with members from a variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds. Should
we find a post to be offensive and in direct contrast to our mission of
inclusiveness we will contact the author privately and remove the post
from our archives. Continued disregard for the ECHO Yahoo! Group
Etiquette will result in a member being removed from the list.
Off-topic posts are not banned but they are not encouraged. Please be
sure to change subject lines to reflect the topic of your posts. (This
is especially important if the content is of a political or religious
nature.) This way the email can be easily deleted without being read if
one so chooses. If you do find an email that is offensive or
inappropriate please alert one of the Yahoo! Group moderators or email
us at echo-mn@earthlink.net.
Sale and Swap Posting
This is not a Sale or Swap board but you may post items for sale
provided you mark the subject line clearly. "For Sale" items are not
limited to homeschooling materials, supplies and resources. If the Sale
and Swap posts become too numerous we may set further limitations on
Sale and Swap posts.
A Word About Email Forwards
Forwards are strictly banned on this Yahoo! group. Anyone wishing to
share a forwarded message can briefly describe the type of message and
give a personal address where those who are interested can send a
message asking to receive it privately. DO NOT forward anything from
the ECHO-MN Yahoo! Group without the author's permission. We encourage
members to send links whenever possible rather than copy and/or forward
entire articles.
Virus Warnings
Virus warnings should always be checked with a Hoax site before
forwarding to the group. The ECHO-MN Yahoo! Group does not accept email
attachments.
Personal Information
For safety reasons, please limit posting of specific personal
information (addresses and phone numbers may be removed). You may, of
course, share that information with each other privately. We recommend
that specific information about group fieldtrips, park days, etc. be
shared on the individual support group Yahoo! Groups only.
Replying to Messages
Please cut off old post (including the headers and footers) when
replying to messages. Many of the members of the ECHO-MN Yahoo! Group
receive the email in digest form or they read the email online. It is
less confusing for all of us to have messages clear and concise. You
only need to include the relevant sentences or phrases. Also, please be
sure to change the subject line when necessary.
Respect
Above all, treat everyone with respect. Personal attacks and political
debates will not be tolerated. We have all chosen a path that can
sometimes be bumpy. The support we gain from the ECHO-MN Yahoo! Group
can give us all strength and help to build a strong homeschooling
community.