All conversations need rules. Most of these rules are a matter of custom, the unspoken intergenerationally transmitted forms of common courtesy and civility. Unfortunately, the breakdown of culture has resulted in courtesy becoming uncommon and more and more incivility.

The conversations on this board need to be governed by some conventions which encourage civil and productive conversation. What follows are the current rules.

Identity
1) Usernames (account names) shall be in good taste, not obscene or disturbing, and in keeping with a church related board.
2) All users shall employ a signature which (on the first few lines) cleary identifies the user's full name (e.g., "Matthew Riegel") and one or more of the following
- congregational affiliation
- church related agency (e.g., LTSG, LCM@WVU, CLP)
- ecclesiastical organ (e.g., Program Unit for Global Mission)
- ecclesiasitcal auxiliary (e.g., WELCA, LYO, LSM, LMM)
- office in synod, congregation, churchwide, etc. (e.g., Bishop, Vice-President)
3) Nicknames may be included in the signature in addition to the full name (e.g., Jeff Wick a.k.a. "The Big Lutefisk" or Daniel "Danno" Brayack).
4) Neither anonymous nor pseudonymous posts shall be permitted.

Signatures
1) In addition to the rules supra, signatures may (but do not have to) be used to share items of personal interest, pithy quotes, etc. so long as they are in good taste, not obscene or disturbing, and in keeping with a church related board, remembering that what you put in a signature is seen by others.

Avatars
1) Avatars shall be in good taste, shall not be obscene or disturbing, and shall be in keeping with a church related board.
2) Personal photos may be used as avatars and are encouraged.

Posts
1) Language
1a) Posts shall not contain foul or obscene language (cf. Decalogue 6)
1b) Posts shall not violate Decalogue 2
1c) Posts shall not violate Decalogue 8
1d) Posts shall not violate Decalogue 5
1e) Posts should just not violate the Decolgue
2) Posts should be made in the forum and topic most closely associated with the content of the post.
3) If problems occur, they should be reported to the moderator of the forum in question for action. If the moderator cannot be reached, report it to the adminsitrator.

Starting New Categories, Fora, and Topoi
1) New topics should be started under the forum most closely related to the topic.
2) New Fora should be requested of the administrator.
3) New Categories should be requested of the administrator.

Moderation
1) Moderators may augment these rules with rules applicable to a specific forum.
2) Moderators (and Administrators) may discipline members through
2a) warning,
2b) moderation of member posts for a specified or indefinite period of time,
2c) suspension of member privileges,
2d) termination of member privileges, and/or
2e) banning.

Rules updated 7/13/06 @ 1027 EDT