MPA Listserv

The Maryland Psychological Association has an e-mail listserv or discussion group for members only.

Over 600 members exchange referrals, discuss treatment issues, keep up with MPA doings, and educate themselves about business-of-practice issues through the MPA Listserv. This listserv is possible through the generosity of APA, which hosts the Listserv software on one of APA's servers.  

The following information provides instructions on:

As a member of the MPA listserv community, it is your obligation to make sure you are aware of the information provided below.

1. MPA SOCIAL MEDIA/LISTSERV PARTICIPATION

All participants are expected to read and comply with the MPA Social Media/Listserv Policy .

The MPA Executive Director and the Communications Committee are responsible for monitoring the listserv. Failure to comply with the MPA Social Media/Listserv Policy may result in suspension.

The following summarizes the basic rules for participation. It is not a substitute for reading and adhering to the complete policy, but is designed to aid your understanding of the policy.

Confidentiality

  • You cannot forward postings from the listserv to non-members without obtaining the author's permission. The listserv is for MPA members only. It is your obligation to prevent access to the list by non-members including your office staff. 

Commercial Postings and Advertising

  • You cannot provide referrals to yourself, your group practice, or any program from which you may benefit financially on the listserv. You may backchannel this information to anyone who has requested it.
  • You cannot advertise services, products, positions, and office space available or sought, workshops, or anything else for which MPA accepts advertising. You may purchase advertising on MPA's website, the InPSYder, and The Maryland Psychologist. 

Anti-trust and Business Practices

  • You cannot discuss fees, collective bargaining, insurance company contracts, salaries, or any other anti-competitive business issues. 

Copyright

  • You cannot post a full-text article without obtaining the permission of the author. You may post a summary, short excerpt, and/or a link to the full article. 

Clinical, Ethical, and Legal Issues

  • You cannot post detailed client case information even if you think you've disguised the client's identity. MPA cannot guarantee that non-list members will not read or distribute what you have written.
  • Listserv discussion is not a substitute for specific clinical, ethical and legal advice. You may contact the Ethics Committee member on call by calling the MPA office 410-992-4258 or 301-596-3999.
  • You may discuss general clinical, ethical, and legal issues, and seek general advice from list members. 

2. SOCIAL MEDIA/LISTSERV SUSPENSION PROCEDURES

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

  • A first violation will result in a reminder of the Social Media/Listserv Policy sent to the member by MPA's Executive Director or by the Communications Committee. In most instances, it will also be posted to educate all members.
  • A second violation will result in a warning sent privately via e-mail to the violator with a reminder of the rules and an explanation of the violation. The member will be informed that a third violation will result in suspension from the forum for six months.
  • A third violation will result in the member being suspended for six months. 

After the six-month suspension, the member is eligible to re-subscribe. A request for subscription privileges must be made to the Communications Committee for consideration. Re-application does not guarantee immediate reinstatement.

  • If reinstated, prior offenses will be disregarded, and the violation procedure will start again.
  • If not reinstated, the rationale for the decision will be sent to the member. 

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

In egregious cases, MPA's Executive Director can immediately suspend the violator.


3.  NETIQUETTE

Because some members are new to email discussion groups, the following email etiquette rules are posted here to help you become aware of the niceties of this type of communication. These rules have evolved over time as people have had experience with email listservs.  They are particularly important regarding the MPA list where, at times, sensitive information may be posted regarding patient care issues or approaches to clinical care.

  • In your initial message to the list, please introduce yourself, your professional affiliation, where you live or practice, and any requests or questions you may have.
  • Try to keep your messages constructive, courteous, brief, and to the point.
  • Use an accurate subject line to describe the content of your message. Sometimes when a thread develops, the main content changes, but people forget to change the subject. An accurate subject line helps those who choose not to read all messages to decide whether it is important or not and helps those trying to follow a certain discussion.
  • Send personal messages (e.g., "Enjoyed dinner last night") backchannel to the intended reader, not to the whole list.
  • Sign each message and include your email address. The header or the signature message on your email may do this for you. However, if you share an email account, be sure you are identified, at least by your signature at the end of your message.
  • Check the address line before sending your message. With some email programs, it is easy to send a message to the whole group by mistake when you think you are replying to an individual. Besides cluttering everyone's mailbox, this could be very embarrassing or even damaging to you or someone else.  A "Reply All" on the MPA list sends to the listserv.  A simple "Reply" responds only to the individual who posted.
  • Only quote as much of a previous message as is necessary for continuity. There is no need to repeat the entire conversation in every message. When possible, put your reply at the start of the message so that readers do not have to scroll past repeated information to get the current message. Be extra careful with this if you are using the digest format.
  • Be supportive of fellow list members. As the discussion gets going furiously on some topic, don't forget that some people on the list don't know you are a sweetheart under that sarcastic growl! Keep it cool.
  • Use copyrighted material only with permission (see below).
  • While using the listserv to ask for opinions or advice on patient care, please be sure to protect the confidentiality of your patient by not revealing too much-identifying information.  If you need more intensive support, please call the Professional Practice Committee or the Ethics Committee.  They are here to help.
  • Please do not copy and distribute other members' communications unless you have obtained their explicit permission to do so. Listserv members' email communications are intended for the listserv membership only. Essentially, this will maintain a boundary between the members' forum and cyberspace at large and protect intended meanings and contexts.

By following these rules and standards, a climate will be created that encourages trust, collegiality, and friendly, informative, and spontaneous discourse.

4. JOINING THE MPA LISTSERV

Because this list is for MPA members only, all persons wishing to join the list must be approved in advance. Requests for access to the listserv should email the MPA office.

5. SENDING MESSAGES TO ALL MEMBERS ON THE LISTSERV

Once you are accepted to the MPA listserv, the address for sending e-mail postings is: [email protected]   Choosing "Reply All" to MPA list messages sends to the entire listserv.  A simple "Reply" responds only to the individual who posted. 

6. HOW TO SET THE LIST WHEN GOING ON VACATION, ETC., AND OTHER ADJUSTMENTS

Once you are on the MPA or MPASTUDENTS listserv, you can communicate with the listserv software by sending the commands below to change how the list is delivered to you, to temporarily stop getting messages, or to resign from the list.

To change your settings for the MPA or MPASTUDENTS lists, address an email to [email protected]  Leave the subject line blank and put only the designated message (see list below) in the message body.  Do not include signature blocks.

Vacation

Digest

Unsubscribe:

7. LISTSERV ARCHIVES

The archive for the MPA listserv contains years of postings full of useful information! With a few quick steps, you can browse and search seventeen years of knowledge. The archives are available to MPA members who are currently subscribed to the listserv.  If it is your first time accessing the archives, you will need to set up a username and password (you cannot log in with your MPA username and password).

Click here for help accessing the listserv archives.