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List Serves & Forums
One of the side benefits of our web site is the ability to establish list serves and forums without any additional cost to WSPA. So, in our continuing effort to expand benefits to our members, we have begun to set up several list serves, to help streamline our operations, and to provide additional benefits.
What exactly is a "List Serve"? A list serve (sometimes called a 'listserv' or 'list server') is essentially an e-mail group or distribution list - very similar to a personal distribution list in Microsoft Outlook. It enables the sender to enter one e-mail address in the "To" information of her e-mail message, then the message is sent to everyone on the "list." The list is maintained at some different computer system - in our case at the same computer system that hosts our web site.
A list serve can be used in various ways. It may simply be an electronic mailing list, where the communication is primarily one-way, with only a moderator being permitted to post messages to the list. Some list serves are more like discussion groups, with all members being permitted to post messages, and replies to posts going to all other members of the list.
What List Serves are Available to WSPA Members? NFPA offers a number of list serves which are available to all WSPA members. Many of these are focused on a specific practice area such as bankruptcy or family law, but there are a few more general. Also, keep in mind that these lists include paralegals from all over the U.S. Connect to the NFPA web site to see the lists you can join.
WSPA has established certain list serves just for WSPA members. There is a list serve for each chapter, which serves primarily as a vehicle for announcements from the chapter director. Membership in these list serves is controlled by the Membership Chair and is automatic based on your indicated interest in one or more WSPA chapters.
We also have a couple of list serves focused on issues, which are intended to serve as discussion lists. The Positions & Issues list serve concentrates on issues relating to regulation and licensure of paralegals at both the national and state level. Members of the Positions & Issues Committee are automatically members of this list serve. The ProBono list serve is for persons interested in probono opportunities or in issues related to probono work. The Electronic Litigation list serve is for persons interested in the online and other electronic aspects of litigation practice. The Job Bank list serve is a special purpose list serve, used to notify interested persons whenever a new job opening is added to our Job Bank. Any WSPA member can join any of the ProBono, Positions & Issues, Electronic Litigation, or Job Bank list serves by visiting the ListServe Signup page.
There is also a special list serve for non-WSPA members who would like to subscribe to our monthly e-mail newsletter, eNews. Members do not need to subscribe since they automatically receive the newsletter as long as we have a valid e-mail address for them. Non-members can subscribe here.
We can also set up additional list serves whenever there is sufficient interest among the WSPA members and someone willing to serve as the moderator. For example, one possibility under consideration is a list serve for intellectual property paralegals in Washington.
Before signing up for a list serve, please review the Guidelines for Use.
What is a Forum? A forum is a web page which allows members of the forum to submit questions, comments, and anwers or comments to other members' submissions. All submissions are tracked and searchable and are generally grouped by topic. A participant generally has to connect to the web page to read the submissions, but some forums can be set to notify participants by e-mail when there is a new submission.
What Forums are Available for WSPA Members? None, at present, but we are planning to institute forums to replace some of the discussion list serves, depending on interest and the availability of a moderator.
Need Help? If you are having trouble posting, or if you need other information about a list serve, please send an e-mail and provide as much information as you can. Tell me which list you're having trouble with, if you are receiving messages but are not able to post, if you have stopped receiving messages, etc., etc. The more information you give me, the more quickly and correctly I can diagnose your problem and get you going again.
© 2003 Washington State Paralegal Association.