PCDC Listserv Guidelines

Guidelines

The PCDC Steering Committee encourages members to use our groups.io email listserv to share ideas and information of interest to others in the progressive communications field.

⟡ The PCDC listserv is a forum about communications on a range of progressive issues. It is not intended to be a forum for discussing the merits of the issues themselves. 

⟡ PCDC’s email list is open, which means that your postings could be forwarded to others. Emails do not require prior approval from moderators. 

⟡ We ask that you do not use this list to promote for-profit enterprises, product launches or advertisements for services.

⟡ In the spirit of keeping this list to its original intent, we urge you to limit your discussions to the sharing of tips and strategies to do our jobs better, rather than promoting events unrelated to communications, such as personal fundraisers, invitations to join advocacy campaigns, etc.

⟡ Keep your posts appropriate, constructive, and respectful—not unnecessarily critical. We are all here to learn from each other.

⟡ To the best of your ability, use detailed subject lines and subject line topic tags to make it easy for PCDC members to search for specific topics or to opt out of reading particular message topics. PCDC topic tags include MEET ME MONDAYS, FOR CONSULTANTS, and JOBS THREAD.

⟡ Often, replies are best sent only to the original poster and not the whole list. Please remember you can use the “Reply to Sender” link at the bottom of the email to keep the subject line but lose the thread or cut and paste their email address into a forwarded email.

⟡ Members who violate these guidelines will receive notice from the list moderator and may be asked to be accountable for the violation. Those who repeatedly violate the guidelines may face removal from the group. If admins feel that your postings are intended to harm or are actively harmful, we reserve the right to remove you from the group without warning.

Some examples of appropriate uses of the email list:

⟡ Questions

Please feel free to post questions about how to pitch a story idea; reporters on a particular beat; requests for recommendations for graphic designers, photographers, pollsters, etc.; requests for advice about tools like online surveys, AI, media databases, etc; and other questions of that nature. You can get terrific insight and help from your fellow progressive communicators.

⟡ Professional Development Tips

Please feel free to post anything useful to your fellow progressive communicators, such as upcoming free or paid trainings (provided that the posting does not incur income to you or your business); best practices advice, like how to pitch content creators and influencers or reach reporters internationally; book or article recommendations; job openings (but not resumes/job requests); and other assistance.

⟡ Subject Line Topic Tags

For example, when sharing information or requests that are only relevant for consultants (such as requests for office space, referrals to accountants, etc.), use FOR CONSULTANTS in your subject line. See bullet points on Job Notices and Requests for Proposals and Postings that would incur income to you, your business, or family members for additional examples of subject line topic tags in action. 

⟡ Job Notices and Requests for Proposals

Share relevant job notices and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) provided that the post includes salary ranges or compensation offered. Use JOBS THREAD in your subject line so that people who are not looking for jobs can skip the message.

⟡ Events and Trainings

The Steering Committee welcomes any ideas for upcoming PCDC events and appreciates offers to volunteer to organize events.


Some examples of inappropriate uses of the email list:

⟡ Postings that do not directly relate to communications

Our rule of thumb: If you think you need to add a disclaimer that your post might be off-topic, it probably is. For example, a request for housing for your family member’s visit to D.C.

⟡ Postings that would incur income to you, your business, or family members

This includes requests for a job, consulting opportunities, and paid or unpaid internships. It also includes notices of seminars, trainings and product advertisements that would incur income to you or your business. Offers of free trainings or pro bono consulting, including through “gratitude grants” to nonprofit organizations, are acceptable. Please specify why the opportunity is useful to the PCDC community in particular vs. the other lists you might share it with.

⟡ For example, Mary Smith could put out a post recommending Dr. DoLittle’s $99 workshop “Wonder what your dog is thinking? Learn how to talk to the animals.” In contrast, if Dr. DoLittle himself put out a notice inviting people to his workshop, it would be an inappropriate post. 

⟡ One exception to this rule is that if someone asks for a recommendation for a consultant in a particular field, and you provide that service, you are free to notify the poster. For example, if someone asks for a videographer, and you perform that service, you are free to reply directly to the poster that you are available. 

⟡ A second exception to this rule occurs on “Meet Me Monday,” the first Monday of every month. On Meet Me Monday, members are free to introduce themselves and describe what kind of work they do, the services they provide, or ask for a job or internship for themselves or a family member. Use MEET ME MONDAY in the subject line of your post. 

⟡ Links to your own writing 

The exception to this rule is writing that provides guidance on improving communications strategies and tactics. In this case, please pull out the tips directly into the body of your posting rather than sharing the piece in its entirety.

⟡ Personal correspondence

We hope that PCDC will generate new relationships and that the email list will be a forum for sharing thoughts with new friends, but if you are providing feedback or ideas that will likely only benefit one person, please contact that person directlly.