What is a listserv?
How do I subscribe to a listserv?
How do I unsubscribe to a listserv?
How do I send a message to a listserv?
What are the current listservs and their email addresses?
What are the usage guidelines for messages posted to a CBA listserv?
What is the role of the section or committee chair with regard to the listserv?
How can I set a listserv up for my section or committee?
What should I do if I have a problem and/or comments about the listserv?
What are some tips for a successful listserv posting?

What is a listserv?
A listserv is an automated means of distributing e-mail. Mail sent to a listserv is automatically sent to all members of the listserv. It is intended to provide a medium for rapid exchange of information, assistance, debate, and discussion of professional issues among section or committee members. Membership on the list is limited to members of that section or committee. The CBA section and committee listervs use the group discussion model. This means they are bi-directional, allowing anyone whom is on the listserv to send a message to everyone within the listserv.

The CBA provides section and committee listservs as a benefit to its members who join sections and committees. The listservs are to be used only for the discussion of CBA related issues or other legal issues relevant to the listserv’s topic.

Because of lawyers’ special concerns with confidentiality, CBA offers its members closed mailing lists. This means that only CBA section and committee members can join the lists and only material posted by CBA members will appear on the lists.

How do I subscribe to a listserv?
All CBA section and committee members with a valid e-mail address are automatically subscribed to their respective section and/or committee listserv. To make sure your correct e-mail address is on file please contact Member Services at 860-223-4400 or ctbar@ctbar.org.

How do I unsubscribe to a listserv?
To unsubscribe from a listserv follow the unsubscribe directions at the end of any listserv email you’ve received.

How do I send a message to a listserv?
To send a message, simply type the e-mail address of the listserv in the “to” box of your e-mail. Example:enviro@mailctbar.org is the e-mail address you would use to send a message to the environmental law section listserv if you were a member of that section. By sending your message to one e-mail address you are able to send your message to everyone who is a member of that list. You must be a member of the listserv in order to send a message to that list.

Please remember that if you “reply all” to an e-mail received via a listserv that you will be sending it to the entire listserv.

What are the current listservs and their email addresses?
Below is the list of sections and committees and their corresponding listserv addresses. Remember, if you are not a member of the section or committee you will NOT be able to send a message to the listserv. If your section or committee is not listed, please contact your chairperson and he/she will contact the CBA to set one up.

What are the usage guidelines for messages posted to a CBA listserv?
The CBA has compiled a list of listserv rules to help ensure that the listservs remain a useful communication tool for you and other members using them. Participation in the listserv is offered to you conditioned on your acceptance of the terms, conditions and notices contained below.

1. All information posted or accessed by you must be used for informational, educational and professional purposes. There may be no commercial or unauthorized use of the listserv or the member list.
2. The opinions expressed by listserv members do not reflect the opinions or policy positions of the CBA.
3. All messages, information, software features, services and other materials which are posted or accessed in a listserv are offered “as is” without any endorsements, guarantees or warranties by the CBA.
4. CBA does not warrant that your listserv use will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure or that the messages in the listservs (or servers on which they are hosted) are free of viruses or other harmful components.
5. You must not post or transmit any unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic, profane or otherwise objectionable information of any kind, including, without limitation, any transmissions constituting or encouraging conduct that would constitute a criminal offense, give rise to civil liability, or otherwise violate any local, state, national or international law.
6. You must not post or transmit any information or software which contains a virus, trojan horse, worm or other harmful component.
7. Listservs cannot be used to exchange information, services, materials or software in return for payment of any sort (trade of like items, special discounts, cash, etc.)
8. You must not distribute, post, publish or otherwise communicate any content that encourages or solicits others to engage in anti-competitive activities.
9. Your redistribution, electronically or otherwise, of the material posted by other members is not permitted without the express written permission of that member.
10. The CBA reserves the right to edit or delete all posted messages it considers inappropriate, or to deny access to the listserv to anyone who violates these terms and conditions.
11. You agree to defend, indemnify and hold the CBA harmless from and against any damages arising out of or resulting from your online conduct in a listserv.
12. You must not forward any listserv e-mails to non-members.

These guidelines may change at any time. Be sure to review these guidelines periodically to ensure familiarity with the most current version.

What is the role of the section or committee chair with regard to the listserv?
The section or committee chair must delegate a listserv administrator. The listserv administrator must:

1. Keep the discussions focused on the listserv’s purpose;
2. Notify the CBA of persons sending messages in violation of listserv guidelines;
3. Notify the CBA to remove persons for being seriously offensive after warnings; and
4. Attempt to ensure that overall the message content of the listserv is reasonably consistent with its purpose.

How can I set a listserv up for my section or committee?
Only chairs of sections and committees can set up a listserv. The chair must contact the CBA Member Services department at 860-223-4400 to set up their own listserv.

What should I do if I have a problem and/or comments about the listserv?
Do not post them to the listserv. If you have any questions about a list, would like to report an error, or if you experience any problems with other members on the list not adhering to these rules, please contact Member Services at 860-223-4400 or ctbar@ctbar.org.

What are some tips for a successful listserv posting?
To facilitate the maximum, efficient use of CBA listservs, you should:

1. Use the subject line in your e-mail message. Make sure the title is clear, concise and descriptive.
2. Keep your questions and comments relevant to the focus of the listserv. Never forward jokes, chain letters or other non-related messages.
3. Use short paragraphs and bullets for quick skimming.
4. Don't send attachments. Either paste the text inside the e-mail or include a URL. The URL should include http:// so that browser-enabled software can automatically link to it. If you have documents you would like everyone in your section to see then chairs should have them posted on their section or committee web page and send the link to that page out on the listserv when the materials are available. If you would like to add items to your section or committee web page, please have your chair or Web representative contact marketing@ctbar.org.
5. If you reply to anything in a message, delete everything to which you are not replying.
6. Do not use the request return receipt feature when posting to a listserv. Using the request return receipt feature will not return a receipt to you but will return the receipt to the CBA as the owner of the listserv.
7. Sign your full name at the bottom of your posting and include your affiliation, mailing address, phone, fax, and e-mail address. Some subscribers receive e-mail messages with the header information stripped away by their local e-mail system and therefore cannot know the author of a particular posting unless it is included in the message text. Make it easy for people to contact you.
8. Send individual "thank you's" privately; if you've received the information needed, it's courteous to send a "halt" message to the list to stop others from continuing to respond to a request (the person who provides the answer may also indicate that to the list). Other examples of messages that should be sent privately are: requests for copies of offered materials, and "me too" messages (as in, "send me a copy of that, too"), survey responses, and very specific replies to questions that are not likely to be of general interest.