Return-Path: <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id h4O0EmC10919; Fri, 23 May 2003 20:14:48 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 23 May 2003 20:14:48 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <200305240011.h4O0BUn10431@literacy.nifl.gov> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: sandra.baxter@nifl.gov To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-ld@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-LD:4109] Message from Sandra Baxter, NIFL Interim Director X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas Status: O Content-Length: 2630 Lines: 47 The National Institute for Literacy (NIFL) created the online discussion lists in 1995 to bring together literacy stakeholders - researchers, policymakers, administrators, practitioners and students - to discuss critical issues within the literacy field; share resources, experiences, and ideas; ask questions of subject experts; and keep up-to-date on literacy issues. NIFL partners with national literacy organizations who provide knowledgeable staff to facilitate the discussion lists. These volunteer facilitators strive to encourage active discussion on the subject of the list. NIFL funds the discussion lists through LINCS, using funds appropriated to the NIFL by Congress. Recently, some messages submitted to discussion lists either didn't appear or were returned to their senders. This happened because they encouraged political advocacy, and federal law prohibits the use of appropriated funds to support advocacy. In response to concerns raised about these messages, NIFL implemented automated filters to block advocacy messages as a temporary means of ensuring NIFL's compliance with federal law while continuing to maintain the discussion lists as a resource for the field. Unfortunately, some messages that did not encourage advocacy also were stopped by the automated filters, and we apologize for this. NIFL is working with the list facilitators to develop clear guidelines on discussion list policies. These guidelines will be posted to the NIFL discussion lists as soon as possible but no later than mid-June and will be implemented by NIFL staff and list facilitators. NIFL requests that all discussion list participants use the NIFL sponsored lists in accordance with their intended purposes and not to post advocacy messages. Comments, suggestions, references, and ideas posted on the lists should serve as resources for enhancing the field's capacity, and knowledge base. NIFL will reserve the right to block messages containing advocacy content and remove them from archives. In addition, please be reminded that views reflected by participants on NIFL discussion lists do not represent NIFL's position. If you have questions or concerns about the policy governing participation in the discussion lists, please direct them to Jaleh Behroozi at jbehroozi@nifl.gov Participants who wish to inform the field about legislative matters or advocate for a policy position are encouraged to use the National Literacy Advocacy (NLA) a non NIFL discussion list sponsored by the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education. (Go to: http://lists.literacytent.org/mailman/listinfo/aaace-nla.)
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