Managing a Discussion List is Hard Work

I manage several discussion lists for a variety of organizations. Sometimes it’s cumbersome having to daily delete all the spam that comes in, but it’s worth it to have the service available to activists.

I am a member of the Green Party of the United States national discussion and voting lists in my role as alternate delegate. I am on the team of 4 (3 + 1 alternate) that comprise the Forum Managers. Our job is to handle complaints and violations of listserve protocol.

This job has been more active than I’d like it to be, having had to issue advisories, warnings and probations to some. Hopefully, though, our job will help make it so that others learn how to hold meaningful and productive discussions in ways that are diplomatic even when disagreeing. My desire is to have my “job” as Forum Manager eventually go away because the services of the team is no longer needed.

Until then I remain in service to the GPUS in this capacity. It’s a valuable learning experience for me as well.