Siobhain O’Riordan

The SGCP e-mail discussion list was created in January 2005 to allow SGCP members to be part of an online community of coaching psychologists and contribute to the development of coaching psychology. The list also helps members to keep up to date with current issues, events and workshops in coaching psychology. It is important that members are familiar with guidelines for using the discussion list before posting messages on the system or responding to e-mails. Here is the latest version of the Netiquette Guidelines.

1. Respectful and courteous exchanges to be undertaken.
2. Not to be used for advertising purposes, which includes the promotion of training courses and workshops.
3. Not to be used for self promotion or the promotion of goods and services.
4. Copyright material is not to be shared over the e-mail discussion list without permission of the publisher.
5. E-mail addresses should be provided if direct contact is invited on any topic, which includes requests by members for services such as supervision.
6. Don’t use for personal messages - e-mail the person at their own e-mail address.
7. E-mail list messages should include the person’s full name, i.e. not anonymous messages.
8. If responding to another member’s email, delete previous e-mails to avoid strings of messages overloading the system.
9. The subject heading line of e-mails should represent the topic and content of the message.
10. The content of messages should stay within the topic or a new thread should be started.
11. It is useful to provide some context in reply to a message to assist new readers with interpreting a response.
12. Information deemed as private should not be provided. The privacy rights of others must also be respected. This includes both organisational and individual clients.
13. Case studies should have the client’s permission and protect their anonymity (i.e. identities should be disguised).
14. Members are considered to be representing their own views and the views of others should not be represented.
15. If an employer or organisation supplies an e-mail service then conditions of use for private e-mail should be determined.
16. No placing of unlawful information, use of abusive or objectionable language or sending of ‘chain letters’ and ‘broadcast’ messages.
17. Sentences or words should not be typed in upper case.
18. The use of sarcasm and humour should be carefully considered in relation to how it will be interpreted by the reader.
19. Delivery receipts should not be used.
20. The original subscription message should be saved as this contains information on how to unsubscribe from the list.
21. All members should observe the BPS Code of Conduct, which is applicable to the SGCP E-mail Discussion List.

We continue to welcome your input and feedback. However, to ensure that the system is not overloaded please contact me directly at siobhain.oriordan@iclway.co.uk with your comments.

Siobhain O’Riordan
Co-administrator of the E-mail Discussion List