SPA Listserv and Ceremony Rules



Here are some general listserv and ceremony guidelines for participants which were decided upon by SPA Officers in Spring 1998. Obviously, these guidelines do not apply to outside groups or non-sanctioned SPA ceremonies, but are listed here for the benefit of new SPA members. The best rule is to simply use common sense. We've been lucky to have had courteous membership in the past and hope to extend that tradition into the future.


LISTSERV


1) Since the listserv is primarily for SPA announcements, please don't send personal messages to the list that are off-topic or only to a particular individual or individuals.
2) Please be courteous and no ad hominem attacks.
3) No chain-mail or chain-mail-like postings.
4) Please refrain from vulgar language if possible.
5) Please do not send attachments to your messages on the listserv.
6) Please try to be tolerant of others' views.
7) Since there are often over a hundred persons on the listserv, please be sure your post is appropriate.
8) Obey other Computing Services rules (some of which are also included above).

Persons breaking any of the above rules may be placed on restriced posting, banned from the listserv, or reported to Computing Services.

CEREMONIES


1) Please no recording equipment or cameras during the ceremony -- it disrupts the ceremony. Wait until after the ceremony. Also, some persons may not wish to have their pictures taken.
2) Please try to be somewhat punctual -- granted PST (Pagan Standard Time) is always in effect.
3) Please no outside alcohol during the circle/gathering, e.g. no beer cans in the circle.
4) Please no illicit drugs at any SPA gathering -- we frequently have law enforcement stop in on us and our ceremonies. We don't want to lose our organization because of someone in our group breaking the law during a ceremony.
5) Please no smoking during a ritual. Please smoke before or after the ceremonies. Also, we have consistently had a considerable number of persons allergic to cigarette smoke -- it is hard for them to leave to get air during ceremonies.
6) Please maintain a somewhat serious attitude during the ceremonies where appropriate. :) Certainly, Beltane and similar holy days are excluded.

If we have problems with individuals repeatedly breaking some of the the more serious rules above, the officers may choose to limit listserv / ceremony "privileges."
Thank you for your cooperation! Blessed be!