STROKESURVIVORS INTERNATIONAL

Although these guidelines are written for members of our online stroke support group at strokesurvivors@yahoogroups.com
they can be applied to almost any internet group communication.

Our group is classified as a private group.  But it is  only private in that it is restricted to members who join  who have identified themselves as strokesurvivors/caregivers.  These members come from the general public. No prescreening, no resumes, no information is submitted or requested.  Anyone can join.

Our group host (in our case Yahoogroups), and our own Moderators take certain safeguards to ensure only persons appropriate to our group  interests, and theirs,  get the privilege of posting freely to the group.

Our group has been in existence for several years, and has helped very many strokesurvivors and caregivers.  Members come and go, and our members feel it is a safe friendly environment (which it is).  Although it is a private group, any member of the public may apply for membership.  We do moderate/screen new members for a while, to help ensure they have joined the group for the purpose it was created for.  

In the last few years there has been a tremendous increase in violations of security, Computer Viruses, Scams, and Identity Theft.

There are steps the Members themselves can take to maintain a safe online environment.

1 While we don't advertise member's email addresses, be aware that any group member who opts to receive group messages by email (rather than reading them on the Yahoo website) will see the full email address of any person sending a message. 

2.  It is your own choice whether or not you enter into email communication with another Group member. Some wonderful friendships have resulted from off-list communications with others.  However, initially, it is prudent to use discretion and caution.

3.  If you do start communicating by email with another group member, and you feel you are being pressured to buy something or disclose information you would rather keep private - report it immediately to one of our Moderators.  

3. It is a good idea to never disclose your full name,  street address, or phone number (and maybe even your date of birth) in a group email, or with a fellow Group member with whom you have started communicating via emails. 

4.  NEVER disclose the full name, e-mail or street address, or phone number of ANY other group member. 

5  One of your Moderators has the email addresses of all the members.  If you want to contact a member, email your message to one of our Moderators and he/she will forward it to the member, who has the option of replying to you directly, or back to the Moderator to send to you.

5.  Install Anti-Virus (at least) and Anti-Spyware on your computer, and keep it up to date.  Speaking from much experience, It is less expensive than taking your computer into the computer store .

Enjoy our group, with confidence.  Yahoogroups takes steps to help protect you, and so does the group's moderators/owners. But do not be complacent in your online relationships. 

I would welcome any comments regarding this page.  Please send to whitegoose8@yahoo.com (an owner/moderator)