by Brandon Levy
In October, more than 550 messages were sent out over BCCnet, the online listserv for Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. But how many of these were really necessary? In an effort to manage this torrent of information, the B-CC PTSA, which sponsors the site, and the listserv moderators recently published new guidelines for acceptable use of this tool.
According to the guidelines, which were modified in July, the primary purpose of the listserv is to allow members of the B-CC community to “communicate information about school events and activities” and “informally share opinions on topics and issues.” Though BCCnet is supposed to be “for communicating about school matters and education in general,” it has become a forum for the community to discuss issues not related to school or education. These messages, deemed “off-topic” because they are not specific to B-CC, are “permitted but not encouraged” by the guidelines.
The content of these off-topic messages varies greatly. Some ask for recommendations for SAT tutors, while others are “help-wanted” ads seeking to find babysitters and electricians. In the past, some people have used off-topic messages to attempt to sell furniture or concert tickets or to advertise their businesses, despite the fact that nothing commercial is allowed to be posted on BCCnet. Nonprofits have also used them to publicize their activities.
According to Mary Cobbett, President of the B-CC PTSA, the changes to the BCCnet guidelines “mostly addressed the issue of people flouting the rules.” “We’re in a bit of a quandary because if there are no sanctions people just keep on doing it,” she said. “At the end of the day we just keep warning people.”
The main reason for limiting off-topic messages on BCCnet, Cobbett explained, is to “protect parents from mass-marketing.” “I don’t think parents want to be inundated with advertisements,” she added. She also said that off-topic messages can prevent parents from seeing important information. “What happens is people miss messages that they’re supposed to see,” Cobbet said. “You have to put messages out three times to make sure people see them, but they still don’t see them. Because of the mass of emails things are getting lost in the net.”
However, despite the problems off-topic messages can cause, some parents find them very useful. “It makes our community feel very lively and connected,” said Caroline Adams Miller, who posts often on BCCnet. “I’ve posted all kinds of requests from help for a leaking skylight to requests for recommended tutors or places to buy used cars. The listserv has been one of the best resources in my life, and I’m very grateful for it.”
Penny Winslow, another B-CC parent who uses the listserv, agrees that off-topic messages are “often a good resource for the community.” She said the responses she has received to her off-topic messages were “invaluable,” and she does not mind being inundated with messages. “I don’t find it too difficult or time-consuming to mark and delete, without reading, large groups of messages that don’t interest me and keep the ones that do,” she elaborated. “It does take a little time, but the benefits of quickly finding information I need far outweigh this small effort.”
The attempt to rid BCCnet of commercial messages has also placed restrictions on the ways nonprofits can utilize the site, as they are no longer permitted to advertise fundraisers. Though Cobbett emphasized that BCCnet supports nonprofits in many ways, “if they are doing a fundraiser and the tickets are one hundred dollars, then they cannot advertise it on BCCnet.” Instead, Cobbett hopes that nonprofits will “promote the service aspect of what they are doing” rather than the commercial aspect.
Carolee Walker, a B-CC mother who uses the listserv frequently, says she is disappointed with the new policy prohibiting some off-topic messages from nonprofit organizations. “Many of these nonprofits could use all the help they can get advertising their programs and opportunities,” she said. “Whether or not the Audubon Society or a local youth theater company charges a fee for programs or performances has no bearing on whether the groups offer fantastic educational or service opportunities for our children.”
She continued, “Our community is enriched when our children are able to benefit from the variety of education and service opportunities in Montgomery County, and I believe there is a direct link between a strong community and a successful school.”
“We have a duty to support those less fortunate than us,” added Miller, “and since we are a community of people who generally live with abundance, I enjoy seeing fundraising requests for A Wider Circle or the Salvation Army. In fact, I end up being grateful that our listserv has this opportunity.”
