members-only section

LISTSERV Users' Guide to Policies and Instructions

• What is a LISTSERV
• How do I Sign Up for the LISTSERV
• Logging In to your LISTSERV Account
• Posting Messages
• Accessing List Archives
• Manage your Account Settings
• Subscription Type (regular or daily digest)
• Acknowledgements
• Miscellaneous
• How to Leave a List
• Tips

What is a LISTSERV:

LISTSERV®: is a system that makes it possible to create, manage, and control electronic "mailing lists" on the Internet.

1. A mailing list is a list of people's names and addresses that is used to send certain messages or announcements to many people at once.
2. Americans for the Arts mailing lists are based on formal network groups, peer groups, and interest areas. Some lists are restricted based on network memberships. For example: SAAN_Network-L is the reserved for only State Arts Advocacy Network members.
3. Americans for the Arts members can join and leave the list as they see fit. Members can control their own account settings individually for each list they choose to participate in.

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How Do I Sign Up for the LISTSERV:

1. Signing up is easy, click LISTSERVS, then select the lists you wish to participate in and submit the form. Once you have been added to the lists, you will receive an e-mail from each list letting you know that you have been added. It may take a day or two before you are added to all the requested lists.
2. Save the e-mail address for the lists you have joined in your contact list to avoid messages getting stuck in spam or junk filters.

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Logging in to Your LISTSERV Account: By logging in you can access list archives, change your e-mail address, change your settings, or post a message.

1. Go to http://listserv.artsusa.org
2. Click on Online List Archives. If you have never logged in you will need to click on Get Password.
3. You must use the same email you are registered on the listserv with otherwise it will not recognize you as an authorized to use the listserv. You will receive an e-mail with a password. The LISTSERV works on cookies, so if you never log out it will remember you when you return and you will not need to login again.

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Posting Messages: There are three ways to post messages.

1. Post by Email: To post a new message you can post a message by sending an e-mail to the list email address.
   1. After you send the email you will receive a confirmation e-mail. You will need to click on the link in this message to release the message to the group. If you have changed your mind and no longer wish to post the message, do not click on this link and your message will not be posted.
   2. The list address is the name of the list, followed by LISTSERV.ARTSUSA.org ListName@LISTSERV.ARTSUSA.org. To send to Arts Education you would email: AFTAAIE-L@LISTSERV.ARTSUSA.org
   3. LISTSERV will not send you a copy of the messages you post, but you will receive replies to your message (if any are e-mailed).
2. Posting from Subscriber's Corner: When you are logged in to Subscriber's Corner, you can post from both the My Lists tab or My Settings tab.
   1. Click on the Post link next to the list you wish to send a message.
   2. Fill out the message form and click send.
   3. Here you also have the option to send a copy of your message to yourself.
3. Respond to Messages: The best way to respond is by using the "reply" function of your mail program (which is sometimes called "answer", "respond" or something similar). This way the message subject is preserved and the other Subscriber's can see that your message is a reply to the original question. You can post a new message, but you will then have to retype the subject, and if you enter something slightly different people may not realize it is a reply to a previous post. Remember: when you reply to a message, you are replying to the whole group, not just the person who sent the message.

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Accessing List Archives: To take advantage of the listserv Archives, visit http://listserv.artsusa.org and follow these simple steps

1. Select Online List Archive
2. Set up a password (if you logged in previously continue to step 3) by following the instructions, and clicking the link sent to you by e-mail
3. Log in using your password
4. Click Subscriber's Corner in the top left menu bar
5. Scroll down and select from the lists that you are subscribed to (in the table)
6. The next screen allows you to search the archives, change your password, leave the list, post a message or change your settings
7. To change your settings, click Join or Leave the List
8. Scroll down and select the settings you prefer:
   1. Sign up to receive a daily digest instead of multiple e-mails a day by selecting Digest (HTML format) under Subscription Type
   2. receive a copy of your own posting by selecting Receive copy of own postings under Acknowledgements
9. To subscribe to the RSS feed, click the small orange RSS button in the bottom right corner of the screen
10. If you choose to leave the list, you will not be able to join again without contacting Americans for the Arts. Please e-mail membership@artsusa.org or call 202.371.2830 and request the membership staff.

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Managing Your Settings: go to http://listserv.artsusa.org,  Login to Subscriber's Corner: Once you are logged in go to Subscriber's Corner and select the list you want to change the settings for by clicking on settings next to the list. Here you can change how you receive and post messages.

• If you are only on one list you will only have the one list to select from.
• If you are on multiple lists, each list operates separately.  So you can have different settings for each list. Or you can go into each list and set them up the same way.

1. Subscription Type: You can choose to receive messages as they are posted, Regular or in a daily Digest format. The Digest format sends you one email each morning with the previous day's posts or a link to the posts depending on which version you choose. Simply chose your format and click update. There are 3 formats, we recommend trying the Digest (HTML format) first. If that format is not compatible with your email provider then try the Digest (Traditional format) and lastly the Digest (MIME format).
2. Acknowledgements: In this section you can adjust whether you receive your own post or a confirmation that your post went out and an email confirmation of how many received the post you sent.
3. Miscellaneous: This section allows you to temporarily stop receiving messages
   1. Check the box for Mail Delivery Disabled Temporarily and click update.  As long as  this box is checked you will not receive mail from this listserv group.
   2. When you want to start receiving messages again, simply uncheck the box and click update. 
   3. If you are signed up for more than one listserv you will need to follow these steps for each listserv.
4. Leave the List: You have two options for leaving a list. DO NOT send a message to the list to be removed. This will send a message to the whole group.
   1. In Subscriber's Corner: If you click on [Leave (List Name)] it will permanently remove you from the list.
   2. Email: send a message to membership@artsusa.org with the subject: LISTSERV removal. In the body please indicate the lists you are subscribed to and the membership department will remove you from the list(s).

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Tips:

1. Always remember to include a subject line; it makes searching the archives by relevant subject much more efficient and user friendly.
2. Remember: when you reply to a message, you are replying to the whole group, not just the person who sent the message.
3. We do not release the names of people on the group to members or outside agencies.
4. We do not allow posting of open job announcements on the LISTSERV. Please post jobs on the Job Bank at www.AmericansForTheArts.org/jobbank
5. Remember the lists are public forums, so keep messages relevant and respectful.
6. If you wish to leave the list, follow the leave list instructions. DO NOT send an e-mail to the whole list asking to be removed.
7. If you leave a list by mistake you will need to contact the Membership Team to get back; on the list manually at membership@artsusa.org.

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