Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources
List Serves
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a list serve?
A list serve is an email discussion list. It functions in the same manner as regular email, however the single list serve address contains the email addresses of all the individual committee members, yet hides their individual addresses for increased privacy and security. Therefore, by sending out a message to the single list serve address, you are actually sending an email to all members on that list serve.
What is the objective of a list serve?
The objective is to facilitate communication between committee members in regards to committee activities.
Where can I find a list of all Section list serves and their addresses?
The Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources has a list serve for every substantive committee, which stands at over 40. A complete list is below.
For complete information on all substantive committees, including descriptions and how to join, please visit http://www.abanet.org/environ/committees/.
The Section also has one open list serve, ENVIRON-ABA@mail.abanet.org that anyone may join. Do so by visiting http://mail.abanet.org/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=environ-aba&A=1.
I am a technology vice chair, is there a resource center to learn more about how to manage my committee list serve?
Yes, please visit the Leadership Portal. Please note: this requires ABA ID # and password, as well being a member of Section Leadership.
Where can I find a list of all ABA list serves and their addresses?
http://www.abanet.org/discussions/. This link will also provide access to archives for Section list serves.
How do I use/post to a list serve?
Simply place the list serve address into the "To:" field of your email application, type your message, then hit "Send."
The list serve addresses are located below. To place the address into the "To:" field, either click on the link to automatically open your email application with the address already in it, or copy and paste the address. When posting to a list serve, your individual name and email address will be displayed in the "From:" field. If you are experiencing difficulty sending messages, contact Mansoor Syed of the Section staff at (312) 988-6344.
All sent messages will automatically have a disclaimer attached to the end of the email. Click here to view that disclaimer.
Please Note: In order to post a message, you must first be a member of the list serve and second you must send the message using the email address that you have on file with the ABA.
Also, please be conscious of your audience and the difference between "Reply" and "Reply All." "Reply" will send a message back to the list serve member who originally sent out the message, where "Reply All" will send a message back to the entire list serve.
Can any list serve member post and receive messages?
Yes, all members on a list have the ability to receive and post messages for that list.
What happens if a non list serve member attempts to post a message?
The message will be rejected and an error message will be returned to the attempted sender. If you believe you should be on the list but still receive an error message, please contact Mansoor Syed of the Section staff at syedm@staff.abanet.org or (312) 988-6344.
Is there a way to stop all the 'Out of Office' messages when sending a message?
No, unfortunately there is not a way to block those messages.
Can I post a message to all the Section members?
No, only Section staff members have that permission.
How can I find out what list serves I am a member of?
Contact Mansoor Syed of the Section staff at syedm@staff.abanet.org or (312) 988-6344. You will only be a member of a list serve for which you are a member of that committee.
I didn't sign up for any list serves, how am I a member?
List serves are comprised of all members of a committee. Therefore, by joining a committee your email address is automatically added to the list.
How do I join a list serve?
Most of our lists are closed, meaning you are not able to freely join a list. The only way to get on a list is by joining that committee, which will then automatically place you on the list. However, please be aware that there is some delay in the time of signing-up for a committee and your email address appearing on the committee list serve.
Please Note: In order to join a committee you must first be a member of the ABA and the Section.
I am not a member of the Section, can I still be included on specific list serves?
No, unfortunately right now only committee members may be on a specific list serve.
Are there any list serves for non-Section members?
Yes, we have one open list serve, ENVIRON-ABA@mail.abanet.org that anyone may join. Do so by visiting http://mail.abanet.org/scripts/wa.exe?SUBED1=environ-aba&A=1.
Please be aware that since this is an open list serve we have no responsibility in regards to individuals who join this list and post something inappropriate. However, should this occur, we will remove that person immediately.
Where does my email address that is used for list serves come from?
List serves are pulled directly from our membership database. Therefore please be certain your email address in our membership records is correct.
Please Note: Contacting the Section or a list serve owner will not correct your email address. Instead, please contact our Service Center at (800) 285-2221 or service@abanet.org. You may also view and change your own records by logging into myABA in order to verify your email address on record is accurate and/or there is a "no email" restriction on your account.
I am a member of a list serve, but I am not receiving or allowed to post messages?
Please contact our Service Center as stated above to resolve this problem. The most common, but not limited to, reasons for this are:
1. The email address on file in our membership database is incorrect.
2. There is a "no email" restriction on your account.
3. You work for the EPA, in which case the domain 'epa.gov' sometimes blocks delivery and/or transmission of our list serves.
What is a "no email" restriction?
This is a feature the ABA provides in order to cut down on the amount of email you receive. This option prohibits us from emailing you, while still permitting you to retain all other membership benefits.
How do I remove my name from a list serve?
On the bottom of every list serve message is a disclaimer that explains this process. Here is that text:
Your e-mail address will only be used within the ABA and its entities. We do not sell or rent e-mail addresses to anyone outside the ABA.
To change your e-mail address or remove your name from any future general distribution e-mails you can call us at 1-800-285-2221, or write to: American Bar Association, Service Center, 321 N Clark Street, Floor 16, Chicago, IL 60610
If you are an ABA member, log in to the ABA Web site at http://www.abanet.org/abanet/common/MyABA/home.cfm to edit your member profile. Otherwise, complete the form located at http://www.abanet.org/members/join/coa2.html.
To review our privacy statement, go to http://www.abanet.org/privacy_statement.html.
What content is appropriate to post?
As a Section devoted to issues of environment, energy, and resources law, the Section list serves should be used to discuss, debate and post questions about those substantive areas of law. In addition, these lists are useful to inform about Section-sponsored educational conferences and meetings.
Here are some further netiquette guidelines.
Are there any safeguards against anyone sending out spam?
Commercial solicitations, or spam, are not permitted on any list serve. However, there are no safeguards against posting an inappropriate or spam content message. As these lists are closed to members only, we trust spam messages will not be disseminated by any members.
The ABA and Section staff are not responsible for members who post inappropriate messages.
What happens if a member posts an inappropriate message?
Anyone posting inappropriate or spam messages will be immediately removed from that respective list serve.
Current Committee List Serves
Updated as of 8/31/07
