How do I join SPALS?

How do I join the list?

Subscribing to SPALS is straightforward: apply to SPALS with a message to our Majordomo list manager, and then prepare a short bio and email it to our list administrators.

Email to Majordomo

To apply to the SPALS list, send an email message with the text:

subscribe SPALS

to our mailing list manager <majordomo@lists.cirr.com>. Leave the subject of your message blank. You should not include any other text in the body of the message. This also means that the message must be unformatted (no fonts, colours, pictures, etc.) Do not use the <>'s listed in the Majordomo address.

Submit a brief bio

At the same time, prepare a short bio, containing only the facts of your situation (your full name, living and deceased children's names and dates, your current pregnancy status, your location in the form [country / state / city] and the mother's age) and email it to list administrator Michael Nettleton at <michael@spals.com>.

We prefer a standard format for your bio information -- see our Bio Guidelines for information on constructing a bio.

Please await confirmation

Subscription is not automatic. One of our list administrators will review your bio and respond to your subscription request. We may ask you for additional information. We aim to respond quickly -- usually, we are able to respond within 24 hours. Sometimes it may take a day or two.

While you are awaiting confirmation of your subscription, be sure to read through the SPALS Charter, SPALS Code of Conduct. SPALS Guidelines and SPALS Tips.

See also: Joining SPALS; Why do I have to submit a bio; Why don't I have a response yet


What do I get when I join?

Once you join SPALS, you will begin to receive the emails that carry the ongoing discussion of the list. You also receive the right to post to the list, in accordance with the SPALS Code of Conduct

We will also provide you with a current Bio List and PM List, as well as the current SPALS Tips and information about the code of conduct for SPALS. The Bio List provides information on the backgrounds of other members of SPALS. The PM List identifies members who are currently pregnant.

See also: Does SPALS have a digest


When can I post?

You can post to SPALS as soon as we have confirmed your subscription with our Majordomo. You will receive an automated notice of welcome from Majordomo when we have confirmed your subscription.

Typically, most new subscribers read the list for a few days before making their first post. As a courtesy to your fellow SPALS members, we suggest that new members identify themselves on the list as soon as you feel comfortable doing so. If you have lurked for a while, please know that it is never too late to self-introduce!

See also: Where do I post SPALS messages


Why do I have to submit a bio?

Because of the sensitive nature of subsequent pregnancy discussions on SPALS, our subscription process aims to protect the privacy of list subscribers. All subscription requests must be accompanied by a short bio that our list administrators will review, to determine whether or not you fit into the SPALS profile for membership.

Our Bio Guidelines clearly identify what information is required for your Bio. Regrettably, we cannot subscribe individuals who prefer (for whatever reason) not to provide information that we identify as required.

Current members' bios are archived into a Bio List and are available upon request only to other current SPALS subscribers.


Why don't I have a response yet?

Subscription is not automatic, and it involves a manual process to review your bio.

One of our list administrators will review your bio and respond to your subscription request. We may ask you for additional information. We aim to respond quickly -- usually, we are able to respond within 24 hours. Please remember we are volunteers -- and sometimes it may take a day or two. If you want to check on a subscription request, we welcome you to send us a note.

While you are awaiting confirmation of your subscription, be sure to read through the SPALS Charter, SPALS Code of Conduct. SPALS Guidelines and SPALS Tips -- and also familiarize yourself with the SPALS FAQs.