Important new rule regarding message board posts

[vfs_admin_Dave]

Over the years we have tried our best to make our message board friendly and safe for everyone. Recently, it has been brought to our attention that someone has been stalked as a result of posting their e-mail and phone number in messages on this board -- even those written a long time ago. We had previous problems in the past and found it better that people do not leave their e-mail showing, but this current issue is far worse.

Once something is posted to this message board, search engines can pick up the information and make the posting of emails and phone numbers very easy for anyone to find. That is what we believe happened to the poster who notified us about their serious situation.

With regret, we will no longer allow anyone to include their e-mail or phone numbers in their messages. Anyone who breaks this rule will have their email immediately removed from their message. If any member is insistent and continues to include their e-mail address along with their message they will be given a warning. If that person still continues to leave their e-mail address after that warning they may be barred from posting. We would appreciate it if current members of this message board are willing to go back to check their old messages and eliminate their visible e-mail address if included on previous posts, as this will help us to focus our time on Valley Fever related matters.

Obviously we just want to continue our work against Valley Fever, but the safety of our board members is of the utmost importance too. The only e-mail addresses that will be allowed are either a Valley Fever Survivor Support Group Director writing issues related to VFS support group meetings or one of the Valley Fever Survivor Administrators. There will be no other exceptions. We are sorry if this is disappointing to any of you but we feel this rule is necessary to keep the people on this message board safe.

Dave and Sharon
VFS Message Board Administrators
www.valleyfeversurvivor.com