Hundred Plus FAQ

24 August 1997 (1.02)

100PLUS Frequently Asked Questions

This FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) list should help you to understand more about the 100plus list. INSTRUCTIONS TO UNSUBSCRIBE ARE INCLUDED BELOW. Please be aware that this is an evolving document. Changes or additions may be added periodically; check the version number and date at the beginning of this FAQ to see which version you are working with.

If you have any suggestions or corrections, please send e-mail to the secretary of the group so these things can be discussed at the group level.

Q. HOW DO I SEND A MESSAGE TO EVERYONE ON THE LIST?

A. To send a message to the list:

1. Compose a new email.
2. In the TO: field, type:100plus@maelstrom.stjohns.edu.
3. Type your message.
4. Send the email.

It has been decided by the group that each person on the list can send up to five (5) messages per day.

Q. HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE TO THE 100PLUS LIST?

A. To subscribe to the list:

1. Compose a new email.
2. In the TO: field, type:listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
3. Leave the subject line of the message blank. If your e-mail will not allow that, type in the subject line.
4. Type the following in the body of the email:
SUBSCRIBE 100PLUS First_name Last_initial
5. You will receive a confirmation message from the listserv. When you get it, hit reply and type *OK* (without the quotation marks) in the message of your reply.

Q. HOW DO I REMOVE MY NAME FROM THE LIST?

A. Send a message to the same place you did to subscribe, except in the body put "SIGNOFF 100PLUS".
Example:
TO: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
SUBJECT:
MESSAGE: SIGNOFF 100PLUS

Q. WHAT IF I GET TOO MUCH MAIL?

A. You can reduce the number of e-mail messages in your mailbox by getting digests of the mail instead of each message. To do this:

1. Compose a new email.
2. In the TO: field, type: listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu
3. Leave the subject line of the message blank.
4. Type the following in the body of the email:
SET 100PLUS DIGEST
5. To remove this feature, follow instructions 1-3 as above. Then type the following in the body of the email:
SET 100PLUS MAIL

If you are going away for a time period and merely wish to not get mail for a specified time period, follow instructions 1-3 as above. Then type the following in the body of the e-mail.
SET 100PLUS NOMAIL

To remove this feature, follow instruction 5.

Q. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER WAYS THAT I CAN MODIFY HOW I GET MAIL FROM THE LISTSERV?

A. To make sure that your messages get sent to you as well as the list, you can send a no-subject message to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu and in the body of the message put:
SET 100PLUS REPRO

If you want every message that you get from the listserv to have [100plus] in the subject line, then send a no-subject message to the listserv and in the body of the message say: SET 100PLUS SUBJHDR To turn this feature off, send a no-subject message that says:
SET 100PLUS NOSUBJHDR

Q. WHAT IS THE 100PLUS LIST?

A. The 100PLUS e-mail list is an e-mail list that focuses on the special concerns of those who are or have been 100 or more pounds overweight. Those of us who have carried or still carry this burden know that we often identify more closely with the exper ience, strength and hope of those who have had our experience. This list is patterned after the "100 Pounders" Overeaters Anonymous meetings in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Washington, DC, and follows the 12 Traditions of Overeaters Anonymous.

Q. WHAT IS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE LIST?

A. In accordance with OA Tradition 5, our primary purpose is to carry our message to the compulsive overeater who still suffers.

Q. WHAT KIND OF THINGS DO YOU TALK ABOUT ON THIS LIST?

A. Anything that one would share at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting is welcome here. We share our experience, strength, and hope in living life one day at a time while achieving and maintaining abstinence from compulsive overeating. This includes how we live the tools and steps of the OA program, as well as how we get through the ups and downs of daily living without abusing food. Useful things that one would share with another OA member at coffee after a meeting are also welcome here. Users are particularly encouraged to share their physical recovery to provide encouragement and a sense of identification to other hundred list.

Q. WHAT KIND OF THINGS A ON 100PLUS?

A. Personal attacks and flames(scathing comments) are not welcome here, nor are commercial messages. We seek to put principles before personalities, in accordance with the OA traditions. Personal messages that are not of interest to most of the list shou ld be sent by private mail.

Responses that do not add much to a message thread such as "Congratulations!" or "Thank you for saying that." are best left to private e-mail and not posted to the whole list. Due to the growing size of the list, members should ask themselves "Does this message help this list fulfill our primary purpose of abstaining from compulsive overeating and carrying the message to those who still suffer?" before hitting the send key. If not, please use private mail. This will help to make the list as useful as p ossible to its members by reducing messages that are not of interest to most of our members.

Q. WHAT IS OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS?

A. Overeaters Anonymous is an organization for those who desire to stop eating compulsively. It uses the same successful principles as AlcoholicsAnonymous. You can find out more about OA meetings in your community by looking up Overeaters Anonymous in the white pages of your local phone book. You may also check out the official OA web site at http://www.overeatersanonymous.org, or contact the OA World Service Office at 6075 Zenith Court NE, Rio Rancho NM 87124, phone number 1-505-891-2664. The OA web s ite contains more information about the steps and traditions of OA, as well as an order form for ordering official OA literature.

Q. DO I HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS TO SUBSCRIBE TO THIS LIST?

A. No. Although most of the list subscribers are also members of Overeaters Anonymous, this list is open to anyone who desires to stop eating compulsively.

Q. WHO CAN JOIN THIS LIST?

A. According to Tradition Three of Overeaters Anonymous, the only requirement for OA membership is a desire to stop eating compulsive, anyone who desires to stop eating compulsively is list. Because of this open membership policy, list members are remin ded to use the same caution with members of this list as they would with unfamiliar people they meet anywhere else.

Q. ALTHOUGH I HAVE STRUGGLED WITH FOOD, I HAVE NEVER BEEN 100 OR MORE POUNDS OVERWEIGHT. MAY I STILL JOIN THIS LIST?

A. Although most of the list subscribers have been at one time or another in their lives 100 or more pounds overweight, once again the only requirement for this list is a desire to stop eating compulsively.

Q. IS THIS LIST AN OA MEETING?

A. No. Because we do not actually meet at the same time, we are not a *meeting.* However, we are a group of people, most of whom are in OA. Many list subscribers use this list as a tool of communication that combines elements of literature, writing, serv ice, and the telephone. This list is a service board that provides the service of this list.

Q. HOW DOES THIS LIST DEAL WITH ANONYMITY?

A. OA respects the anonymity of its members. Since this list is composed primarily of OA members, it is not a public media of communication and thus members may use their last names if they desire. Pseudonyms are also acceptable. Readers of this list a re urged to respect the anonymity of the users of this list.What you read here, what you see here, let it stay here. Please do not pass onthe messages that are posted to this list without first getting the permission of the author. We try to make th e communication as protected as possible so that everyone can feel free to write.

Q. AM I REQUIRED TO ANSWER ALL THE MAIL I GET FROM THIS LIST?

A. No. You don't need to answer any unless you wish to. We are all here to help each other, even if all we do is listen and read. To keep the volume of mail manageable, we ask that you stick to topics that are of interest to the entire list. Personal mess ages and responses that don't add to the discussion (e.g. *Me Too* messages) should be sent by private mail.

Q. WHO RUNS THE LIST?

A. In accordance with the OA Traditions, a loving God as expressed in our group conscience is our ultimate authority. We will hold business or *group conscience* discussions from time to time via the list to discuss issues that concern the list. All sub scribers are welcome to participate in the discussion. These discussion threads will hopefully be short. We also have elected servants who manage lists, answer questions, forward mail and help with any problems that may arise within the list.

Q. WHAT DO THE TRUSTED SERVANTS DO?

A. The secretary facilitates group conscience discussions and implements the results, holding elections and postingly basis to the list. In addition, the secretary takes care of any additional business items that may arise, and is the liaison with the k eepers of the listserv. The secretary also keeps a list of who is doing what service for the loop and finds volunteers to fill vacant positions pending the next election.

The listkeeper/bouncer deals with the bounces that take place on the list, which is a vital job because bounced mail really clogs up the e-mail system. These usually entails figuring out why the mail bounced and taking corrective action, such as setting a user whose mailbox is full to NOMAIL.

The newcomer greeter sends a personal welcome to each newcomer to the list.

The 12-step within committee keeps in touch with those who have left the list.

Our technical guru deals with the mechanics of the listserv and helps others on the list (including the trusted servants)with listserv problems.

Q. WHEN AND HOW ARE THEY ELECTED?

A. Elections are held on a regular basis for six month terms, and they are elected by majority votes in January and July. By a group conscience decision in January 1997, no one will be eligible to serve more than two(2) consecutive six month terms in the same position as a Trusted Servant on the 100PLUS list.

Q. CAN ANYONE RUN FOR A POSITION?

A. Any subscriber to the list who is willing to serve may run for a position. The group has not yet discussed adopting any abstinence requirements for its elected leaders.

Q. WHAT IF A POSITION BECOMES VACANT BETWEEN ELECTIONS?

A. Then the secretary finds a volunteer to fill the position until the next election. If the secretary's position becomes vacant (and there is no assistant secretary to step in), then the listkeeper/bouncer steps in and finds someone to act as secretary until the next round of elections.

Q. HOW ARE GROUP CONSCIENCE DECISIONS MADE?

A. Whenever there is anything to be decided in terms of this list or this, it is done so by a Group Consoup Conscience "meeting" is facilitated by the sees a week or so for the secretary to open the issue, facilitate the discussion, give a deadline f or voting (usually five to seven days) and tally the votes. A Group Conscience matter can be brought to the floor by ANY member of 100PLUS, although it must be seconded by another person in order to have a vote. It takes a majority of those voting to pass a motion or to amend this FAQ.

Q. HOW DID THE 100PLUS LIST START?

A. One day in 1995, Jim A., who was a subscriber to what was then called the Rozanne list (another OA-related e-mail list), mentioned in an e-mail to Chuck B. that he was thinking just thinking of starting a mailing list for hundred pounders. The next thing Jim knew, Chuck announced the information of the *Abstinent and 100+* small loop and the list was born. In the early days we kept each other e-mail addresses manually, but in 1996 we moved to a listserv.

Q. HOW MANY PEOPLE SUBSCRIBE TO 100PLUS?

A. As of the date of this FAQ, there are over 300 subscribers.

Q. WHAT ARE THE ABBREVIATIONS THAT ARE USED HERE?

A. Here are some of the common abbreviations and *emoticons* that are commonly encountered on this list:

{{{{{Huggzzz}}}}}

:)	Smile
:D	big smile
:(	frown
3/0/1	Three meals a day, nothing in between, one day at a time
DENMW	Don't Eat No Matter What
ES&H	Experience Strength & Hope
GC	Group Conscience
LOL	Laughing Out Loud or Lots Of Love
ODAT	One Day At a Time
ROTFL	Rolling On The Floor Laughing
WSBC	World Service Business Conference, OA's annual group conscience meeting
WSO	World Service Office, the OA office in New Mexico

Q. WHAT DO I DO IF I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS THAT AREN'T COVERED HERE?

A. If you have any further questions, you may send them to 100plus-request@maelstrom.stjohns.edu.

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