The purpose of the OPS Forum is to provide connections between and support for OPS members. We want this to be a place where our community will develop; we can enjoy one another's company, share interests and foster education. To achieve this, we strive to maintain an atmosphere that can be enjoyed by all and we ask all members of the community to be respectful at all times. This means please use etiquette and politeness. Treat people with kindness, gentleness and respect. If you do this, the rest of the code of conduct won't need more than a cursory mention. The OPS Forum Moderators reserve the right to edit or delete any forumcontent that does not adhere to these rules.

• Start clear threads. Start your post with a clear specific subject. Post a follow up to let the people that help you know that you appreciate their help and let future readers know the information was useful. You can also mark a thread solved as a courtesy.
• Stay on topic. Each thread should stay on one topic. Off-topic messages may be deleted without notice. If you have made a mistake, apologize, and re-post to the correct thread, if one exists. Otherwise, start a new one. If your message is deleted, the poster is responsible for re-posting to the correct thread.
• Keep the language and tone polite and respectful and maintain decorum. Name calling, rudeness, disrespect toward others, insults, profanity or inappropriate discussion will not be tolerated. Any attempt to disrupt a thread or to promote discord is prohibited. Often discussions deteriorate in response to a single message. Do not respond back. It takes two for a discussion to fly off. Remember: everyone has the right to express their opinion, but within the bounds of decency and sensitivity to others.
• All posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author of each post.
• Respect the privacy of others.
• No advertising or commercial postings are permitted except as an appropriate reply to a message. You should identify your business. We have sponsors listed on the Sustaining Members' Page. If you wish to become a Sustaining Member with a link for our members to access, please apply for membership as a Sustaining Member.
• No job advertisements or employment opportunities may be posted in the OPS Member Forum. They can be submitted to the OPS Career Center through the OPS Central Office.
• Politics and Religion: These two topics can cause serious problems. Please find another venue to exercise your freedom of speech on these topics.
• No trolling. Don't post to inflame others. Substance is the key to avoid trolling (sowing discord or attempting to upset people). There is zero tolerance for trolls. They cannot be reasoned with and we don't attempt to. When writing your messages, please use the same courtesy that you would show when speaking face-to-face with someone. This is less obvious and harder than you think. Practice.
• No pornographic material. Sexually suggestive material will seriously scrutinized. We'd like everyone to be able to read the forums at work or share them with family and friends.
• No promotion of violence or advocating breaking the law.
• Unsubstantiated accusations, libelous and defamatory statements and innuendo prohibited.
• Do not post copyrighted materials - text or images - without the copyright-holder's permission. You may be asked to prove you have permission.
• No attacks on individuals, groups or businesses. Criticize ideas, not people. Intolerance toward race, gender, ethnic groups or business is prohibited.
• Avoid uppercase. Don't type whole messages in uppercase as this is the method to indicate shouting. It is also difficult to read.
• No profanities or foul language.
• We reserve the right to edit or remove inappropriate messages.
• Avatars, photos and images must adhere to forum standards and norms.
• No spamming.
• Links: You may post links to sites with content that is acceptable according to this code of conduct
• Financial Interest. If you have a financial interest in a product or service you discuss in this forum, please indicate so in your post.
• Remember, you are representing yourself to your colleagues and your profession. We are individuals with different interests, but with OPS in common.

The OPS Board of Directors