Jiscmail - Important notice for members

Dear BABCP Member

BABCP has now received legal advice following recent events in relation to a serious complaint made under the Jiscmail protocol.

According to the legal advice, these events have demonstrated that the Association’s subscription to Jiscmail no longer meets that which is stated in the registered use; that is: to act as a ‘closed list for members of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.  It will serve as a national discussion and announcement list addressing practice, research and training issues related to behavioural and cognitive psychotherapies.’

More seriously, the legal advice goes on to state that continuing with subscription to Jiscmail poses a serious risk to the Association, its reputation and livelihood, and by extension the professional and personal interests of all members.  For this reason, BABCP is obliged to follow this legal advice and end its subscription to Jiscmail.

BABCP subscription to Jiscmail will therefore end on Monday, 25 July 2011

BABCP does recognise that, while a majority of members neither subscribed nor actively used Jiscmail, it was nonetheless one of the benefits of being a member.

There will be a replacement.  As such, the Communications Strategy and Planning Committee has been tasked with identifying an alternative way in which members can interact with each other online in the near future.  In particular, it will be focused on finding an alternative that meets the needs of the majority of members, who will want to make use of it and feel safe doing so.

Moreover, in line with the legal advice received, whatever does replace Jiscmail will need to be accompanied by a robust protocol that will ensure the interests of the Association and its members are fully and properly protected.  This protocol will be drawn up in collaboration with BABCP’s solicitors.

The Communications Strategy and Planning Committee is interested in hearing from members who have positive suggestions about what the alternative might include in terms of functionality.

If you would like to contribute any suggestion, then please email futureforum@babcp.com by 9.00am on Monday, 3 October 2011.

Those members who are currently subscribed to Branch or SIG Jiscmail lists will be contacted under separate email cover about interim arrangements and suggested non BABCP alternatives while new systems are identified and put in place.

BABCP Board