Pemberley is Jane Austen site. The name of this particular board is JANE AUSTEN'S LIFE AND TIMES- it’s there is big bold letters. Underneath the title is the phrase "This Month’s Topic – Jane Austen- the Life" No longer existing, but there until very recently, was the phrase “For the better understanding of Jane Austen’s works, through discussion of her times”.

Personally, it’s clear to me that this board is for the discussion of Jane Austen, and a better understanding of her as a person, and the intention behind her written works.
Most of the time, it’s clear to regular posters, too- the occasional newcomer needs to be redirected, but regular posters seem to be happy to operate within the spirit with which this board was created and governed.

Over the last two weeks several thing have happened , which I have found very dispiriting, to the extent that I have seriously considered giving up running this board.

Firstly, I myself have been very busy, and have had to rely on the help of other committee members for managing this board. I have not put as much time as I wished into the MT, and in my absesce, everything seems to have gone to pot.

Secondly, several long-term members of Pemberley- not newcomers- have obviously decided that despite the spirit with which this board was intended, and despite exhortations from me on the board, or explanations by-e-mail, that it’s okay to “slip in” the odd question about some other author, or some other topic, on the grounds that it doesn’t matter. Believe me, it does matter, and my heart sinks when I see such things.

Thirdly, one person objected by e-mail to her post being deleted on the grounds that "Caroline wouldn’t have done that, and would we please firm up the guidelines so we can all understand.."

Fourthly, when one person asked for help with a personal project, and was asked by a committee member to take the matter to e-mail (a routine decision, and one that I would have made myself, had I been there) the poster responded sarcastically, and has since been deleted.

As I said above, when I see such things, I feel like giving up. I really do believe in positivity- in relying on the intelligence and sensitivity of posters in keeping within the spirit of the board. I do not like more and more complicated “rules” about what people cannot do. However, people have demanded more “rules”. I have spent a considerable amount of time discussing the situation with fellow committee members, and have come to an agreement with them about a method of evaluating posts which is clearer and easier everyone to follow . This policy is in force as of now, so some of you may wish to print it out for further reference.

Posts beginning threads and /or asking for information will be evaluated using the following criteria.:

The many degrees of Jane Austen

Directly applicable to Jane Austen’s life, or her works. (one degree)

Directly applicable to her friends and family, or reasonable suppositions about her characters (two degrees)

Not directly applicable to JA or her characters, but generally applicable to English society of her time. (three degrees)

Outside her society, in another country or another time, another author all together (four degrees)

Here’s an example:
FACT: Emma is dedicated to the Prince Regent/JA's letters call the Regent's wife a "poor woman."
I see a one-degree relationship where we talk about her letters, and what she meant, or we talk about the dedication and why she didn't want to do it.
I can see a two-degree connection when we talk about why the dedication is so toadying, or whether the PR ever actually read the book.
I can see a three-degree connection when we talk about what Prinny did outside of that- his squabbles with Parliament, his mistresses, his other activities.

Degrees one and two are compatible with the intention of this board. Degree three is very iffy indeed, and may be deleted at the discretion of a committee member or be re-directed to another board. Degree four is definitely outside the scope of the board, and will be deleted, or the poster directed to continue in e-mail.

Posts answering requests for information, or adding to the conversation in other ways, will be evaluated using the normal Pemberley conventions only, if a reasonable attempt is made to keep within the spirit of the board. However, if the original request is considered to be NOT within the two degrees, the whole conversation may be deleted.

Hopefully that will make things clearer to everyone. If anyone isn’t sure about the policy, they can discuss it further on HELP! If anyone isn’t sure if their question will fit, they can e-mail any committee member for clarification, at any time. The generic e-mail address of webmaster@pemberley.com is fine if you cannot find a particular committeee member’s address.