FAMNet is an issues-based email group for professionals who work with children and their families. Messages sent to FAMNet are automatically redistributed to all those who subscribe to the forum.
The purpose of FAMNET is to facilitate timely communication and an exchange of information among Extension educators and their family life education colleagues throughout the United States. Because FAMNET is created by those who elect to participate, every subscriber has the opportunity to initiate their own questions and comments about families and respond to the questions asked by other subscribers.
An exchange of ideas could take place on such diverse issues as family and community violence, divorce and remarriage, child care, family resiliency, parent education, or grandparenting. Comment could focus on theoretical insights, new research, practical experiences, or educational programs. FAMNET provides a vehicle for networking and the exchange of information and creative ideas for programming.
FAMNET is open to anyone with an interest in families and children. County, state, and federal Extension educators, marriage and family therapists, social service professionals, family life educators, youth educators, and classroom teachers are examples of the type of professionals who might participate on FAMNET. FAMNET is also a gathering place for participants in the National Network for Family Resiliency who would like to inform subscribers about the progress of their work.
If you have a simple request about children and families, you could send a message to:
and include your email address for a personal response. You do not have to be a subscriber to send a message to FAMNET. As a subscriber, however, any message sent to famnet@esusda.gov by anyone with access to the internet will be automatically forwarded to your mailbox. At your leisure you can scan, read, and then reply to those messages of interest.
to subscribe to FAMNET, send email to:
majordomo@reeusda.gov and in the body of the email type:
subscribe famnet To unsubscribe to FAMNET, send email to:
majordomo@reeusda.gov and in the body of the email type:
unsubscribe famnet Do not write any additional information in the body of the message. Do not subscribe or unsubscribe by sending email to FAMNET. Mail to FAMNET is redistributed to all subscribers. Subscription messages are irrelevant to on-going discussion on FAMNET.
There is no cost to being a subscriber to FAMNET.
The success of FAMNET depends entirely on the vitality and goodwill of subscribers. Have an idea that you think might help others? Struggling with a programming problem and need help? Learned about a new program that others might like to implement? Send a message to FAMNET. If no one send, no one receives.
Replying to messages sent to FAMNET is an important responsibility for subscribers. You can send your reply to famnet@esusda.gov for others to read if you think they might be interested in could benefit from your comments or if you hope to stimulate further discussion. Or you can reply directly by private email to the sender of a message if that is more appropriate.
Messages to FAMNET should focus on issues related to children and families. Commercial promotions or postings on non--family issues are inappropriate.
Messages to FAMNET should have potential interest to subscribers. Keep in mind that everyone on the list gets your message, so anything of a business or management nature is better conducted through private email. Setting up a conference call for a limited number of participants or setting up a meeting date for a portion of FAMNET subscribers would be examples of what should be left to private email. Avoid needlessly cluttering the mailboxes of subscribers with irrelevant information.
FAMNET is a mixture of both informal and formal styles. In some cases, information is simply listed for the benefit of subscribers. Postings can also be more informal, involving an exchange of opinions and emotions in response to the topic being discussed. This dialogue is an important part of FAMNET (and the internet in general). Keep in mind that your messages go out to all subscribers. Once sent, they cannot be retrieved. Think of these informal threads as a relaxed discussion by colleagues around a fireplace. Ideas are expressed, counterpoints and rejoinders made, and conclusions drawn in an atmosphere of tolerance and honesty.
If You Have Any Other Questions on FAMNET
If you have questions, comments or need assistance with the FAMNet listserv, please contact Anna Mae Kobbe at: akobbe@reeusda.gov
Document written by Charles A. Smith
CYFERNet is a registered trademark of the National Children, Youth and Families at Risk Initiative.