The administrator of this board (Harrison) has been contacted on frequent occasions about the fact that certain members have repeatedly violated our Member Guidelines, related to contacting our members privately via email to solicit business, without invitation. These violations have led to the perceptions that that this forum is possibly condoning (or even tacitly encouraging) this sort of conduct.

We would like to assure our members that such conduct is not condoned or encouraged; anyone who feels they have been the recipients of such conduct is requested to report transgressions to the administrator for appropriate action.

We would like the entire membership to review the Member Guidelines, which are valuable in terms of maintaining peace, trust and understanding. The advisory board is currently completing its analysis of the situation (member misconduct as well as possible guideline revision) and will offer its recommendations to the administrator for consideration and implementation.

Further violations of the guidelines by the offender or anyone else will be dealt with immediately by banning them from the use of our caring ADR community. We thank all those who have brought this situation to our attention.

The guidelines are the first FAQ, found here:

http://www.adrsupport.org/private-cg...bb.cgi?ubb=faq

Dear ADRSupport Members,

Our goal since our inception in 2004 has been to provide both information and support to spine sufferers. We believe we have a unique gathering place that combines both educational and medical resources with human contact and caring. This is largely due to the efforts and warmth of its members themselves, who find both the strength and courage to reach out to others despite their own pain. Thank you all very much!

In an ongoing effort to keep this forum an open, unbiased meeting place where users can interact and exchange information freely, the Administrator and the Advisory Board have decided to prohibit all commercial activity within its walls. Individuals or businesses with a professional interest in our members and their medical conditions who solicit clients from the Board will not be allowed to post and interact in the forum, effective immediately.

We will, however, provide a space with links to those individuals or businesses that provide arthroplasty-related services; and whose credibility and viability we feel could be of service to Members of the forum who choose to make contact with them.

Our primary concern is you, the patient. The measures imposed today have not been lightly undertaken; they are the result of much serious consideration (literally hundreds of man-hours) and investigation into the aforementioned issues. We believe that clearly separating commercial contacts is the best way to provide transparency within the Forum, as well as clarity and freedom of choice to each individual member.

Lastly, I ask that members respect this finding and refrain from debating or commenting further. Again, this issue has been painstakingly examined and we appreciate your understanding and patience.