Requirements

• Requests must be made by an STFM-affiliated group or committee.

• Written requests should be directed to the Communications Committee in care of STFM's communications director at the STFM office. The communications director will disseminate requests to Communications Committee members for discussion.

• Requests will be reviewed quarterly by the Communications Committee. "Special reviews" of requests between these periods will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

• Requests should include an explanation of the:

1. Need for adding the requested information to the Web site and justification of why dissemination of information could be most effectively achieved by electronic means vs. other dissemination methods (ie, majority of group has Web access)
2. Goals of what requesting group/committee is trying to achieve by adding information to the Web site
3. Ability of information to be provided to STFM staff in hypertext markup language (HTML), such that it only requires approval and editing by STFM staff (HTML is a text-based, generic markup language for representing the design and contents of documents that Web browsers can display.)
4. Ability of group to provide a volunteer to maintain information to be added to Web site (ie, to provide updated HTML-coded files to STFM)
5. Expiration date when material should be updated or removed from the Web site.

Criteria used for screening Web site additions considers information:

1. Relevant to STFM members or family medicine
2. Consistent with stated organizational or Board policy; does not imply an organizational stand on any issue where such a position has not been taken
3. Based on data gathered using accepted scientific research methods
4. Checked for accuracy
5. Avoids language that could be construed as libelous or damaging to any party

Prioritizing Web Site Additions
Requests for adding electronic communications services will be given priority based on:

1. Need for information to be disseminated electronically
2. Ability of volunteer from group/committee to provide information in HTML, such that it only requires approval and editing by STFM staff
3. Ability of volunteer from group/committee to provide technical support to maintain added information (ie, to provide updated HTML-coded files to STFM)
4. Ability of the group/committee to secure financial support to fund outsourcing of HTML markup if necessary, particularly if project would require a sizable number of staff hours to prepare information for Web site
5. Potential for information to generate revenue or provide savings to Society
6. Ability of electronic dissemination of information to greatly enhance or possibly replace currently printed version of information
7. Activity designated by the STFM Board of Directors to be of particular importance to the membership

Discussion Lists
STFM does not currently provide hosting or moderating services for groups wishing to develop discussion lists. STFM will help facilitate access to STFM members who are currently moderating lists to serve as resources for answering questions.

Considerations for Links With Other Web Sites

• Cosponsorship with other organization
• Information of value to members that STFM does not currently provide
• Need for STFM members to have easy access to linked information
• Activity/information designated by the STFM Board of Directors to be of particular importance to the membership

The Communications Committee will review requests for adding a link from the STFM Web site to other Web sites on an on-going basis.

General Updates

• Corrections to phone, fax, e-mail numbers will be made weekly.
• Other corrections/updates will be made monthly.