Communication will most likely take the form of e-mail messages (or whatever else technology and creativity invent) where each member sends messages to all other members. Material may be exchanged through snail mail, e-mail attachments, web-page posts or any other medium. Because of concerns for theft, everyone is encouraged to know the real names, street addresses and a thing or two about everyone else in their groups. Use caution in this area. The Screenwriters' Internetwork cannot track risk for individuals. But don't be paralyzed by fear. What's said and exchanged in a group ought to remain within that group. That is common courtesy.
Social scientists have found that the ideal size for a small group is 6 or 7 members. Smaller groups can be short on fresh ideas while larger groups can get unwieldy. With that said, each group sets its own policy on size.
Conflicts will certainly arise from time to time. All members are encouraged to keep in mind that some members tend to be brutally candid while others engage in a more delicate approach. The former should be sensitive to the preferences of the latter and the latter should try to appreciate the former. When unsolvable conflicts do arise, there need not be hard feelings. Any groups forming from a split will be welcome to post for additional members.
It's wide open. Make it up as you go and pass along your ideas.
(Note: the Screenwriters Internetwork is at http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~miholer/network.html).
8/97