New Community Application

Members of The Missouri Bar can request that the Board of Governors consider the establishment of a law‐related, stand-alone online discussion community (e.g. listserv‐type forum) that is not affiliated directly with a Missouri Bar committee by following the New Discussion Community Proposal process and meeting the minimum requirements for an application and petition. Upon submission of a fully completed application and petition, the Board of Governors, as it deems necessary, can at its sole discretion decide whether to act on and/or approve or disapprove any proposal submitted.

A Missouri Bar connect.MOBAR online discussion community is established to provide the opportunity to connect, collaborate and share knowledge and resources with Missouri Bar members focused on the law‐related and/or administration of justice area.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Missouri Bar members may apply for a new discussion community if they feel the establishment of such a community will:

• Address an unmet communication/discussion need for members of The Missouri Bar
• Not interfere, dilute or overlap negatively with the focus and/or efforts of an existing standing committee or community
• Have an adequate commitment of subscribers at its inception (25 or more members)
• Have a commitment from at least one member who will act as an active moderator to ensure discussions adhere to the terms of service agreement
• Maintain the minimum threshold level of participation annually that justifies the community

PROPOSAL PROCESS
The process to propose a new discussion community includes the electronic or printed submission of the following forms:

	FORM	NOTES	DEADLINES
STEP 1	New Community Application	The proposed new discussion community will be reviewed for consideration at the Board meeting following the submission deadline.	February 1 Review at Winter Meeting April 1 Review at Spring Meeting June 1 Review at Summer Meeting August 1 Review at Annual Meeting October 1 Review at Fall Meeting
STEP 2	Member Petition	Complete the Member Petition and collect: petition signatures (25+) moderator commitment (pledge of one moderator)
STEP 3	Request for Review	May be submitted at any time during the bar year.

FINAL DETERMINATION
Any new application fully completed and meeting the minimum requirements and timing deadlines for review during a bar year will be considered by the Board Assessment Committee.  This committee of the Board of Governors will formulate a recommendation which will be taken up by the Board of Governors at its next meeting for approval or disapproval at its sole discretion.

For a new discussion community to remain active and authorized, it will be required to achieve the following:

• Expand to have 50 or more subscribers within one year of inception and maintain this minimum level annually.
• Identify and maintain one member of the discussion community to monitor discussions and ensure adherence to the terms of use related to connect.MOBAR discussion communities.
• Show activity equivalent to at least 10 unique posts per month per 50 subscribers averaged annually.
• Not be shown to interfere or dilute any discussion community affiliated with a standing committee of The Missouri Bar or another law-related, stand-alone discussion community.
• Maintain a focus and tenor of discussion that is appropriate and consistent with the diverse views of an integrated bar.