[CyberTOPS] **IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE: THE TOWEL EXCHANGE, SECRET SANTA, ETC.**

[Lori - cyberTOPS Owner]

I am sending this message out to all participants in the towel exchange 
(thanks Sara for organizing these) and the Secret Santa exchange (thanks 
Janet!).

I have been told quite often lately of the bad feelings caused when 
members sign up for these exchanges, get an exchange partner, receive 
their towel or gifts, and don't send one in exchange.  This has happened 
with the Secret Santa on more than one occasion, as well as the towel 
exchange, and also happened with the scavenger hunt exchange last year.

While I understand that sometimes things happen to delay the sending of an 
exchange, such as illness, etc., there is no excuse for not contacting 
your exchange partner to explain why it is late, and when they can expect 
it, as well as contacting the exchange coordinator to let them know what's 
happening.  The exchange coordinators have told me that often they contact 
the person over and over, get no response at all, no explanation, nothing.

Because of the bad feelings this generates, and because I do not believe 
it embodies the cyberTOPS spirit, I am going to take the 'bull by the 
horns' so to speak, and make it a rule as of now that if anyone signs up 
for an exchange, does not send their gift, and does not explain why their 
exchange is going to be late, they will be banned from all future 
exchanges for a period of two years.

This is taking effect immediately, and applies to anyone who has defaulted 
(never sent their package) in past exchanges of any kind in the last two 
years.  These people have received numerous reminders, so I don't feel 
this is too harsh.   Also, I am also making it a rule that if someone 
defaults in one exchange, they will not be allowed to participate in any 
type of exchange for two years.  If they again default after being allowed 
back into the exchanges, they will not be allowed to participate again at 
all ever.

This sounds harsh, but it's been happening too often.  DON'T SIGN UP FOR 
AN EXCHANGE IF YOU'RE NOT SURE YOU CAN GET THE PACKAGE MAILED, CAN'T 
AFFORD TO DO IT, OR HAVE NO INTENTION OF FOLLOWING THROUGH.

If you have any questions, please email me.