[PLUG] OT: Responsible Mass mailings

["Aaron Crosman" <ACrosman@afsc.org>]

The organization I work for is in the process of setting up a server to
handle our mailing lists.  This is an Exim server, which right now only
sends mail for mailman.  Soon there will be a combination of a couple
different types of mass mailings including news letters sent from a
database product we are deploying in a few offices.  I want to make sure
this server is NOT a SPAM source, so I'm a looking for ideas (both
policy and technical) to help make sure my users (i.e., organization
staff) behave themselves.

Clearly to start with, we'll require double opt-in for all lists, and a
clear opt-out path on each message that's sent.  Since these aren't
commercial emails (information about issues and events mostly) it's not
clear to me that CAN-SPAM applies, but since the only other requirement
that I can find is that physical address always be included that seems
like a good thing to require as well.  I would like to know what other
policy suggestions you all have that might help the system run more
smoothly?

In terms of ideas I'm considering designing a system that would prevent
Exim from sending messages to a list of addresses that have requested
not to be contacted by us.  Since there will be multiple systems using
the server, not all of which will be in my control I'd like to find ways
of handling complaints centrally when they are not effectively handled
by my users. Essentially I'd like to create a reverse blacklist, that
prevents messages to anyone on a given list. It seems to me that I
should be able to setup a Exim router that looks up addresses in a MySQL
table and drops them (or better yet bounces them so they get removed).
Since I haven't done this before I thought I might look for suggestions
before I start playing.  Any other technical ideas about ways of help
users follow the policies provided would be much appreciated.

Thanks
Aaron
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