It was authorized at a DHS meeting to be a discussion forum for DHS hikes, but not as an official DHS publication. The specific intent of this list is to exchange information, helping people organize hikes and find partners, not to make a profit or reach only those who pay for other publications. There is no charge to subscribe, and you don't have to be a member of any organization to send broadcasts or just listen in. All messages are archived, and are considered public domain. They may be included in various newsletters or forwarded to other lists.
Org lists are for gear discussions, political debates, etc.
Any organization that publishes a climbing schedule including climbs or hikes in the SF Bay Area is welcome to distribute its newsletter here. Most broadcasts will be to announce future trips, report on past trips, or discuss road and route conditions. Road closures and weather info should be sent to the list which includes the geographic area affected. Keep in mind that any message you try to send out to the group should come back to you within a few hours to a day. You should get 2 messages when you subscribe.