It does not define the specific ways that these will be achieved. Standards are the specific performance expectations which then guide the defining of procedures that maintain the standards and permit evaluation and control of performance. Procedures state the specific sequence of actions to be carried out, by whom, and how. They indicate how the standards will be accomplished and maintained. The primary focus of this guide will be toward policy, with the intent that it informs and guides the development of standards and procedures.
Policies have to address a wide range of issues.
One of particular importance is that of commercial use. For community information networks which participate in Missouri Express, this policy is required as a minimum. Community information networks should also consider a set of policies to describe expectations for both information providers and users. By having established policies, all parties can be asked to agree to abide by those guidelines in writing prior to being granted permission to participate in the network. If there is violation of a policy in the view of the community network, it is important to be able to establish that the offending party had prior knowledge of the expectations for proper use.