Do I *have* to write an intro letter to the list?


Member intros are welcomed and encouraged but not required.  
Eventually you may feel comfortable enough to comment on 
something someone else has said, or just drop a brief note to the 
list to say hi.  VP has a webpage of intro letters to give new 
(and old) members a chance to meet their neighbors.  But not 
everyone has an intro letter on the page.  That's okay.  The 
important thing is that you feel comfortable.  

