Advisory Council Update for the Week Ending November 21, 2002

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|Advisory Council Update - Nov. 21, 2002|
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Disclaimer: This entire update (save the poor attempt at humor) was put together thanks to Valiowk who stepped up to the plate to take AJJM's turn. Much thanks.

Contents:
I. AC Departure
II. Leave of Absence
III. Moderator Exit Interviews
IV. Unused/Discarded Usernames
V. Mod Reward Program
VI. Staggering AC Terms
VII. Debates in SW Miscellaneous
VIII. Decision Making in Individual Forums
IX. Newbie Adoptions by Oldbies
X. Move of Announcements Forum
XI. Standardization of AC selection and replacement methods
XII.The Forum You've All Wanted But Have Been Afraid to Ask For
XIII. Point of Discussion

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[b]I. [i][color=royalblue]AC Departure[/color][/i][/b]

[b]Aunt Jar Jar Mimah[/b] revealed the sad news that she will be resigning from the AC due to other commitments, as she has just received a major promotion at work. She will be staying at the AC until a suitable
replacement has been determined.

The AC wishes her all the best in her future endeavours, with congratulations about her promotion.

The AC would also like to send its condolences... uh, we mean, congratulations to our friend and sometimes leader [b]YodaJeff[/b] on his promotion to Moderator of the AotC forum.

[b]II. [i][color=royalblue]Leave of Absence[/color][/i][/b]

[b]Valiowk[/b] will be absent from the JC for the next 2 weeks, as she will be going on a school trip overseas.

[b]III. [i][color=royalblue]Moderator Exit Interviews[/color][/i][/b]
In the light of recent moderator resignations, [b]YodaJeff[/b] brought up the idea of having the AC ask departing moderators regarding their view on various issues, from their reasons for leaving to how they thought the management was able to deal with various issues.

Sentiments were that this was unnecessary as most moderators felt that they were already very vocal at present.

[b]jp-30[/b] commented, "[i]Well, if a moderator is afraid to voice their opinions on how to improve the JC, they're not doing their job to its full extent.[/i]"

[b]Vertical[/b] further added, "[i]I don't like silent dissenters - I would much prefer open disagreement. [...] If people would just up and say what they thought was wrong, we could at least attempt to work it out.[/i]"

[b]IV. [i][color=royalblue]Unused/Discarded Usernames[/color][/i][/b]

[b]Kadue[/b] brought up the issue about how to deal with unused/discarded usernames, and whether or not they should be reassigned to other users.

[b]farraday[/b] suggested to use only Star Wars-related names as prizes in raffles or other games. This idea was supported by several ACers.

However, YodaJeff later mentioned, "[i]A username is a small portion of an individual. What if it is someone like Big Bad Yoda Daddy, who took a couple years off to go on a mission, except this person didn't tell anyone? I think they'd be a little disappointed (and rightfully so) that you gave away their name.

Usernames are how we relate to other people here on the boards. Even if it wasn't a member who was really active, someone could still remember seeing that name post.[/i]"

[b]Dan[/b] also mentioned, "[i]Why would they want to post with that name for a short period of time? Why not use their real username and give them colors for that?[/i]"

Therefore, because of these considerations, it was decided to leave old usernames alone.

[b]V. [i][color=royalblue]Mod Reward Program[/color][/i][/b]

[b]EmpressPalpatine[/b] suggested the following idea, which was then debated in the AC: "[i]I have an idea for the JC that might work out nice, and I even volunteer to take it on. A Mods Rewards Program. Like incentive programs at some companies, users would send a PM to the committee in charge
of this, if they were especially impressed by some help th

 

Good work, Qui_Gon_Jim23.
Thanks for the update!

 

Good work, Rhett.

 

Thanks for the update.

 

Also, further SW Misc reforms are currently being considered. Be rest assured that it is most likely that threads from other forums (e.g. Defence Forces, Shaving Habits, Starbucks) which were specifically told to move there in the past will not be asked to move again.

A reform that considers some threads as untouchable is a reform that isnt likely to be fully effective.

If this reform counts as part of the move towards a Saga forum, I think that you'll be doing the new forum a disservice to leave threads in there simply because you dont want to move them again.

As always, it comes down to priorities....good quality SW discussion, or socialising.

Why arent I surprised that its the socialising that wins yet again? And it isnt even the JCC this time.

 

What? [face_shocked] No Underwater Basketweaving Forum??? NOOOOO!!! That just ruined my whole day!





Ok, so it might be redundant, so what? Lol, great update Jim! Thanks so much to all who helped make it.



JPK

 

Disclaimer: This entire update (save the poor attempt at humor) was put together thanks to Valiowk who stepped up to the plate to take AJJM's turn. Much thanks.

I'd like to clarify that this is my week to do the AC update. As AJJM will be stepping down, we offered to let her do an update, but she said that she was rather out of touch with the AC and would therefore like to just post it instead. However, by midnight, she hadn't posted it yet, so I let QGJ post it instead.

A reform that considers some threads as untouchable is a reform that isnt likely to be fully effective.

If this reform counts as part of the move towards a Saga forum, I think that you'll be doing the new forum a disservice to leave threads in there simply because you dont want to move them again.

Dagsy, I'm rather sure that this is not part of the move towards a Saga forum, but instead a move that will take place for SW Misc whether or not the Saga forum is implemented. The reason why those threads are probably not going to be moved is because they have previously been told to move specifically to Misc in the past.

Of course, if it is felt that it would still be better to remove them from Misc after final discussion for the reasons that you mentioned, we will still go ahead with it.

 

if we can't have an underwater basket weaving forum, can we have an above water basket weaving forum? I don't do well under water; the bubbles tend to screw up my breathing ability for some reason.

great update, Val; thanks for the hard work. Hope you enjoy your school trip, have a great and safe time. see you soon.

 

Oops, sorry Val.


Sometimes my comprehension skills are a bit lacking.

 

Thanks Val. I'm sure I'll be around and participate in the future. I just don't have the time right now to be a good AC member any longer.

 

Thank you muchly for the update.


On the POD: I think that a reminder should be included about problems with hotmail, seeing as it affects hotmail users in several ways. I know that there are links to a couple of related threads in the Comms forum Thread index, but if people are looking for a quick, straight to the point answer then they might not think to look through the thread index.

 

Great update!

With all this talk of staggering AC terms and such, the question gets raised from those of us not "in the know" -- how does one get picked to be an AC Member in the first place?

 

Basically the outgoing AC members choose who they think should be their replacements.

The mods have no say in the decision although if their opinion is asked for they can reveal if that user has had problems in the past.

Former Mods are brought in by the new group, if they so decided, the number and which mods are completely to be determined by them.

Permanant members stay until they decide to stop and then are chosen, although how and from which pool of members is still being discussed.

 

New AC members are selected by the out-going AC's rotating members and the long-term members. They are selected from among the JC membership-at-large, and preference is given to a cross-section that will effectively represent the concerns from all across the Jedi Council forums. Registration date or post count plays no distinct role, though we have found it prudent to have members from a wide range of either.

There is currently not a codified process for making that selection, though Item XII in this update concerns this very effort. In the coming weeks, we will revise and ultimately ratify some guidelines for selection. When that process is completed, we will post an Advisory Council: Standard Operating Procedures document for all to see. We will also include provisions for the revision of the SOP, much like a Constitution is amended.

EDIT -- Before I posted, I saw that farraday had fielded this question effectively, but I went on and posted mine anyway. Hey! I already had it all typed up!

AYBABTU?

 

EDIT: What he said.

 

There is currently not a codified process for making that selection, though Item XII in this update concerns this very effort. In the coming weeks, we will revise and ultimately ratify some guidelines for selection. When that process is completed, we will post an Advisory Council: Standard Operating Procedures document for all to see. We will also include provisions for the revision of the SOP, much like a Constitution is amended.

That sounds great. Can't wait to read it.

 

I would like to express my sadness regarding the nixing of the proposed Underwater Basketweaving Forum. In my lengthy tenure at the JC, I have not once discussed teh basket-weaving. I think with this forum we could truly and finally solve the social, ecomonic, and political issues plaguing the JC as a whole. But, once again, the administration ignores a great vision for mankind.

A wonderful update, but my heart remains broken.

We thank Pie Butt for his suggestion and hope to hear more great ideas (read -- none)

omglolroofle!

 

Thanks for the update!!!

Although I am dissappointed about the underwater basket weaving forum. I was looking forward to learning more about this incredibly exiting hobby. I'd so much like to learn how to do that. Could you perhaps point me in the right direction to the official underwater basket weaving thread? If not, I'll continue collecting the hair of famous people. (My latest aquisition is the one of Elvis). A woman's gotta do something in her spare time

 

You'll be thrilled to know that even know the AC is discussing a "Hair of Famous People Collecting Forum."

And you say that we don't listen to what the average user wants!

 

I only collect dandruff of famous people.

 

Regarding: Newbie Adoptions by Oldbies

I am currently incharge of the New Adoptions thread that KW pointed out is thriving in the Welcome New Users boards, and I have been running it since March. Morgaine has been helping me a lot by keeping the first page updated.

We have over 30 free adopters at any given time, and have more than 40 adopted pairs. We get oldbies from all over the boards, and I list links to their profile every few days so that newbies can try to find an adopter who has similar interests, or who posts in a forum they want to participate in.

I've already played 'match-maker' with a few pairs, I've helped newbies match up with oldbies that were regs in Literature,Fan Fiction, and Games. We also have a spanish speaking oldbie volunteer.

The Fan Fiction forum has already started up a similar thread, though it isn't as busy as the one in the Welcome forum is. I think that the idea of adopting would be more successful if all the volunteers were gathered in one thread, instead of broken up across threads in each forum.

Maybe we could just add a link to the existing Adoptions thread in the Indexes or headers of a few forums. Make it more visible instead of breaking it up into different forums.

 

GLK,

That's a good idea. Perhaps adding a section in our Lit. Forum Welcome sticky thread (and other forums can do the same if they feel the need to do so) to point to your Welcome Forum n00b adoption program?

Very feasible, IMO.

 

Val, I would be pretty sure that the administration arent going to enact a Misc reform, and then a second one soon afterwards in order to deal with the Saga issue. In all likelihood, there will be only one reform. If some threads are protected, then thats it....protected for the new Saga forum too. Which means we limit any reforms.

So far as these threads having moved to Misc....well, that shouldnt matter. As much as I appreciate history, we have to prioritise....whats best for the forum and the JC, not whats best for a few social threads.

Besides, as I said in the Saga thread, its and idea to send some threads back where they came from. The Shaving Habits could go back to the CT forum to be that forums social thread....perhaps one social thread can stay in Misc/Saga. The DFs can go where they belong...AotC to the AotC forum etc. That is, after all, where they are most relevant. I dont really see how putting a thread back in (what many posters in these threads would consider) their rightful place would be an unfair thing.

 

I'd prefer to keep the fan fiction Adopt-a-Newbie thread in the writers' resource forum. Those who have used it have for the most part found it very useful, and the fan fiction forum really is a lot different from the rest of the forums here. There are two separate boards to keep track of, some things are appropriate for one, the other, or neither, and learning the ropes of the boards in general doesn't necessarily mean that you know what you're doing in fan fic.

The reason behind the Adopt-a-Newbie thread was that there had been a lot of discussion of how newbies were treated there. The general consensus was that it was very difficult for a newbie to find sure footing on the board. Because fan fiction does rely in part on popularity and talent, it's good to have someone around to help find a beta reader, learn how to advertise stories, and figure out where socialization is appropriate. The adopters and adoptees pretty much pair themselves, but usually they're both interested in the same kind of stories, so the adopter can introduce the adoptee to various authors and readers who might also be interested in the adoptee's work. From my own experience with an adoptee, it works - my adopted newbie is now writing an excellent and popular story on the boards, and she knows enough about the board to have adopted a newbie herself.

I don't know if it's entirely necessary in other forums, but I can see how it would be useful in literature, certainly - that place is a lions' den on occasion.

Mel

 

Mel, I didn't mean to suggest that it should be closed or merged with the other thread.

I was only using it as an example of another forum that liked the idea of having an Adoption/Buddy system thread, but it wasn't as active as the one in the Welcome forum. I was using that example to demonstrate that if we create a new thread in different forums, they could all be very slow, either short on oldbie volunteers or short of newbies, while the others have the opposite problem. When they are all combined, the forum with too many volunteers can come to a centralized thread and find newbies who are waiting.

I think that most people at the JC visit more than one forum exclusively. Perhaps it is different in the FanFiction forum and many of it's members don't venture out into the movie forums or YJCC. If so, it might be better served to have it's own adoptions thread.


Genghis, thats a good idea I hadn't thought of. There are a lot more forums that have been adding Welcome sticky threads. Adding a link in those might be more visible.