Post of the Week / Member of the Month

[Twyrch]

I know it's an understatement to say that I haven't been as active as I could have been in the last couple of years, but it's a problem I'm working very hard to rectify.

As I've been browsing the threads and giving my opinion on things, I've noticed some very eloquent and uplifting posts made by a number of individuals.

In adding my entries to the Eisteddfod Competitions, I wondered if there might not be a way to offer a Post of the Week and/or Member of the Month competition... some way to visibly show our appreciation to those who offer good advice and prove themselves to be wise and caring to those around them.

To expand my idea slightly, perhaps the PotW and MotM winners could have a special icon in their profile for that month. Just something special to recognize an outstanding forum member. Each week and/or month, as they case may be, forum members could vote on who they feel best deserves the recognition.

It's just an idea and if you think it will become an administrative nightmare, I understand. However, they say you never know unless you ask... so I'm asking.

[Creirwy]

From my personal point of view, I dont think such a thing as poster of the week or member of the month is applicable to this board.. or any other board.

The rewards for being here arent in an icon or an superfluous title.. but in the wisdom and sharing of experiences, of those that ask interesting questions and give us time and room to think of our own opinions.

I dont think people should be formally 'rewarded/awarded' for it. Especially when for me, druidry is all about humility and awareness of the self... not about the titles and someone deeming you 'worthy'.

And, such things will bring about ego and personality competitions - which would ruin the haven that this is place is for people.

Just my personal thoughts.

[Mey]

For such a thing one must read ALL the posts. And if you can find someone who can do that who can judge it to be a PotW or MotM? What are the requirements for the posts to become PotW or MotM?

[Twyrch]

From my personal point of view, I dont think such a thing as poster of the week or member of the month is applicable to this board.. or any other board.

The rewards for being here arent in an icon or an superfluous title.. but in the wisdom and sharing of experiences, of those that ask interesting questions and give us time and room to think of our own opinions.

I dont think people should be formally 'rewarded/awarded' for it. Especially when for me, druidry is all about humility and awareness of the self... not about the titles and someone deeming you 'worthy'.

And, such things will bring about ego and personality competitions - which would ruin the haven that this is place is for people.

Just my personal thoughts.

You're right when you say "druidry is all about humility and awareness of the self... not about the titles and someone deeming you 'worthy'." I hadn't considered it from that point of view.

Thank you for reminding me of that and for your warning of the possible side-effects.

Mey, in previous boards where this has happened, the membership would nominate members or posts and then the membership would vote on that post or member, but Creirwy is right, it could easily become a popularity contest and ruin the board's current atmosphere.

[Ailim]

Whilst I agree somewhat with Creirwy's thoughts on this suggestion, one thing that did pop into my head was this.  Perhaps it would show by example how someone should post, and in doing so encourage the bardic talents together with druid wisdom in responses.

Perhaps this would teach certain people that it is not the quantity of posts they make, or the number of one liners that constitute a good post.  Nor  making racist or upsetting remarks just to cause shock among the readers and thus attract peoples anger and dismay which keeps their thread on the first page for days on end.  That type of post is not suitable for our OBOD Board.

But on the other hand, we might just discover that the most active board members are the ones that enjoy the one liners and close cutting humour etc.  Oh well  :shrug:

[Celtic Knight]

I must say I don't like this idea at all.

Spirituality is not a competitive activity. It is a deep connection with the earth, all life that lives upon her, the gods and the spirits that realm the apparent world and the Otherworld.

This board is run by a spiritual organisation. Why should posting become a competition where people get awarded for someone else's view of the merits of a post or of that person compared to others. Some people are more eloquent than others, some more knowledgeable but all have an equally valid contribution to make.

I am shocked that someone would feel a need to judge someone else's posts at all  to be honest. I enjoy reading most of them or, if not, I am content to pass over them.

I have seen such scoring on other forums and in my view the forum is greatly weakened by it. I never participate in any such activity.

[Twyrch]

Whilst I agree somewhat with Creirwy's thoughts on this suggestion, one thing that did pop into my head was this.  Perhaps it would show by example how someone should post, and in doing so encourage the bardic talents together with druid wisdom in responses.

Perhaps this would teach certain people that it is not the quantity of posts they make, or the number of one liners that constitute a good post.  Nor  making racist or upsetting remarks just to cause shock among the readers and thus attract peoples anger and dismay which keeps their thread on the first page for days on end.  That type of post is not suitable for our OBOD Board.

But on the other hand, we might just discover that the most active board members are the ones that enjoy the one liners and close cutting humour etc.  Oh well  :shrug:

I think this is something the Mods and Admins should discuss amongst themselves. I'm sure you've got a hidden board, like The Grove, or something,  where you all discuss matters like this.

Whatever you all decide is fine... I'm just tossing out an idea to see what you think about the concept.

[Celtic Knight]

Ailim, your comments touch upon the moderation policy of the board rather than turning it into a competition.

If a post is racist, etc, delete it. That's completely different.

And who's to judge what constitutes a good post? We all have different opinions.

[Donata]

Interesting suggestion. Personally I don't want it. We have a competition in the Eisteddfod competitions, and for me, that's enough.

What makes a good post? eloquence? wisdom? humor? deflecting and redirecting a contentious thread? who decides anyway? and what makes a member of the week?

I'd never be able to take part anyway as I'd find it cumbersome to attempt read all the posts on this board!  :o  I mean, I do have a life - really!

Thanks for your interest.

Donata

[Jingle]

I think that the feedback from other posters is sufficient.  I don't like the idea of a competition.  But if something I wrote has touched you in some way, a simple reply post that says "I like the way you expressed yourself" would be cool.  

My daughter's art class had a great example of something that could work similarly.  
Each was given a handful of cut-out forms.  A heart, light-bulb, first prize ribbon, and something else I can't recall.  The kids went and read the artists statements, and placed the "icons" on the artworks.  Heart for favorite, light-bulb for great idea, first prize ribbon for best in show, etc...  so if you translated that into a recognition system on the board, you could either have similar icons, or just say "kudos on your post, so-and-so"  and then go on with your contribution.

However, Post of the Month, or Member of the Month just seems like too much competition and too much reading.  I have trouble reading all the poetry entries in the eisteddfod.  I can't even imagine voting on posts.

[Twyrch]

And who's to judge what constitutes a good post? We all have different opinions.

How is that different from Eisteddfod Competitions?  The only difference I see is that all participants get something for participating.

I realize this isn't probably the best idea for this venue, so I'll just let the matter die. If someone has a brilliant post, I can always offer my thanks via PM or another post on that thread.

[Ailim]

Ailim, your comments touch upon the moderation policy of the board rather than turning it into a competition.

If a post is racist, etc, delete it. That's completely different.

And who's to judge what constitutes a good post? We all have different opinions.

If a post, by its nature, breaks our Registration Agreement, then it will be dealt with appropriately.

However, my comment was aimed at those people who fly close to the wind, and who are adept at phrasing their responses in such a way that whilst the gut feeling is that they might be stepping over the line, you cannot put your finger on why.  And as we have seen before, if we "over-moderate" by gut feeling, there are certain individuals who get on their high horse and make a mountain out of a molehill.  If we ignore it then we get it in the neck from the other side of the coin.

I think its nice to see Twyrch make his suggestion, because that is what this forum is for  It's also good to see other peoples viewpoint.

[Wren MacDonald]

I think the spirit in which the suggestion was made (and correct me if I'm wrong) was along the lines of, people don't usually say "good job" when they like something as often as they complain when they don't like something, and this was a nice way of telling people "we appreciate your contributions."  At least, that's how I thought of it, and I think that is a nice idea.  :)  I'm sure you wouldn't have to read *every* post in order to vote, I think the idea was, if you read one that you really like, you nominate it.  I can see however how this could get competitive and time-consuming and why it would not work, but the thought I think was a good one.  :D  Perhaps we should all just try to be more mindful of saying "thank you" and "we appreciate you" more often!


Wren ^.~*

[Wraithian]

How is that different from Eisteddfod Competitions?  The only difference I see is that all participants get something for participating.

Logistical nightmare.  The E-Fodd mods bust their butts year round for the quarterly culmination of their work.  I will never assist in the E-F moderating stand point, even if asked, because of the sheer amount of work they have to put in it.  In order for us to do that sort of thing on a weekly basis, we'd have to swell the mod ranks nearly three fold.  That, and as others have stated, this isn't a competition.

It's one of those ideas that looks good on paper, but in practice...  that's a lot of work in a volunteer position.

But yes, keep those thoughts coming.  I'd like to see this Suggestions forum busier than it has been.  :)

[Ruthie]

Twyrch, and everyone:
It may surprise you to hear I basically agree with all that has been said in this thread.
Yes, recognising and honoring those individuals who make comments, posts to the board, thanking them for touching our lives in a meaningful way: that is important.
Yes, if done publicly, it runs teh risk of turning into a popularity contest, and "how come MY name isn't there", and hurt feelings: when it should be only uplifting, supportive and sincere.
Yes it would so overburden the staff of volunteer moderators, who already manage a busy board to the best of their abilities that it simply is not practical to institute, and still run the rest of the board.

I read, in another thread in this forum, Merlyn's ideas about personal responsibility for threads, keeping track of them, a degree of "self-moderation", and without taking his words out of context, I believe those thoughts can also apply to honoring and recognising board members for their posts which touch our lives.

Oftentimes, I feel a little bit embarrassed just PM'ing a stranger to thank them for some little inspiration their words have brought me, but when the shoe is on the other foot; when it's me receiving that PM, wow and double-wow.

So that's my addition to this thread. If someone says something noteworthy, wise, inspirational, instead of an anonymous nomination for Poster of the Week, why not let them know? Make it personal. Send a Personal Message.

2 cents, for what it's worth,
Ruthie

[Donata]

Hi Ruthie,

I totally agree with you!:clap:  

It's great to receive a pm from someone! also, it's fairly common on the board to write a post in agreement, etc. to another post. Either is a good way to let someone know you like what they said.

BB
Donata