New members

[Foxy]

I don't know how other people would feel about it, but following up on a suggestion I made in the Pub I'd like to see if it would be possible to have a separate forum for introductions from new members. I don't always get alot of time to read through this forum, so it can be a little tiresome to see half a dozen posts of people saying "hello" to new members who often seem to disappear into the ether. Am I just being an antisocial miserable git?

[Azrienoch]

I'm not sure how many older members would go to visit it. You might want to organize a small team of people to direct newcomers to different areas of interest, and set up somewhat of a system to help them connect online to the druids geographically closest to them.
Just a suggestion, based on what I could have used when I joined not too long ago.

[grey helm]

Meeting knew people is a treasured gift on and of line, why would you be so opposed to meeting knew ppl, what is the point, why shouldn't knew members get to experiance this, why shouldn't knew members get to inherit some of the knowledge of older druids and pagans, all in all why separate and fragment somthing which should be for everyone, i am new here but i certainly am not knew to paganism and i would be only to happy to relay imput to knew and less experianced pagans.
The coven and family i find myself within are very closed of from the pagan world because alot of my coven especilly the older members the oldest been 64 find that there is far to much occult snobbery, we should all be together not elitist, it strikes me as very bizare on a druid website that ppl would be so reluctant as to talk to newcomers i find that intimidating so all in all i think its a very disturbing and bad idea.

[EarthWard]

We love meeting new people! We try very hard to greet everybody and whenever somebody has a question we try to answer them or direct them to someone or something that can answer them. Do you feel like you were not greated properly? That is why foxy made the poll. Sometimes people intro themselves and we just do not catch it. When I first joinded I use to say around the pub a lot, now I am more in other topic rooms so I might not see somebody that has joined. That is all, Mate. A lot of people also feel a bit scared here because their are so many users. But we all kind of carve out a space for ourselves and take it as it comes, but there is plenty of room for everybody.
Cheers,

[Karen]

I think I've been here long enough to be an older member ( I was around on the old style Board for about two years before this one.)
I agree that newcomers posts can get lost if one doesn't visit the Pub. There are also variations between the number of responses received over the week and how many you get over the weekend (much more).
A separate forum could allow for meeting and greeting as well as maybe including a sticky explaining the various facets of the Board here.
However, it is true, some may not make a special trip to a separate forum, especially as it has become very tempting with all these multiple forums to settle down with the beverage of one's choice for a good string discussion on the areas closest to one's heart! With limited online time as well, it is possible that many members don't go everywhere available here anyway. It may not be to do with not wanting to say 'hi!'
The Pub has functioned well so far I think, introductions in a social atmosphere. Maybe a welcoming sticky/announcement in the Pub would provide a general welcome over the threshold as a starter, containing a brief introduction to other forums and explaining also the private forums too. (Unless invisible of course, in which case, it wouldn't be necessary.)

Just some passing thoughts,

Karen

[Merlyn]

Yes 'tis true
That is what the pub is for. The new members are directed to post their "I'm new" post in the pub.

Blessings of beginnings
Merlyn

[EarthWard]

I agree and I like what Karen said about grabing a drink and settleing down somewhere to sit, drink, and have talks. When you walk into a real pub some say hello and some don't, but it does not mean that they do not want you there.

[Carl_Greywolf]

As a newbie to your forum I found the Pub straight away, its a great idea.

The informal setting for introductions and the light hearted feel there helped to put me at ease.

There are many ways to skin a cat, yours works best here

Blessings

Greywolf

[LadyMoonChaser]

Skinning cats!!! Be careful Greywolf there are many cat lovers in this pub!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Well, I think Kernos did a good job setting up the intro thread so people can catch up with so many new people coming on board, but it's also fun to welcome someone personally if they post a hello.
If people don't feel like replying they don't have to, they can just stick to the main topics outside the pub.

And if they disappear into the ether, it could be that they have limited access or are busy studying, so at least if they are greeted they will feel comfortable contributing at some point. Many people are shy about posting with all the brainiacs around here!

Blessings

LMC