Regional forums?

[Prairie_Kestrel]

Hello!

I think it would be really nice to have a 'regional' forums area. For example, one for the UK, one for Canada, one for the US, one for Australia, etc.

Being a Cannuck, I would really like to see an area that focused on seed groups and groves in Canada, as well as issues, topics and events specific to Canada. As a nosy person, I would like to be able to stick my nose into an Australian forum and ask them stupid questions like "does the water actually swirl the opposite way when you flush the toilet down there?". Or stick my nose into a UK forum and ask "I'm coming for a visit....where do all the cool Druids hang out over there?".

Well.......you get the idea. I'm sure there are far more useful ways to use regional chatrooms then my suggestions

Erin {Kestrel}

[DJ Droood]

seconded.

[unluckynomad]

I third the motion... maybe one for the big room too, I can't afford the courses yet (maybe not for a year or two) but would love to spend time with some druids in the meantime.

[Unikorn]

We have an australasian/south pacific forum - everyone is welcome....just pm me and I will set you up. I did restrict it to OBOD members only though

I created it in response to a need - therefore why don't you approach Kernos or perhaps Philip about the idea and see what they say

[Marmaduke]

Whata about a North America forum? I would offer to mod it, and I am sure a number of other people would be willing as well.

[Seeker]

Wonderful idea! I, too, think regional forums have plenty of merit.

[DJ Droood]

Not to have too many forums, but would it be possible to have a Canadian AND a U.S. forum, rather than simply North American? I know we share a land mass, but I think it would be better for community building if they were seperate rather than bundled.

[Donata]

Hi,

A slightly dissenting voice! I love the universality of our members, and enjoy reading what others say who live elsewhere. Of course, with no OBOD members near me at all (western NY) I may be biased!

I'm also wondering what we could discuss of local relevance that isn't already covered by all the many forums already existing?

Donata

[Marmaduke]

The purpose of having regional forums is to better get aquainted with those around you. For example I know only two person in the entire Midwest of the US. And I am sure that there are more. And if one is looking to contact or get in touch with someone around them it would make doing so easier. Also it allows people to have conversation about the people in their area, and not have to search for the posts in a long list. Also they can talk about events that are speific to them, or even gatherings happening near them and such.

Personaly I like the idea, and I think a USA and a Canada forum would work, or even just a North America landmass forum if you don't want to create two different forums. But I do think that two would be better.

[DJ Droood]

Donata, I think the common forums are a great place to go to converse with people all over the world, and we will still do that, but regional forums help people who are in roughly geographical proximity to get together and do "real time" stuff. The internet is a wonderful medium, but it can't replace the flesh and blood aspect of druidry.

Also, there are issues specific to regions...political, cultural...that might be a tremendous bore to "outsiders". Whenever I post to the main forums, I always try to be as universal in my comments as possible and avoid being "provincial."

But in a regional forum, you could discuss national politics, etc. and know your readers would get what you are talking about. That is why I suggest seperate Can/Am forums. Although we are similar in some respects, there are vast political and social differences between us (that we can explore in common forums) but which could be accomidated by seperate forums.

[unluckynomad]

Hey, Marmaduke, I'm moving back to Colorado in May, so I'll be over there by you also. Just to let you know that there is another.

I love the idea of regional forums, it gives people an opportunity to do as Erin suggested; to find a place to actually hang out together. I've only been able to spend time with a select few druids and I know that at this point in my life being around more would allow me to flourish in ways that I cannot begin to imagine.

[Marmaduke]

Kool, I have been to Colorado. Nice place it was. See, I think that this would be a wonderful idea. For example in the America thread, Unluckynomad and I could talk about the midwest of the United States, and other people wouldn't have to see it if they didn't want to, and for example we could talk about area politics, and how the law effects our area, or the enviroment in our area. We could talk about the issues that effect the people in our area. As the internet is a great place to chat, sometimes it feel to wordly, and this is something that we can do to help bring people together.

[Unikorn]

The reason I began the South Pacific forum was that I felt lost and ignored by the greater, Northern Hemisphere community as our seasons are opposite but this was never acknowledged. Therefore a small group of us, we are only a small group anyway, sought to create our own Grove where we could honour our seasons and also some of our local lore and knowledge that comes from the lands we live within. This is an OBOD only group by our choice, but also, open to any OBOD member who is interested. We have existed for a couple of years now and recently come over to this board on the suggestion of Philip. Interestingly - very very few people have ever asked to join us from outside our hemisphere, only recently from this board have we had more interest.

We discuss our seasons, wish each other happy solstice appropriate etc. We share lore and mythology from our lands - mainly Australia and Aotearoa. We discuss the ogam and how this relates to what we know of our own world. We are happy for others to come and learn with us but not happy to be taken over and forced into a Northern Hemisphere focus all over again

Blessings from the South Pacific Grove

[Unikorn]

As for the hanging out concept - I would have thought that the Grove and Seedgroups forum creates a space for this? In there I have seen people do a shout out for locals people and make connections etc.

[Marmaduke]

Yes, perhaps. But not everyone is a member. I for one can not afford to join the order at this time, and there are many people in the same situation. So by having a thread that non-members can access that is on a local level, well we would like that. That is what we are saying. Just an idea, that I have offered to help with.

[Unikorn]

I wonder if rather than constantly splitting into sub-forums - we could find a way to meet these needs within our current context. For those of you that feel this is important - why don't you begin by starting a sticky in the Pub or Discuss Druidry - say Canadian Moot - and see how it goes

[Marmaduke]

That idea has crossed my mind as well. I have been tempted to do it as well. But I haven't yet. What does everyone else think about that idea?

[Unikorn]

I say go for it Marmaduke and see what happens - nothing ventured, nothing gained The longest journey begins with the first step ......

[Marmaduke]

So does the shortest journey.

[Donata]

Hi, the sticky in the pub or elsewhere sounds like a good idea to me. A way to test the waters and find out if another forum is wanted or needed. Go for it!

Good luck,
Donata