Posted on 10/26/2009 4:32:01 PM PDT by Admin Moderator
This is a public service announcement from your friendly neighborhood Admin Moderators (Sidebar gave us some attitude so we shoved him in the closet for a while. He never recovered from the Yacht incident) For a while, we have noticed some things happening that we need your help with. The Free Republic community is strong; we are almost a family, albeit very dysfunctional at times. Like any community, we have new members joining us daily. Unfortunately, the air of suspicion and the desire to keep things “the way they are” has fostered a feeling of distrust with new members. Almost every day, we see new members join, then, because of comments of suspicion, they often don’t return. For any community to thrive, it must grow. Because of this, we are asking for your help. Here are some important things you should know:
The Internet has changed greatly since Free Republic first started. When we formed, few people had their own websites, now, everyone has their own blog. With this, there is an attitude change where someone who doesn’t understand how our community works may be more interested in self-promotion than we have been used to in the past. We don’t want to change the overall feel of this site- it is about our shared values, not about self promotion, however, we don’t want to drive people away simply because they link to their own blog. There are blog “pimps” who want nothing more than to promote their own sites, but for most people, it is simply how they start out sharing their thoughts on a matter. Encourage these members to take part in existing discussions.
Many new members may not communicate well what they believe and it gives the appearance they are not 100% kosher in their Conservative beliefs. This may have nothing to do with their Conservative credentials but simply how they are communicating their beliefs or how the media/pop culture has told them what to think. Be an example and discuss what you think is wrong. A liberal troll’s true colors will reveal themselves while a new member who is honest, but may not communicate well, may learn from the conversation.
Remember, how you respond to a topic not only reflects your thoughts, but also is a reflection of the community and Conservative values. We need to be an example of positive conservative values when responding to members, especially new ones. As mods, we make a strong attempt to screen all new members. Every new sign-up goes through a period where their posts are reviewed. This helps us eliminate most trolls, porn and commercial spammers, and those who don’t fit in with our Conservative values. This isn’t a perfect system, but it does help us make sure that by the time a new member reaches the community, there is a greater chance this person is the type we want around. Some slip through, yes, and you can always help us by hitting the abuse button. (of course, we do let some world class morons through every once in a while as “Live Chow”- after all, the kitties have to have toys.)
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With all that said, we need to grow. We need to be far more welcoming to new members and guide them into how to use our community best. With this said, we are issuing a challenge to our long time Freeper family. We would like to start up a ‘welcome wagon’ type of ping list or group whose job it is to welcome new members, show them the ropes, and guide them through our community. This could be as simply as giving new members a kind welcome, guiding them to how to post topics or replies, or just making the experience pleasant.
As this is your community, we would like your thoughts, ideas, and most importantly, for some of you to step up and help us with this.
We are passing the ball to you. What do you think?
Happy Third Day of Christmas, fanfan!
Good idea.
I’ll join you.
Yeah, it’s almost a week to New Year’s, don’t get too far over the date line (but it’s always 5:00 in Margaritaville ...).
We don’t have to perform again until Sunday, early observance of Epiphany. I guess next year it will be shifted to the later Sunday, giving us extra time for Christmas music. Our alternate group played for Holy Family today, went pretty well, and the Deacon (guest Deacon, from Colombia) reminded everyone that parents should be married.
Okay. I'll just call ahead with my itinerary and I'm sure all will be fine.
...
...?
Um. I don't seem to have their number in my cellphone. Do you happen to have it?
Did you have a nice Christmas?
We did. Had Anoreth with us too. Everything was off-schedule for all sorts of reasons (the tree didn't actually get put up until Christmas morning, or was it afternoon?) and I was having a terrible time with a twitchy tummy, but other than that... great!
And you?
Thank you Sion, and happy Fourth Day of Christmas tomorrow, to you!
It was kind of funny last evening. My sister had given some me some joke presents, including a set of "7 Deadly Sins" wristbands (reading "Greed," etc.). During dinner she noted I was wearing a solid green wristband that looked like one of them. She asked, so I just showed it so she could read it:
"Free Iran"
Not sure what LoM’s performance schedule is now. She is no longer church organist but sings and plays her harp.
LOL! See what happens with those fad wristbands ... you can give the totally wrong impression.
I have a “Pray for Sudan” wristband somewhere, and one with Pope John Paul’s name.
I was later given another in the colors and symbol of the old Iranian flag, but save that for rallies (when I remember it).
It was just funny that it was the same as one representing “greed.”
Not to be indelicate, but isn't she aware she could do that ... later?
LOL! Wings and halo for an extra fee ...
I thought about filling in the embossed text with another color and decided against it.
We did. Had Anoreth with us too
How cool, eh? People that otherwise wouldn't know each other, sharing Christmas together. :-)
My Mother and I spent our first Christmas with just the two of us. 4 days together, not counting my travel days.
.
Heh, I'm blessed. She is such a great person.
Never too early to get in practice...
Good advice.
Did you have a good Christmas TC?
Yikes! The last forecast I saw had several clear days ahead, but I just heard the word “snow” on the local radio (webcast) — and sure enough, the forecast says snow tonight!
Yes, we had a very nice Christmas. It poured rain all day, and we had a small congregation for the noon service on the 25th, but it’s the thought that counts.
And we were happy knowing Anoreth was with Sionnsar’s family; she called us and talked to everyone, including the dog!
I talked to Rush on Skype, but it simply made him run to the door barking.
Well, we’re so old and she so young she was probably bored most of the time, and the youngest sionnsareen was away for some of it. But at least I guess it was a break from the boat and a change of scenery.
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