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?
ROTFL!
New REO?
Priceless...I’m saving this.
Shall I plan a party for your 5 year anniversary?
LOL!
No, don’t make me mad! I don’t need no stinkin’ party.
You’re fired!! er........I’m in a firing mode, if I can’t fire you I’ll fire the FR mods!!
THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are tons of individual conservative forums on the Delphi network as well as forums with a non-political focus. Here are a couple that may be of interest:
Take America Back
http://forums.delphiforums.com/robcoh
Go Firefox
http://forums.delphiforums.com/gofirefox/start
You are really GOOD with the editing software!
Great post. Glad to see an official statement on this.
bookmarked
Thanx Squid! What a wonderful post and correction. We need Mom to step in and let us know when the rough housing is out of control.
That said, my favorite proverb is “bad company corrupts good morals”. Newbies must be initiated and taught the ropes as I was. Someone came along side me and introduced me to the culture. Then I found some role models and hopefully I learned something. But it was I who adapted to Free Republic. I did not insist that Free Republic adjust and conform to me.
There are betters on the forum, but I would be happy to be a mentor.
...Jo
I meant that it has brought out a meanness in people that runs over into how they deal with other people in their daily lives and even here on the forum.
People are feeling threatened. Many are in jeopardy of losing their livelihoods. Some have lost partial income, and may be downgrading their lifestyles. Some have literally lost nearly everything, and have already moved into a lower echelon of survival. These are painful times, made all the more painful by the ignorant and the evil who are doing so much fundamental damage to us all in Washington DC.
With all of this threat and pain raining down on us from DC, some of us just no longer have the patience for those who don't "get it". The woof and warp of what binds this nation together is unraveling at an astonishing pace, and anyone who doesn't demonstrate a strong resolve to stop it, is immediately suspect by those who see the historic battle before us.
We are on the very doorstep of Armageddon, in the best estimation of most of us. Our patience is thin for those who express doubt, or even outright opposition to correcting our course.
Consider the lapse of general civility a prelude to the clear-cut attitudes that will manifest, should real rebellion break out. At that point, a person's beliefs, viewpoints, considerations, and allegiance may well determine whether they live to see another day. It will be deadly serious, should things come to that.
All that being said, I still think that what the moderators are proposing, is sensible. I really hate to see new, but dis-oriented people being blown out of their shoes by the locals, for not knowing how to ask directions properly.
FINE!!!!!
Party pooper .......................
I wasn’t going to post on this thread, but your post deserves, no DEMANDS, a “You Nail It, 1 MOA, in the ten ring!” Well said!
Just Keep Up The Good Work
Most people seem to just ignore me...
Only one unhappiness. It’s a reminder we don’t live in Perfect. LOL
I waited a long time before I posted a thread. By the time I would log on an article was already posted and the bandwidth police drilled you on not wasting it.
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