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"The Board" and BigFoot. Fact or fiction? They are both fun to talk about but neither of them has truly been proven to actual exist. There is actually more evidence online about the BigFoot than the GeocachingMaine.org board. Therefore, I nominate BigFoot to the Board along with any 3 of the 7 Dwarfs. Babe the Blue Ox would be a good representative also. Darn, this is going to be a tough decision.
You know it's just not right to say what you said in your statement. You really need to stop and think before you post. Actually, I'm surprised you would stoop so low. You know full well that Babe the Blue Ox wouldn't serve on any board revolving around geocaching. Ever since Babe stepped on Paul Bunyan's Oregon 550T and broke it it's been a sore spot for Babe to even think about geocaching. You owe Babe, and Paul by association, an apology for dredging up bad memories.Quote:
Originally Posted by TRF
Seriously, though, it is obvious there is a diverse group of people even in discussing the board. Personally, I think that if you don't think the forum needs a board then you're getting off easy, just don't vote. If you support the board, you've got to look at all the "candidates" and decide who you'll vote for.
I support having a board because I have been involved in other areas of the internet for a number of years and know that some places, like the forum, deserve moderation. I threw my hat into the ring and would serve on the board in support of anything and everything that promotes and supports geocaching here in Maine and beyond. I also agree with having a board to moderate in the event of any user abusing the guidelines for use of the forum. One person making decisions that are perceived to be negative makes it look like a vendetta, one against another. A board's actions to sanction an abusive user is a consensus type action.
My $0.02 worth.
Just for clarification, the Advisory Board is not involved in moderating the forums. The Advisory Board may set general policies as to how GCM.org is operated, but moderators are appointed by the webmaster, and are responsible to him alone. :D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by JustKev
And this will help me getting rid of the board exactly how? Could you explain it please?Quote:
Originally Posted by JustKev
If the scope of "The Board" is to oversee these forums then voting or not voting is moot as this is a private site and exist on Rick's sufferance. If the scope of the "Board" is to represent geocachers in the State of Maine then, obviously, every geocacher has a bigger stake in the election results regardless of using these forums or not.
So far, I've agreed with everything that everyone has posted but personally can't decipher what direction the Board is going. Public/private. I've read the mission statement and find nothing wrong with it but it seems confined to these forums and from what I can determine it has been followed conscientiously by the Moderators/Board. They have done a great job.
Maybe it is the definition that needs clarifying. Are moderators up for election or is there going to be a broader public focus.
I repeat: Moderators are appointed by the webmaster, and are responsible to him alone. There is no relationship between the Advisory Board and forum moderators, other than that a person may be both a moderator and a member of the Advisory Board. The functions are separate.Quote:
Originally Posted by TRF
I was remembering the "Wikileaks" posts a while back where the board discussed some things that shouldn't have been posted in an open forum. My apologies there.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
Still, the moderator(s) should feel free to discuss that exact kind of thing with the board members with the provosio that Rick would and should have the last say or the only say in any and all instances.
If you want to get rid of the board, start a seperate thread calling for a vote to remove the board. It's that simple.Quote:
Originally Posted by cano
OK, then what is this separate function that you allude to. Your clear on your one point but completely fail to address the other. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
The GC.org website is owned by Attrol. As owner, he has asked the forum users to find a way to provide a consensus opinion in a timely manner when there are options to choose from.
The site's forum guidelines were developed by Advisory Board. Before we had a procedure, moderators were frustrated by a lack of a common yardstick to measure their responses. Anyone that has visited this site surely knows two things: We are too divers a group to all agree and We do not all agree how strictly the forums should be moderated.
If you do not wish to have an Advisory Board, please present an alternative method to provide advice to the site owner.
The site's mission statement is also another Advisory Board accomplishment. http://www.geocachingmaine.org/index.php?page=gmmission. If you haven't had read it recently, it may help to understand what the GCMaine.org site is and isn't.
The fact that the Advisoy Board is seen as a "do nothing" board is actually a good indication that it is functioning properly. The advice they are providing the web site owner to follow our mission statement seems to be working.
Personally, I do not favor changing what we are not: "Let's start with what we are NOT. We are not an official governing body. We are not rule makers or enforcers. We are not the geocaching gurus of Maine."
I do support concentrating on what we are: "We ARE a group of fun-loving, outdoor-minded people who like to geocache and want to help others do the same."
As I'm not a member of the Advisory Board, you'll have to ask them. My point was only about the function of moderators being separate from - whatever - the members of the Advisory Board decide to do.Quote:
Originally Posted by TRF
By the way... Did you forget that you were involved in setting up the original Advisory Board? LOL! (Note - this link is restricted to the people who were involved in the Jun 2004 organizational meeting.)
Not at all. However, in order to dissolve the board, one with the idea must first gain access to the board.Quote:
Originally Posted by JustKev
No, incorrect. The Advisory Board was created by a vote of the members. If the majority of the members want to do away with the Advisory Board, they can do that. The Advisory Board does not "run" the website. That's why it was called an "Advisory Board" instead of a "Board of Officers" or something similar. :D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by CARoperPhotography
Doing my best to stay out of this, but this is one of the biggest misconceptions a few members have of the board. You do not need to be a board member to suggest changes you think will improve the site. Anyone can start a new thread, either in the feedback to board members forum, or to the entire forum. Be prepared to make a valid argument for your case.Quote:
Originally Posted by CARoperPhotography
Personally, I'm sure the site would manage without a board, but I have not seen where it has ever done any harm, and it has been an asset to me when I have had questions about moderating the site, and I know the board has been an asset to individual members when they wanted to voice an idea to a smaller group of people before doing so in front of the entire membership. The board does not approve caches, set caching rules or standards, tell anyone how or where they can cache.
Tat: Thanks for a perfect, spot on response.
So what is this board good for? Why does it have to exist?
This is not really the thread for this discussion. It does not have to exist, nor does geocaching, fast cars, french fries or pretty girls. However, a decent percentage of the population can find some good in all of them. My previous posts in this thread and others have stated how the board has been a benefit to me.Quote:
Originally Posted by cano
Sheesh! Now I strongly disagree with you there. (At least you didn't say that "beer does not have to exist..." OOPS! That's another thread as well...)Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
If elected I promise a geocache, fast car, pretty girl and french fries in every pot.
Was it a board or actual people?Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
Sheesh Cano! Time to re-read the posts on this thread. Whatever the board does or does not, there are folks here, including myself that share not only a love of the game but a desire to give something back. We want to do this in part through this site. Is that a bad idea? Does it really need to be defined to a "t"? I suppose we could cache without Groundspeak and survive without this site, but like you, there's a lot of folks that seem to enjoy what goes on here. Why not have a few "advisors"? I can't see a downside.
Quote:
Originally Posted by cano
No, but what I don't understand is why do you have to be in the board to do that? You don't? Then what is the board good for? What can you do as the board member to help this site you cannot do as non board member?Quote:
Originally Posted by dubord207
That was an excellent post for this thread. Cleared up the misconceptions I had very well.
For many subjects, it is much quicker and easier for 5 people to come to a consensus than waiting for the entire membership to respond. If the board decides the issue deserves more input than 5 people the membership can be addressed. An example with that would be our Geocoin, it would not be right for the board to design a coin representing the entire membership. Without a board, Rick and/or moderators would most likely have a few members he would ask via PM or other means on site related matters anyway. The board accomplishes the same thing, but is a bit more official, and has the added benefit that the members can address the board privately as well - as many have with spammer alerts, questions about the site, questions about moderation, ideas to help promote the site, and so on.Quote:
Originally Posted by cano
While I have thick skin and there isn't much on this website that offends me, you really have to ask yourself.... " would I want others that might vacation here, to think Maine is like this, and all Mainers argue amongst themselves? " or do you really want your son or daughter , who by the way really loves geocaching and has access to a computer to read some of these posts.
A new board and maybe a new standard.
Now the thread is back on track. Remember this is getting to know your nominees, NOT is there really a board and what do they do. If elected you'll hear about what the board is doing, whenever you run into me.
Right on the money Gary and I promise the same. A pro-active board will benefit the game.:)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Team2hunt
Sorry. I feel the two topics go hand-in-hand - what the members feel the function of the Advisory Board is and the views of the candidates for the Advisory Board. :D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by Team2hunt
A+ Finally some one with an intelligent response. You have my vote.Quote:
Originally Posted by Team2hunt
I agree, had the initial question been presented as a question to each nominee, instead of questioning the current system in general.Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
Anyway, this phase is nearly over, good luck!
I am looking forward to the election. It is my hope that all this discussion has been informative and can only benefit the new board. A diverse board will be helpful in representing the many different ways we all enjoy this game. I think that having a board is beneficial to any sport or enterprise. In this case it can assist in providing guidance and expertise and help determine the direction the site takes in connecting with geocachers in Maine and beyond.
I was only trying to follow the instructions from the original post in this thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
I hope that everyone has had the chance to ask questions that may be concerning them, as to the nominees, running for the Advisory Board. Thank you for the opportunity to voice my intentions.
No need to be sorry, there was nothing wrong about your post. The initial post did suggest members could ask the nominees questions, which would have been great as opposed to questioning the process, which is what happened.Quote:
Originally Posted by Team2hunt
Wait a minute! You said "The crotchety policeman of threads gone astray will try to show some restraint here." And I took you at your word. LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
I held off! If I had my way, less than half of the posts would have remained!Quote:
Originally Posted by WhereRWe?
So Mr. Gestapo, go ahead and remove mine. I could care less. More the reason not to have totalitarian board members who only care about censoring out the views of those that THEY disagree with.Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
Tat and WhereRWe both explained this very thoroughly. BRDAD wouldn't be removing posts as a board member. He would have his "Moderator Hat" on if he were to be removing posts.Quote:
Originally Posted by CARoperPhotography
Thanks! I'm glad I read this message before I responded to the last one. LOL!Quote:
Originally Posted by JustKev
Correct. And holding back shows I restrain from moderating posts simply because I don't agree or like the posts, but instead adhere to the forum guidelines.Quote:
Originally Posted by JustKev
Kind of a "thankless job" I'd day, but most of us here sincerely appreciate your efforts and willingness to adhere to the guidelines. Like it or not, there ARE guidelines and rules like everything else in life. Thanks for your willingness to serve the site in this capacity.
Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
Thanks, Dan. It has been a learning experience. I can see it's not a job for just anyone. It pays to have no heart on occasion. ;)
I'm just glad there was someone to moderate during Rick's absence, it has been a trying year!
Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
Did "somebody" say that once in the heat of the moment?;)