A message from your CO
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,131
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From: Canton, MA
A message from your CO
Dear New England Members,
Recently I found some of the things being said on the board to be personally annoying. I also became annoyed about some threads on what I will call a community level. By that I mean I found the threads to be negative, or not conducive to the growth or benefit of the community.
Looking back on many posts and threads, I came to the conclusion that for some of you, this forum is a far more important part of your life than it is for me. I think the threads about the site being down are the best recent example of this. I also think the bash Doug thread is another example. In their own ways, I thought both threads were negative, although the bashing thread was far worse. Add to this the many comments about what I will call a lack of thread managment, and what I perceived as some resentment because I do not attend all (or even most of) the meets, and I reached the conclusion that I was not serving you well as your CO. It also seemed to me that Jeff (Cubs) was equally busy.
I honestly concluded that the community needed a CO who pretty much sits on the site all day. Not to disparage any of you that do, but I simply cannot. I am too busy. Sometimes days go by between my visits to the site. It also seemed to make sense that you have a CO who attends more of the meets. I spend most of my summer weekends down the Cape, so I am not really available for most of the meets.
It was in ths spirit that I started the threads about what I called a PACO, or Post Addict CO. I'll admit that I took a disorganized, random, and frivolous approach to the subject, but I did not want people to think I was doing this out of anger, and I did not want people to see that I was a little disapointed in the community, and maybe in myself. In any event, the effort was meant in earnest and I even e-mailed Glenn and Cubby to let them know what I was doing.
Once the issue got rolling, it became obvious that people were divided on the subject. While I appreciated the comments about me on the election thread, I felt that the PACO position would be for the good of the community. I chose the names in the election thread based on comments by others in the first PACO thread that suggested certain people might want the job, or that others might want a certain person to fill the position. I did not pull the names at random, but I certainly didn't ask people in advance, nor did I throw in any names that I was personally recommending, beyond the names of those mentioned by others.
Later, in the close the election thread, the division on the issue became severe. When I logged on late last night I had 6 PMs from upset people. When I looked at the close the PACO election thread, I was very saddened to see members of the community fighting over the issue. And I was very embarrased that I essentially caused it. Incredibly, I was faced with complaints about a member who was aggressively defending my record as CO. I looked back at the thread and saw Jeff (Rex) coming to my support and support of the status quo. Against him were people arguing in favor of the course of action that I originally proposed. A fight between members is not what I want. Especailly not when I am at the center of the battle.
Jeff, I thank you for being loyal to me and defending my record. It really is good to know I have someone on my side who will speak up even if you find yourself outnumbered. I'm sorry I put you in that position, and will try not to do it again. On this issue, please do not question the motives or intentions of other members on my account. I think Ellen would be a great CO for the community. I also agree with Mark. We have buried the hatchet and moved on and he was really just supporting my proposal. I am sorry that the two of you were dragged into this on a personal level. Again, it is my fault.
I recommend we go forward in the following fashion. I will continue as CO if people can accept that I am not on here all the time, won't go to most of the meets, and won't be reading every post to find out what is wrong. I will cotinue as CO if the community can agree to treat other members in a civil fashion, despite the passion of a situation. I didn't sign up to be the politeness police, but I also didn't sign up to CO a community where people fight or lash out at eachother. If people need a referee, I'm not the right person. I'm not saying I won't step in to stop a problem, I'm saying I don't want to CO a community where bashing and flaming is tolerated.
Let me know if this is acceptable.
Recently I found some of the things being said on the board to be personally annoying. I also became annoyed about some threads on what I will call a community level. By that I mean I found the threads to be negative, or not conducive to the growth or benefit of the community.
Looking back on many posts and threads, I came to the conclusion that for some of you, this forum is a far more important part of your life than it is for me. I think the threads about the site being down are the best recent example of this. I also think the bash Doug thread is another example. In their own ways, I thought both threads were negative, although the bashing thread was far worse. Add to this the many comments about what I will call a lack of thread managment, and what I perceived as some resentment because I do not attend all (or even most of) the meets, and I reached the conclusion that I was not serving you well as your CO. It also seemed to me that Jeff (Cubs) was equally busy.
I honestly concluded that the community needed a CO who pretty much sits on the site all day. Not to disparage any of you that do, but I simply cannot. I am too busy. Sometimes days go by between my visits to the site. It also seemed to make sense that you have a CO who attends more of the meets. I spend most of my summer weekends down the Cape, so I am not really available for most of the meets.
It was in ths spirit that I started the threads about what I called a PACO, or Post Addict CO. I'll admit that I took a disorganized, random, and frivolous approach to the subject, but I did not want people to think I was doing this out of anger, and I did not want people to see that I was a little disapointed in the community, and maybe in myself. In any event, the effort was meant in earnest and I even e-mailed Glenn and Cubby to let them know what I was doing.
Once the issue got rolling, it became obvious that people were divided on the subject. While I appreciated the comments about me on the election thread, I felt that the PACO position would be for the good of the community. I chose the names in the election thread based on comments by others in the first PACO thread that suggested certain people might want the job, or that others might want a certain person to fill the position. I did not pull the names at random, but I certainly didn't ask people in advance, nor did I throw in any names that I was personally recommending, beyond the names of those mentioned by others.
Later, in the close the election thread, the division on the issue became severe. When I logged on late last night I had 6 PMs from upset people. When I looked at the close the PACO election thread, I was very saddened to see members of the community fighting over the issue. And I was very embarrased that I essentially caused it. Incredibly, I was faced with complaints about a member who was aggressively defending my record as CO. I looked back at the thread and saw Jeff (Rex) coming to my support and support of the status quo. Against him were people arguing in favor of the course of action that I originally proposed. A fight between members is not what I want. Especailly not when I am at the center of the battle.
Jeff, I thank you for being loyal to me and defending my record. It really is good to know I have someone on my side who will speak up even if you find yourself outnumbered. I'm sorry I put you in that position, and will try not to do it again. On this issue, please do not question the motives or intentions of other members on my account. I think Ellen would be a great CO for the community. I also agree with Mark. We have buried the hatchet and moved on and he was really just supporting my proposal. I am sorry that the two of you were dragged into this on a personal level. Again, it is my fault.
I recommend we go forward in the following fashion. I will continue as CO if people can accept that I am not on here all the time, won't go to most of the meets, and won't be reading every post to find out what is wrong. I will cotinue as CO if the community can agree to treat other members in a civil fashion, despite the passion of a situation. I didn't sign up to be the politeness police, but I also didn't sign up to CO a community where people fight or lash out at eachother. If people need a referee, I'm not the right person. I'm not saying I won't step in to stop a problem, I'm saying I don't want to CO a community where bashing and flaming is tolerated.
Let me know if this is acceptable.
for you too.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 15,719
Likes: 0
From: Westport, MA
Sounds good to me, Bill.
One thing I would like to add to the folks of NE is to have some intestinal fortitude and take your issues to the person causing you grief.
I am very disappointed that I have spoken to SEVERAL people in person on many different occasions who have something negative to say about a variety of people. These "complainers" (for lack of a better word, and you all know who you are) have no problem bashing people quite thoroughly at secret meets and the like, but then cannot have the gaul to tell someone when they have bothered you?!?
I am the first to acknowledge that what I say is rarely politically correct and can be quite direct. In my life, I have come to respect someone who doesn't sugar coat their feelings and let's you know exactly where you stand with them. Personally, I think this method is far more honorable that talking smack behind someones back or running to a CO to complain.
If you have a problem with what I have to say, lay it on the table. What are you afraid of, that I will some how reach through the computer and wave my finger disapprovingly at you? I really do not understand why people would feel it is OK to talk fairly harshly about a variety of people and then PRETEND to be friendly with them. Again, you all know who you are and that in itself is good enough for me.
One thing I would like to add to the folks of NE is to have some intestinal fortitude and take your issues to the person causing you grief.
I am very disappointed that I have spoken to SEVERAL people in person on many different occasions who have something negative to say about a variety of people. These "complainers" (for lack of a better word, and you all know who you are) have no problem bashing people quite thoroughly at secret meets and the like, but then cannot have the gaul to tell someone when they have bothered you?!?
I am the first to acknowledge that what I say is rarely politically correct and can be quite direct. In my life, I have come to respect someone who doesn't sugar coat their feelings and let's you know exactly where you stand with them. Personally, I think this method is far more honorable that talking smack behind someones back or running to a CO to complain.
If you have a problem with what I have to say, lay it on the table. What are you afraid of, that I will some how reach through the computer and wave my finger disapprovingly at you? I really do not understand why people would feel it is OK to talk fairly harshly about a variety of people and then PRETEND to be friendly with them. Again, you all know who you are and that in itself is good enough for me.
Registered User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 39,285
Likes: 1
From: Franklin MA
I consider myself one of these "complainers" you mention jeff BUT I have no problem "bashing" people in public and privately when i disagree.
and Bill not too sure how many times i said the bash doug thread was a joke and nothing bad was said about doug by me and MOST others in that thread and I even talked to him about it
and Bill not too sure how many times i said the bash doug thread was a joke and nothing bad was said about doug by me and MOST others in that thread and I even talked to him about it
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Community Organizer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,112
Likes: 4
From: Mass
Originally Posted by Legal Bill,Jun 12 2008, 06:59 AM
It also seemed to me that Jeff (Cubs) was equally busy.
I will cotinue as CO if the community can agree to treat other members in a civil fashion, despite the passion of a situation. I didn't sign up to be the politeness police, but I also didn't sign up to CO a community where people fight or lash out at eachother. If people need a referee, I'm not the right person. I'm not saying I won't step in to stop a problem, I'm saying I don't want to CO a community where bashing and flaming is tolerated.
I will cotinue as CO if the community can agree to treat other members in a civil fashion, despite the passion of a situation. I didn't sign up to be the politeness police, but I also didn't sign up to CO a community where people fight or lash out at eachother. If people need a referee, I'm not the right person. I'm not saying I won't step in to stop a problem, I'm saying I don't want to CO a community where bashing and flaming is tolerated.
I've taken my CO role to heart and I've internalized the role based on the guidelines on the site and the general sentiment in NE....which boil down to community development and relatively hands off threads. As a result...I don't read all the threads....Bill put it best.....I'm not the post police, referee etc.
In a few of the cases since I've been CO I've expressed my opinion about behavior and posts....and I'm disappointed at the tone and content of some threads as Bill is.
If you wouldn't say it to someone's face.....don't say it here is my philosophy. I see this place as an extension of the real world, not the other way around.