I think I have an idea for this, I used VistaPrint (thanks Pete) for the UMW drop cards I had made, I think I can get something done through them (blank for screen name & name) and distribute them throughout the community.

It shouldn't cost very much at all, I'll check into it this morning. Perhaps I can use the t-shirt design for the placards...

 

The only bad thing about my nametags is I'm not sure which one is the screen name and which one is my name.

 

smart ass

 

[QUOTE=ruexp67,Mar 31 2010, 08:29 AM]
If we do the nametag thing, I suggest the badge holders (again, like used at WTD.)

 

I read something about preventing asshatary, I don't recall anything about smartassary. I thought that was still encouraged.

 

Placards may introduce our CARS, but do they introduce OURSELVES? Nametags will kinda/sorta introduce ourselves, but I don't think its going out of our way to introduce ourselves to each other and especially new members. The placard idea is a good one, but I think it needs to go farther than that. We need some kind of verbal intro to each other. THAT will make far more difference in welcoming new members and making them feel more welcome in the community and at meets.

And Sam, you make a good point about the name tags in putting a screen-name to a person, making things easier.

 

The two need to go hand-in-hand, not one or the other. I checked into lanyards (and placard) this morning, it's not a lot of money at all. I think I'll go ahead and order some to start handing out to people, they will have a blank area for people's names.

As far as at meets, this requires a culture change within the community, there are types of people who can walk up to anyone and start talking, but that usually requires the other person being of the same mindset, or they'll just look at you funny. I'd suggest some type of greeting line (like at weddings) but I think that may be slightly going over the top.

It would have been almost impossible to accomplish this at the tech day since not everyone arrived at the same time. Dinner/lunch meets are different though, there's really no excuse for meeting/saying "hi" to everyone since all involved should be there at the same time.

 

"If tonight is your first night at [an UMW Meet], you have to [introduce yourself]"

 

One other realization I think we have to make as a community is that for the first time we will naturally be losing instead of gaining potential members. What I mean by that is this is the first year where they aren't making S2000s, no more of them are being added to the pool like in years past. Now, they are only being subtracted due to accident or other loss. The potential membership pool is limited in this regard. This makes it even more important that we are welcoming to everyone who is an owner because the potential pond of owners is ever shrinking...

In this regard, I am dissapointed in Harry's response to my question, because at some point in time the owners that are left are going to have to come together to make a community work. The communitie(s) have to realize their own potential mortality, or face extinction altogether.

 

Certain “rules” need to be reinstated on s2ki. Allowing people to say what they feel/think (without being banned or having the thread locked). Having been on s2ki for 5+ years I’ve seen MANY who have come and gone, and needless to say, not because they’ve sold their cars, but the site just isn’t “fun” anymore. We’re losing dialogue, opinions, thoughts, but most importantly friendships. We need less seriousness. It’s a forum NOT work. People come to express what they feel and talk about the car in a fun, easy going enviorment. I don’t see any interesting topics being posted anymore, hence no discussions….

So why did people REALLY buy the car? I would like to say because its a fun car, whether its used as a DD, track car, etc. Therefore, you would think people would enjoy being on a "fun" forum as well. As Pete mentioned, he feels the "UMW is "under attack" from other forums which are more "fun," I couldnt agree with that more. Absolutely true.

This has nothing to do with the way the site is organized IMO i.e. sub-sections etc,. To be frank, this site just isn't as "fun" as it used to be. I could honestly say that I’m on the 8thcivic forums a lot more than here. The rules there are less strict, Im able to joke around without being told to have to “stay on topic”and more importantly, the people are more welcoming and friendlier.

As far as organization of meets, instead of having most of them on Thursdays, we should change it up a bit. Like have one, every other weekend and another, every other Thursday. So for those who can’t make the Thursday meets wont be missing out. Like myself, I have class on Thursdays and wont be able to attend to any Thursdays meets till mid-may.

In addition, instead of restaurants and parking lots, the community organizer should be able to take the time to plan out other variety of meets. How about a cruise to lake geneva and have Chris or Ty take some gorgeous pictures? Perhaps, a dyno day? Chicago Auto Show? What about Chicago Indoor Racing? Gameworks? Camping trips? I don't mean to re-hash anything but the team shocker "clique" planned meets like that. I remember the two camping trips that were planned here and all of us had a blast, and there were no S2000's in sight. Just a bunch of friends thanks to this forum getting together. It wasn't even all team shocker, we all met new owners that took a leap of faith because of this forum who came out and had a blast. That is the essence of these type of forums and what made S2ki stand apart from the rest. What I'm trying to say is, meets don’t need to always be automotive related. It can be anything fun just to get the group together to become more aquianted.