Question:
We would like to know if anyone would be interested in "owning" this forum.
What does "ownership" mean?
We’re going to be offering members the opportunity to "own" various forums on here. This would entail creating a forum charter and managing the particular forum.
We do have a "good offices" requirement, in that the person volunteering for any of these "Member Owned" Forums must have the intent of providing "good office" (betterment for the community, knowledge of the subject, etc.). We will be providing revenue sharing to the forum "owners". This is an item that we need to get rolling even though it is not fully formulated yet.
We will be offering this opportunity primarily in the specialty forums for now, and will need to get together with the potential "owners" for the specifics and guidelines in creating a charter, determining what is involved in managing a forum, etc.
Please email hereoffice * here.net and put MEMBER OWNERSHIP in the subject line. Provide your here UserID, email address, and which forum interests you in the body of the message.
Thanks,
-Jim
Answer:
UPDATE::
We are getting ready to move forward with this project. If you were interested, and emailed me, please email me again. Most of the emails were lost when my hard drive crashed (reminder to self, backup email daily).
Please make sure you sign in, then use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page, and select "Hosting a Forum". Be sure to let me know in which forum you were interested. Some of the forums had multiple people interested in them, so if you like, please list your second and third choice also.
We will be putting up a project conference room very soon to talk about all the details of this program with the interested members.
Thanks,
-Jim
Answer:
Just wanted to say...I had considered applying for this forum. But since Jim said its the most requested forum to "own", I think I'll be bowing out.
Answer:
Jim,
You know I'm interested in this forum. Have been since the very first post on the day you 'invented' it.
But I have serious reservations about the 'ownership' part of it.
Even just talking about having an 'owner' has changed the dynamics here, in my opinion, and not for the better. Lots of lurkers. Not many folks posting. It feels sort of spooky.
Will there really be advantages (due to the new structure) for those of us who participate here? If so, what do you think they might be?
What are the possible disadvantages to us?
Advantages/disadvantages to you and Crystal?
Elaine
Answer:
But I have serious reservations about the 'ownership' part of it.
Even just talking about having an 'owner' has changed the dynamics here, in my opinion, and not for the better. Lots of lurkers. Not many folks posting. It feels sort of spooky. I feel the same way.
I seriously thought about the "ownership" thing as it would apply to me and I'm just worried that my life is too "unsettled" to take on the responsibility... even though I don't know exactly what the responsibility is!
I would love to see our little textile board grow and would certainly do anything I can to help with that goal.
Tanya
Answer:
I read this forum all the time. I rarely post, and I am definitely a Textile "Know Nothing".
Why not have Group Ownership of the forum?
There are a few regulars who always post, always answer the questions, and who get along very well. Instead of Ownership being seen as a dividing factor, make it a uniting factor. Depending on what "ownership" means, you may be able to accomplish quite a bit.
Have a Board of Directors- (group of owners), things would be the same as they used to be, but the main regulars would have control of the forum as a group. You know best who the "regular" textile people are.
Just my 2 cents- as I truly enjoy reading this forum and would love to see it continue being the friendly informative place it was.
Answer:
Denise, that's a very wise post! I think we have kicked around the "Board of Directors" idea but not officially. I think we need more info from Jim to find out if multiple owners is even an option.
Oh, and by the way, nice seeing you Denise in our little corner of here!
Tanya
Answer:
Hello Everybody...

Sorry it took me so long to get to this thread.. It's been on my list for days.. but then again, so has eating..

Just a couple of quick answers becuase I want to keep most the the discussions about this where everyone can find them up in the Town Hall.. Within a day or two, I'll be posting more details up there...

Anyway... having someone 'own' the forum should not change the dynamic, (unless you guys take it in that direction)

The intent is not to have a head honcho, but rather someone we can give access to some of the features that I just can't open up to everyone..

Here's an example..

You want to run a sales event and post it to the live here calendar that shows up on the homepage.. right now, you have to wait for me (or crystal) to post it, soon you won't have to wait, one of you can just post it.

Another example is the ability to make a post sticky, then unstick it when you are done with it, all without me.

So yes, group ownership is fine, but there is a single 'owner' that will act as a liasion to here.. (one person I can give special access to, and one voice that I need to listen to, I hear enough voices already)

I'm really excited about what can happen in here.

-Jim
Answer:
Q&A Time up in the Town Hall..


-Jim
Answer:
Thanks for the clarification Jim.
That makes sense to me (the fact that you and Crystal would like to give that access to only one person per forum.)
Elaine
AND
Hi to Denise! Hope to see you soon in the other threads!