Awkward Question About Inactive Fish Extender Group

[wilkeliza]

Wait....what? Why can't we use GoogleDocs? I am running our FE here on the DIS and nowhere else and I needed one central place to let everyone click to get the master list to print out without additional junk printing out. The link is public so any mod can see what I have posted. I don't collect emails or any personal information from the people in my group, we have kept it simple and no frills.

Not sure on google docs but it was called out on the list of no nos. maybe contact a mod but sounds like you have yours in such a way that they can keep track of what is going on.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Would this be an okay place to ask about how to set up an FE group?

I've posted on cruise's "Meetup" thread and see several folks have chimed in, "We've booked our rooms!" sort of thing...

I'm super excited about the Fish Extender gift idea... I always make gift bags for our group vacations. Autograph books, journals, shirts, penny press coin containers and the like.. I LOVE making the things and I LOVE surprising my family/friends... But with Fish Extender groups... Even *I* get to be surprised!!! It makes me giddy!!!!!

So, our cruise is in February 2017... Plenty of time. But nobody has said, "I'm planning to set up a group." Are there rules about how it needs to be done? I'd be happy to set up a low-key group... Do I need to ask anyone's permission? The OP of the meet thread, maybe??

I'm also not really interested in other Meet & Greet activities, only because I'm quite sure my family/friends will take all my time. Does the person who plans FE groups generally also plan other things??

Thanks for the thoughts. Hope I'm asking in an okay place...

Best,

Angie
"Auntie" & Mom to a Future Cruising Crew

I wrote this up a while ago:

There really are no “rules” as to how a FE program runs. Basically someone will step up and say “I’ll maintain the list”. This means they maintain the list of those who wish to participate. The group can decide on what information is necessary to produce FE gifts. A basic list may only have DISname/room number/number of people in the room. A more involved list could be first & last names/ages/room number/ favorite character/ favorite color/allergies/whatever is deemed necessary to know in order to create the gifts. Also a decision can be made as to size of FE group. Some groups break out the list(s) at 10-15 rooms max, so that there are multiple lists (and some people will participate in more than one list). Other groups just make one big list (upwards of 20-30 rooms).

The easiest, most private way to handle the information necessary to prepare the list (many people prefer not to put sensitive information on a public forum), is to use the “Conversation” feature here. There needs to be at least two people to start a conversation. Only the starter of the conversation (usually the organizer) can add additional people into the conversation (as long as they do NOT select “Allow anyone in the conversation to invite others” at the bottom of the reply window). Then when new people express a desire to join, usually by just saying “we want to join the FE”, the organizer can add them by clicking on the “Invite more” button in the “Conversation Participants” window (lower right of conversation page). Only those people participating in the conversation can see what’s posted there, and respond there. I will also note, to participate in conversations, everyone needs to have at least 10 posts. For those who wish to use this option for private conversations that don’t have 10 posts yet, head over to the Test Board to post and up your post count. http://www.disboards.com/forums/test-board.88/

Up to 20 people can participate in any given conversation.

At some point the list will “close”. Typically this happens 30-45 days out from the cruise, so that everyone participating has time to organize/prepare their gifts. Shortly before this time (about 2-3 weeks prior) the organizer will post the list, either directly on the Cruise Meet thread, OR via private conversation, or, possibly, via e-mails. This is to confirm everyone on the list is still participating. It’s important to make a statement about “anyone not confirming by XX date will be dropped” at this time. A little harsh, yes, but often there are people who will post on the cruise meet thread as soon as they reserve the cruise and say “I want to participate”, and are never heard from again.

Once the list closes, the organizer will post the final list. Also, a decision must be made as to whether to allow late additions. Sometimes there is a “pixie dust” list. That is, basically, a latecomers list that gets posted about a week out from the cruise that others may or may not add to their “final” list. Be sure the “pixie dust” list participants realize they may or may not get gifts from others, but are expected to provide gifts for the other FE participants anyway.

The other “biggie” is no other social media sites are allowed to be linked or search directions posted as to how to find that other site here on DISboards. Please read this: http://www.disboards.com/threads/im...uise-meet-and-fish-extender-programs.3353477/

IN SHORT:
Basically, you just say “I’ll maintain the Fish Extender list”. Then a decision needs to be made as to what info is necessary to include in the list. Also a decision as to whether or not there will be a cut off date. And if it’s when X number of rooms has signed up (many groups limit themselves to 10-15 rooms), or a specific date (early enough for everyone to get their gifts prepared before the cruise).


At some point (generally about 2 weeks prior to the cut off date) you will post the list for everyone to confirm their participation and correctness of info on the list. It’s very important that you say “ANYONE NOT CONFIRMING WILL BE DROPPED”. There are a lot of people who, when they first make a cruise reservation, are so gung-ho about everything cruising they will say “I want to participate” and then you never hear from them again (maybe because they cancelled, or just decided not to do it). And then, after the cut off day, post the final list and say “this is it!!!”

I got this from another poster:
SUGGESTED FE STRATEGY
Joining The FE Group
If you would like to join this FE group, then simply register your interest by replying to this thread.You can include the information requested in your reply to this thread (keep in mind this will be public).If you do not wish to share your information publicly, reply here and then you can PM me with your information.
(Here you can list what info you would like to include in the list)

How will the FE list work?
As each family signs up to the thread, their details will be entered into a spreadsheet. A finalized version of the spreadsheet will be released once we reach the cut-off/confirmation date (see below for explanations). We will attempt to keep all participants on one list. However, sometimes, there are just so many cruisers wanting to partake in this magical experience that participants may be divided between two or more lists. In the event of needing two or more lists, we will try to distribute participating cabins and people as evenly as possible.

FE Registration Cut-Off Date
All families must register their interest to join the FE group, by posting a reply with the above mentioned details, by XX date. This is to allow people ample time to make/purchase their FE gifts, and ensure they can deliver to all those registered on the list.

FE Participation Re-Confirmation Date
ALL registered families mustCONFIRMtheir participation byYY date. This is so the FE list(s) can be finalized. Of course, your situation regarding cruising may change at the last minute and that cannot be helped, but re-confirmation just ensures no one has changed their minds or cancelled their sailing and forgot to say so.

Latecomers/Non-Confirmation
The Latecomers list is for those who have booked their cruise at the last minute, missed our FE group cut-off date, but still want to participate in FEs. Anyone who does not confirm in time will also be moved to this list. Participants on this list will provide FE gifts for each other, and are welcome to supply FE gifts for other cruisers, but should not expect to receive anything in return. Regular list participants are free to deliver FE gifts to those on this list, but are not obliged to.