WISH "Social/small teams" --Time for changes

[jmasgat]

This is a long post....my apologies, but it needs discussion. If you're impatient, skip down to "Here is what I propose"

2010 has seen a dramatic increase in the number of new WISH members who want to be assigned to the "social teams" for lack of a better term, e.g. Ohana, SuperGoofs, etc. By my very rough count, over 130 new people have asked to join in the fun.

I've done my best to accommodate all comers and at least two WISH members have graciously started new teams. Yet most, if not all, of the teams have grown to the point where the current members feel like they are beginning to lose that "small group/family" feeling that has been seen as one of the strong points of being part of one of these groups. I no longer feel comfortable adding on new members.

So the dilemma is what to do. Here are some options (and my take on the impact)

Stop taking new requests to join existing "social teams" This will keep the current team count where it is. The existing social teams would stay the same size or shrink due to normal attrition. New WISH members would participate in the overall WISH/Events board and all those threads--meaning, the general discussions, the individual race threads, etc.

Allow new WISH members to join an exisitng team if the team is willing This would mean that each team would be "master of its own domain" (pardon the pun). The upside is that some new members would be accommodated. They would have to take the initiative themselves. I would have the "new member request thread" identify the "open" teams. The downside (IMO) is that this may be viewed as non-welcoming/intimidating. It is a step away from the "all-comers" approach that we have had to date.

Allow new WISH members to start/join new teams This would mean that either a new or existing member would have to volunteer to start a team and then maintain it. This would accommodate new members--if it happened. But (based on my experience this year) it is unlikely to happen on its own, and it would take time. So new members would have to wait until someone took the initiative.

Other Options I'm sure there are some I haven't thought of

I've been neurosing about this for 1-2 months. It's time to act.

Here is what I propose--a hybrid of all 3 options:

I will defer any new requests (Option 1) for the immediate future. I will post a note on the New Team Request thread to that effect.

Each team will need to decide upon their willingness to accept new members on an ongoing basis. (Option 2) I will periodically revise the new member request thread to show the existing teams that are willing to accept new members. Any new WISH'er that wants to join can survery those team threads and then directly ask to join whichever open team they choose, i.e. I will no longer "assign" members.

Forming new Teams will be encouraged (Option 3). I will keep the thread updated with any new teams that start. And new members can request to be part of those teams

I will request that the thread be made a "Sticky".

Your role is to vote on this proposal and weigh in on my proposal with alternatives,suggestions, comments and hopefully, support

Let me close by saying. I am not doing this to create ill-will or discourage new members. I just think it's growing beyond what I can handle and what I--as one WISHer in the larger community--SHOULD handle.

Thanks for reading.

Maura

 

[APrunner]

Maura,

I am willing (I think) to get a new team started. Can you send me a note about the steps to get it rolling. I have been around the boards for awhile, though I am not a "heavy poster". Getting involved with a team may make me get more involved myself.

Steven

 

[DianeL]

Maura,

Copy me in on the info for Steven. I guess I can stop hiding out But I want a plastic blow up Marathon for my room/group! LOL

Point me in the direction and ignore the shaking/knocking knees

 

[WDWFAN9]

Well, I didn't vote because I am not sure what I think.

I haven't participated in a "social" team and actually don't post a lot anyways, but I am a long-time WISHer. It is exciting to see so many people finding W.I.S.H. Racing Team and sharing their adventures. I just want to say that I am proud to be part of such a supportive, welcoming group and I hope that never changes.

 

[windwalker]

I wish I had time to get involved more again. WISH is awesome and well worth being a part of. Any group that promotes fitness and the members support each other is wonderful.

Dave

 

[VernRDH]

Maura, first let me say that you are wonderful for undertaking the whole endeavor. It is a lot of work and I (as well as everyone else) thank you for it.

As captain of the Incredibles, I will say that we had many folks join, but have never participated. There is a small group that seems to consistently post and share, and I don't know what to do about those folks who have never jumped in. I feel bad that someone who might want to be on a team and participate would not have the opportunity because our team is "big", but only a small number are active. KWIM?? I don't know if that is unique to our team, but perhaps if we could determine who wants to stay on the team might help. Not sure how to go about that though.

I know that my Incredibles would welcome any new members. I think that if a poster wants to join a team, they could ask on the team thread and the team could decide. More teams would also be a great option.

I hope that we can find a solution that works out well for everyone.

 

[Duanerice]

More power to ya trying to get this organized Not a easy job.

I have been a WISH member for quite a few years and initially was a supporter of teams. Unfortunately once we created teams we lost a lot of the individual posts. People were now asking questions within their teams that they used to ask on the main board.

I stayed with a team for a year but decided not to keep going since I don't post a lot - at least compared to some folks. I lost contact with a lot of people because they post within their teams and not as much on the main threads anymore.

I do miss the "good old days" you know when I walked to school uphill both ways with snow up to my knees.... Seriously I read the board a lot less than I used to because so many of the posts are now "within" the teams. I feel kind of odd reading the teams threads. Don't know why, but that is just me. I know the members would not care because everyone on this board seems to be the most caring friendly people I have meet. It's just me.

Just need to say this because if I feel this way I am sure many others do too. Good luck with whatever ends up happening. I'll still stop by once in a while.

Duane

 

[lisah0711]

Maura, thank you for all that you do for the WISH boards!

I haven't been on this side of the WISH boards very long but I can tell you as a newbie and a new runner, I was very happy to be part of the new INCREDIBLES team from the ground up. It would have been very intimidating to try and ask an established team if I could join them, and I know several folks from running the Biggest Loser challenges. I can't imagine what a real newbie would feel like.

I would think that a lot of the requests for joining will be winding down as people get closer to the marathons. I imagine that there is some attrition in teams and I recall reading about one team that disbanded.

There is no easy answer but I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate what you do!

 

[Kristi1357]

More power to ya trying to get this organized Not a easy job.

I have been a WISH member for quite a few years and initially was a supporter of teams. Unfortunately once we created teams we lost a lot of the individual posts. People were now asking questions within their teams that they used to ask on the main board.

I stayed with a team for a year but decided not to keep going since I don't post a lot - at least compared to some folks. I lost contact with a lot of people because they post within their teams and not as much on the main threads anymore.

I do miss the "good old days" you know when I walked to school uphill both ways with snow up to my knees.... Seriously I read the board a lot less than I used to because so many of the posts are now "within" the teams. I feel kind of odd reading the teams threads. Don't know why, but that is just me. I know the members would not care because everyone on this board seems to be the most caring friendly people I have meet. It's just me.

Just need to say this because if I feel this way I am sure many others do too. Good luck with whatever ends up happening. I'll still stop by once in a while.

Duane

I could have written this post! I too miss the good ol' days.

I know this doesn't really help with the issues at hand though.
Maura - to you for organizing the teams!!!

 

[Lexxiefern]

More power to ya trying to get this organized Not a easy job.

I have been a WISH member for quite a few years and initially was a supporter of teams. Unfortunately once we created teams we lost a lot of the individual posts. People were now asking questions within their teams that they used to ask on the main board.

I stayed with a team for a year but decided not to keep going since I don't post a lot - at least compared to some folks. I lost contact with a lot of people because they post within their teams and not as much on the main threads anymore.

I do miss the "good old days" you know when I walked to school uphill both ways with snow up to my knees.... Seriously I read the board a lot less than I used to because so many of the posts are now "within" the teams. I feel kind of odd reading the teams threads. Don't know why, but that is just me. I know the members would not care because everyone on this board seems to be the most caring friendly people I have meet. It's just me.

Just need to say this because if I feel this way I am sure many others do too. Good luck with whatever ends up happening. I'll still stop by once in a while.

Duane

I totally agree as well! I don't post much here on WISH anymore, but I look forward to seeing you all at the next disney race!

Becky

 

[WDWFAN9]

hmmm, lots of views, but not a lot of posts. Does that mean everyone is happy with the way things are now?

 

[Honeibee]

Duane, you forgot to say "while wearing short pants".

I too agree with Duane. I hardly post on the WISH board anymore at all, which is sad for me. But I too feel something was lost in creating the "social groups". But, if they work for some people, I guess that's a good thing. They are too clique-ey for me. I too miss the good ol' days of a single weekly thread that we all posted on. But things change and I realize that.

At any rate, I will not be joining a team so however you guys make it work, good for you. Maura, you're amazing for organizing it all and I'm sorry if I'm not being much help.

But there ya have it.

 

[chimera]

Duane (if you come back)...are you doing the Mangrove Marathon in December?

 

[wtpclc]

I am at a loss. I LOVE my Warriors, but I miss the old days liek Duane. However, it seems we get so many new poeple that it's ahrd to keep up on a weekly thread. On the flip side, that's the only way to even have a shot at knowing most WISHers. Torn.

I also know that many joined teams because the weekly thread was overwhelming. If it overwhlems me at times, of course it will overwhelm others.

Sorry I'm not much help either. I do appreciate all you're doing Maura!!!!

Thikning about it, your proposal is likely best. At least for now. Thanks again!

 

[AUdisneyDad]

Maura,

I am also willing to get a new team started. I haven't been on the boards as long as others but I also love the feeling of smaller groups. WISH has made such a huge difference in my life and I would love to help someone the way others helped me. So count me in for starting a group if you need me.

Tim

 

[Duanerice]

Duane (if you come back)...are you doing the Mangrove Marathon in December?

Mel,
not sure. I'll have just finished my HIM followed by 2 weeks of vacation which should include the Las Vegas half. I might run half of it but my days of a stand alone full are pretty much over for now. The only way I want to run another marathon is if it is preceded by a 2.4 mi swim and a 112 mi bike ride

Are you going? If so we'll have to get together.

Duane

 

[chimera]

Mel,
not sure. I'll have just finished my HIM followed by 2 weeks of vacation which should include the Las Vegas half. I might run half of it but my days of a stand alone full are pretty much over for now. The only way I want to run another marathon is if it is preceded by a 2.4 mi swim and a 112 mi bike ride

Are you going? If so we'll have to get together.

Duane

thinking about the half. I need a December race (sorry 'bout hijacking the thread)