Definitely allowed, but reading this thread has me thinking a lot about the "clique" discussions we had at all of our conferences in the past two months.
The folks posting in this thread have (on average) hundreds of posts to their credit. As old-timers, we "know" the other folks, their interests, their hot-buttons, their points-of-view, their humors, their sensitivities. When new threads come up, we likely immediately categorize them into good idea, bad ideas, or been-theres and done-thats. When new posters come along, we probably (unknowingly) do the same thing. It's important that we work to make sure that newcomers don't feel like newcomers, like there's some kind of code or familiarity required.
Within a parent group, every effort has to be made to make new people and new ideas feel really comfortable, to bring those folks in, Sometimes that means running with ideas that you know (or strongly suspect) won't work. And sometimes it means letting a new volunteer do an old task in a new way (even if you know you could do it yourself with less aggravation). Etc.
Here on the forum, let's do all we can from keeping this place from feeling like a clique.
This thread is great. But I do think it's important to keep this kind of stuff here in the "other" category and (for the most part) to share the personal stuff via email. It's especially important not to let familiarity become a sort of hurdle that newcomers have to overcome in order to get involved. Else -- like with our parent groups -- they won't.
Well, we can add to this thread, if you want to provide a little about yourself and what you do. Of course, it is only if you feel comfortable. But I believe too, as TheMetzyMom says we are all sort of a comraderie here even though we do have various opinions, which is what makes for good thought processes.
Tim- hope this is allowed!!
Ok I will embellish a little about me. GASP! I would never do this on any other forum! (this is the only forum I go on anyway and I do not do chat groups! LOL) I am in between 43 and 46 in age. Ha- Still does not tell you. I have two creatures at home. One in 9th grade and one in 7th grade. I work part time in the afternoons 6 days per week. I am an ice-skating coach/instructor. I have been involved in my HSA for 5 years as a board member. This is my last. I volunteered before that on various committees and came to meetings one full year before I stepped up to the plate (Board).
Anyone else?
We have cable as our isp. That means I'm online ALL the time...lol... I never sit down to the puter that I don't go to PTOToday first, even before checking my email! Once in awhile, I don't get to the puter (like yesterday when we had our Field Day-I was exhausted and crashed... never even looked at the puter...lol...), but most days I check this site 4, maybe 5 times. I really think of everyone as friends (even when we don't agree... maybe especially when we don't agree...lol...) and am always curious as to what is going on in everyone elses lives...
I admit, most of the time it's several times daily! I just love the sound of my own voice (or in this case the sight of my own words), and having a captive audience is too much to pass up! [img]tongue.gif[/img]
I have found more helpful advice, creative ideas and support than I could have ever imagined, and when I'm here I can always find a way up when the basta*ds have me down!
Don't worry folks there is a cure. The first year I checked CONSTANTLY, then it became less and less as I got busy implementing all your ideas. Now I pop on maybe once a week to keep updated. You are still the first place I go when I need an answer quick -- check out my bullying post. Thank you all.
