Mentors

I was thinking it might be a good idea that when a new member signs up for the forums they are automatically assigned to a Mentor (an individual from a group of active volunteers that have been apart of the community for a determined amount of time. 2 years.)

They can have a custom title similar to recognized members - and it will be their assigned duty to greet new members and offer orientation and assistance when required.

It may also be within their duties to talk to members about proper behavior and the policies of EoFF.

and other mentor like things.


It might even be fun to give them another kind of title like Spoony Bard or something as such FF related that denotes wisdom and leadership.

Mentors may also have a private forum that allows them to discuss strategies and events that encourage new members to become involved with the EoFF Community and have them feel more accepted so as to encourage the newer members to stick around longer.

OMG that sounds kewl o.o

Newbs deserve good things too :kaocheer:

Sounds like a good idea, I support it 100%.

I think BoB had a scheme like that once but got bored of it after 2 or 3 weeks like he usually does, bless him.

I think it's a decent concept that would ultimately die due to lack of use or usefulness. Doesn't mean it wouldn't be worth trying out if enough people were so inclined.

Not many new people stay, but if this happens, we might get an increase of more members.

It sounds like fun as long as it's not mandatory. I'd be insulted if I joined a forum and I had a mentor forced upon me. :P I'd volunteer to be a mentor, though. Assuming they'd have me. xP

should probably require a user post on at least two different days before being eligible for a mentor. too many people only post once (or never).

I'm fine with this as long as some one else runs it and we use eest's suggestion.

at my law school first year students are given three different mentors. it's kind of funny.

sounds cool, I'd be a great mentor! I've been warned atleast once for every rule so I've got plenty of expertise with them :p

Don't say revenge... Don't say revenge...

Revenge


(I'll post something more later - I have a couple of ideas but I'm effing tired from packing and cleaning all day)

Sounds like grooming to me...

should probably require a user post on at least two different days before being eligible for a mentor. too many people only post once (or never).
And here I was thinking "Have posted 500 times, have been registered for a year and have had their last post within the week."

EDIT: That counts up to 228 members!

I'd do it for sure!
It probably would increase traffic too. :)

I would say that this should be a checked or unchecked option on the registration page which activates itself upon meeting a certain eligibility requirement.

I wish I were like Roogle at least twice a week.

should probably require a user post on at least two different days before being eligible for a mentor. too many people only post once (or never).
And here I was thinking "Have posted 500 times, have been registered for a year and have had their last post within the week."

EDIT: That counts up to 228 members!

I was thinking more like, been registered for 2 years, at least 1000 posts, and last post was within the last week.

It's a good idea in theory, dunno how well it'll work out if we actually execute it.

I would agree with Miriel, except I think a week should be two weeks. Some people don't post a lot but are still around enough to be good "mentors".

Would you really want someone like me, Rye, Raistlin or Roto13 teaching people the ropes :p?

Yes

Yes

I think you're on drugs lady :(

should probably require a user post on at least two different days before being eligible for a mentor. too many people only post once (or never).
And here I was thinking "Have posted 500 times, have been registered for a year and have had their last post within the week."

EDIT: That counts up to 228 members!

I was thinking more like, been registered for 2 years, at least 1000 posts, and last post was within the last week.

I think he meant to be able to HAVE a mentor :Oo:

Why would someone who has been here for a year and has made 500 posts be in need of a mentor?

I think it's obvious BoB and I were talking about people who could be eligible to BE a mentor.

I'd like to think older member's wouldn't really use this feature if its provided.

The younger they are, the better the chance they'll actually want a "mentor".

I always seem to have a sidekick anyway. First Genji, now Cim. :P

eest was talking about having a member, BoB and Miriel were talking about being a mentor. I like Miriel and eest's suggestions for the requirements. Though one year is probably enough.

Can't new members just grow some balls and PM the staff if they have a question?

Don't we have a new "welcome" PM anyway? The one that's signed to BoB's name?

I'll mentor someone if someone asks me to but that's about as much work as I'll do either way :)

I'll beat 'em with a stick.

Don't we have a new "welcome" PM anyway? The one that's signed to BoB's name?
Yes, we do. We should at least give this Welcome PM a good shot first before going on to mentors. Plus, mentors would have to know the Rules/FAQ inside and out though pretty much, I would think.

So far I've had a few replies from people, including two from people who WEREN'T banned!

So far I've had a few replies from people, including two from people who WEREN'T banned!

I was never banned...

Can't new members just grow some balls and PM the staff if they have a question?

wouldn't it be nice if a selected group of trusted members could get more involved with the community and encourage posting and companion ship instead of leaving everything up to the Staff Members so they could perhaps concentrate on other things like making our lives more miserable with more rules, heartless pranks and pure lethargy?

It's not just about waiting around until there are questions to be asked; it's also about taking a proactive step in making new members feel more welcome and giving their initial time here a more personal touch instead of some generic "Hey welcome to EoFF" private message. Maybe it's not even about the rules down to Q at all - because we do have people already who can answer all that crap; maybe instead its about offering the opportunity for individuals who feel ashamed or too self-concious to ask certain questions in a public setting or to a power figure because its potentially embaressing. Or maybe its about one member offering encouragement to another by giving them heads up on good threads and getting them involved in elections and whatnot.

Groups and titles, guidelines and goals have a way of inciting fire into the loins of members who have great ideas but not always the means, support or self-esteem to propose and act.

I think its a good idea because it creates more possibilities for interaction and has the potential to not only suck newer members into the unescapable vortex that is EoFF but may also have the potential to encourage older members to become more involed with the community in a more productive manner.

In its most ideal form it would be great - and when it fails atleast you can never say we didn't try to make EoFF a better place.

We could do with a new generation of decent quality spammers too :p

yea, i was saying we shouldn't waste time assigning mentors to people who register to post once and then never come back.

There are plenty of oldies like me who should NOT mentor noobs on this place.

Chemical, why don't you unofficially mentor a newbie and then let us all know how it goes? If it's a success, it'll only add greater weight to your suggestion.

Chemical, why don't you unofficially mentor a newbie and then let us all know how it goes? If it's a success, it'll only add greater weight to your suggestion.

th'feck to that - I don't have the time and or desire to make any kind of meaningful connection with others.

Chemical, why don't you unofficially mentor a newbie and then let us all know how it goes? If it's a success, it'll only add greater weight to your suggestion.

th'feck to that - I don't have the time and or desire to make any kind of meaningful connection with others.

Then why expect us to?

You should have just asked for a chocobo icon somewhere.

th'feck to that - I don't have the time and or desire to make any kind of meaningful connection with others.

Then why expect us to?
Asking that you give the system a try doesn't imply she expected the staff to be the mentors.

I'd happily be a mentor but I know what you're all like. :(

If they do something bad can we use negative reinforcement on them, like sending them a bucket of snot?

Another forum I go has the "Adopt a n00b" thread. Noobs and would be mentors post there and get together. No foot taping or wide stances allowed ;)

If they do something bad can we use negative reinforcement on them, like sending them a bucket of snot?

We should train newbies the way Cesar Milan trains dogs. :greenie:

Next time Chemical posts one of her "ideas" I say we ban her.

The next time Chemical posts on of her "ideas" I say we ban demondude.

Okay then. Both.

She gets clemency merely for her history with the Feedback forum.

Why don't we make it so registered members with less then one post have an annoying message on the top of the forum saying, "GO POST A NEWBIE THREAD SO YOU CAN VIOLATED BY PG!" until they make that vital first post?

This idea reeks of massive failure, I mean damn it stinks. No offence.

The next time Chemical posts on of her "ideas" I say we ban demondude.

Agreed.

I think this is a nice idea. Perhaps if newbies had a mentor it might encourage them to stick around longer than a week. :jess:

I think this is a nice idea. Perhaps if newbies had a mentor it might encourage them to stick around longer than a week. :jess:

YEAH! :bounce:

well, you guys can always start an unofficial one! I mean, you're allowed to do stuff!

I'm trying this idea out right now.


Let's see if it succeeds.

What are you doing exactly, Fonz? :)

Who is the person mentoring you, Fonz? :p

Who is the person mentoring you, Fonz? :p

Oh you. :love:

I'll tell you later.

I think its a great idea. Im new and I'd like a mentor, I have lots of silly questions to ask that are too embarrasing to post about. If anyone wants to mentor me just PM or post here.

I'll mentor you jerseymage.

aww, don't be embarassed to post silly questions! We get them a lot so they're pretty routine

I've pm'ed jerseymage so he's in my hands now.

I'll be held up with other things (http://forums.eyesonff.com/eyes-each-other/109884-eye-surgery.html) though so I might not be able to do this after I've done jersey.

Demondude is now my awesome mentor!

See? It's not such a bad idea :p

*raises hand*
Supporter.

... of this idea.

I think it's working well how it is now. If someone wants one, they'll ask. Or if someone wants to be one, they'll offer. No need to go and make a big hubbub over something that can be so easy.

So far its going very smoothly And I think its a great idea!

My noob died.

Forgot to feed him, the poor little thing. :(

I mean, you're allowed to do stuff!

Ha! You little jokester you! *Pokes*

i doubt this will catch on, but it's a good idea.