More elf questions

Sherry is there anything I need to do other then email Floyd (which I did) to be able to have and be a secret elf?  I was not sure if you had to have all ready had surgery or any other guidlines. Is Elfster something on this board or some where else on the internet and what exactly is it.   I know what a secret elf is just not the elfster

Andrea, Originally, we called it being a 'secret angel'. Last year, I learned about Elfster.com. I now set up the exchanges through that site. To join in on an exchange, you must be invited to join in. It's not like you can go to that site and see what exchanges are out there & join which-ever ones you want. After I set up an exchange through there, I send out the invitations with the link to join...only to those who are on the Directory (the Directory is what Floyd maintains for us). I will not be placing the link here on the board. So..#1 guideline, be on the Directory. It is not a requirement at all for a participant to be post-op! In fact, if you have absolutely no desire to have weight loss surgery at all, you are still more than welcome to paticipate in the elf exchange...or in any other activities through the Indiana board! What IS required is that you be willing to send something to your person on a monthly basis. It doesn't have to be an elaborate gift. Most of us are very happy with 'Thinking of you' cards! I do ask that if you don't think you can do this, PLEASE do not accept the invitation when it comes in the email. If I receive negative feedback on how an elf is doing, I do send out an email to see if we can resolve any issues. Sometimes, there are darn good reasons why an elf hasn't been able to fulfill their responsabilities (in one situation the person had a heart attack..in another (mine), the person was in a coma and then hospitilized for a month). Once the people were back on their feet, they did try to make up for the lapse. In other situations however, the elf gave a bunch of excuses...or totally ignored my email inquiries completely. Those people, I did have to remove from the invite list just to be fair to those who DO what they have agreed to do.                                                     So..to get an invite:  Be on the Directory                             To accept an invite:  Be willing to send something to your person at least once a month (but especially so for their birthday, anniversary, surgiversary, special holidays)                     To continue to receive invites:  Be a good secret elf                              Sherri