Does our board need a shake-up?
Before I go any further, let me put in my disclaimer right from the beginning. What you are about to read is MY personal opinions based on observation & knowledge of past doings. Having said that, here goes...
I will be the first to admit that I have been neglectful of my fellow wl friends, but I've also been noticing a disturbing trend taking place on our board here that's been going on for too long, in my opinion.
Lack of participation.
Lurking rather than responding.
Loss of long-time, successful losers.
I realize that we all have lives to contend with, with all its ups & downs. And for the most part we've been very good about responding to the OTs (other topics). But it seems we are sadly lacking in giving advice on the most important issues relating to our wl journeys.
I remember a time when a newbie would come here, post lots of questions, & receive lots of advice. Not so much anymore. Based on just the past few days of posts on the first screen, below are some good examples of what I'm getting at...
Lauren posted two topics...she got 3 responses & 95 lurkers on one, 4 responses & 66 lurkers on another.
Lys posted & got 2 responses & 28 lurkers
Heide posted & got 5 responses & 76 lurkers
Ppetzing posted & got 7 responses & 64 lurkers
TJP posted & got 1 response & 42 lurkers
Ken posted & got 5 responses & 42 lurkers
Am I the only one to find this disturbing? I hope not.
We've all but lost too many "old-timers" over the past year...people that WE ALL NEEDED! I SUSPECT that some of them left because they got tired of only a handful participating in the regular posts. I don't blame them. I would feel like why bother if nobody cares enough to participate. I would feel like why should I take time out from MY busy schedule just to be mostly ignored. I don't know what it would take to convince them to come back, but you know who you are. I miss you & your wisdom, encouragement, advice, sisterhood/brotherhood.
Lurkers. I'm not exactly sure why lurkers bother me, but they do. Maybe it's because I feel like I'm being spied on...sort of like a bunch of peeping toms out there reading very personal stuff about me...that's creepy. I realize that some of you are some of us regulars that have read a post & really & truly didn't have anything to add to the discussion, or popped in the check things with the intent to respond later when you have more time. But 95 of you? NOT! Why can't you SAY something?
Newbies...I'm really surprised that only a very few are posting here. Maybe many of you don't because you don't feel welcome. Maybe some of you don't feel like you'll get much response or answers to your questions. I mean really, everybody...prayers are all well & good, & I'm not suggesting that we stop them, but answers are what's needed too.
I don't know how this post will go down with some of you, but those that know me also know that I speak my mind & then hope for the best. I don't come here to insult anyone, or judge anyone, or try to be mean. I'm truly concerned about where our beloved board is headed & the way things are going, we could very easily become yet another one of those boards that disappears into the night, rendering itself useless & just taking up website space. I don't want that to happen. It is up to ALL OF US to stop that from happening. Old-timers...PLEASE come back. Newbies...ASK QUESTIONS. Lurkers...COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS & STOP BEING CREEPY!
Let's polish up our VA Board & make it shine again like it used to. Let's embrace each other again & make things happen.
Who's with me?
I will be the first to admit that I have been neglectful of my fellow wl friends, but I've also been noticing a disturbing trend taking place on our board here that's been going on for too long, in my opinion.
Lack of participation.
Lurking rather than responding.
Loss of long-time, successful losers.
I realize that we all have lives to contend with, with all its ups & downs. And for the most part we've been very good about responding to the OTs (other topics). But it seems we are sadly lacking in giving advice on the most important issues relating to our wl journeys.
I remember a time when a newbie would come here, post lots of questions, & receive lots of advice. Not so much anymore. Based on just the past few days of posts on the first screen, below are some good examples of what I'm getting at...
Lauren posted two topics...she got 3 responses & 95 lurkers on one, 4 responses & 66 lurkers on another.
Lys posted & got 2 responses & 28 lurkers
Heide posted & got 5 responses & 76 lurkers
Ppetzing posted & got 7 responses & 64 lurkers
TJP posted & got 1 response & 42 lurkers
Ken posted & got 5 responses & 42 lurkers
Am I the only one to find this disturbing? I hope not.
We've all but lost too many "old-timers" over the past year...people that WE ALL NEEDED! I SUSPECT that some of them left because they got tired of only a handful participating in the regular posts. I don't blame them. I would feel like why bother if nobody cares enough to participate. I would feel like why should I take time out from MY busy schedule just to be mostly ignored. I don't know what it would take to convince them to come back, but you know who you are. I miss you & your wisdom, encouragement, advice, sisterhood/brotherhood.
Lurkers. I'm not exactly sure why lurkers bother me, but they do. Maybe it's because I feel like I'm being spied on...sort of like a bunch of peeping toms out there reading very personal stuff about me...that's creepy. I realize that some of you are some of us regulars that have read a post & really & truly didn't have anything to add to the discussion, or popped in the check things with the intent to respond later when you have more time. But 95 of you? NOT! Why can't you SAY something?
Newbies...I'm really surprised that only a very few are posting here. Maybe many of you don't because you don't feel welcome. Maybe some of you don't feel like you'll get much response or answers to your questions. I mean really, everybody...prayers are all well & good, & I'm not suggesting that we stop them, but answers are what's needed too.
I don't know how this post will go down with some of you, but those that know me also know that I speak my mind & then hope for the best. I don't come here to insult anyone, or judge anyone, or try to be mean. I'm truly concerned about where our beloved board is headed & the way things are going, we could very easily become yet another one of those boards that disappears into the night, rendering itself useless & just taking up website space. I don't want that to happen. It is up to ALL OF US to stop that from happening. Old-timers...PLEASE come back. Newbies...ASK QUESTIONS. Lurkers...COME OUT OF THE SHADOWS & STOP BEING CREEPY!
Let's polish up our VA Board & make it shine again like it used to. Let's embrace each other again & make things happen.
Who's with me?
Hugs!
Ann
Please help support our troops in harm's way. Go to AnySoldier.com
Tomorrow is our future...yesterday our history...today our surprise & that's why it's called Present! 
ANN.....
I am with you on this subject. I have come here the last few days and saw that the board seemed kinda lacking. I was frustrated that I posted and got very few answers or suggestions, but the ones I did get were great and I thank you guys for your show of support. When I first became a member on the VA board there was such love and support, now barely anything. I do also know that life for all of us gets busy and we can't give the same all the time but as Ann has said there are people looking/ lurking so why no answers or suggestions. I've noticed that when a few key "old-timers" don't post the board seems to go to sleep, why???? Me as a kinda "newbie" I am becoming discouraged by the lack of support that I'm seeing here. I use this board as my main support since I can't get to the support groups since I'm working, but I don't feel that there is much support here anymore. It because of this board that I felt I could be successful in my journey, and now I am scared, Who do I turn to to bounce concerns to vent to cry and to share those upcoming WOW moments.
I hope we can come together again as a loving supporting family once again. I NEED you guys to get through all the good bad and the ugly.
I am with you on this subject. I have come here the last few days and saw that the board seemed kinda lacking. I was frustrated that I posted and got very few answers or suggestions, but the ones I did get were great and I thank you guys for your show of support. When I first became a member on the VA board there was such love and support, now barely anything. I do also know that life for all of us gets busy and we can't give the same all the time but as Ann has said there are people looking/ lurking so why no answers or suggestions. I've noticed that when a few key "old-timers" don't post the board seems to go to sleep, why???? Me as a kinda "newbie" I am becoming discouraged by the lack of support that I'm seeing here. I use this board as my main support since I can't get to the support groups since I'm working, but I don't feel that there is much support here anymore. It because of this board that I felt I could be successful in my journey, and now I am scared, Who do I turn to to bounce concerns to vent to cry and to share those upcoming WOW moments.
I hope we can come together again as a loving supporting family once again. I NEED you guys to get through all the good bad and the ugly.
Guilty as charged? Yup. As am I. What is your sentence? Just come back, sweetheart. We are all vital to each other. We have this never-ending bond that nobody else "gets" but us. We NEED each other. So no, you are NOT a bad girl. You just needed reminding that you are important to me & many others. I've missed you. I've missed you all!!
Hugs!
Ann
Please help support our troops in harm's way. Go to AnySoldier.com
Tomorrow is our future...yesterday our history...today our surprise & that's why it's called Present!
Melissa,
I GOT IT! I totally know what your sentence is! You are forever etched into our hearts and minds & your sentence is to continue connecting with us & helping us in our journeys to grow a little more each day. K?
Hugs........
I GOT IT! I totally know what your sentence is! You are forever etched into our hearts and minds & your sentence is to continue connecting with us & helping us in our journeys to grow a little more each day. K?
Hugs........
Kitty Kat - Lap RNY 29th Jan 03 
Blessed Momma to ♥ Kayla & Nora ♥
Sober since 25th Aug 07 www.the-butterfly-chronicles.blogspot.com
Thankful for the easy, grateful for the hard & hopeful for tomorrow. I totally agree with Ann. I have had such busy workload that I am hardly there on this site but am also guilty of lurking. I have missed the regulars on this site. I have seen several people making an attempt to keep this site going but people haven't responded much. People please keep this good thing going. All of you have been my heroes and inspiration. I am still struggling to get my act together for this surgery. I am blessed with support of family and friends and despite wanting and needing this surgery can't seem to be able to convince myself to take this huge commitment.
Luv and Blessings to all!!!
Luv and Blessings to all!!!
Jaya, thank you for your input as well. As I said in my response to Heide, we are all at different stages of our journeys. You happen to be on the fence, as it were...we've ALL been there. Personally, I took several years to make up my mind once & for all, & then had to fight hard to get it. So I'm not about to waste all that pre-op hard work, not to mention my on-going journey SINCE my surgery.
Keep coming here, & ask all the questions you can think of. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but perhaps one of us will be the inspiration you were looking for to help you make your decision, one way or the other.
Keep coming here, & ask all the questions you can think of. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but perhaps one of us will be the inspiration you were looking for to help you make your decision, one way or the other.
Hugs!
Ann
Please help support our troops in harm's way. Go to AnySoldier.com
Tomorrow is our future...yesterday our history...today our surprise & that's why it's called Present!
Thank you, Heide, for speaking up. Please try not to feel discouraged. Even though you are a newbie, you still have knowledge to share as each of us are in different stages of our journeys. And as newbies, you actually HELP us old-timers too...remind us of where we started, make us jog our memories, or even re-teach us how to go back to basics.
While it's wonderful to share our OT triumphs & tribulations, we ALSO need to get back to the basics of support for each other here with regard to wl. If we all just "read the posts" & say nothing, then pretty soon there won't be any lurkers cuz nobody's saying anything!
I appreciate your input & I promise to become much more active for you, for myself, for EVERYBODY!!
While it's wonderful to share our OT triumphs & tribulations, we ALSO need to get back to the basics of support for each other here with regard to wl. If we all just "read the posts" & say nothing, then pretty soon there won't be any lurkers cuz nobody's saying anything!
I appreciate your input & I promise to become much more active for you, for myself, for EVERYBODY!!
Hugs!
Ann
Please help support our troops in harm's way. Go to AnySoldier.com
Tomorrow is our future...yesterday our history...today our surprise & that's why it's called Present!
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