How do we move on?
I've just been looking through the last few weeks of posts and I guess that there's probably less than 20 of us that regularly post on here, with probably a few new members who contribute occasionally. But given the total membership of the CC we are nothing more than a mere pimple on the Elephants B**b. So,- its not really any wonder that the CC ruling body take very little notice (If any) of what we say.
So how do we improve things? Personally I have long thought that our power of debate and thought, is often diluted by cynical humour. However, given our tiny ability to influence things, that is not really surprising.
So how do we make this forum more influential?
Or perhaps that is not our role? I really do not know, & even if I did, that would do little to ease the situation, because others would seek to argue the opposite view.
So where do we go from here? Do we accept that we are of no real value at all? Should we try harder to show the way forward? But perhaps that's not our role! Maybe just a light weight banter fellowship will be always our role. But if that is the case why do we get so cross when we think that someone else is upsetting or disagreeing with us?
Perhaps its too late, and I should go to bed, but I really do think that once we were on to something, - now I'm not so sure!
TF
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I'm happy with the way things are, this forum has some learning moments, light relief and a lot of humour. To be honest I don't want a lot of serious discussion (current affairs mainly of a political
nature). If I didn't like the way things were I would stop posting.0 -
Some of the problem is that we can't agree amongst ourselves as what we want from the club ,so may be that's why they (club) do not take a lot of notice of us as a group , to get change we need to be united with a plan that is a viable commercial option, but at times it is like we are in the playground arguing over who gets the last sweet
P.S, I think this thread may get moved
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Tigerfish - Interesting post. Though I don’t post much I do read posts of interest to me.
Having said that I have to agree with Oneputt ‘I'm happy with the way things are, this forum has some learning moments, light relief and a lot of humour’
I see Club Together title says ‘ The place to be to discuss caravanning, motorhoming, trailer tenting and the great outdoors, upload your touring stories, share your advice and experiences and get help, information and inspiration from other members of the
community.’0 -
I think all forums have a core of posters but many more lurkers. It's life.
As for taking notice of anything we say, CC launched the forum as a marketing tool and it could be said it has backfired so I think they'd rather sweep us under the carpet.
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TF
To what are you referring? I note that this was originally posted this in General Chat so is that the aspect of Club Together that you are concerned with? General Chat aside I think we have some good discussions and I think we all have an opportunity share
and learn and I don't think from that point of view its much different from any other forum. If the question is just about General Chat it seems to me that it provides some of the regular posters with a space to communicate although perhaps we have to be careful
that some of the longer running threads could appear a bit closed to newcomers. The Community Manager has set the rules on what can be discussed and I don't see that changing in the future. Interestingly the Caravan Talk forum has recently imposed similar
restrictions to what we have here and they join a list of forums with the same outlook.David
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Back along it was mentioned that the staff would play a more prominant role in the Forum, benefits being that someone actually reads the forum queries, an official answer and a togetherness between members and Club.
It did start out well and various staff from different departments within Grinstead did post, but now no-one does so the members once again feel alienated from the Club they belong.
Once again the staff need to involve themselves with the forum to repair a lost relationship.
If I have misunderstood the OP's question, then ignore my ramblings
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If what you really mean TF is that you want to discuss subjects banned by the T&C's I think you should be grateful that they are banned. My experience is that it leads to conflict especially if you have an opposing view from a majority of others!
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This forum is fulfilling to purpose for which it was created. It has its own character and attracts some CC contributing members, the OP says about 20 and I'm happy to accept his estimate.
There is nothing wrong with the forum as such. Although DK made a good point about threads appearing closed to new members.
Of course the CC is not going to respond or care about what a proportion of those 20 complain about. If anybody has a complaint they should put it in writing to Head Office.
So accept the forum as set up by the CC and enjoy it. OR. Go elsewhere. (There are loads of other forums to choose from)---- the choice is yours folks.
Cheers .:..............K
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After looking at other forums (Just looking) this one seems to have within its T&Cs a much more Interesting input from posters,than other forums,and if the cc figures are to be believed there must be a large amount of members who "ljust look"
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Good Post TF - thought provoking - and as far as I am concerned it started in the right place as I seldom go into this thread!
I agree it would be good to have more CC staff commenting from time to time - Rowena had some great input IMO.
I personally wouldn't want to go with politics but can keep out of such discussions quite happily.
Some years ago I belonged to a forum about Alternative Medicine - and that attracted more than its fare share of "ASi's" Attention Seeking Idiots who weren't worth arguing with IMO unless they were offering dangerous advice such as swallowing essential
oils!0 -
Most forums go through a similar cycle.
Half a dozen posters totally dominate, in quantity and regularity, therefore many new members simply keep out of the way.
It's sad because the regulars generally have a vast amount of knowledge but they do steamroller threads and often either ignore or repeat (with their authority???) other posters.
One or two even stalk casual members and instantly appear with an opposite comment/opinion to the casual poster!
Most forums indicate the number of posts for each member but as always the CC has an unfathomable 'star' system...numbers would tell quite a story!
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I see the forum as being in two distinct halves. One is the advice and technical help to be had. The other is the more chatty and somewhat light hearted part which is General chat. Speaking personally I like both aspects of the forum although I guess I contribute
more to the latter. I do think that the chatty bit can, at times, move a lot faster than the technical bit.0 -
Personally I think the original purpose of this forum (and I have been here from the start) was to give us, the members the opportunity to help EACH OTHER, yes, the club read it (and they still do) but it was left to us to use it, mainly to offer the wisdom (!?) of our experience to others, problems started when some of us wanted to chat with each other and some humour got a bit out of hand - sadly in modern life this is happening more and more with the easily offended feeling empowered to stand up and complain - the written word is often misinterpreted ! The decision to restrict our topics was taken to try and avoid this and IMHO it has worked. I took a bit of time out this year with home problems taking precedence but on returning I am now finding it a much more pleasant place to post.
Alison
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One of the most annoying parts of this forum(others may be the same) is the ammount of posters who come on with a query or ask for advise,then when the Post is answered by others with suggestions or really positive answers,the original poster does not have the manners to reply or acknowledge the posters who have tried to help, which makes some reluctant to post advise,
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One of the most annoying parts of this forum(others may be the same) is the ammount of posters who come on with a query or ask for advise,then when the Post is answered by others with suggestions or really positive answers,the original poster does not have
the manners to reply or acknowledge the posters who have tried to help, which makes some reluctant to post advise,However, made up for by the ones who are grateful for the advice and come back and say so. Unfortunately the sort of thing you describe JVB is just a fact of life and one we have to put up with, if we are to fulfil one of the forums main functions, to pass
on help and advice.0 -
One of the most annoying parts of this forum(others may be the same) is the ammount of posters who come on with a query or ask for advise,then when the Post is answered by others with suggestions or really positive answers,the original poster does not have the manners to reply or acknowledge the posters who have tried to help, which makes some reluctant to post advise,
However, made up for by the ones who are grateful for the advice and come back and say so. Unfortunately the sort of thing you describe JVB is just a fact of life and one we have to put up with, if we are to fulfil one of the forums main functions, to pass on help and advice.
.Sorry ,you must mean fact of modern life
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Just seen this and wanted to make a brief comment. I started to look at CT some time ago and then started to post later. My main reason was to seek, and if possible give, advice in regard to European touring in the main.
I had no expectation other than that I was communicating with fellow members who may be able to give advice and no expectation that anyone other than posters will be at all interested in my posts or, indeed, take any action that may be implied as being required.
If I want to get a message to the club then I contact them.
In regard to people thanking others who have responded to a request I always do so but it may not be immediate or,to each person.
I have now started my visits by looking at the latest postings, as the european touring discssuions seem a bit thin on the ground at the moment, and I have to say that has resulted in less visits to CT as scrolling through postings there seems little of
interest to me personally.0 -
One of the most annoying parts of this forum(others may be the same) is the ammount of posters who come on with a query or ask for advise,then when the Post is answered by others with suggestions or really positive answers,the original poster does not have
the manners to reply or acknowledge the posters who have tried to help, which makes some reluctant to post advise,I do think, if not being thanked is putting anyone off helping with advice then maybe they are giving it for the wrong reasons. There could be many reasons why someone does not come back and say thanks, they may not even have seen it in the first place.
After all there are quite a few forums out there, perhaps they got help elsewhere first. Or, there could be any number of personal situations that stop someone from reappearing here. Please don't stop offering help just because you don't get thanked for it,
someone else might come along and read that thread later and be very grateful for the information - you never know THEY might say thank you too.Alison
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A thought provoking post TG which I doubt none of us regulars can really answer. It needs those who don't frequent here very much or not at all to speak up. I have no problem with the rules or guidance or the way moderation is done, in fact I would not like
to see this change. A thank you is nice but the bottom line is, forums are only as good as the content and the application which facilitates its use. Hopefully the latter will improve
very shortly but the content is down to users and the Club. From where I am sitting it does provide an avenue for users to help each other but in my view it should be another way the Club communicates with its members. This is not the case, in fact
the downside appears to have been the Club has become more guarded in what it publishes both here and in the magazine fearing the debate it inevitably provokes. To move forward I would like to see it be more open and informative with members to counteract
miss information and rumour which in itself results in bad publicity for the Club.peedee
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DK, - David, I wasnt referring to anything in particular and I thought that I'd made it clear in a subsequent post that I wasn't at all concerned that my OP had been moved because I had been unsure where to put it myself,
In answer to other posts, -I was merely musing about where we were heading, and posed a number of questions which I hoped would generate discussion, which they did. I was certainly not challenging Ts&Cs which are very necessary in such a forum. Neither did I suggest any political view and was surprised at the mention of that.
I remain a tad dissaponted to see that there is still a tendency for some members to show anoyance when they perhaps disagree with a post. Such a reaction is not necessary, and detracts from the value of the discussion.
TF
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This forum doesn't move very quickly nowadays, you only have to look at the time gaps between posts. Users have come and gone for a variety of reasons, but I think some find it a rather frustrating prospect at times actually contributing. It was originally
set up without the capacity to post photographs, and sharing links I find can be hit and miss. This makes the forum a difficult and unlevel playing field. I recall mentioning this to Rowena some time ago, certainly pre baby days, and her very nice response
was that the new look website would hopefully deliver a lot more. But that was a very long time ago, and I am guessing that the forum has lost a few other regular contributors, who may have got fed up of waiting to see something consistently lost on its travels.There is an awful lot of very helpful technical advice, some great sharing of places to stay and visit, and a lot of fun and friendly banter, but a good forum needs more than just members input. Hopefully it will get the HQ attention it deserves, (not talking
about moderation here by the way), once the new website is launched. Soon, sometime soon.
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