SSD Member Council? An idea I had, take a look.

[Jack]

mith said:

I've seen this done before and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

Firstly, surely the "election" would just be a popularity contest with people who may not be exactly well known, like myself, not having a chance. As long as you have lots of friends who know you'll get in.

Secondly, what would happen if the admins/mods just put their foot down and said no? There would be a gridlock, and as the council have no enforcement powers then there would be nothing they could do (for example skins at the moment - a lot of people want them but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen).

Thirdly what's to stop the council just being another set of friends to the admins? And let's face it, the people who will get elected are likely to be their friends anyway.

Also, what would happen if there was no clear result in an election? And is only 4 people enough to have their voice heard? How many hundreds of people are there on this forum? Maybe 10 would be suitable - at least that would increase the chances of "less well-known" people getting in.

It's a good idea but it needs backing up with actual powers. For example a decision MUST happen or there is some kind of reprimand. And the "Council" should be able to view the admin boards and the such like to see what's going on.
Also, they need to not all be coders and image-makers. There needs to be a good representation of all peoples on SSD, otherwise it won't work.
Another point which you may ahve to consider is what would happen if a a person/people were elected who voilantly did not get along with the admin, and the admin couldn't trust them?

n2f said:

*blank stare*

I like the idea, although I feel this site has enough staff members and if we add another board with more staff, it may just look too cluttered. I dont know, but it's a good idea in my opinion, as long the staff selected responsible, kind, active members to be on the council.

I whole-heartedly agree.


In short, I do think it's a very good idea (and as I love politics I love things like elections ), but if it is to be implemented then you must be careful as otherwise they'll just be more people out of reach from members and not actually doing what they want.

Some very good points, points that will definitely be taken on board. Thanks for the feedback.

[Eric]

admin said:

I don't really like the idea, why should people need a title to suggest something? You are all welcome to do it in the suggestion board and give your view. The ones that get locked are definiate no's or have been completed.

This is your forum too and we welcome suggestions, but making a council won't actually get what is asked done. The admins have the final say no matter what. Many people want the request board back, but you'll get a no from us.

I agree with Ollie, SSD is trying to take a step back from the PB providers besides with codes. The groups they are trying to attract are web-designers, graphic-designers, programmers, and the occasional general person. Only the admin can decide which direction this board is going to go in. Now I'm not saying a little suggestion or 2 ever hurt anyone, however those can go in suggestions, and they are considered just as much as they would be if a council presented them.

[Assassinator/Young Everest]

mith said:

I've seen this done before and sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't.

Firstly, surely the "election" would just be a popularity contest with people who may not be exactly well known, like myself, not having a chance. As long as you have lots of friends who know you'll get in.

Secondly, what would happen if the admins/mods just put their foot down and said no? There would be a gridlock, and as the council have no enforcement powers then there would be nothing they could do (for example skins at the moment - a lot of people want them but it doesn't seem like it's going to happen).

Thirdly what's to stop the council just being another set of friends to the admins? And let's face it, the people who will get elected are likely to be their friends anyway.

Also, what would happen if there was no clear result in an election? And is only 4 people enough to have their voice heard? How many hundreds of people are there on this forum? Maybe 10 would be suitable - at least that would increase the chances of "less well-known" people getting in.

It's a good idea but it needs backing up with actual powers. For example a decision MUST happen or there is some kind of reprimand. And the "Council" should be able to view the admin boards and the such like to see what's going on.
Also, they need to not all be coders and image-makers. There needs to be a good representation of all peoples on SSD, otherwise it won't work.
Another point which you may have to consider is what would happen if a a person/people were elected who voilantly did not get along with the admin, and the admin couldn't trust them?

n2f said:

*blank stare*

I like the idea, although I feel this site has enough staff members and if we add another board with more staff, it may just look too cluttered. I dont know, but it's a good idea in my opinion, as long the staff selected responsible, kind, active members to be on the council.

I whole-heartedly agree.


In short, I do think it's a very good idea (and as I love politics I love things like elections ), but if it is to be implemented then you must be careful as otherwise they'll just be more people out of reach from members and not actually doing what they want.

I agree that 4 people isn't enough, 10 would be reasonable. People say 'oh the board will just get spammed'. Where is your evidence for that? It will be just the same as this one. And this board, though slightly spammed doesn't thrive with it! I like this idea and would love to be part of the team or 'council'. I visit this forum every single day making posts and contributions. If this does go ahead I would love to be at the forefront of it. I am not a 'friend' of the admins. The only thing I would maybe fall down on is if people don't consider me a respected member of the forum yet. So please do not forget me if this goes ahead. I think we need a council to persuade Oliver to do this

[acoolie530]

The problem with allowing these "unknown" members of yours, is that the SSD staff has no way of trusting them. People that have been here for a long time, and are known, are more likely to stay with SSD and bring up better suggestions, than members who no one really knows.

---

How exactly would this "council" talk to one other and debate upon suggestions if they have no board.. Would it just be MSN or something?

[Psionic]

acoolie530 said:

The problem with allowing these "unknown" members of yours, is that the SSD staff has no way of trusting them. People that have been here for a long time, and are known, are more likely to stay with SSD and bring up better suggestions, than members who no one really knows.

---

How exactly would this "council" talk to one other and debate upon suggestions if they have no board.. Would it just be MSN or something?

Well Ollie said they wouldn't have access to the staff board. They probably could have their own board, though the decision lies with Ollie, UC and Squall if this even takes off.

As for people who are unknown, its not as if they will try to bring the downfall of SSD. Remember that the admins will have final say and will notice if something is fishy and will prevent it from happening again. Plus, I've been here over a year, but not many people know me, so your rule to who qualifies as unknown is really solid. You make a good point though.

[Mith]

acoolie530 said:

The problem with allowing these "unknown" members of yours, is that the SSD staff has no way of trusting them. People that have been here for a long time, and are known, are more likely to stay with SSD and bring up better suggestions, than members who no one really knows.

---

How exactly would this "council" talk to one other and debate upon suggestions if they have no board.. Would it just be MSN or something?

Well unknown doesn't mean untrustworthy or new. There are plenty of people that don't know anyone (therefore relatively "unknown") yet are post quality posts and are very good members. The problem comes with judging who these people are.

[Admin]

13lade said:

admin said:

I don't really like the idea, why should people need a title to suggest something? You are all welcome to do it in the suggestion board and give your view. The ones that get locked are definiate no's or have been completed.

This is your forum too and we welcome suggestions, but making a council won't actually get what is asked done. The admins have the final say no matter what. Many people want the request board back, but you'll get a no from us.

I agree with Ollie, SSD is trying to take a step back from the PB providers besides with codes. The groups they are trying to attract are web-designers, graphic-designers, programmers, and the occasional general person. Only the admin can decide which direction this board is going to go in. Now I'm not saying a little suggestion or 2 ever hurt anyone, however those can go in suggestions, and they are considered just as much as they would be if a council presented them.

Thats true Eric, however we also won't abandon the PB side of things.

I fail to see how a council will actually change much except from peoples attitudes towards you, it's just a status symbol. We already have this suggestion board, suggestions don't have to be vetted before being submitted. If you post something here we will see to it.

There is no need to go and tell the council who may suggested it to us, when you can talk to us yourselves as and other people are able to back you up if they agree.

We read through each suggestion here anyway.

[acoolie530]

admin said:

13lade said:

I agree with Ollie, SSD is trying to take a step back from the PB providers besides with codes. The groups they are trying to attract are web-designers, graphic-designers, programmers, and the occasional general person. Only the admin can decide which direction this board is going to go in. Now I'm not saying a little suggestion or 2 ever hurt anyone, however those can go in suggestions, and they are considered just as much as they would be if a council presented them.

Thats true Eric, however we also won't abandon the PB side of things.

I fail to see how a council will actually change much except from peoples attitudes towards you, it's just a status symbol. We already have this suggestion board, suggestions don't have to be vetted before being submitted. If you post something here we will see to it.

There is no need to go and tell the council who may suggested it to us, when you can talk to us yourselves as and other people are able to back you up if they agree.

We read through each suggestion here anyway.

Thats a very good point.

If members had no way to go directly to an admin with a suggestion, a council would be a good idea. But, because members can easily talk to an admin, and many staff members give out MSN, Email, AIM, YIM, etc, i really do not see a reason to have a council.

And, like Ollie said, it would just be a status symbol.

[Liquid Ice //studios]

admin said:

I don't really like the idea, why should people need a title to suggest something? You are all welcome to do it in the suggestion board and give your view. The ones that get locked are definiate no's or have been completed.

This is your forum too and we welcome suggestions, but making a council won't actually get what is asked done. The admins have the final say no matter what. Many people want the request board back, but you'll get a no from us.

i agree with oliver, isn't this board sort of what you are asking for, only people aren't elected, it's the entire ssd community....that gives suggestions...so i think this board gets the job done, because the admins are very open minded and don't mind crazy suggestions....

[CreativeFox]

Really good idea. The Fellowship Of SSD... lol.

Is there a thread to apply? Or get elected?

[Eric]

ffmagic said:

Really good idea. The Fellowship Of SSD... lol.

Is there a thread to apply? Or get elected?

Most likely it's not happening

[fireballSR08]

i think the only good thing that could come out of a member council is that they could organise some of the suggestions better then present them to the admins. that way the suggestion would become more of a reality because it is more thought through

[Morgoth]

If it takes a new usergroup to get the staff's attention on suggestions, then something is wrong.