The Open Forum for Candidates
#1
Founder of FlyerTalk
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 6,540
The Open Forum for Candidates
This forum is designed to allow candidates to address other issues beyond those in the direct questions from the members of FlyerTalk. All candidates have been advised to not make things personal - its about the issues and it's about only those things that happen on FlyerTalk.
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 1999
Posts: 46,817
Regardless of who you vote for, please do vote and be heard
Even if you do not vote for me, I do sincerely urge you to participate and to thus have your voice heard.
Thanks!
Mark/"doc"
Thanks!
Mark/"doc"
#3
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Marietta, GA
Programs: Delta MM
Posts: 609
Here’s a question that has been on my mind: Should corporate representatives of the companies or programs discussed be identified more clearly (such as their names appearing in green)?
I see some benefits in providing more prominence to those representatives. First and foremost, sometimes users want an “official” response. Their answers carry a certain weight to them and therefore it is a benefit to the community as a whole to highlight posts that they make and information that they share. The second benefit is that it more clearly highlights which companies have active participation on the board and that in turn incents additional participation. If most hotels chains, for example, have a representative here then others might be more inclined to jump on the bandwagon and ensure their message is also represented. And those representatives are the individuals who provide us a channel into the organizations themselves and have the potential to actually make changes to respond to the experiences of this group.
The down side is that some users might feel less valued as their opinions are shown to carry less weight than those of official representatives. It also increases the likelihood of negative comments that pollute the environment with anger and ire rather than constructive debate and it might therefore lead to additional moderation.
Overall, I think I would likely support giving it a try but I recognize that several here have far more history than I. Has this type of things ever been discussed before? And what are the broader opinions on whether or not it might be a viable direction for this community? Is it just me or do others see potential value in getting the providers more involved with our discussions?
Thanks.
I see some benefits in providing more prominence to those representatives. First and foremost, sometimes users want an “official” response. Their answers carry a certain weight to them and therefore it is a benefit to the community as a whole to highlight posts that they make and information that they share. The second benefit is that it more clearly highlights which companies have active participation on the board and that in turn incents additional participation. If most hotels chains, for example, have a representative here then others might be more inclined to jump on the bandwagon and ensure their message is also represented. And those representatives are the individuals who provide us a channel into the organizations themselves and have the potential to actually make changes to respond to the experiences of this group.
The down side is that some users might feel less valued as their opinions are shown to carry less weight than those of official representatives. It also increases the likelihood of negative comments that pollute the environment with anger and ire rather than constructive debate and it might therefore lead to additional moderation.
Overall, I think I would likely support giving it a try but I recognize that several here have far more history than I. Has this type of things ever been discussed before? And what are the broader opinions on whether or not it might be a viable direction for this community? Is it just me or do others see potential value in getting the providers more involved with our discussions?
Thanks.
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
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Posts: 22,297
There are several questions that have occurred to me, as a voter, to pose to my fellow candidates. But I haven't decided if any in particular are good ones...
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best candidate running?
What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates? (Bonus points if your answer is, "What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates?")
What have you done for the benefit of the community of Flyertalk (as opposed to the understanding of miles and points)?
How have you personally benefited from Flyertalk?
If any of y'all find those interesting or useful questions, feel free to pose them.
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best candidate running?
What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates? (Bonus points if your answer is, "What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates?")
What have you done for the benefit of the community of Flyertalk (as opposed to the understanding of miles and points)?
How have you personally benefited from Flyertalk?
If any of y'all find those interesting or useful questions, feel free to pose them.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Originally Posted by doc
Even if you do not vote for me, I do sincerely urge you to participate and to thus have your voice heard.
(But then I wonder if you just want to get maximum participation possible to run up your own margin of victory? )
#6
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Marietta, GA
Programs: Delta MM
Posts: 609
Something I believe should be address by each of the candidates is the recent discussion and vote regarding whether positions on the board should be “reserved” for members outside of North America. Dovster, who himself benefits from this rule, has been a champion of its rescission and has characterized it as a form of affirmative action that allows those with fewer votes to win over those with more. Perhaps it is unfair to discuss this in a forum where he cannot participate and defend his views but I believe that this discussion will likely resurface on the board and therefore it is reasonable that we make our own opinions known to the voters.
While I appreciate Dovster’s objectives, I find myself of the opposite view. In a representative democracy, both words are important. The board we elect must be representative as well as borne of a democratic process. To provide a salient example, if California has far better candidates than Oregon, should the former be permitted to elect 4 senators while the latter gets none? Of course not. The system is built to systemically ensure that everyone is represented. In some cases, that might seem unfair. And some excellent candidates might at some point be passed over. But I believe the objective is sufficiently compelling to warrant accepting those occasional lapses.
As you suggest, non-Americans are currently winning their seats without the benefit of this rule. That is a testament to the growth and maturity of this community. But I do not believe that this progress obviates the need for the systemic protection that ensures that this democratic body continues to be representative. For whatever it is worth, that is my opinion and that is how I would vote.
While I appreciate Dovster’s objectives, I find myself of the opposite view. In a representative democracy, both words are important. The board we elect must be representative as well as borne of a democratic process. To provide a salient example, if California has far better candidates than Oregon, should the former be permitted to elect 4 senators while the latter gets none? Of course not. The system is built to systemically ensure that everyone is represented. In some cases, that might seem unfair. And some excellent candidates might at some point be passed over. But I believe the objective is sufficiently compelling to warrant accepting those occasional lapses.
As you suggest, non-Americans are currently winning their seats without the benefit of this rule. That is a testament to the growth and maturity of this community. But I do not believe that this progress obviates the need for the systemic protection that ensures that this democratic body continues to be representative. For whatever it is worth, that is my opinion and that is how I would vote.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Originally Posted by John C
Here’s a question that has been on my mind: Should corporate representatives of the companies or programs discussed be identified more clearly (such as their names appearing in green)?
I'm not sure I like this one, however.
Company representatives do a pretty good job of identifying themselves when, in fact, they're official representatives of a program rather than members who happen to work for a program or airline or hotel company.
One way they do this is identifying themselves in their signature line with their company role. Another way is through a clear Flyertalk username.
Has anyone had a sense of confusion over who was a legitimate program representative and who is not? And if so, was the confusion driven by anything other than infrequent posting on the part of the program rep?
I imagine that color-coding usernames would require something in the registration process, or special application through Randy or his tech staff. I'd hate to create additional barriers to program reps coming online.
Separately, while I do like to encourage program participation, I think Flyertalk is about the members and members are the best source of information in most cases. While I think that Starwood Lurker has done an amazing job, his information isn't always the definitive final word even if he is able to communicate an official word. (Sometimes members can offer suggestions about how things work in practice that differs from the way things are supposed to work -- either because of actual experience or because a program representative is somewhat handstrung by the official terms and conditions of a program.)
Starwood Lurker is a great example. I love how he's become a member of this community, not just a voice for Starwood. I'd like to encourage more program reps to emulate that model, if at all possible, and allow them to become members just like everyone else.
All that said, I think it would be great to brainstorm ways we could foster greater positive program participation... in ways that provide quick customer service replies and timely information.
#8
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Originally Posted by John C
Here’s a question that has been on my mind: Should corporate representatives of the companies or programs discussed be identified more clearly (such as their names appearing in green)?
We want to encourage more travel companies to establish an official presence on FlyerTalk. I think a proper, resepectful manner for recognizing these representatives is something that should be discussed.
#9
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Originally Posted by gleff
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best candidate running?
Having said that, however, I'm not going to name names so as not to cost myself any votes from my fellow candidates.
Here we're only 2 days into the election process and I'm already straddling the line.....
What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates?
What have you done for the benefit of the community of Flyertalk (as opposed to the understanding of miles and points)?
Also, I've always tried to be welcoming and helpful to new members. And even some of the veteran members....
How have you personally benefited from Flyertalk?
I've benefited in many, many ways but if I had to pick just one, I'd say it's the dozens of friends I have made at Flyertalk. Many feel just like family.
#10
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Originally Posted by John C
Here’s a question that has been on my mind: Should corporate representatives of the companies or programs discussed be identified more clearly (such as their names appearing in green)?
People who post in the AS forum, know that when I say something, its coming from me and not the company line. The vast majority of company reps post here voluntarily, and I think an earned reputation (good or bad) is far more effective than one that comes with a green handle. I also don't believe that anyone who volunteers their time here should be more noticable in the firing line when program changes arise that don't particularly sit well with the membership.
#11
Moderator Communications Coordinator, Signatures
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: deep within the Eskimo lair
Programs: TubWorld, Bar Alliance, Borratxo Legendarium
Posts: 16,968
Originally Posted by gleff
There are several questions that have occurred to me, as a voter, to pose to my fellow candidates. But I haven't decided if any in particular are good ones...
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best candidate running?
What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates? (Bonus points if your answer is, "What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates?")
What have you done for the benefit of the community of Flyertalk (as opposed to the understanding of miles and points)?
How have you personally benefited from Flyertalk?
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Originally Posted by gleff
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best candidate running?
What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates? (Bonus points if your answer is, "What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates?")
What have you done for the benefit of the community of Flyertalk (as opposed to the understanding of miles and points)?
How have you personally benefited from Flyertalk?
Last edited by civicmon; Oct 8, 2005 at 3:04 pm Reason: formatting issues
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Originally Posted by JohnC
Here’s a question that has been on my mind: Should corporate representatives of the companies or programs discussed be identified more clearly (such as their names appearing in green)?
Originally Posted by gleff
What one member who chose not to run do you most wish you could vote for?
Outside of yourself, who do you believe is the best candidate running?
What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates? (Bonus points if your answer is, "What question that hasn't been asked yet would you ask your fellow candidates?")
Seriously though, I guess my question for my fellow candidates would be whether or not the candidates view themselves as an influencer and/or a leader. I believe that since TalkBoard's role is to make recommendations that will ultimately affect the members' experience, it is important that the FlyerTalk TalkBoard be leaders and be able to fight for what they believe is right for members.
What have you done for the benefit of the community of Flyertalk (as opposed to the understanding of miles and points)?
These are just a few examples of what I have done which I do hope show that I am interested in serving this community that I am a part of.
How have you personally benefited from Flyertalk?
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DCA
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Posts: 22,297
Originally Posted by civicmon
I pressed and pressed and pressed, and got rid of the Northwest Airlines "Newsstand."
Originally Posted by civicmon
For former TalkBoard members: How have YOU improved FT since you have been elected and what significant contributions have YOU made through your appointments on the TB?
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Greener Pastures
Posts: 10,515
Originally Posted by Cholula
I'd like to know what event or issue, if any, was the deciding factor convincing my fellow candidates to run for TalkBoard?