Kagehitokiri

TB asked leading questions and requested statistics/data/etc

things like forum 'criteria' can be posted without TB 'asking' each time

JDiver

As a longtime member and Moderator, I agree.

84fiero

I don't have any issue with TB disbanding as it seemed pointless at this stage of the site's life cycle. And I don't really have an opinion about how to set up a replacement dialogue forum or whatever you want to call it.

But I assume the current CD won't be the CD for eternity, right? I would just throw out there, that it may be worth thinking about the subject of the structure of a member feedback/discussion "mechanism" - to include if there needs to be one - without regard to the particular individual currently inhabiting the CD job. Is there something that would be good to have in place that would help members and site management in this area, regardless of who eventually replaces the current CD? The answer may be "no", but it's worth thinking about the position not the person when thinking of the long term future.

Not to imply IB would intentionally place someone who wasn't of the same high caliber as the current CD, but as anyone who has conducted hiring knows, there are no guarantees. Certainly in my organization if we based organizational growth, structure, planning, and the like solely on the person currently on the job, we would be seen as doing our stakeholders a disservice.

Canarsie

I agree with you; but I would prefer that SanDiego1K addresses your thoughts directly.

Smaug

This is the exact reason that I suggested the forum. I would be disappointed if, after TB is disbanded, the only way to have communication with those in charge would be via PM or email.

I don't believe this idea was presented to membership until after the decision was made. Would any input have made a difference? For the record, I oppose the idea simply because an alternative forum for public communication of FT issues was not introduced at the time (and still has not been introduced). For what little traffic it has had, the TB forum was always available and (presumably) monitored by those on TB.

Canarsie

Well, here is your opportunity for your voice to be heard.

How specifically do you see the forum which you propose? Is it interaction with the community director of FlyerTalk; a committee of FlyerTalk members selected by the community director; representatives of Internet Brands; or a combination thereof which listens to member concerns? What criteria should comprise of an idea to meet in order for it to be considered to pass into becoming a reality? What should the process be once an idea is agreed upon? These are only a few of a number of questions which need to be resolved if a forum is indeed created.

Additionally, are there any other ideas in which you believe that the voice of the membership of FlyerTalk can be effectively and efficiently heard?

Smaug

The TB which is being disbanded had its own mission:
i. Represent the interests of the FlyerTalk membership at large to the FlyerTalk Host.
ii. Act as a representative body for the FlyerTalk membership.
iii. Serve in an advisory capacity to the FlyerTalk Host.
iv. Provide feedback to the FlyerTalk Host with regard to the management of FlyerTalk.

This forum (which may be closed next month--that is the CD's decision) was the public "sounding board" between the FT community and the TB, who in turn, would send its recommendations to the CD.

I hope that the TB recognizes that this current forum (as stated in its forum subtitle "Discussion of issues for the member-elected TalkBoard") would be considered obsolete after TB disbands. I hope that TB would be motivated to recommended a new forum that would continue the types of discussion previously allowed here.

As for IB, there is already a Technical Support & Feedback forum for technical issues, which are mainly IB's purview.

If the CD were to open up the Technical Support & Feedback forum to allow for other FT-related discussions than just technical issues, then I would be happy.


At this point, all I am asking for is for open communication to continue. I am not asking to propose a new type of committee structure to replace TB.


I proposed my idea. Like I said, I hope the TB (and likewise the CD) would recognize that such a need exists and propose something to continue that open communication that exists here.

MSPeconomist

My concern is partly that there's a big difference between a public discussion that is open to all, either to read passively or participate actively, versus behind the scenes one to one communication via PMs and email.

It's easy for long-term friends of the CD and especially moderators to feel that their opinions will continue to be heard, but it's different for (general) members, no matter how active or how long on FT, versus longterm mods.

SkiAdcock

Speaking only for myself I believe you do a disservice to the CD, especially to imply that the CD will only listen to 'friends' or 'mods' & not others.

Cheers.

MSPeconomist

If you read my post, it's about perceptions.

FT has been claimed to be and AFAIK is the only major online bulletin board with user input via an elected advisory board. Eliminating TB is a huge and very visible change. It leaves only the IB staff and mods as organized sources of suggestions and other input.

SkiAdcock

And my perception is that the CD will be open to suggestions from ALL FTers, just as she has been to date

Cheers.

SkiAdcock

Well given TB has had less to do over the years & especially this year, I'm not quite certain eliminating it is as huge a change as you make it out to be Even FTers didn't mention many new ideas this year. However, I have faith that the CD will come up w/ a way to still get input. In fact she responded to the OP w/ the following:

You have it from the CD's mouth. At no point does she say she'll listen only to friends or mods. There are no black helicopters.

Cheers.

MSPeconomist

perceptions.

SkiAdcock

And not everyone has the same perceptions Again, no black helicopters.

Cheers.

nsx

I suggested something very similar to the OP in the private TalkBoard forum a couple weeks ago. I am confident that our CD will give FT members a forum in which constructive ideas can be put forth and discussed. This forum has shown that good ideas can come from anyone, and they can almost always be improved by discussion.