2011 Election Results
Nov 29, 2011, 1:21 pm
#46
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Nov 29, 2011, 1:26 pm
#47
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We did, indeed, have excellent candidates and my congratulations to all who ran (and especially those who were elected).
My guess as to why the voter turnout is so low (and not only this year) is that TalkBoard's remit is so limited that most people do not care who is on it.
Basically, TB:
1. Determines whether a proposed forum will be established.
2. Establishes and revises its own internal rules.
3. Once in a very rare while makes a decision which might impact a large number of members but in what is really a minor way (eg: should Omni posts count?).
Many active, and excellent, FTers have very little interest in any of those questions, so why would they bother voting for TB?
Give TB substanially wider authority (even on a "recommendation-only" basis), and you will see much greater interest and turn out for the elections.
My guess as to why the voter turnout is so low (and not only this year) is that TalkBoard's remit is so limited that most people do not care who is on it.
Basically, TB:
1. Determines whether a proposed forum will be established.
2. Establishes and revises its own internal rules.
3. Once in a very rare while makes a decision which might impact a large number of members but in what is really a minor way (eg: should Omni posts count?).
Many active, and excellent, FTers have very little interest in any of those questions, so why would they bother voting for TB?
Give TB substanially wider authority (even on a "recommendation-only" basis), and you will see much greater interest and turn out for the elections.
Nov 29, 2011, 1:37 pm
#48
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Dovster's post above (i.e. currently post 47 in this thread) gets my vote too.
I know there's a reason I voted for you too. 
If you get your way, I'd expect to see a higher voter count next time there is a TB election. Perhaps even some additional people would care to run for TB as well.
That said, as long as the business case success of FT can be decoupled from TB actions/non-actions, I don't expect to be surprised by change on that front ... not surprised even by being disappeared.
I agree. And I will consider my next 2 years on the TB to have been a failure if I can't be a part of getting it out of the box that Randy kept it in for over 10 years.
My goal is to elimate the phrase 'that is not in the TB's purview' from the FT lexicon. Power to the posters, baby!
THEN let's see how many posters start to care about the composition of the TB!
My goal is to elimate the phrase 'that is not in the TB's purview' from the FT lexicon. Power to the posters, baby!
THEN let's see how many posters start to care about the composition of the TB!
If you get your way, I'd expect to see a higher voter count next time there is a TB election. Perhaps even some additional people would care to run for TB as well.
That said, as long as the business case success of FT can be decoupled from TB actions/non-actions, I don't expect to be surprised by change on that front ... not surprised even by being disappeared.
Last edited by GUWonder; Nov 29, 2011 at 1:42 pm
Nov 29, 2011, 1:39 pm
#49
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The voting numbers are pretty consistent set against an increasing membership (measured by the board being busier than ever).
Nov 29, 2011, 1:49 pm
#50
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One other possibility: They like things just fine the way they are and see no need to try to push FT in any particular direction.
It's getting very difficult to come up with an idea that will dramatically improve FT without consequences that some members will intensely dislike. I suspect that FT has attained nearly optimal utility within the limitations of vBulletin. Where the TB can speak loudly to improve FT is in requesting new vBulletin functionality.
It's getting very difficult to come up with an idea that will dramatically improve FT without consequences that some members will intensely dislike. I suspect that FT has attained nearly optimal utility within the limitations of vBulletin. Where the TB can speak loudly to improve FT is in requesting new vBulletin functionality.
Nov 29, 2011, 2:14 pm
#51
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Nov 29, 2011, 2:29 pm
#52
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You do know that the Vbulletin functionality hasn't really been improved and/or upgraded on FT since early 2000s, right?
Darn, even Fatwallet and Slickdeals had a better facelift, and much improved features & tags than FT years back.
Nov 29, 2011, 3:01 pm
#53
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I would like to congratulate the five members who were elected to the Talkboard. I have to say, it was really cool to be a part of the Talkboard debate. I would also like to thank those of you who ran for Talkboard with me. Now I cannot wait for next year's election!!
Delta747
Delta747
Nov 29, 2011, 3:05 pm
#54
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Congratulations to all! To those who won a place on the Board, may your year be challenging, interesting & not too contentious! To those who ran, thank you for offering your time & knowledge & hope to see your names on the next ballot!
Nov 29, 2011, 4:29 pm
#55
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Nov 29, 2011, 4:45 pm
#56
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
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Who would that be, since your statement has nothing to do with what I said? 
But, as always, points for rhetoric. ^^
But, as always, points for rhetoric. ^^
Nov 29, 2011, 4:51 pm
#57
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Have the TB elections been equally promoted over the years? This year there was a banner on each forum IIRC so even though it was more widely advertised it still drew fewer ballots being cast than past years when this wasn't done AFAIK.
Nov 29, 2011, 6:00 pm
#58
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Very excited to see someone from the AS side on talkboard. Congrats to Jackal. Three of the four i voted for were winners. Don't worry Scotty you will win someday
Nov 29, 2011, 6:29 pm
#59
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The other flip of the coin is FT members getting educated on the vote.. Some good, challenging and deep quesions were asked.
One suggestion.. its hard to navigate to the platforms and candidate questions.. Perhaps a header link?
One suggestion.. its hard to navigate to the platforms and candidate questions.. Perhaps a header link?
Nov 29, 2011, 6:30 pm
#60
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Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the candidates. I had a hard time winnowing my ballot down to 5 given the quality of the field this year.
The voting participation does both me somewhat but I would also like an electorate that is familiar with the candidates rather than an American Idol style screen name recognition contest.
The voting participation does both me somewhat but I would also like an electorate that is familiar with the candidates rather than an American Idol style screen name recognition contest.