The TFF Council

[Furore]

Out of curiousity, what if a new member wants to get adopted but no adopter wants anything to do with them?

[Victoria]

Blunt response: Then why are they an adopter in the first place?

I would understand if said newbie is like an asshole or has blatant disregards for the rules or the community and such, and if there is such a case, do what you would do with any kind of member like that and report them.

I'm sure with this big list, there's bound to be someone who is willing to adopt someone.

[Sato Arashi]

Ok thanks for the answer Sheena. Also, even though this is just an idea, there should be a limit of adoptees an adopter has so that gives others a chance to adopt people, plus a list showing who has adopted who (though you probably have that idea already for the thread). I agree with Sheena on that Silver, there's bound to be someone nice enough to adopt someone who is willing to be since the list is big enough for that matter.

[Furore]

Yeah true. I mean the list is pretty small, but there wouldn't likely be too many adaptees at any one time.

Only real flaw I can see is if a big influx of new members arrives at some point, but that doesn't seem highly likely at this point. Possibly when FFXIII brings the next wave of fanboys...

[Sato Arashi]

The goals of this club is to improve or at least encourage activity in TFF, not increase our member numbers (by statistics). Sure we'll get many people registering into the forums, but how many of those people actually stay active? We'll just have to make out how many we can take in and use that to make activity improvement. Plus I'm sure the admins and mods can take care of the inactive members in any sorts.

[Lavos]

something that just crossed my mind when talking about inactivity. What if we adopt a noob, but then he/she goes inactive? And what if they come back and still expect to be my adopted noob after a long time?

[Victoria]

Well, if they go inactive, they should tell you about it, or since you bring up that topic, I'll make a mention of it in the thread when I type it all up.

[Alpha]

Hey, I'm quite clearly new on this forum (well, any forum for that matter), but I really do enjoy this place. I'm not going to join this council thing because of this, and probably because I'm not really that active; I'll come on every day and maybe post once or twice (usually in intellectual discussion). This adoption idea is a really good one though! Learning the ropes around here was challenging, I didn't know anyone, and only found this place by COMPLETE chance. Having a more experienced person show you the ropes and just being someone you know sounds good, because, as I see it, the problem that people come and then leave abruptly is that there is a clear hierarchy, so much so that it almost seems inappropriate to reply to someone with 1000+ posts (even though you guys are the ones who post the most, naturally).

Still, I took a few risks, and being a confrontational burk, I took on some of these people. A few people appeared to like this, and responded positively and developed good discussions. This is why Meier and Rags are my two favourite people here. However at least one person called me "self-righteous" and "arrogant"... sh*t I didn't realise that speaking my opinion made me those things. More recently, I've come to realise (or think) that I was only labeled that as I was new. I really did feel like leaving at that point; I though this place was full of jerks. I did stay on though, as the positive experiences slightly outnumbered the negatives. I'm gonna be here for a while now, even if I post slow (as an aside, a total word count would be superior to a post count, as I prefer long, thorough discussions as opposed to short posts in the General Chat).

Anything that leaves a good taste in new people's mouths is a good change for TFF, as there is a certain amount of "n00b bashing"... calling someone a noob is a prime example... just because I've made 75 posts doesn't make my opinion less valid, in fact it at least makes it just as valid, as my day does not consist just of TFF.

Good luck with this Council idea guys, I'll watch from the corner, and help out if the opportunity arises, as there are some sweet people on here... just be a little more accommodating to the new peeps yo.

PS

Changed my mind! Had a few convos that has altered my outlook, and I would like to contribute, Kilala!

Do you care about TFF?

Yes! This place is a lot of fun! I may post a little slow compared to you guys, but I still contribute! There are a lot of friendly, interesting, intelligent, and funny people on TFF and I would like to try get stuck in a little bit more!

Are you willing to group together with fellow members and attempt to make this a better place?

That's what keeps e coming back; there's always someone new to meet and make friends with. I've got lots of neat ideas, and I still know what it's like to be new, but I know the ropes, so me thinks I've got a fresh outlook that can add to this idea.

Off the top of your head, name one/two things you would like to see improved / or to happen with TFF. If possible, try not to say more activity <3 Thats the primary reason for the club.

One thing I want to see is improvements to our profiles, sorta give it a greater 'social network' feel. I know the primary reason we are here is for the forums, but what has kept me here (and probably does to other people) is the sense of community that exists here. If we can improve that, and reach out to new members asap, then all the better for TFF.

Why do you want to be a part of this group?

Because some nice TFFers said I would be good! I'm new-ish, but I wanna stick around and help out. I've heard talk of the 'old days' at TFF, and I think it's already very awesome, so if these 'old days' return, then it will be even more awesome! I also want to be part if it just to meet new people! This place is fun, and this council will not only be fun for me (if you let me join), but will also allow me to extend this fun to other people!

[ekimeinna]

Okay so I lied. I didn't work on the thread.
I'm working on it now.

Adopters
Azuteor
Mistress Sheena
dragoon
Flaming Ragnarok
OceanEyes28 (Maybe)
Unknown Entity
Treize
Meier Link
Fishie
Sato Arashi

Now. Is there anyone else who wishes to be added onto this list, before I complete the thread?

can u adopt me please????

[Victoria]

....What?

This is a list of Adopters, not people to be adopted.
You're not a noob. You don't need to be adopted.

And you know better than to post that sort of thing in the wrong thread. Wait until I finish making the proper Adoption Agency thread.

I also reviewed your answers to the questions, and one stood up to me:

Off the top of your head, name one/two things you would like to see improved / or to happen with TFF. If possible, try not to say more activity <3 Thats the primary reason for the club.

Simply just add more beautiful avatars and good stuff to put on member's profile so that we don't need to go on other website to search more... (if that is possible) other than that i am willing to take some of the members opinions about what they want to see improvement here....

So, let me get this straight: More avatars to choose from (don't we have enough already?), "good stuff" to put on member profiles "so that we don't need to go on other websites to search more".

...Okay. What in the freaking hell is "good stuff", and what do you mean by going to "other websites to search more". ...Who does that?
I am at a loss as to what you're trying to mean.
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I hereby withdraw your acceptance and implore you to make yourself clear in your answers.

Sure, Fate meant well, and I do agree with the statement that if you really want to contribute and help the forum, then by all means; but before I can let you in, I have to know what the hell you're talking about.

PS: Fate, I know you mean well, but please, you have to stop letting everyone in, even though they want to contribute. Laura made those questions for a reason.
The way I see things, is that you'll just let anyone in regardless of how they answer the questions.

[RamesesII]

Out of curiousity, what if a new member wants to get adopted but no adopter wants anything to do with them?

I will adopt you silver haha.

I love the banners Sheena, they made me laugh at first but i do like them very much, if it is possibly can i have Zack for my seal please.
I don't think all new members will apply for adoption silver as some are adept on forums already just those who are new i guess.

And as for those that go inactive im sure it should be up to them to tell us ie the adopters and it would not be a hassle because they can just let us know when they get back and we continue from where we left off before they departed and if they go in active for maybe a month or less then their adoption 'contract' so to speak can be put on hold or resigned and if they decide to come back then they should be made to go through the adoption process again.

Sorry Sheena if you have already mentioned something i just did.

[Furore]

I will adopt you silver haha.

FINALLY!!! I always wanted a parent who was cool.

Any chance for a userbar sig for those who have huge as hell sig images already? Alternatively I could just put one in a spoiler section, but how many people regularly expand those anyways?

[Victoria]

TFF Council Organizational Review

So it's about time this club had one of these again since there are so many pages and things that the first post has gotten lost and I doubt anyone really looks at it anymore.

Member List
Kilala
Fate
Ralz
Unknown Entity
RagnaToad
MILK
SilkAngel
Mistress Sheena - Staff Member
Meier Link - Staff Member
IceColdPillow - Last Posted 6/25/2009 Again, never really participated much as of yet.
Silver
Loaf
Azuteor
Dragoon
Sato Arashi
Chez Daja - Staff Member
SOLDIER #819
Flaming Ragnarok
OceanEyes28 - Staff Member
Treize
Alpha Weapon
Rocky

* If your name is in red, you're in danger of being kicked out. I've gone through this entire thread, and have never ever seen SilkAngel contribute to anything whatsoever. If she's gone on a vacation, that's fine, but it'd be nice to know these things.

And as for these few people: Vivi97, Uber Gilgamesh
You two are denied. Gilgamesh for not completing what I asked him to.

I asked you, Gilgamesh, to think of something other than activity, and your response was "There isn't anything to change that I can see." If you have nothing to contribute or nothing you wish to see improved or changed on the forum, then you have no reason to be here. Come back when you believe you have something to contribute, and then I'll see about letting you in.

Vivi, you've never contributed either. The one idea you did contribute, was, to be blunt; bad. I understand you're new to the forum, and it's fantastic that you want to help a forum that you're really new to, and I commend you for that. But I ask of you this: come back in about 2-3 months, maybe half a year when you get used to the community of this forum and know how it works, and then you can come back and contribute.

And also, for people who are not members of the Council, and those that are and haven't actually contributed because for some reason you're too scared to, I also offer Kilala's statement, which is this:

Also, I thought I'd just say, if anyone has any suggestions they don't feel confident about, you can PM them to me and I can drop them in anonymously for you.

We've gone pretty far as discussion topics go, and I think, if I remember right, the current one is "Member Recognition."

I hope with this post that the club regains some order that was lost in my lack of stepping in as a co-leader when Fate just let everyone in.

ekimeinna - Your membership is still on hold until you finish my request of you, and make more sense of your application answers. If you cannot do this, I'm afraid I cannot let you in.

PS: To answer your question, Nathan, I don't mind making a userbar for you if you'd like.
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Should YOU Be a Member Of This Group?

Do you love the community of the TFF forums? Do you want to see it succeed for many more years? Do you want to help make the forums grow? Do you want to make a difference? And most importantly… do you care about TFF?

~~The TFF Council Rules~~

1. Absolutely no spamming!
2. Respect others' thoughts and opinions.
3. No fighting and complaining amongst members. Keep it friendly.
4. Come up with possible, creative ideas.
5. Bring glory to our beloved forum!

If you feel that you want to help out and be a part of this group, please answer the following questions to the best of your ability (even though most of the answers will be the same for everyone, just humor us, okay?) :

• Do you care about TFF?
• Are you willing to group together with fellow members and attempt to make this a better place?
• What are your top 5 things that TFF can have/do to improve its activity?
• Why do you want to be a part of this group?

[Sato Arashi]

I would like to speak out about one of the application questions.

Off the top of your head, name one/two things you would like to see improved / or to happen with TFF. If possible, try not to say more activity <3 Thats the primary reason for the club.

I know this has been already discussed about especially when Fate told about it to Kilala, but we're all here to improve activity, I just don't see any other spots that needs improvement. I know this goes against what Kilala has placed, but I see it better that the question gets changed into a better question, one that can actually have answers to.

Ok, back to topic of Member Recognition, I'd say go with Member of the Month, vary the reasons (those that actually contribute to the forums, aka Best Writer of [year]), and for those that won a MotM award, has to wait about 3 months before they can get another one.

[Victoria]

I changed the question accordingly, to something I think that fits better:
I changed it to "What are your top 5 things that TFF can have/do to make its activity better?"

Also, I do remember finalizing the Member of the Month for the Recognition.

So, with that, ....what else can we suggest to improve/do?

We've finished the five main topics that we had to start out with, so now is the time to suggest more ideas for topics.

Things to Implement:
Member of the Month
TFF Adoption Agency - (Currently Undergoing)

If there's anymore to be implemented that I missed, let me know.

[SilkAngel]

How about a thing thats sorta like...a giveaway?

At the end of every month, we could see which new member has been the most active, and they get some sort of prize? It may sound stupid, but I think that it would be a good way to encourage new members to be more involved. ^^

Also, everyone has something going on in their life that stresses them out, so what about a place they can rant about it, and someone can help them??

[Victoria]

How about a thing thats sorta like...a giveaway?

At the end of every month, we could see which new member has been the most active, and they get some sort of prize? It may sound stupid, but I think that it would be a good way to encourage new members to be more involved. ^^

Also, everyone has something going on in their life that stresses them out, so what about a place they can rant about it, and someone can help them??

Uhm...

So real cash/tangible prizes for being the most active? Sounds a bit wasteful, especially in this recession.

And also; We have the Journal forum for that.

[Alpha]

How about a thing thats sorta like...a giveaway?

At the end of every month, we could see which new member has been the most active, and they get some sort of prize? It may sound stupid, but I think that it would be a good way to encourage new members to be more involved. ^^

It certainly sounds good in principle, but how does one judge the most active "new member" each month? Clearly new members are joining every day, so everyone's first month is going to vary. Also, ignoring this, wouldn't this award just go to someone who has made many posts, but not necessarily of substance? Maybe there could just be new member awards in different threads and categories, things like "Funniest New Member" or "Most Argumentative/Confrontational New Member." I'm just tossing ideas out here, but it would still be a challenge to implement. Although, a suggestion for a prize, aside from maybe a banner, could be something amazing from vBCommerce. Those things add some pizzaz to any profile, and would be awesome to have a congratulatory message along with it.

Also, everyone has something going on in their life that stresses them out, so what about a place they can rant about it, and someone can help them??

Could this just be started as a thread in General Chat?

[Victoria]

So basically what you're saying is, make a "New Member" edition of the yearly "TFF Awards".

That does seem like a good idea, though I wonder when/how it will be implemented?
And I also think we should do contests that have tangible prizes for the winner/s. Like a video game of their choosing and whatnot.

[Alpha]

Well yeah pretty much like the TFF Awards. I'm really lost as to how it would be implemented though, because new members are just that: new. It will be hard to judge after a short while.

I think tangible awards is too much. Say if I won an award. It would need to be a PAL version, and then shipped to freaking New Zealand. TFF awards (banners/vBCommerce) for TFF achievements is what I say.

[Victoria]

No. I wasn't talking about the TFF Awards. I was talking about contests.
Contests are a whole entire different thing.

[Alpha]

Something like the TFF awards for New Members (you said this), with prizes within TFF. What do you mean by contests exactly?

[Rocky]

Well since Andromeda isn't going to close this club, I guess I'll do the next best thing by joining it.

Do you care about tff?

Since (off and on) I've been on this site for seven years and one day to be exact, I guess so.

Are you willing to group together with fellow members and attempt to make this a better place?

I'm willing to work with people to make things better, yes. It's a two-way street, but I do my best to be an effective listener/worker for others IRL, so it will come second nature on this forum to me as well.

What are your top 5 things that TFF can have/do to improve its activity?

First of all, I appreciate the amount of knowledge and stuff we have at TFF, but a lot of things are in need of being pruned/cleaned up. Like Fate posted in a section of TFF about gil/ranks and stuff, things have been changed and still not updated for the general population to know about. Also, having ways for member recognition is really important. I think we need to enforce stricter laws on our general chat/intellectual discussion/H/WG part of the forums as well, which I have ideas for. I have some other things but you only get that knowledge if I am accepted. Call it job security

Why do you want to be a part of this group?

Honestly, after lurking through this thread for a little bit, I have noticed that your group needs someone with a sense of balance and foresight. I see that none of you really have anyone that will step up to the plate and tell you kids how things work, and that worries me. It reminds me of past threads in the shinra where everything is all talk and no action. I consider myself a levelheaded person, and I know how things operate. I know how to effectively communicate with people in upper and lower positions then myself, and I know how to get things accomplished. Without me interrupting your little party club of what you guys call a thread, there wouldn't have been a sense of organization, so you're all welcome . Not only do I consider myself a very good speaker to different people, I believe I also have a good combination of intellect and wisdom, which is important for the formulation and the successful carryout of ideas. Thirdly, I speak my mind. I'm not a "yesman" like a lot of people in this club are. I will be able to bring a perspective to a discussion that other's will either fail to mention or will not bring up in fear of not "being liked". I'm not a tryhard. I don't bend over backwards to make people like me, they either do or don't. With all of my skills, I feel like your club would be benefitting greatly from me should I be accepted. It's up to all of you to get over yourselves and realize that we need to be working to make a greater forum, not working to make our forum status increase.

That's all I've got. Either accept or deny me, I don't care either way.

-Rocky

[Lavos]

Rewards for New members does sound like a good idea, especially to promote new members to remain active. A way to start judging 'new' members for these contests could be a member who joined last month. If they joined within the last few days or so (5-15) they would have to wait until the next month. If it is not over the top, or if it can be done with no real trouble, we could include the possibility of rewards in the welcome letter. Or send a letter the day they become eligible for the awards. That way a new member suddenly get stuff and has no idea why.

[Meier Link]

How about this, I have seen this on other forums (kind of like myspace's "cool new people").

I am not sure how hard this would be but make a section on the main forum for a "new memeber of the month" also the "member of the month" could be highlighted in the same area. Basically all it would have is the title and the username and their AVI but it would be out there for all to see. That to me would be a cool reward that doesn cost anything except a few minutes a month to update.

This member would also have to be selceted by the staff.

Like I said just an idea.

[Victoria]

Rocky is in like sin. I've already let Alpha Weapon in, since he's in the list. I'll go ahead and add Rocky in there also.

We need a second blunt prick around here to tell it like it is and not be a blind yesman like a certain someone is. It'd also be nice to have a third go-to type person when Fate and I are in a disagreement about something.

I think Rocky is just the person we're looking for to have the club go places and get shit done.

PS: The contests I had in mind were like some sort of murder mystery contest. (An idea of a friend of mine. I hope he doesn't mind me borrowing it.)
Someone died, you have to find out why they died, and how they died. Maybe also who did it to add a spin on the original idea.

It'd be really diverse and fun, too. With audio clips for voice mail and and a specially made user account to log into for "Voice Mail/Email" or some such like that. The password to the account would be clued upon during the investigation and such, and basically the person to quickly guess the answer would win.

Plus it'd be kinda like a survivor'ish contest at first, with people getting eliminated/voted off, and having different contests and stuff involving the investigation/mystery stuff.

[Meier Link]

Ok this seems to be a good place to post this.

I am cleaning up Member buisness and TFF family sections. Already removed some ancient stickies and added a few more. But I am trying to come up with something new for TFF family. I have had a few ideas cross my mind but I want to see what some of you come up with before I move on with my plans. This should be a given that not all ideas will be implimented but they will be considered.

This might give us something new to discuss.

[Dimi]

Originally posted by Mistress Sheena
PS: The contests I had in mind were like some sort of murder mystery contest. (An idea of a friend of mine. I hope he doesn't mind me borrowing it.)
Someone died, you have to find out why they died, and how they died. Maybe also who did it to add a spin on the original idea.

It'd be really diverse and fun, too. With audio clips for voice mail and and a specially made user account to log into for "Voice Mail/Email" or some such like that. The password to the account would be clued upon during the investigation and such, and basically the person to quickly guess the answer would win.

Plus it'd be kinda like a survivor'ish contest at first, with people getting eliminated/voted off, and having different contests and stuff involving the investigation/mystery stuff.

To be honest, I'm not really fond of the "survor'ish" voting-off thing. We already have too many elimination threads. The mystery, however, seems really interesting and could be a lot of fun. Wouldn't it qualify as an RP though in way?

On another note, I feel like TFF needs something different. Maybe something that was once on TFF and was removed and should really be revived to spark up some activity. Now I know that certain members on here are against flaming and even how the flame forum was itself, but what if we were able to revive it? Granted, it has both its advantages and disadvantages but it'd be a really good way for people to just pretty much talk shit to each other and not be so serious.

[Furore]

On another note, I feel like TFF needs something different. Maybe something that was once on TFF and was removed and should really be revived to spark up some activity. Now I know that certain members on here are against flaming and even how the flame forum was itself, but what if we were able to revive it? Granted, it has both its advantages and disadvantages but it'd be a really good way for people to just pretty much talk shit to each other and not be so serious.

I second Senor Mexican Amigo's suggestion. It'd probably make some members less antsy and it'd be your choice to post there. If you're not into flaming you could just ignore it. Easy shit.

[Victoria]

No. It was removed for a reason.
Ally, Chez, S, Loco, Andro can attest to that.

That's not to say I won't listen to anyone else's opinions on it.

And I'll come right out and say that I'm probably the one that killed it.