WCI Message Board Buddy System

[BobD]

Ok, Gang,
In the moderators thread, I threw out the idea of a Message Board Buddy System. Scouters out there will recognize the buddy system from aquatics at Scout Camp. When you go out on the lake or in the pool, you have a buddy (a friend) who you are responsible for, and who is responsible for you.

On the message board, we get new members all the time, and, while I'm doing everything in my power to make this forum easy to use, it can be tough to learn how to post, private message, learn to post photos as attachments or in the gallery, to add links to your signature, etc. Beginners sometime need, and deserve, a little bit more one-on-one attention.

This is a rough idea, and I'm still working out how to make it work, so I'm open to any ideas.

The first struggle I have is how to assign a buddy to someone. If I post a list, it falls upon the beginner to find the list and contact someone. I think it will be more effective if the buddy contacts the new member first, introduces him or herself, and offers a bit of advice about how to post a introductory message. Any ideas?

Bob

[Thor]

Most forums have a Frequently asked questions page that can be accessed as you sign up and walks them through all of the "frequently asked questions".

Has this approach been tried? It is an aspect of message boards that is common and seems to work.

Just a thought.
Christina

[BobD]

We've got the FAQ thread area, where some things like this are spelled out, but....let's be honest...this isn't a message board for database management, or Linix programming.

My thoughts with this are that we are a welcoming bunch...so lets show people how welcoming we are right from the start...give people some personal attention.

Bob

[GaDoug]

What about assigning them based on geography. Designate members to be buddies for each state or a few per region (Northeast, Eastern, South eastern, etc.). At least they would feel some kind of connection to their buddy. Finding carvers in their area is one of the first things a new members ask after joining.

[Mike_B-NY]

GaDoug, I like that idea, very much.

MTCW, Bob, but I think you're looking for a Big Brother/Big Sister program. Just have the designated Big Sibling contact the new member through a private message... very easy to reply privately, and then it goes from there.

[GaDoug]

It would be nice to get a PM letting you know when a new member joins in your area.

[BobT]

I do like Dougs idea. Sounds reasonable.

If you need me, hit me!

[Mottles]

Hi BobD, a lot of us do what you are suggesting already. I follow the 'New Member Forum' and try to welcome as many newbie's as I can. Most questions I see coming from new members is how to upload images. Adding a How/To sticky at the top of the page is helpful.
I would be very happy to help with welcoming and helping new members however you decide to set it up.
I like the idea of assigning members by State their home state too. Even if a new member gets more than one welcome and help from the same state I think that would be OK too.
Kathy

[Joy]

I think it would be nice if joining triggered an automatic response that had a link to the FAQ area and the message could explain that a buddy is being assigned. I'm not sure I would want a stranger emailing me "out of the blue"

[BobD]

I'm planning on rewriting the welcoming message and I will include that in the welcoming message.

Bob