NEW Forum Feature - Infractions

[4DaDrift]

I spend far too much of my time on these forums listening to whingers that can spot all the problems with the forums and offer no solution. Then there are the others who are quite happy to point out problems and then offer some advice and solution, but never turn up to any meeting or event. So many e-advisors, yet nothing in person.

The "cliquey" group is the same tired, beaten up bunch of people who hold the mantle purely because every one else is too lazy and lack the testicular fortitude to actually come to a meeting and make an attempt to get involved with the running of the Club and the forums.

We have our AGM early next year. If you want to change things, then come along and put yourself up for a position on the Board. Trust me, we'd be more than happy to let you in and run the place.

The club has grown beyond a Hills group to an internationally known organisation, yet has not completely taken the steps in order to mature to that level.

I suggested a while ago, and reiterated upon it after significant shifts in resources and time, that some form of minutes or live streaming of meeting be done.
This will allow distance members to feel valued and more involved.
It also affords the opportunity of fresh board members, as members that previously couldn't physically be present, now have the opportunity to offer their assistance.

Another issue is not everyone has private transport, despite a common interest suggesting otherwise, and if we're all honest, the Hills district is a nightmare to get to via public transport.
I may have an option, depending upon current pricing.
It even might have the possibility of off street secure parking.

Maybe now is the time to fire off a survey to forum/paid and previous paid/active forum members, seeking an honest frank opinion upon a wide scope of discussion topics, and consider the results in regards to the future direction of the club ?
Yes, I realise that it would be a large amount of work, so realistically, it wouldn't be expected to be a project that is completed for an extended period of time (thinking months as a minimum).

and fwiw, the 'club' IS cliquey. there is so LITTLE sense of the club within the forums, i suspect the 'club clique' is kinda happy to seclude itself. i dont go to events cause im not in the clique, and im pretty sure my lack of celica isnt missed anyway! lol. pretty sure ive tried to highlight the need for the 'club' to increase its visibility on the forums, but alas, i prob needed to front up with a whiteboard to a meeting and spell it out in red and blue texta

I know we have not seen eye to eye upon issues in the past, yet thank you for being so frank with your opinion.

I understand why the club is so cliquey, and at least it now is out in the open, being discussed, and hopefully solutions being found.

Maybe a forums meet club cruise event a month might help overcome this to an extent ?
More off forums interaction is needed.

You don't go to events because you don't want to. The events are posted up in the cruise/events section and also in the calender. Don't give me this cliquey-shit excuse for not turning up to a Club meeting or an event, which is an open invite to everyone.

I personally don't attend for two reasons.

1. No transportation options.
2. Don't feel welcome.

Let's discuss the second one for a moment.
The last event I attended was either a dyno day or a cruise, and was left on the outer, with no-one willing to afford me their time.
This may have changed since when I last attended events, it may not have, yet that is my personal experience, and has been fortified on the forums by a core element and the attitude put forth.

Also, in regards to your signature comments, and the drain upon your time they result in, wouldn't something of that low level be suitable for blooding in a new mod, so they are able to be evaluated and at the same time, giving them real world experience in the system ?
Also, maybe users need to be reminded of the report post feature, leaving a consolidated list of items requiring action ?
This also would allow them to be filtered into low, medium and high priority items, which also, to an extend, could align with mod privileges.

My main point is we dont want to deter new members by coming accross as a stale club or one that has no tollerance of people how dont know straight away how to handle themselves. There are alot of people including myself who initially came on here with no idea what the club was about, no idea how to fix my car etc and without being given the time to learn this I wouldnt be involved in the club as much as I am today.

My solution, can we maybe remove infractions but set up a team of mini moderators with limited mods powers such as sig changing and the ability to issue warnings etc. I would definately put my hand up to help and was about to approach the club anyway to offer some form of assistance for the club next year anyways. That way we can go back to the ways of old where the newbies just got a friendly reminder of the rule that was broken and the offending thread dissappear or be changed without any fuss due to there just being more hands on deck so to speak.

As for the clique aspect of this club I can definately see that but thats a natural part of the same people being the only ones who turn up to events,come to Dubbo come to some events and you will definately banter with other forum members in much the same way.

I have raised that issue in discussion previously and still support a lenient approach towards new members, that allow them to be mentored, if they desire and find it's an enviroment or matter that interests them.

Moderation = you don't self nominate, you are asked!
That might be why you and others that have put your hands up with the noble intention of helping have not heard back about your offers ?
Being a pleb and not a board member, I can't qualify that beyond anything than my previous experiences in a plethora of other forums.

Also, can you honestly state you would offer light hearted banter if I turned up to an event you were at and made myself known ?

I just couldn't put myself up for the board - I just don't have the availability, what with on-call and after hours work (much the same as Ed, I would assume). You can't just say "Oh, no traumas tonight thanks, I'm at a meeting".

And I have *repeatedly* offered to assist with moderating the forums, particularly the little stuff like what river is talking about... but I've never heard anything back from anyone, so I just assume my help is not wanted. I'm just offering to help with the availability I have.

And, to demonstrate a point, time for an emergency call-out to some suicidal teenager.

In regards to forum and club members desiring to offer assistance yet having limited time, I currently volunteer with one of the Government emergency services, and they work off 1 meeting a month (they're held weekly) and a set amount of events a year.
Perhaps something for board members could be set as well ?
My personal suggestion would be for 4 meetings a year and two events a year.
This would include virtual meetings and interstate events.
As someone that is currently affected by this issue, would a solution like that make you more inclined to offer your hand for a board membership position ?

[TheToyman75]

Bugger Me !

Appologies in advance if I repeat something or have missed something but I didn't read the last 20 or so posts. I will try to read them over the weekend.

A couple of quick things tho.

The infractions system is based on the rules that are and ALWAYS HAVE been in place. Things didn't get worse and we haven't tightened the belt. Its just that a lot of people didn't bother to get aquainted with the rules.

Why did we launchthe infractions, Lots of Reasons. But one of the big ones is that the Board is shrinking, there are less people offering to help and those ofus who are on the baord are finding ourselves with less time than we would like to try to try and maintain what is essentially a pretty decent forum with a good community atmosphere.

Givingthe finacial Club members the ability to help maintain the forum they finacially support seemed more tha fair.

As for peoples objections to the Infractions, I can see 2 issues so far that we WILL review and discuss.

Wanted ad's in Signatures will be discussed and revisted by the board.

I saw on page one that it looks like someone was infracted twice for one post. If that is possible teh system has a problem and needs urgent attention (Well as Urgent as we can get around here anyway).

CLUB v FORUM



The Toymods Car club is still something I am proud to dedicate my time to. It has great members, a good environment and an awesome mix of people from all Toyota Flavours.

The forums..... The older I get the less tollerant I am so the more some things shit me, so no I am not here that much anymore.

To anyone who claimsw the club has a "Click" for Celica owners - Grow a set FFS. What a load of shit. Sure there are a good number fo Classic Celica owners at events, But you dont see us hiding away in the corner shunning other people. That sort of shit goes against everything the club stands for.

I have noticed that the people who say this tend to not turn up to anything so I guess they are well informed.......



Ed,

As a Mod of Tech and conversions I would be more than happy to see you at any Board meeting you can attend. They are held on the Tuesday night prior to the club meeting at various board member homes.


Far as I can tell the sig rule seems to be the only complaint of any sustance so if I missed something please point it out for me.

[TheToyman75]

OH and yes I cant spell for poo so I appologise for that.

To the people who have offered to moderate I extend genuine thanks. Your offers are not being ignored or overlooked. Discussions are in play and we are looking at all our options.

The biggest problem with a mod not being able to attend board meetings is that they are not involved in the discussions behind the rules and intent of things. This makes it harder to moderate uniformly accross the forums, its not a reason for us not to move forward tho.

[takai]

The biggest problem with a mod not being able to attend board meetings is that they are not involved in the discussions behind the rules and intent of things. This makes it harder to moderate uniformly accross the forums, its not a reason for us not to move forward tho.

A suggestion has been made to allow a wider audience for club member and board meetings. Can you address that.... when you get the time.

Also, as an example of some of the inconsistencies which people object to:

Fuck Me !

When one of the infraction options in the rules is for excessive swearing, and swearing in the subject line or signature, this is just a beautiful example of hypocrisy. Not specifically targeting you Rod, it just popped up.

[TheToyman75]

Takai,

Board meetings discuss sensitive information. General club members just cant be privy to that. Anyone who feels strongly about the club and can commit the time is encouraged to run for a position tho and we do go through the points and suggestions that are raised by non board members.

local and Interstate view pionts and feedback is also encouraged and welcomed via the forum in discussions such as this one.

Club meetings are actually attended by fuck all people and to be honest, with the exception of our AGM they are nothing more than a chance to join/renew membership and a social gathering at a Pizza joint. I know its been requested to pod cast these and if someone wants to bother I welcome them to attend.

The Forums has massively overshaddowed what was once a thriving social community who met up to chat and interact rather than doing it solely from there lounge room. Its a sad and depressing side effect of the modern age but for as long as its viable we will hold out for the core few regulars, those who want to come but dont get the chance very often and the new faces who still attend meetings and events when time allows.

There are a lot of really great people within the beast that is the Toymods forums and hopefully more of them will be able to make an appearance in person.

[TheToyman75]

Also, as an example of some of the inconsistencies which people object to:

When one of the infraction options in the rules is for excessive swearing, and swearing in the subject line or signature, this is just a beautiful example of hypocrisy. Not specifically targeting you Rod, it just popped up.

Fair call, I have always been one of the more shall we say "Liberal" view pointed when it comes to porn and swearing related issues.

[ed]

The Forums has massively overshaddowed what was once a thriving social community who met up to chat and interact rather than doing it solely from there lounge room. Its a sad and depressing side effect of the modern age but for as long as its viable we will hold out for the core few regulars, those who want to come but dont get the chance very often and the new faces who still attend meetings and events when time allows.

There are a lot of really great people within the beast that is the Toymods forums and hopefully more of them will be able to make an appearance in person.

i disagree! the forums have introduced me, in person, to what are now some of my best mates. i regularly catch up with folks from these forums, and physically do stuff related to the contents of what we've most recently been chatting about on the forums, if not as a direct result of something actively discussed and tossed around the think-tank online.

the forums club continues to bring people together to partake in this hobby, and in that sense, the very soul of toymods continues! just because we all dont meet together under the official banner doesnt mean we're keyboard warriors who dont leave our loungerooms.

i reckon toymods as a name, and as a 'forums club' is very active, and nothing to look down your nose at just because it doesnt fit with what you perhaps wouldve liked it to turn out like

[takai]

we do go through the points and suggestions that are raised by non board members.

local and Interstate view pionts and feedback is also encouraged and welcomed via the forum in discussions such as this one.

Club meetings are actually attended by fuck all people and to be honest, with the exception of our AGM they are nothing more than a chance to join/renew membership and a social gathering at a Pizza joint. I know its been requested to pod cast these and if someone wants to bother I welcome them to attend.

The point is that how do club members even know what will be tabled at a club meeting... I see absolutely no public minutes, nor do i see any consultation with the club members in any forum on here apart from the sporadic ones in here and in Membership and Feedback.

This is despite the requirement for all meetings to be minuted in the constitution.

[TheToyman75]

i disagree! the forums have introduced me, in person, to what are now some of my best mates. i regularly catch up with folks from these forums, and physically do stuff related to the contents of what we've most recently been chatting about on the forums.

the forums club continues to bring people together to partake in this hobby, and in that sense, the very soul of toymods continues! just because we all dont meet together under the official banner doesnt mean we're keyboard warriors who dont leave our loungerooms.

i reckon toymods as a name, and as a 'forums club' is very active, and nothing to look down your nose at just because it doesnt fit with what you perhaps wouldve liked it to turn out like

Ed,

I think I have expressed myself poorly. There is a solid and valuable core group of people who make the club and these forums a truely valuable place to be a part of. My entire non family social circle is populated by people I have met through Toymods.

My concern with the forums is the minority of load mouthed too much time on there hands individuals who come here and misbehave may be seen to newcomes as the accepted norm and may put people off staying around long enough to see the true merit and community nature of what we have here. Maybe I am jsut getting old.

As for what I wanted the club to turn out to be, it always has been. I see Toymods as a social vessel for like minded individuals to come together in a friendly community environment. It was that before I joined and thankfully has stayed that way.

[TheToyman75]

The point is that how do club members even know what will be tabled at a club meeting... I see absolutely no public minutes, nor do i see any consultation with the club members in any forum on here apart from the sporadic ones in here and in Membership and Feedback.

This is despite the requirement for all meetings to be minuted in the constitution.

Takai,

I am soo not reading the constitution right now so I may be off base slightly in our legal requirements. But to address your points.

Members not knowing what we are discussing is actually potentially a very good point. I will have to think more about that during daylight hours.

All board meetings have an agenda and minutes, they also have a constantly active discussion section that helps us from the agendas and all concerns raised in the public forum get discussed their prior tomeetings to improve the amount of stuff we can get through. Board meeting minutes are not available for public viewing.

Our AGM is our annual Meeting which we announce and take published minutes of as per our constitutional requirements. The other 11 months we considered social gatherings/events as we simply couldn't manage to get a secretary to post the bloody minutes each month I know it doesn't sound difficult but apparently it was and I honestly gave up trying. This may be something we can revist if we actually get enough people turn up to bother unlocking the hall we hire.

[TheToyman75]

Takai,

The more I think about your first point the more Ithink you have highlighted a very overlooked issue. Thanks !

[ed]

my 2c on the idea of a 'solid/valuable core group' is, well, lets just say over the last 12 months i reckon the quality, quantity, and number of intelligent active members in the tech section has gone up. lots. tech doesnt require a heap of moderation (not compared to what i used to need to do) and i see quite a diverse range of people making good quality contributions. id find it hard to say only a core of tech people were doing all the work anymore. it really is good in there, i think the club has set the foundation long ago, and is seeing the reward of that now. (and its kinda in contrast to that perception of such improvement in the tech section, that this whole infraction thing seems a bit odd. but i dont look at the other sub forums much, so cant comment there really)

cheers
ed

PS, this is the kinda time i get home from work

[RiceburnaGTV]

Also, can you honestly state you would offer light hearted banter if I turned up to an event you were at and made myself known ?

No probably not, but I would still introduce myself and make an effort to ensure we both enjoyed the event.

My point was in relation to the "clique" you speak of and I think its more of a case of people knowing each other a little better than others.Aftrer a couple of trips to dubbo and various other events you start to form friendships and that shines through in the banter you see on the forums. I have had the privelage of forming some awesome friendships that have enabled me to build my car and also build my business,without these guys I wouldnt have the opportunity I do what I do today. I have on occasion found some people a bit stale on evants and cruises but I dont expect there to be a parade for me when I arrive so im nopt that fussed, the other thing some people arent very good at meeting new people,so dont take it to heart

[whatthe?]

No probably not, but I would still introduce myself and make an effort to ensure we both enjoyed the event.

My point was in relation to the "clique" you speak of and I think its more of a case of people knowing each other a little better than others.Aftrer a couple of trips to dubbo and various other events you start to form friendships and that shines through in the banter you see on the forums. I have had the privelage of forming some awesome friendships that have enabled me to build my car and also build my business,without these guys I wouldnt have the opportunity I do what I do today. I have on occasion found some people a bit stale on evants and cruises but I dont expect there to be a parade for me when I arrive so im nopt that fussed, the other thing some people arent very good at meeting new people,so dont take it to heart

And you'd never have been a victim of the "fan game" if this wasn't true

[RiceburnaGTV]

And you'd never have been a victim of the "fan game" if this wasn't true

fan game?..