Move to Moderated Membership...

[Pat Howlett]

Update 1/13/09: 107 Accounts were removed yesterday after numerous notices. A new 'Default Image' is being used to remind new members to complete their profiles to include a Personal Photo.

I am actively working with close to 25 members to assist them in the process, editing many photos as well as phone support if needed (will not be able to do this again ;).

Any member who was removed will be Welcomed back by simply agreeing to complete their Profile.

New members now receive the inSide919 Guidelines shortly after registration - if their Profile is not complete or they were not able to upload the Personal photo they are given 7 days in which to complete it - with my offer to personally help - after this period of time the account will be removed without notice (unless of course they report an issue and make contact).

It appears that some were creating Profiles/Advertisments with (what seemed like) no intention to participate or even return.

That said, I am sure that we also lost a couple really great folks - who I hope return when the timing is better for them.

I truly believe that this will make this a more 'People' Centric Network and increase the value for all.

I am closing this discussion, removing it as a 'Featured' post but leaving it as an archive - if you would like to share anything please shoot me an internal email.


--------------- Original Post Enacted 18/12/08 -------------

This is an long, but ‘IMPORTANT’ Announcement;

As the Network grows it take more and more time to administer it, answer questions, reach out, organize, educate and in general keep things flowing.

This is not a complain – I love what we’re doing here and hope we can become the model for the ‘Micro Business Network’.

I also know exactly what I'm getting into here. I ran a hobby 12 line pre-internet BBS with 1500 members and at 300-1200 baud it was work as well :).

The largest drain on my time is the notices and special attention that is required when a new member will not take the time to complete their Profile and add a Personal photo. We have members who joined months ago who still have not found the time to do what is in their best interest.

We have become a ‘real’ local networking resource that can without cost help connect business owners and professionals inside this community and in many ways help the community itself. But we need to have a better inventory of what skills and solutions we provide. This inventory is done via the Profile – it’s the real resource.

[Stands on Soapbox] Sometimes I feel like the teacher who has to spend most of the class time working with the kids who don't really want to be in the class. Membership inSide919 is easy and voluntary. [steps off soap box…]

So in order to re-capture some time, I will have to change the membership mode from 'Open' to 'Moderated'.

What does this mean?

1. New Members will register and their account will be reviewed for completeness, keep in mind that I have no intention to do anything other than make sure there is usable info in every Required field and that they have uploaded a Personal Photo (not an avatar or a logo) we are a 'social' business network (trying to encourage relationships) and social to me means ‘people’. Your website can speak for your company – your Profile should represent both but focus on you.

2. Those who Complete a Profile will be 'Approved' and will received a “Welcome and Guidelines” email (bulk email monitoring/education is also taking too much time – the internal email system is intended for “One to One” use - not bulk).

3. Those who do not complete a Profile will receive a "You're almost inSide" email with the Guidelines and a time frame (24 hours) in which to complete their profile - and their account will also be approved.

4. If after the 24 hours they have not been able to take the time to complete the Profile - they will be placed in an 'Under Review' status (invisible) and remain there until they make contact and commit to completing their Profile.

How can you help?

- Simply share with those you invite that it is worth their time to complete their profile and then start introducing them to those you’ve already made contact with so they can get a good start.

Hope this is reasonable and understandable.

My obligation to every current inSider and Sponsor is to maintain 'Quality' over 'Quantity' - we're different than the big guys - for one I don't have any desire to be big. I'd rather be great and be known for real value.

[Lynn Thomas]

Great plan! Thanks for all the hours and hard work you personally put into this site.
Happy Holidays to you and your family,
Lynn

[Leslie Flowers, Change Agent]

Perfect, Pat! I can see this method will take care of lots of questions in advance. I realize you cannot hire an administrative professional based on our registration fees ; ) Leslie

[Joy Ayscue]

Excellent up-front intentions and planning.

Thanks for all that you do!

[Janet Kennedy]

Al sounds reasonable! That's the pain of growing up. Are we in our middle school or teenage years yet? ;-)

[Irma Macgregor]

Sounds like a great plan, we all thank you for getting this started. I'll Be in TN for the Holidays see you in Januarry, Irma

[Eban Crawford]

Terrific idea. It will be a great benefit to those that join, but may not understand how powerful this network can be.

Cheers,
Eban

[Bill Anderson]

Pat; Thank you for all the work you do. This is good stuff and a great direction for Inside919.
Bill

[Michelle Gower]

If it were possible, I also might consider putting these guidelines to determine a completed app at the top of the page before they even sign up. This way they can understand before they haphazardly fill out a profile only to make more work for you (Pat) that this network will indeed give back, but they simply have to do their part to reach out and make it possible first.

[Pat Howlett]

I will try to work that into the 'join' process. Thanks!

[Wayne Anderson]

Pat, anything you or we can do to speed up the process, I'm all for. Thanks for your creativity in moving forward with workable solutions and thanks for including us in your thought process. There aren't enough thanks we can give you for the time and attention you give Inside919.

[Rosie Bolin]

If you need someone to chip in with the moderating, I'd be happy to help.

Rosie

[Pat Howlett]

Let me think about how this might work - Thanks for the offer, it is appreciated.