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Post by Matt Forbes on Jun 8, 2012 12:44:31 GMT -5
I'll be brief and to the point.
We need to decided what sort of forum boards and categories we want in order to begin discussions for the upcoming conference. The election process was a bit muddled and problematic due to human error and nothing more. Let's just leave that behind and start focusing on the real issues.
We have a petition to refine. Let's get to it.
Post all suggestions here and I'll start tackling them. By the end of this weekend, we should have a moderately functional board.
-Matt Forbes VA-06 Delegate
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Post by maureenmower on Jun 9, 2012 0:06:27 GMT -5
Re the election process, apparently someone has been communicating with Votenet. I recieved a new ballot today, with a subject line saying voting closes on Monday (June 11). When I opened the ballot, there were no longer any of those annoying Captcha codes at the bottom of each page.
So apparently someone got Votenet to remove the codes, re-issue the ballots, and extend the voting date to June 11.
I'll post again re ideas for sections and some topic starters
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Post by maureenmower on Jun 9, 2012 12:45:47 GMT -5
Regarding forum section headers and topics:
1 - Forum Rules & Steering Committee Notices: Use this section for the welcome message, any important forum rules (see my suggestion at the end of this post on this) you want members to be aware of, minutes of SC meetings, and any other Steering Committee notices.
The newest announcements/Minutes can be made "sticky" so they remain at the top of the page until they are replaced by the next new announcement (ie: SC posts minutes of meeting held on 6/7/12 & make them sticky. When the next meeting is held on 6/15, SC posts those minutes and makes them sticky, then removes the sticky status from the 6/7 minutes topic).
2 - Grievance Section: Create a topic for each of the current grievances that were listed on the forum, allowing members to comment on each separate grievance in its own thread. Members will also be able to create new topics with any grievances they feel are important that aren't already on the list.
**Note - A poll can be added to each grievance topic so members can vote on it - thereby giving us an idea of which grievances have the most support.[/i][/color]
3 - Convention Planning: This section would be for any announcements about the convention from the SC, as well as for members to discuss lodging plans or alternatives (other than the Hilton), tips re parking and transit from anyone who lives in or is familiar with that part of Philly, suggestions regarding handling the voting on grievances, or the schedule, etc.
4 - General Discussion: This section is what the heading implies, an area for all members to open topics and discuss whatever they want, whether it relates directly to the Congress or not.
That is all I can think of at the moment in terms of sections for the forum.
I would recommend appointing a couple of forum moderators (perhaps one who is on SC and one who is not) who will be responsible for monitoring posts to ensure they are put in the correct section and are not abusive or otherwise objectionable (ie: links to porn sites, personal advertising, spam, etc.).
I suggest also that one of the posts in the SC Notices section be a "Code of Conduct" announcement outlining what is and is not acceptable in posts (ie: stay on topic, no spamming the forum, no troll-like behavior, no personal attacks or abusive/hate language directed at other members or any minority group [blacks, Hispanics, Muslims, Atheists, etc.). Make the Code of Conduct post a permanent sticky, and include what will happen to violators. Here's a suggested list of progressive consequences that I used on a forum I started several years ago:
1st offense - warning and edit or removal of the offending post; 2nd offense - suspension of forum posting privileges for 1 week and removal of offensive post; 3rd offense - banned from the forum for 3 months & removal of offensive post, and 4th offense - banned permanently.
Again, please remember these are just suggestions. I have moderated and started a couple of forums in the past, and in my personal experience, I found that the kind of sections I suggest, as well as the Code of Conduct and clear listing of how offenses will be handled saves a lot of trouble down the road. But I am not managing this forum, so naturally, the final decision is all yours.
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Post by maureenmower on Jun 9, 2012 12:52:06 GMT -5
By the way - THANK YOU you for taking the initiative and getting this started.
I wish we had been using this type of forum from the start, but we didn't, and now we don't even have the old, badly set up forum. So thank you for giving us an alternative that is actually better than the original and the Facebook page.
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Post by Mike Gentilucci on Jun 9, 2012 16:58:40 GMT -5
Here are the topics/sections I would like to see. Perhaps missing a couple things, but I think I covered just about everything.
General Information Before you Post Welcome/Introductions Q&A Process/Procedure for Philadelphia Travel/Accommodations List Your Skills Make a General Proposal Help Wanted/Actionable Items Archives
Media/Communications Media Strategy Media Contacts Media Sample Letters Talking Points/Anticipated Questions Media Coverage and Confirmations Affinity Group Outreach Strategy Affinity Group Contacts Affinity Group Sample Letters Grievances Organizing Grievances for Final Petition Discussion of Rhetoric Grievances vs. Solutions Opening Statement Reaffirming Constitutional Rights/Authority Electoral/Governmental Reforms (Campaign Finance, Gerrymandering, Term Limits. etc) Banking/Securities/Monetary Policy Taxation Housing/Foreclosures Education/Student Loans Infrastructure Environment/Agriculture Energy Healthcare Civil Rights (PATRIOT ACT, NDAA) Social Issues (DOMA, Women's Issues) Border Security/Immigration Reform War on Drugs/Prison Reform Other/Uncategorized
Forums by State State Coordinator Networking [Alphabetical Listing of States]
Random Chatter/Miscellaneous
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:06:04 GMT -5
I just added a topic on the new forum: Attracting Media Before the Congress. I wanted then to add one Attracting Media During the Congress. And suddenly I can't add any more. They probably don't fit under your 4 general categories, but what the hey? Feel free to include it where you see fit. And I would like to add fora for these too: ADD: Reach out to other external groups to partner with them so they assist us in supporting these key set of grievances. ADD: How to Improve the internal communication process to delegates. ADD: FOR DURING Congress : Improve the external communication process to the media. For DURING the Congress: Some initial ideas: 1. Engage local Philadelphia institutions (e, g. National Constitution Center) in our event planning. 2. Stage media events. How about a continuous reading (24 hours, 3 days) of Supreme Court Justice Stevens dissent on the Citizens United decision in front of the Liberty Bell? Each of the delegates could read a portion of his passionate 90 page dissent for the length of the Congress. I can see the local ACTION NEWS cameras already. 3. Invitations to the media to cover key parts of our Congress (e.g. keynote speakers, final petition decisions, the reading of the final petition, etc.) 4. A peaceful march to historic Philadelphia sites from our Congress location. We can sing as we march patriotic American songs with lyrics adjusted to the themes of our Congress. 5. Invitation to Mayor Nutter to welcome us to Philadelphia at the beginning of the Congress. 6. Joint press conference between 99% leaders and the Occupy Philadelphia leaders where our differences in methodology can be explained. Media love the controversies. ADD: EVENT PLANNING (more than just logistics) A. Operational Planning for Before the Congress and B. Operational Planning for During the Congress. Clearly articulate the process of what will be done between now and the end of the Congress (how the election results will be posted, who will attend as delegates, who will attend as invited delegates-at-large, will other groups be allowed to sit in as observers and/or participants, how will grievances be accepted and documented, who will speak at the Congress, what kind of voting steps will occur at the Congress, what the final product of the Congress will be) DONE (Your Grievance Section) Define the key set of grievances that must be clearly articulated and sold to the other delegates. DONE: ADDED FOR BEFORE Congress : Improve the external communication process to the media. Thanks.
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:08:37 GMT -5
What is the latest status of the election? There is a rumor voting was extended to June 11. If we are trying to improve the American democracy,we need some transparency in our election.
When and how will results be posted? Will vote counts be published for each district?
Please keep us informed. Thanks.
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:10:01 GMT -5
Will alternates be allowed to come to the Congress? There was an idea floated before that the winners would invite the losers to be delegates at large? Is this still the Plan?
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:11:20 GMT -5
Is there an agenda for the three days of meetings? What time will it start each day? What time will it end? Will there be breaks for breakfast,lunch and dinner?Are there evening activities?
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:14:11 GMT -5
How and when will the voting on the grievances take place each day of the Congress? Do we need to bring laptops?
How much time will each delegate be allowed to speak?
Any rough idea yet from the emails to the steering committee geographic reps as to how many of the delegate candidates are planning to come? Please share this info! This may influence how much time we have to speak.
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:15:49 GMT -5
Will the media be allowed to witness our Congress? Will they be banned from any parts of the proceedings?
Will there be a "peanut gallery" where ordinary citizens can witness the proceedings? Will some be invited to speak?
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:16:43 GMT -5
Are there any guest speakers coming? Do you need assistance in finding some? What is the process for vetting and approving potential speakers?
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:18:07 GMT -5
Any vision on what you expect the delegates to do after the Congress?
Is there any planning being done to create an independent party to run for the real Congress in 2014?
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:19:36 GMT -5
What kind of security will be at the congress? Who will be checking for IDs? Volunteers or hotel staff?
Do you have enough volunteers for the operational tasks of the three days? Should we be soliciting for more? (spouses and children?)
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Post by scickay on Jun 9, 2012 17:20:28 GMT -5
here is the congress being held? Is it at the hotel? Is there room enough at the facility to house our delegates and spectators?
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