I just got done looking through the responses that have been given over the last few months.
Right now, there have only been 13 responses to this. Given that the survey responses are anonymous I have no way to say who answered what. Keep that in mind.
I just wanted to take a moment to bring up some of the things that were mentioned in the responses and give you all an opportunity to go a little more in detail since I am the only one of the mods that can see the responses. This also gives you that did not take it the opportunity to have your voices heard and to discuss these things.
Before I get started I'm going to say this.
While I am going to be responding to certain concerns that were mentioned, since I don't know who posted them, don't take my response as a personal attack. I'm not trying to sound rude or anything else, simply trying to find out what you all expect. Please bear with me!
I'm skipping the first question since it's just for how long you've been here.
2)What types of events would you attend if they were held in the guild?
Answered: 10
Skipped: 3
ReCap of Responces: Four out of ten said more art contests of various kinds. I got a call for a lot of poetry too.
Four out of Ten also said they didn't know or they had no input or any kind of event.
One said in room parties or chatting.
One also said that they'd like to see a random numbers/dice game.
One of the first four also brought up doing live events or youtube events or anything like that.
My Responce:I will say that from what I'm seeing in the guild, I'm not sure what other kind of art contests you would want. I haven't seen any sort of suggestions from anyone. If you have an idea you need to speak up or you won't be heard and nothing will change.
In regards to doing any sort of live event; if that was going to happen I, as well as the other mods, don't have a guarantee that anyone would show up. Based on what we're seeing in the guild at the very least.
3)What do you like about the Guild?
Answered: 12
Skipped: 1
ReCap of Responces: Five answered; It gives me a safe place to be open about myself.
Seven answered; Lets me meet and make friends with like minded people. One used the written response: "I feel that it can be a bit of both of the two."
My Responce: To those that responded, thank you! I am happy that the guild has done something for you.
To the one that skipped, I don't know why you did that. You had the chance to write what you wanted if you didn't want to give one of the predetermined responses.
4) How important are...
Discussion forum: 6 Don't mind it, 5 Please Keep, 1 No Opinion = 12 Answers
Dorms: 6 No Opinion, 3 Keep, 2 Don't Mind, 1 Don't Care for it = 12 Answers
Rant and Advice: 7 Please Keep, 3 Don't mind, 2 No Opinion = 12 Answers
Meet Up Forum: 6 Don't mind, 4 Keep, 1 No Opinion =11 Answers
Roleplay Forum: 7 Don't mind, 3 Keep, 2 No Opinion, 1 Don't care for it = 13 Answers
Member Spotlight: 4 No Opinion/Don't mind, 1 Keep/Dislike/Trash it = 11 Answers
Contests: 6 Don't mind, 4 Keep, 1 No Opinion = 11 answers
Games: 4 Keep/Don't mind, 2 No Opinion, 1 Dislike = 11 answers
Friendly Chat: 9 Keep, 2 Don't Mind = 11 answers
My Response: First, I know when I first put this up the options weren't working right. Sorry to whoever it was that could only pick one and thank you for letting me know.
As you all know Member Spotlight got pulled because there was too little activity. If you all want that back, well, be active I guess? Or say something?
I know that the Roleplay forum hasn't seen much use last I checked on it. I'd personally like to change that. If you have ideas let me know.
Discussion forums aren't going anywhere these are staying open and as long as the topic isn't locked you're welcome to post at anytime. If you have any concerns about it or want to start a new topic message a crew member and we'll let you know if it's safe to start. It's okay to talk to us!
Rants and Advice aren't going anywhere either. It's important for us all to have a place to ask questions and rant in.
If you have any in put on any other topics post something below and give us your input.
4) What would you like to see added to the guild? What would help you be more active? (Contests, Forum Games, Resources, ect)
Answered: 12
Skipped: 1
ReCap of Responces: There were three people that just didn't have anything to add and one of them was still exploring the guild.
One person brought up a hang out area for people to chat. They also brought up having a guild mule.
Two people brought up having a place for resources.
Another brought up having a broader lifestyle discussion since they felt limited by the round-a-bouts.
Lastly, a skype group.
My Responce: General Chat is what this main forum is for, just to hang out and chat. Yes it also gets used for announcements and stickies but that's so everyone sees them. Yes it also gets used for announcements and stickies but that's so everyone sees them.
The guild mule, we have one but it's in Yamishi's control at the moment. Not sure where we're going with it.
Resources are bunched in with Advice and Rants. Resources can be anything from binding techniques to make-up anything that you find that would be useful.
Regarding the broader Lifestyle discussion, honestly, I'm not sure what you're after or hoping for. if you have an idea and want to give us some ideas, please do.
Someone else brought up that just enticing people to post would help the activity levels. Past what we've been trying to do, I'm at a loss and I think the other mods are too. This is why we've been trying to get some ideas, even small ones, out of all of you.
We've talked about trying to do a YouTube channel and other social things like the skype chat but it hasn't panned out yet and we don't have a solid idea for that.
6) What could the Crew be doing better or improving on?
Answered: 10
Skipped: 3
ReCap of Responces: Nothing/Doing good - 6! Not Sure- 2 Other-2
My Responce: To those that didn't respond; Why would you not respond to this? This was your chance to complain if you don't like what's going on. I don't understand.
The other two responses; Try to cater more to peoples interest and try to provide more chat opportunities.
Based on this survey I'd say that the main thing everyone seems interested in is art but this isn't an art group. We are trying to be well rounded and cater to peoples interest but when we aren't getting much input that is very difficult to do.
7) Is there anything else that you'd like to add? Please do so here, we'd like to hear from you to make your experiences better.
Answered: 9
Skipped: 4
ReCap of Responces: 1 - Short Story, 1- Terminology Complaint, 1- Concern, 3- Compliments, 3- N/As
My Responce: -Sigh- Okay then.... Let's start with this:
Quote:
I know this is a safe place, and a place for friends but I can't seem to make friends, or even discuss anything about my concerns for my gender and/or my mental health. I feel like I would be imposing if I were to join into conversations.
Any of the concerns that you have regarding gender or mental health, ect you are more than welcome to post in the Rants and Advice. That seems the most appropriate place for something like that to go. I'm sorry that you haven't felt that you have been able to make any friends or make any posts. That's not something I was hoping to hear. I promise you though, even if it's those of us on the crew you have people here that you can talk to. We are here to be your sounding board and your support team. It's okay to approach us. I hope that since you've posted this that you have made some posts or messaged someone. If not feel free to talk to one of us mods.
Quote:
Terms like ftm and mtf are outdated, and while its okay for individuals to use them *for themselves* its not a good idea to use them to collectively refer to people... Like it implies you were at one point a woman, and it ignores intersex people. Its better for reclaim use. Instead use cafab (certified as female at birth) and the equivalent camab, which is a bit friendlier to intersex people and less cissexist.
As I am sure that you are aware, the english language as a whole is evolving daily. While people have their preferences for what they wish to be called, we do our best not to use those unless we are talking about people that fit into that category or using it as an example in a discussion. We use the "Trans* Umbrella" as our 'collective' term here. If you are trying to reference a certain instance that has happened in the guild then I'd like to know what it is, since I don't know what it would be. Those that are or identify as intersex are welcome to whatever terminology they prefer as are those who are not. I can not and I, personally, will not tell someone what terms they can and can not use. It's not my place.
Quote:
Short Story, Warning this is lengthy.
I apologize for the length of this box. It is a long list of suggestions that don't refer to my singular experience, but an overall experience for every member. Of course they are just to be taken into consideration and do not all have to be implemented as I do understand users have lives outside of gaia and the following will be a lot of work and effort. -------------- I think a lot of the sub-forums created can be mashed into one, and would help with topic flow. Things like gaming, tv, and music can be in a single sub-forum with topics specified for them. Sames goes for creative works. It can be a gallery or display sub-forum and members can then post topics according within it. ---- The Dormitory I think could use some tweaking. When I first read it, I thought it would be somewhat like Hogwarts in a way. The information led me to believe that it was like each crew member had their own Dormitory that members could join under. I think that would be something worth exploring, could use it as a kind of competition and event thing. For what the dormitory actual is, personal posts and experiences, maybe have it under a sub-forum of journals, or Dorm Rooms? That way it can be a little haven for people and you can "visit" other people's rooms and "chat" with them. ---- Birthday list I think that can be under a sub-forum with the title "Celebrations and Events" And it can be used just for that. An Announcement topic could be created that calls out coming birthdays/events and how to approach them. Then a sticky with the birthday list. I think for gathering birthday's for the list it would best be done separately from the actual topic in order to retain organization. The sticky would have information on what to do in the first post and what it would be used for, and then sequential posts would have birthdays and their months. Another sticky that can be updated with general information about new events. Both the sticky and announcement topics I suggest be locked after set up. A Celebration thread can be created for the day for the person(s) and then deleted until the next time around. Or an overall Celebration thread that is used to say happy birthdays and cheers. Other than that, events and contests can go there as well. ----- Overall I think just modernization and re-organization. (I think the thread's layout and organization would be good inspiration) Guilds are difficult to string users to because they're so outdated and gaia has no interest in updating them. But if there are good topics and good discussion, I think people will still come. Incorporating things like tumblr and other social sites would probably interest users. For recruitment members who enjoy role-play can seek out new recruits from there by creating a story and plot that fits with that of the guild's mission. Outgoing members can create other topics in chatterbox to gather positive attention. Can branch into various things, arts, etc. Maybe looking to similar guilds that aren't as popular or didn't kickstart so well, for members could be an option. Although again, guilds are outdated and a lot of users have moved on or are no longer active. ----- The thread could maybe include allies and people interested (if it doesn't already). That way it will be possible to make more friends who may not exactly be like-minded but will be there fore support. ----- As this guild has a purpose, I think it should have tradition as well. For example, every end of the week there be a discussion about something related to the community. Or something that just relates to the guild's purpose and mission. It doesn't have to be the end of the week, it can be whatever date is best. Oh yes, a news sub-forum or just topic would be good as well. Something that keeps up with big LBGTQA information and news. ----- The trans*umbrella graphics from the thread would make an excellent new banner. It was actually what caught my attention. I very much liked the juxtaposition of the two figures. Options would be the two figures or simply the bar with the guild/thread title. Linking to both the guild and thread would be a good idea. People are more likely to be inclined to post within the thread than they are to attempt to join the guild. Guilds can be pretty intimidating without a face to them and knowing the people who are a part of them! o': ----- Big threads are both good and bad. It has regulars that show and post consistently, however, the likelihood of new people diminishes because the large amount of posts makes users feel they are too late and that a cliche has been established. Something to work around such would be a good idea. ----- There is an omni-mod who is currently a part of the guild. If they are comfortable with it most likely putting the guild or thread in their signature or profile will draw attention. ----- Lastly, a survey similar to this would be good for posting within the thread. You can ask what things would draw users to the guild versus remaining in the thread.
First, I'm sorry to say this since it seems rude but, No. This is solely the opinion on an individual. Everyone had the chance to take this survey and provide me with their opinions, this is just your opinion.
Yes, some of the sub-forums could be mashed together but then members, like yourself have to separate what they're topics are about and you have to dig for them. If more people ask for this, we'll consider it.
That's what the dorms already are. They are a journal area that the individual creates.
At this point I'm not sure what we're doing with the birthday list since it does nothing but sit there, this is a good idea but requires a lot of up keep. We may look into this once we have more activity and help around the guild.
Adding other social media, other than gaia, has been a topic for the Crew for a while now but ultimately it comes down to who has the time to do it since we're looking for more Crew members.
The Original thread is there for Allies and Trans* People the guild is not. It's strictly for us.
Having a 'tradition' as you put it, is what the Discussions started out as but there were too few people posting in it each week and we also were getting complaints that the topics weren't open long enough, hence what it is now.
At one point we had a spot for keeping up with the media, I'm not sure what happened to it.
The thread is pretty much dead and I personally have very little hope in reviving it.
Lastly, as I'm sure you read the rules and are fully aware that we keep guild information private. This means that there are people in the guild that are stealth on the site. Their avatar is their assumed gender. This means that anyone that is comfortable with having the banners in their sigs or profile has most likely already done so. I wouldn't push anyone to advertise like that as it may make them uncomfortable.
Thank you for all of your concerns.
