Appeal from HOATalk on postings here

Started by hoatalk • 16 replies • 1738 views

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hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603

Posted:

Dear Members,

We are seeing more posts that go off-topic or break the posting rules by not being "helpful, positive and friendly".

We understand that one person's post may provoke another but we are asking for your help to keep this a positive & educational place. Please do not respond to rude or off-topic posts.

The lifeblood of a site like this is constant inflow of new members alongside the regulars that help so many people. If new members see too many off-topic and/or rude posts, they will leave and this site will slowly die.

We appreciate everyone here that volunteers to help others by sharing what you know. This site has grown into the largest online group of community association leaders in the U.S. It has great potential to help thousands of communities and even shape the future of community associations, but only if we stick to our core values of being a positive place where community association leaders can share and learn.

Thank You.
HOATalk

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EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148

Posted:

I couldn't agree more. Thanks

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Not to be flippant, but this learning process goes both ways around here. We hope other folks learn, we want to learn and the cause is just, and Hoatalk, if they are pleased, that's good also.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Thank You HOATALK for the stern reminder. We truely do appreciate the ability to have such a wonderful place to discuss and sometimes disagree with how we should govern and be part of the HOA process. And we appreiate having a monitor to keep us focussed.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

I would like to add my thanks also. I find this forum to be the best I've encountered and I've been a member of quite a few in the past 10 years.

I would like some clarification of what is considered "off topic". There are times when someone makes a friendly comment that doesn't relate to the thread and we may feel compeled to respond. It's these little comments that serve to promote friendships between the members of the forum. Because we have no way of responding privately, we are inclined to respond thru the thread. I have many "Internet" friends that I "met" on a newsgroup or Yahoo group. We were discussing the possibility of setting up a separate group for this very purpose. Have any decisions been made about that?

AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

It seems it is ALWAYS the same posters who become "snarky" with their comments....which serves no purpose. Those who are professional, courteous, helpful, and thought-provoking ALWAYS start their posts with "apologies", "thank you's", "please's" and "excuse me's". MANNERS! That is what keeps the posts here professional.

Those posters have class and are respectful to others.

Those who end their postings with "snippy" comments such as: "Good night (insert name)...you have a good sleep"....are not the type we should take "guff" from. THEY are the one's who probably argue with their spouses, their kids, their inlaws and their bosses.

We're creatures of habit---you push us against and wall we push back. Plus, the best (most polite) posters always stick up for the others.

hoatalk (California)
Posts: 603

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MaryA1 on 01/20/2009 1:12 PM
I would like to add my thanks also. I find this forum to be the best I've encountered and I've been a member of quite a few in the past 10 years.

I would like some clarification of what is considered "off topic". There are times when someone makes a friendly comment that doesn't relate to the thread and we may feel compeled to respond. It's these little comments that serve to promote friendships between the members of the forum. Because we have no way of responding privately, we are inclined to respond thru the thread. I have many "Internet" friends that I "met" on a newsgroup or Yahoo group. We were discussing the possibility of setting up a separate group for this very purpose. Have any decisions been made about that?

Thank you all for the nice comments. To answer the question above on friendly side comments: Some small amount of side conversation is OK and does keep the site friendly. As long as the side conversation does not become the focus of the thread or take it over then that's OK.

We are still looking into options for private communication between members and other social interaction features.

Thank You,
HOATalk

HOATalk.com, A free service of Community123.com
Provider of Upscale Community Websites
CLICK HERE to get a FREE trial community website
*See legal notice below (end of page)

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

You did good Mary.
I get real appreciative when I see someone gently push for changes that can last for years and expand the capabilities of our members minds. That is what we sell I supose........our knowledge or I am sure, at times, our lack of the same. I also think we all just might be challenged with an overwhelming barrage of new posters, this association story thing, as far as the economic fallout, has yet to be told.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Thx, Robert. It's just that I think we have such a nice group of people. A little chit-chat about topics other than HOAs (except for politics and religion! LOL) would be nice too. I enjoy the friendly bantering that goes on from time to time.

DonN (Michigan)
Posts: 357

Posted:

Another problem is that new posts are added that have been previously posted and answered. My suggestion is for the software to automatically search the HOA Talk archives with the title of the new post and present those search results to the writer before accepting a new post.

Don Nordeen
Governance of Property Owners Associations

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Another good idea Don, except with almost all topics have been presented at one time or another, instead of presenting the old ones to the poster BEFORE accepting a new post, how about a refernece number or whatever, after the post. Otherwise, we would not have anyone posting because all subjects or at least most all, have been previously covered.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

okay I'm lost.

And sad that I can't discuss my devotion to the Gods of Dove and Godiva. . . ah well.

All I know is that I see lots and lots of bolded titles when I log in and that makes me smile!

Means people are communicating.

To me, that's always a good thing!

JohnF10 (Missouri)
Posts: 7

Posted:

HOA TALK,

Thanks for the site, I have been on it for nearly two hours for the first time, and as a new board member of our HOA, I have learned so much from reading the posts. It is a GREAT site and glad I came across it. Looking forward to lots more reading so I can be a better board member for our community. THANKS also to those of you who post, your honesty and variety of topics are of tremendous benefit.

John

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

JohnF,
Your two posts come on a gloomy Monday with a few problems.

Could not have come at a better time and I appreciate it. I also agree, in spite of our warts.

Stick around.

AnneM2 (North Carolina)
Posts: 30

Posted:

I'm also more of a lurker than a participant but I'm new to my board position and have a lot to learn and I've learned a lot from this site. I echo John. Keep up the good work.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

AnneM and JohnF

Welcome to the site. Once you read the many posts and after a visit to the archives, you will find that all associations are alike. There will be variences because of locations and some State laws but when push comes to shove, the problems are basically the same. Some days it is enough to make you want to surrender but then the days come when you accomplish something that betters your community and that's what it is all about. Educate yourself with your documents and be proud that you had enough guts to take this on. Good luck to you both.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Nicely said Donna,

You, by any chance, are not "Striking" for Illinois Senator job are you?

Striking= Navy Term, usually means you are an apprentice and are working towards a "rated" or named specific job classsification.

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