2011 Membership Survey: Stop Elayne's Whining!

[Ennairam Lamp]

I can state that, other than the final "thanks for submitting the survey," there is no actual reference to the Daughter Heir or her perceived annoying behaviour within the content of the survey. (At least that I can remember...)

This is probably a bad time to tell you, but as far as I can remember, there totally is I think I added it like last second
But it's only in the welcome message and the thank you message.

 

[Ubahsur Kindellaer]

Meh, it isn't saturating the actual survey. :P

 

[Ennairam Lamp]

True. Might also be I just thought about adding it. Hm. Not sure. So everyone who hasn't taken it can totally take it to check if there is something in the thank you message :waggle

 

[Liiane al'Rhuidea]

Nice theme. :arch

Because, of course, it's totally cool to assume no one likes Elayne. :rolleyes Way to go there, geniuses.

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

I'm sorry, does Ubah need to post again, or should I just quote her? I think I'll just quote her.

The Department of Administration would like to remind the community that the Marketing plan is just that - a tool to hopefully entice membership to partake in the survey as well as a means to promote that the Membership Survey is happening. It is our hope to appeal to the majority of the community and utilize the Marketing plan to insert humor into what is an otherwise boring proposition. :P

We strongly suggest that if there are others who are adverse to the graphics and/or design as a whole to still complete the survey and inform us of their dislike. This can be done on the survey itself in the comment section regarding the survey or by emailing administration@tarvalon.net.

I can state that, other than the final "thanks for submitting the survey," there is no actual reference to the Daughter Heir or her perceived annoying behaviour within the content of the survey. (At least that I can remember...)

It is much better to voice your opinion so that the Execs (Officers, C-suite, and Department Directors) are informed rather than possibly leaving this to fester and bother one. In fact - that is one of the main benefits for the survey! Voice your opinion and get things off your chest, or propose thoughts/plans that you might otherwise be too shy or not sure how to do so.

We are very grateful to all that participate in the survey, as all opinions and data retrieved are important. It is based on feedback that we have improved the survey over the years; made changes to events and conferences; made decisions such as implementing and later changing the Guilds to Discussion Halls, and more. We listen to you and do use everyone's feedback to improve the community and the experience we provide.

When we have only 200 of a current active population of 500 participate, then we can only know how half of membership is thinking/feeling. Think of it like voting - if you don't have your say, then you have less authority when it comes to complaining if you don't like something. :P We do need your input EVERY YEAR, as some years we look at some things that we may not in other years. And it is expected that one year can bring great changes to how one perceives the community, thus ones opinion can change and/or deepen!

So, thank you Aldus, for voicing your opinion. Aside from the fact that right now having a cohesive marketing design for the survey is new (second year) we are not repeating these ideas. Sorry ladies, Galad won't be coming back in the near future. :P In fact, we have two separate ideas for future surveys already! If others feel strongly about the theme or want to propose ideas for future themes, please either let us know on the survey or feel free to email myself, Kytheria as Department Director of Marketing, or even the C-Suite of Amyrlin/Keeper/Archivist/CFO (or parts thereof.) My "door" is always open, and I promise to not bite, unless asked. :waggle

 

[Rhed al'Tere]

What is totally cool is to play with stereotypes. In this case, the stereotype is a whiny, immature woman who thinks she's the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[Lenore Carvoe]

This can be done ... by emailing.

Yes, and that's exactly the problem as always. Open discussion is not favoured.

 

[Lireina ni Dormerus t'al`Bearach]

But this thread isn't actually meant for open discussion, but rather as a means to encourage folks to fill out the Membership Survey. If there's something wrong in your mind about the way it was handled, throwing it out in the open isn't always the most productive means to address the issue- it's rather like a small child screaming and stamping her feet in a mall. Aldus's comment' however, was respectful, and addressed respectfully by Ubah, who is the Administrator responsible for doing so. Anything beyond that- and I recognize that my own comments here might fall into what I'm about to say- are pretty much unnecessary. You could, however, maybe put your own feelings about this into your own Membership Survey comments, if you haven't filled it out yet- which I still need to do.

 

[Kytheria al'Shea]

Frankly, I've been expecting some complaints to drop on this one since the idea first came forward. I know some people like Elayne. I'm neutral, myself. But let's remember: They're BOOK CHARACTERS, and there's no way that every member of this site is going to feel the same way about one of them.

I've been pleased by the sheer number of people who have been so enjoying the humor of the theme, though, as it was intended. I don't care about Galad or Elayne, particularly, but I've done the survey both years, regardless. And the themes do serve to help make the survey more visible.

No one person decided on this theme on his/her own. It was, however, the only theme that was proposed in time for consideration, which also met with general approval from the various members involved. When we need to get something done by a deadline, we go with what we have. I think our designers (who are VOLUNTEERS, let's remember) did a great job with things in the time they had, and as Ubah says, we were able to generate a couple more ideas later on that we can use in future years.

If members would like, you are welcome to submit future theme ideas to Administration or Marketing, so we can try to provide something that appeals to you. Again, though, we can't always appeal to every single member of this very diverse community.

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

Ohmigodddddd.

Also, I'd like to point out that the reason we e-mail instead of start open discussion threads is that when you e-mail, it is 100% sure that the person that you're trying to get in touch with will receive your e-mail. Not everyone checks the forums, mostly because they're too busy to go outside of their own domain, but seriously. It's not because we don't want problems voiced, it's because [strike:2pwesxna]whining[/strike:2pwesxna] discussing things in a public forum is simply not the best way to get the issue resolved.

 

[Ubahsur Kindellaer]

As in past years, if one would like to be part of the Department of Administration and thus participate in the discussion of creating the survey, they are welcome to apply. I'm always welcome to have volunteers even if not directly hiring.

Well said, Kyth and Lirenia.

 

[Ilissa al'Nari]

Discussion threads open to bigger parts of membership can be of the good - sometimes. However, I've been a member of this community for 7+ years (ohmygod, I am OLD!) and I don't think I can remember more than at most a few times where I have thought that 'Yes! Having a public argument would totally fix this!'. For the most part, I am really relieved that the systems we have now are in place. If a matter is REALLY important to a specific group, then yes, I think there should be a discussion. If the matter is important and contested enough, maybe even a discussion for all members. But about whether the theme for the membership survey should making Elyane Shut UP?! Seriously?

 

[Serenla Tamowith]

I expect every single one of you to stop sniping at one another IMMEDIATELY. I'm not pointing fingers at specific folks. But I've had entirely too many complaints about posts in this thread.


If anyone has serious issues with the theme of this survey, please email administration@tarvalon.net and keeper@tarvalon.net. If you would like to have a discussion regarding this survey "in public", those are the appropriate Admins to approach.

The Membership Survey has a HUGE impact for us. We treat the results very seriously and hundreds of hours of time are spent creating and preparing it, then summing the results and distributing them. Thank you to everyone who has filled it out and who is planning to!

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

Alright, I'd like to apologize for the personal attacks that I made in this thread. It definitely was not appropriate, and as an admin, I really should know better. A lot of work went into making this survey, and it seems a little silly that people are upset over the marketing tool used, which Alyssa worked very, very hard on, that should be applauded. Regardless, the things that I said were not appropriate in the slightest, and for that I would like to apologize.

Now, uh, go take the survey.

 

[Ilissa al'Nari]

My apologies, Serenla. I may not be an admin now, but I have been one long enough to know better.

Go take the survey, all!

 

[Guest]

My sincere apologies. I have a talent for stirring things up, even when it isn't my main intention to do so. The biggest point to be made is that, no matter one's view of the way it is presented, one should always fill out the Membership Survey. I did.

 

[Lireina ni Dormerus t'al`Bearach]

My apologies, Serenla, if I contributed to the emails/PMs you received.

 

[Ubahsur Kindellaer]

165 completed! Only 35 from our goal. :joy (And we'd be ecstatic to go over that goal!)

 

[Ubahsur Kindellaer]

172! We are making great progress! One more week to go...

If we can get 250, I'll see if I can come up with another gnifty prize.

 

[Jeffan Caliarthan]

I'm not sure if everyone saw this tweet, but just in case...