I've just joined facebook, I wonder if that would work, you can set up groups, so someone would need to start one that was for RCTQ, I'm not very familiar with things yet, so I'm not sure if you can set up a group so that everyone within the group can see the info without having to go through becoming a direct friend with every other person, maybe someone else has been using it for longer!
My other thought was to ask people to volunteer for a section or letter of the alphabet, if it was letters, then some would be small, that people with not much time might volunteer for, thus sharing the load.
but the group changes so much, I'm new to the group and I've seen lots of other new intro posts and I'm sure people are just slipping in and starting to post. An online solution would be far better.
Thanks for the update, Karen! Mutiny wasn't the intent, but I'm delighted to hear that Alice has been able to find the time to finish this. :) We all have times in our lives -- most of them completely unexpected -- when we are just overwhelmed.
Me too. And I don't really like the suggestion of an online list. It's just too easy for that sort of thing to become available to people who weren't supposed to have it. Just MHO.
Okay, looks like once a year would probaby do it, and I agree wholeheartedly. It's a lot of work. Like putting out our own phone-book-plus! : )
Now - Alice has said before that she is very willing and able to continue being the 'form' person. You know, getting the form ready and everything so we can go there and fill in our information. Just supposing that she will let me handle the vetting and organizing details and the mailing, since I'm already used to it and trusted with personal details as keeper of the Hug List, and now retired from teaching piano - supposing she would let me do that - I just want to know if there would be any objections. (my health doesn't count, we're talking about ten months from now.....)
Goodness, Karen, you have my vote as a very conscientious, honest, reliable and discrete person. I will personally needle-poke anybody who might even think of objecting to you having our info. Shoot, you'd have it anyway if you got a copy of the directory. ;-) But I have reservations with once a year. True, it's a HUGE project, but then the newbies would have to wait a looonnnggg time. And some of us oldies forget to fill in the form and we'd be shut out for a whole year, too. And, yes, I *know* that we can just ask for somebody's address, but it's fun to surprise them and sometimes when I read the directory list it reminds me to send something off to somebody. IMO
I agree with what you say, Leslie. Once a year might be the way to go for a total list. But... How about an update, somewhere in between (every 4 or 6 months), just for those who are new, who didn't get the form filled out and changes. And if the form was available all the time, maybe it wouldn't take so long to get the whole thing set up. Newcomers could be considered and added to the update data base right along. People whose lives get busy and so on could fill out the form when they remember, then get the update/whatever at the in-between times. And anyone who wanted to withdraw could. And once a year everyone would have to "opt in" if they were to stay. This way maybe it would take less time at once, and could be spread out. (Not sure I am being real clear on any of this-- but can you see what I am talking about?? Sort of a 'rolling' entry to the directory, one major "redo" a year that everyone would have to opt into, and periodic updates for known changes and newbies. But the form available most of the time for people to fill in, and get checked out on, so that the redo is faster. )
Just an opinion and a different idea,
Pati, > Goodness, Karen, you have my vote as a very conscientious, honest, reliable
The system that has been used in the past has been a spreadsheet with names, addresses, favourite colours, e-mail addy on it. I think the last one had about 250 people on it, some of them from way back who don't post much, but who still read and sometimes do a 'I'm Back'. I think there is some system where the form you fill in automatically puts itself onto the spread sheet, but I'm not clued up on this. When it is complete the list is e-mailed to all the other participants, with a note as to its confidentiality.
I like the existing system because it does ensure (as much as is possible) that real names and addresses don't fall into the wrong hands. There is some vetting of directory entrants - you have to have posted for enough time for people to 'know' you, I think that is what took the time for Alice to sort out.
This is really necessary - we have had one or two cases in the past where people were, well, fraudulant, and took the Group for a ride, so we have learnt the hard way to be really careful.
Anyone can post to the group as it isn't moderated. Sometimes there are ones who post objectionable things, so really we do need to keep the directory strictly confidential - no one wants nasty letters, or even an unwelcome knock on the dor.
Kate, if everyone agrees it is OK to start over I will do my best to set up a form to be filled out by everyone.
Wonder if the form that was used in the past is around anywhere so I know what info needs to be in it? Then I just need to set the direction for the cgi to pull from and we will be ready to go.
I will try to work on it this weekend, even if we decide not to start over, I don't want to make her feel like we took over either, esp. me the one that doesn't have time for much of anything.
Guess I know web design much better than quilting. :)
Jacqueline in KY Jacqueline in Kentucky, USA
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I seem to remember that there is always a certain amount of confusion around the form filling - people submitting four forms. etc. so while in theory once a year, updates and amendments sounds logical, it might result in more confusion! I also have some memory of the transfer of the form to data base being automatic - or at least faily simple, and that it was the checking of newbies which took the time. Like Leslie I think a whole year is a long time between directories.
I seem to remember I waited about 6 or 8 months to be on the list - which was the time I thought people would know who I was. A short wait also gives new people a chance to see if they want to be a 'seen' member of the Group. I don't recall there being a vast change from one directory to the next - just tweakings, and just a few new members. A Directory Committee seems a very sensible idea
As to Karen being the 'Gatekeeper' - brilliant idea. She is all the things Leslie said, and in additional has handled the diplomatic side of the Hug list brilliantly. Karen for Queen of Gates!
Wow I am glad that she has it done and updates made to it. Now I won't worry about it, I was just glancing through the messages when I caught this. Thank you for contacting Alice. I agree I would not want my info posted on line either, except it has to be because of my web sites and privacy policies.
Now about a form that is made that automatically goes into a spread sheet I have never heard of such and would love to know more.
Jacquel>Anne Rogers wrote:
Jacqueline in Kentucky, USA
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uhhhh. two or three woman job? excuse me.? guys know how to use scissors and thread and these strange machines that pull thread through fabric. just last week my wife's viking sm wouldn't work andon request for help, i found the threading problem.
i can use a computer and can put data in excell also....
so i am willing to also help with this directory.
[i did my church directory one year and it took a long time to get it published (on paper) so i have sympathy and empathy with alice and much appreciation for her undertaking this task.
klh in va
[and my computer can even type the three extra letters in the swedish alfabet]
Sorry! ;-) The last copy of the directory I had was exclusively female. I know there are a couple of guys who post here regularly, but of course as everyone knows ladies are sooooo much better at multitasking, organisation and that sort of thing anyway!!
uhhhh. two or three woman job? excuse me.? guys know how to use scissors and thread and these strange machines that pull thread through fabric. just last week my wife's viking sm wouldn't work andon request for help, i found the threading problem.
i can use a computer and can put data in excell also....
so i am willing to also help with this directory.
[i did my church directory one year and it took a long time to get it published (on paper) so i have sympathy and empathy with alice and much appreciation for her undertaking this task.
klh in va
[and my computer can even type the three extra letters in the swedish alfabet]
Once a year would be fine with me too. Set a month when there's nothing else on in terms of Christmas or other big events, and designate that "directory month". If there are any major changes such as deaths during the year, one of the directory owners can easily email everyone on the list to let them know and avoid embarrassing situations.
I would not submit my information if it were a list held online. I might not be the only one who felt that way? We have always been quite accustomed to waiting for the next 'issue' for info. to be changed and people added. It is true that many, many people introduce themselves but then are never heard from again. Fluctuation and variation is just the nature of the group. We cope. . In message , Anne Rogers writes
Oh Karen - are you really sure? As the trust question, and knowledge of genuine group members is so important (as Sally alluded to), it would be wonderful. . In message , "Karen, Queen of Squishies" writes
Being a naturally over-cautious person! I am a little wary of this idea Pati. In theory it is a great solution; but I think we are losing the idea of why we have the Directory. As I mentioned just now, in another context, we have newbies popping in very often, who - for one reason or another - never appear again. This is nothing to worry about in itself, but we do get some *very* odd postings, so 'outsiders' obviously do access the group. If someone wanted the personal details of a large group of men and women to seriously annoy/insult/bombard with junk, it would be very easy to do this way. I really do prefer the idea that people who will have our full names and addresses have shown credibility by becoming active members of the group over at least a bit of time and have sort-of 'gone through the initiation'!
The way time is accelerating, a year is nothing any more >gg< . In message , Pati Cook writes
If I had any idea of how to do all these clever things with computers (I don't even know how to send out multiple destination e-mails) I would offer to help. But, of course, too many 'little helpers' might be counter-productive? >g<
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