What do our poets enjoy the most at MM?, Central theme for IBPC boards Options

[Cleo_Serapis]

Hello and thanks for reading this thread!

The participating boards of the IBPC (InterBoard Poetry Competition) have been asked to raise discussion around the question, "What is at, or what is it about our forum, that the poets enjoy most?"

To quote part of Rus' email, he mentions that this question comes from two places.

"1. There were 7 forums that did not enter poems this month, some that would have wanted to (and two that withdrew from future comps, The Maelstrom and The Writer's Block). What if they could create activities or formats, something got sparked, that would attract or keep poets at their sites, or would help them rebuild after personal calamities and illnesses and such? If we can learn from each other, perhaps some forums might develop cliques and buddy up with reps who find themselves on the same visionary wavelengths.

2. This a bit more involved: If we all come to a place of keen understanding of what it is about the sister boards that is best for the poets, then the upcoming IBPC blog, Voices in Synergy, succeeds as we all will come to know how to put our best feet forward--and in unison, come from a keen, informed, communal understanding.

To reinterate Rus' closing remarks:
"No matter whether we want growth, or just want to make a place better for our poets, or get some ideas for new features and such, this e-mail loop is to make us all the smarter. It works if we make it work, and the more the merrier and the better we, and ultimately the poets of the community, are for it.

It is only through IBPC that internet poetry forums are truly able to consider themselves part of a larger community. Let's do this thing we have."

I look forward to your feedback - I will be sharing the responses with the IBPC and its forum reps.

Thank you!
~Lori

[Cleo_Serapis]

I thought I'd post in some interesting tidbits that are being discussed in another MM thread: Board Stats by Month, a downward swing which I recently sent out an SOS questioning the downturn in posting stats. There is a definite collaboration of why our poets enjoy MM. I'll excerpt the appropriate bits of the comments here.

Peggy Carpenter Harwood wrote:

Hi Cleo,

As far as web poetry sites go, MM is of inestimable value and offers and fosters a love of poetry which is difficult to measure with facts and figures. Oh, and indeed be assured that your time and expertise and encouragement are deeply appreciated!!!!

Peggy

Rus Bowden wrote:

MM is booming compared to other forums. You have quality here, even if quantity is on the downswing. MM is therefore very important to online poetry, especially with the hammer forums that are out their, designed to drive poets away.

Yours,
Rus

Xanadu wrote:

I enjoy MM a great deal. Mosiac exhibits a class that is seldom found in other forums. You have my utmost respect in keeping a "hands on" approach; something certain other boards should be paying more attention to. I find I am posting less and less to any boards for numerous reasons:, in fighting, slow responses if any, no follow up or workshopping and board running. Mosiac Musings does not suffer these ills and you are the one to be thanked that it does not! So, thank you.

jgdittier (Ron) wrote:

Dear Lori and All,
I've found MM to be a leader amongst the many poetry sites I've frequented. One truth seems to be that loyalty to poetry sites is minimal and that on the perception that activity is diminishing, many feel the urge to transfer. Perhaps a month is necessary to determine the true MM status now that we are facing it. May we all thank Lori for all her tremendous efforts. She deserves better!

Cheers, Ron jgd

Ephiny (Lucie) wrote:

Hello Lori and everyone,

I joined MM in 2003 and of all websites I have ever visited/joined/frequented, it has so many good memories and positive learning experiences for me and that's why I feel bad that I have so lax about it in the past year. In that time, of course, MM has changed a lot. I do continue to visit quite often and don't recognise so many faces or haven't yet caught up with all of the different forums. I don't see many of the people I remember from there, although there are still quite a few I know. This is no excuse..I know all I have to do is start posting and I will get to know everyone again; MM has always been so friendly. Maybe there are things that those of us who get involved could help with? What I've always enjoyed so much about MM is that there was always something new each time I visited. Perhaps a collection of thoughts in a survey or discussion form might shed light on things or be useful in some way?

I've probably lost track of quite a lot going on at the moment, and maybe plenty of this is happening already but another thing I always thought was great in MM was the challenges, like members choice etc. where people voted, and the Pandora challenges when they worked that way as well..they all created a gerat atmosphere, not of competitiveness (is that even a word!!) but of fun and participation.

I think it's important that you know what a brilliant place you have created and continue to create, and at the same time, please don't feel bad for wanting to do your own stuff as well; that is completely understandable and as things pick up, which I have every confidence they will, more participation might take the pressure off you as well.

Lori, again I send huge apologies for not being around more and I will do my very best now to "re-discover" MM and am looking forward to it! I hope you are well and that everything is going well for you; despite this small set-back. If we all pull together, I'm sure things will be back on track in no time.

Take care and let me know anything I could do to help. :)

Hugs,
Lucie xx

4rum (Sam) wrote:

Dear Lori;

I think that the proliferation of vanity sites has given many the urge to visit site after site looking for recognition or prominence without really putting forth an effort. You have put a great deal of yourself into MM. It is a work that you can be proud of. The standards here have not faltered as they have on many sites. My advice is, as long as you get ANY reward for your effort, keep it open even if you have to spend less time. The quality may suffer... or the membership may step up and give something back to this wonderful site. I feel that you are very capable of many things, the drive involved in keeping this site at this level of quality for this long is proof of that. I hope that as you sort through these sincere thoughts from caring hearts that you will find some resolution and peace. I know that the burden here has weighed heavily on you. Ultimately the decision is yours. I assure you, I will honor whatever it may be and cherish the friendship that you have afforded me.

Sam

JLY (John) wrote:

Lori,
I think people are always hesitant to make suggestions, particularly the newbies. The atmosphere here has always been open and friendly and I think it is a good, positive step to once again remind the members that all suggestions and comments are welcome.

JLY