Merci/Thanks Front-Ranger, Jeff Wrangler, CellarDweller, and Phillip !!!!
I do not know whom to reply first and therefore, I will to you all named above, plus to members as well as non-members!! Via this post and more later on!
First of all, I do agree that Bettermost is a marvelous and good place, like you all do !!
With that, surely we can better and keep on bettering it - from the start when Phillip (and John? - forgive me John as I don't know you yet) and others started it, it became better and better, yes? !!! So why now not keep on that right path? - Surely, we can with the status quo (Bettermost as is), plus add new routes and/or ways, for many, many many known reasons, as well as unknown ones to date!! The main culture is there in Bettermost, and that is great, and that is why we all like it: First Nations members and others-etc. (of diffferent countries plus nationalities as well as religions or non-religious and races - etc.), Heterosexuals members, Lesbians members, Homosexual members, Trans and maybe other members, and everyone considers this Bettermost as home - common ground is Annie and the Brokeback Mountain movie which did and can still help us all in many wondrous ways!! ! Certain groups need a special place ? - Yes, and that is good too, as well as general forums - plus individuals blogs !!! It remains that certain members are afraid to talk freely - so ask yourself/ourselves why and try to help!!!
Lets us not forget that more and more are becoming members and that open door which Phillip and you/I continue, I cherish that! Do you want it closed? You don't! If you prefer it closed, then say so - since Phillip and others are open hearted like you are too !!! I learned and still learn every day on Bettermost - it's like a school ? !
Change is for the better? That seems to be a question! Of course, we are maybe afraid of changes! I often are, but that has helped me, in many strange as well as known ways!! Changes have already been done, many of them, and likely you are unaware of those? Maybe! So, you are confortable knowing them or not!! We all take turns not liking certain changes - that are what Phillip and moderators and all of us as members diid, and yet, somehow, we are still hereand that is GOOD ! Those who left, some want to come back - can we open the door to them too?
Front-Ranger, if I read you right, you did mention last year (was that before Christmas?) that changes are needed on Bettermost! Remember? I always respected you, highly so! And want to continue that!
Jeff, sorry that I do not know much about you nor you; may I aim to do so, and I ask that we help each other and others!!
Cellar, maybe we had disagreements or misunderstandgs in the past? - Great, that way we can better ourselves and get to help each other and others too!! I know that you have a good heart too!
We all have ups and downs, and most times we accept that from each other and aids one another: that is Bettermost!
Jess, as most of you know was a moderator, and at times at first, she displeased by some of her actions: deleting my posts, but I re-read, and re-asked why and she was a wonderful teacher and became a superb moderator as she became an educator too! She and others (moderators, Phillip and other members) here have saved really my life often!
Phillip you do continue to be committted to helping us and that is great with your openess! The fact that I am a gay man and that you accepted that on Bettermost, is most helpful and saved my life often and likely others too! Plus straights and others were helped too, with your open forums and open door policy!
Now, we have long time members, and we need help! We also have new members and they need help too!!
Yes, I did think last night in bed for 5 hours that ombudman/woman/person is needed. I'll come back to that!
Besides an ombudsperson, I came to think that also a Committe of Issues is needed too! Then, on the John this monring, you know how artist think that way ha! ha! too- we also may need a Board of Governance!
When those 3 things will be needed? 1- Obudsperson 2- Committee of Issues 3- Boeard of Governance !!!
I think that for now, a Committee if Issues is needed. Because we tends to friendly fight in some ways on real issues (that is good as are such discussion of issues!), then we become tensed and so conflicts easily arrive, and it's hard to see clear with emotions! A Committee of Issues can help, because instead of dealing with negatives, it will deal with positives!
I hope that you will ponder that for now, and posts many times each of you, and that all (or nearly all members) will.
Awaiting your thoughts, ideas, etc.,
au revoir,
hugs!
