VIP System Town Hall

[Hal Jordan]

It's time for another Town Hall. This Town Hall has a specific focus, the VIP system. This is a fairly unique system, and we (Mods and VIPs) are taking a serious look at it and were wanting input from the membership.

What are your general thoughts on the VIP system?

What ways would be beneficial for improving member input on forum management? Examples would include a suggestion box, Town Halls, ease in becoming VIPs, etc.

What are some ideas that you have for the VIP system?

Now, as this Town Hall has a specific focus, there are some ground rules that need to be set. The focus is the VIP system, and off-topic posts will lead to threadbans. The focus is not specific VIPs or former VIPs, and trying to make them a focus will lead to threadbans. With those warnings out of the way, let discussion commence.

[Captain Obvious]

VIP's are dropping like flies and I understand VIP activity is minimal outside of $#@!ing.

[Cletus]

Have the VIPs selected by the general membership.

[Hal Jordan]

Have the VIPs selected by the general membership.

How would you suggest that be done? This question is for the others that suggested a more democratic method of selecting VIPs as well.

[Cletus]

How would you suggest that be done? This question is for the others that suggested a more democratic method of selecting VIPs as well.

What a slot is available, open the forum for nominations for a set period of time. When the nomination period is over, take the top 2 or 3 or whatever number you choose and open the forum for a general election, also for a set time period. What that time has expired, close the balloting and count the votes.

[Ethereal]

Have the VIPs selected by the general membership.

Why keep them around at all?

[Agent Cooper]

Why keep them around at all?

That's the truth.

The two mysteries of forums:
1. VIP status. Who wants it? Who needs it?
2. Post count. Get a forking life, for God's sake. When I see a poster with a high post count, I shun him/her. I don't much care for forum $#@!s.

[Cletus]

Why keep them around at all?

I don't see a whole lot of use for them if they serve no real purpose. I am just suggesting that IF we are going to have them, they should be elected by the general membership.

[jimmyz]

Aside from reading other member's opinions about specific VIPs and the VIP system in general I've not had the existence of a VIP forum or specific VIP members overtly affect me on tPF. I do understand they direct policy changes and probably have input in membership punishment.

I do second Cletus' idea that VIPs elected by members is a good idea. We could have a length of term and a good rotation of VIPs.

Do VIPs resign or are they elected out by the VIP membership?

Its difficult to opine on a sub-membership who's inner workings are secret.

[Hal Jordan]

Aside from reading other member's opinions about specific VIPs and the VIP system in general I've not had the existence of a VIP forum or specific VIP members overtly affect me on tPF. I do understand they direct policy changes and probably have input in membership punishment.

I do second Cletus' idea that VIPs elected by members is a good idea. We could have a length of term and a good rotation of VIPs.

Do VIPs resign or are they elected out by the VIP membership?

Its difficult to opine on a sub-membership who's inner workings are secret.

For the most part, VIPs have resigned in the past. There are circumstances where they can be removed, though.