How to encourage new participants

[Mary996]

How can we encourage newcomers to participate in the Community Centre? 

There are probably many seasoned Hosts who have never been here or have visited and been put off for some reason. It can be a tough environment and I do not appreciate this.

I was thinking that new Hosts might be directed here as part of a their 'inset' or orientation where they will have the opportunity to learn more and to ask questions or to make the kind of suggestions that fresh faces and fresh perspectives can bring. But I do feel that an element of self-help and of reciprocity is warranted with an expectation that everyone will take their turn. How would it be if Hosts were allocated periods when they are 'on-duty' and expected to respond to Guests and to other Hosts?

In the long run having an element of self-help makes good economic sense. It also contributes to shaping the organisation in the way we would like it to be. An appreciative and supportive place. Any thoughts??????? 

[Mary996]

A 'not confirmed' button or 'are we sure that's right' button or way of politely bringing a point into question sounds like a good idea when there has been a mistake or an over-enthusiastic contribution. I also agree @Emilia42 . But a thumbs down might not bring out the best in people perhaps? 

[Colleen253]

@Mary996 You are a kind and sweet person who cares a lot, about many things, that's clear. But the CC isn't a kindergarten class where it's all sunshine and roses all the time, and every kid gets an award or trophy just for showing up. No need to try so hard to micromanage the CC. Let the folks on here be adults (or not) and let the Mods do their jobs. They do it well.

[Mary996]

Thank you so much for your very kind words about my motivation @Colleen253 . I appreciate you too,  your many good qualities and your contribution here. 

Hmmmm micromanaging the CC .... No thanks haha!! I wouldn't want the job!!!!

I agree that there are issues of interpretation here that are important and as it happens I was just about to reply to Stephanie on this very point as she raises questions to be considered. May I draw you in to these further nuances?

Actually I wasn't intending to promote any big changes just rathermore the expectation of courtesy and co-operation and the recognition of our differing talents. As there is a more technical aspect to our workings I prefer to be more of a support person offering tea and sympathy as it were. But when it comes to seeming to know the nitty gritty of the updates and the details of moving around the site and its components then from me I would have to say that the award goes to ..... @Mike-And-Jane0 . If its Mike who participates here I would like him to know this. In fact maybe we could go onto an all out appreciation binge....!! I would like to acknowledge those who have served long term and to say what I appreciate rather than what I find difficult because when this happens everything can change. I would like to see some sort of token payment or other remuneration go to both Sarah and Andrew. I have seen them on the boards diligently answering questions and it has been awe inspiring and admirable. I agree with others who say that they like it short and sweet and with others still who refer to things getting jaded from possible burn out. Lets bring in back up!!

[Sarah977]

@Mary996 I have no interest in token payments, remuneration, or awards for being a participant in this forum. Nor in the praising/ put down flip flops you have been directing at me. 

As Colleen said, this isn't a kindergarten class- the adults I know don't require gold stars as encouragement to do what they do.

[Mary996]

Hi Colleen  @Colleen253 

Apols for taking so long to get back  ...I had to attend to a diversion. Many thanks indeed for replying and for your kind words. I appreciated that before including reference to the tougher material which you wished to convey, you prefixed it with something appreciative since it is tactful to include a positive with the negative.

I also agree that this is not a kindergarten and also that no-one is obliged to turn up. For me I was interested to explore the CC and its been quite the experience but I don't have to be here. I am concerned however that if the group doesn't enlarge and become more outward looking that other newcomers may have the same experience that I have and therefore that they may not stay.   

[Suzanne302]

@Emilia42  Along those same lines I've often wished we could delete our own posts! I'll see a notification pop up as someone has commented or "thumbs upped" a very old post I've made that is not necessarily incorrect info, but outdated info as we all evolve as hosts and things change.

[Colleen253]

Not sure why the rest of my comment was removed. I did not name anyone in my plagiarism reference. 

[Stephanie]

Hey @Colleen253 

I just took a look at the edited post and agree that it was edited erroneously. I’ve restored it for you.

Thanks for flagging,

Stephanie 

[Mark116]

@Mary996  This probably isn't what you want to hear, but I am of the ' if it isn't broke, don't fix it' view, especially since most things that Airbnb 'fixes' end up worse than they were before.

It may be that the gentle people out there are afraid to respond, or it may be that the best advice comes from people who are straightforward, even if this directness can be perceived as harsh.

I found the forum when I was looking for an answer to a question--how to snooze the listing--that I couldn't find among Airbnb's multitude of opaque TOS.  Of course I never actually saw the responses because of some Airbnb glitch....but I found the forum and it has been absolutely the MOST helpful thing in being a host.  I find out new Airbnb policies here.  I am alerted to Airbnb glitches here.  I get good tips here.  I get much amusement from other hosts stories of crazy guests.

The only positive suggestion would be that Airbnb could make the forum more visible and easier to access for guests and hosts, so its existence would pop out on the home page and not be something down in the weeds of the help section.

[Mary996]

Love it @Mark116 . Thanks so much for so kindly responding.

Down in the weeds...haha! Yes perhaps it could be elevated!! (But then we would really need a massive increase in numbers responding on here... so perhaps this is a timely moment to raise the matter!!!)

Well I do agree in principle with you that if it ain't broke etc ... and I also acknowledge that it works for you and I've seen you participating you do a good job. Thank you!! However if I may say I would put you in with the tougher bunch...!! HOWEVER that said ...'to the point' is what some want.... and so for them its entirely appropriate But there are some perhaps like me who are a little bit more tender and like a softer approach so whilst for you its not broke... for me it is (just a little bit) not 'optimal'. Does that help? 

[Sarah977]

@Mary996  Things will never be "optimal" for everyone on an online forum. Did it ever occur to you that the more "tough love" posters find sugar-coated bleeding heart posts to not be "optimal"?

[Mary996]

Yes Sarah you do make that bleeding obvious. I'm sorry you feel so helpless about inclusiveness.

Thing is the obligation is on us to accept everyone and their bleats and irritating elements of thought and concern.

[Sarah977]

@Mary996  Helpless about inclusiveness? Not sure where you pulled that one out of. 

As I said, we are all adults here. No one has an "obligation" to cater to anyone else's personal sensitivities. 

We have moderators here who work hard and do an excellent job of keeping things in line. Thank goodness they don't act as censors of anything they don't happen to personally agree with.

There is nothing stopping you or anyone from starting your own hosting forum only filled with those whose way of expressing themselves meets their approval.

[Mary996]

This is my point Sarah. You don't get to define what constitutes an adult.

[Sarah977]

@Mary996  The definition of adult is now something open to interpretation and alternative facts? There are legal definitions of what age someone is considered to be an adult. That is the definition I go by.