First Mates ... greeters & mentors

[GaiaGirl Pearl]

Malibu mentioned during the infamous Trial that y'all had an active Greeter & Mentor Program ... shall we give that a boost? I'm not sure what's happened in the past with this - can someone pls fill us in with a brief history (so we don't have to reinvent the wheel)?

Calling for volunteers to greet & mentor the newer folk within our community ... maybe post whether you can be a Greeter (hang out at the LMs into Anty - the dock and in town) or Mentor [um, like a Corporal (military) or First Mate (navy & pirate)]

... whats the best time(s) that you're available? Is it possible to use the ning for a roster (if we want to be that organised)?

[Malibu DuPont]

More good ideas Pamus!

I think that Her Grace was working on expanding this Ning setup, so that it does indeed incorporate the other forum site.... with the aim being to provide a "one stop shop" kinda thing.

Welcome Packs are a fabulous idea too.

[Marlee Laval]

We HAD a welcome centre implemented last year (March - Sept 2008). Slam and I built the Welcome Centre in Tortuga - and had the TP for the whole sim set in front of it. We filled the building with posters of active factions (including the RAN) and events in the community - with TPs and notecards about who to contact/where to go so visitors could get a feel for all sides and get background info. We also set up freebie boxes, and a welcome packet that included the ROE and lots of other stuff. We were told that this would be rolled out region wide. I don't believe that ever happened.

Unfortunately, Gregg changed the lot the building was on, and the tier went up astronomically on that little piece we were maintaining out of our own pockets to welcome new people - and as usual, we had folks fighting Slam and me on anything we did, so out of exasperation, we finally just took it down. We spent a good deal of time and money driving that location up in the SL search results- and we still have a decent flow of traffic hitting that spot ( too bad it's in Hoo and Lizzy's living room now...). I believed then and still do that creating centralized locations for visitors to get valid information is very beneficial.

Btw, Merryann Munster tried to revive it in the Fall and the last time she and I had in depth conversations this was the subject -- recreating the Welcome Centre and instituting it other areas of town. The dialogue had been very positive- (which is why I was so surprised when scolded me here...) - but again I don't think it was ever implemented region wide...

[Drake Moyer]

We have a reception in Citadel, to tie in with recruitment and free equiping. It works a treat and makes my sl a lot easier. I too have worked at getting the traffic up to make sure we list well. More such areas will make a difference.

[GaiaGirl Pearl]

Good-o ~ all great comments. There are links located under the Groups on the Main Page of this ning to the Antiquity Gazette and the Ship of the Line websites ... is the Gazette the 'main' website that you're refering to, Pamus?

All good. TY

[Pamus Bing]

It was the PHPBB Forum I referred to GaiaGirl
If I ever come across new people, I try to help all I can often taking them to the Visitors Centre so they can get a more general view of Antiquity. (I think my latest victim was a Vicar) One thing I never do is push my own or any other Groups, as Antiquity is so divers people need to make up their own minds. Marilee’s and Slams Welcome Centre was a good place for Pirates to start, as the two areas gave Antiquity some balance.
Been a prolific profile reader, and with a few questions it is surprising how quickly some people can be sussed out.

[GaiaGirl Pearl]

PHPBB Forum? Can we have a link please :)

[Bridget Jennings]

This is it Gaia http://www.antiquitycommunity.com/phpbb/

[Lisbeth Constantine]

The problem with the PHPBB Forum vis-a-vis new visitors to Antiquity is that you have to be a registered member of the forum and logged in to be able to read it. Because new registrations have to be approved by a moderator, it can be several hours before a new person can even see the information, by which time they may have lost interest in Antiquity.

Basic newbie information should be presented on a view-only web page that anyone can access.

[GaiaGirl Pearl]

Good point Lis. I'll start work on that tomorrow. The only way I can do a view-only section here in the ning is to make it a blog and pre-approve comments, so perhaps anyone has more thoughts on whether it be a blog or an open thread? Methinks an open thread would be OK, and even invite comment & contributions from others.

[GaiaGirl Pearl]

Ahoy - I've cut & paste the most relevant points over into a thread in the senator's section of the forum so we can continue moving this project forward. Great comments and suggestions everyone, thanks for contributing :)

[Bridget Jennings]

I believe we could have a read only area in the phpbb that would be viewable by guests, but I am not positive about this. We should check with the Grand Duchess when she returns later this week (she has quite a bit more experience with setting forum permissions than I do).

[Sharrah Brendel]

I thought the greeters program in Antiquity a year or more ago was wonderful. It helped new people to feel comfortable, get information and most of all, feel welcome. Indeed it would be nice to see that begin again...