I really am so sorry if you feel this site is clique-ish. Personally I have found everyone extremely helpful from the time I posted my first question to when I posted recently about having a bad day. I think some posts don't get answered because they get pushed down the line when people answer another post, not because you may be you don't have a lot of posts. I have a post right now that hasn't been answered and got moved down and that is ok. Things happen, and other topics are sometimes the "hot" topics. Personally I try to answer the ones that I feel I have something to offer to. I certainly don't think that your posts were ignored because you have a few posts. I really feel like everyone really wants to help everyone. I have learned so much from people who just make a one time reply to those who are regulars. That is what makes the site so great, You constantly see new people coming on and offering their opinions and questions. And even if I am not posting, I can lurk around and learn something new. I think that anyone who makes a post is taken seriously. We all are running short of time these days and for someone to sit down and type out a question or response is a big deal.
I certainly respect your feelings on this but am very sorry you feel like this. Please continue coming here and offering your advice and questions. I personally need all the help I can get from as any different people as possible. [img]smile.gif[/img]

No apology necessary. What you voiced has always been and remains a concern of mine.

Couple of thoughts:

1. I think I know what the poster meant by "serious". It wasn't that folks with few posts aren't serious or that those with many posts are better. More of a first check. When I'm "ad policing", for example, I often use that post number as one measure -- nearly all of our spammers and/or nonsense posters are unregistered or have fewer than 10 posts.

2. I actually make an extra point -- when I can -- to reply to new posters faster and more comprehensively than oldies. Some topics just a) aren't ripe for lots of discussion/don't hit achord; or b) are posted at a funny time and get lost under a tumult of other busy threads. That happens to all, no matter the number of posts. I had to bump one of my ow threads back up to the top this week (in fact, it was the "suggestions" thread that you're referencing here) when there was no response for 24 hours.

All that said, your concern is also my number 1 concern for these boards. We work really hard to keep them welcoming and not cliquish. And we will continue to do so. You're more than welcome as are all of your associates and all other one-timers or "lurkers" or 6-timers. Seriously.

Our "regulars" provide an invaluable service -- they provide great insight and an active presence and a ton of great ideas (often from experience).

You're right, though, that the danger here is exactly the same danger that creeps into active parent groups. The old regulars -- with no ill will whatsoever and only the best of intentions -- can (unless they actively enforce policies that will prevent it) come to appear as a closed society. Exactlky the opposite of the impression they'd like to give.

Thank you very much for the feedback. We will continue to work on it.

Tim

As one with lots of posts - I dont think low #'s matter- I dont look at 'em when deciding to post, it depends on what the topic is and whether I have info or an opinion- with so many topics and posts (and only 1 stays on top of each header) either repeats or in the wrong heading its hard to respond sometimes.

Sometimes we just dont have answers for - some need to learn to use the search function first (i personally have hardtime answering the 10th question on ie. Donuts and Dads (when the heading has 9 headings right below it on the same topic), then post a question if no answer is found, weekends are the hardest (take the longest) time to get answers from whaat I've seen, I try hard to keep my cliqueness to pg 2 (but its hard for me when I have an opinion or info on most everything)

I post a lot (some good- some bad) because I have 15 yrs of PTA/PTO experience -- this is a place I can help others in a small way, when the next genration takes over this country and I'm older and grayer (I dont want uneducated and unrespectful poeple running things) I want a smooth and uneventful retirement and elder years-- my apologies if your question(s) was overlooked

[ 10-06-2006, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Shawn ]

First of all, I understand reading someone's thoughts in a post can sometimes come across the wrong way but, anyway, here goes. On another topic in this board it was stated the # of posts under a names shows it's helpful because it shows...
"...if someone is serious."

I have posted 30 or 40 posts over almost a year, obviously not using my log-in for this one, but I have loved this web-site, it's people and it's information for over a year now, for the most part. Sometimes I believe I have a helpful comment. But, just because I don't have a large number of posts doesn't mean I'm not serious.

Some questions I have asked I'd hoped one of the several "seasoned veterans" of this board might answer or help with some advice so, now I wonder - were my inquiries ignored as I didn't have a big number of posts under my belt? I have noticed the low "numbers" under others log-in names that seem to go unanswered too.

To Tim,
I apologize for the off-color post but this has been bothering me for a while, as well as several other friends of mine in the county I live in, in several school districts that I led to this web-site for info. PTO has tried to get rid of the "clique" feeling but it's evident on these message boards.