To my Smack Sistahs and Brothers --
This thread seeks to establish some of the guiding principles that we can use to make our group projects work better. I’ve discussed the ideas below with several board members, and what is below is a composite of the ideas that people seemed to care most about. I’d like very much for ALL project people to get involved in refining these ideas, so that we can use the results as kind of a pledge to one another when we engage in group projects.


My plan is to leave this open for discussion for a while. Please comment and suggest changes below. I’ll edit this post as changes are agreed upon within the thread. Once we have this finalized, I’ll remove this introduction so that we have guidelines we can refer to as needed.


ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME HERE!!! SPEAK UP!!!


Teach

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This is the current revision as of 10/8/09 Original is in purple text below.

WHAT IS A GROUP PROJECT?
A group project is a combined effort on the part of many board members to celebrate, acknowledge, and do kindness towards a band member or other person(s) involved in the Smack Board experience.

A group Project is NOT

*an invitation to show off or draw attention to yourself as a fan or board member


*an attempt to gain favor from a band member

*a competition between board members to see who can do the most or the best.


HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN A GROUP PROJECT
All projects will be developed within threads in the projects forum. There will be a discussion period for each project followed by a sign up period. Once you sign up to be part of a project, you will be included in the private message group for the project. As projects evolve, we use pm’s because we don’t want to share details of the projects with the recipients. Also, we often exchange private contact information such as e-mail addresses, phone numbers, etc. that would not be appropriate in a public forum.

MEMBERS OF A GROUP
For a group to function well, each member must take their responsibilities seriously. If you sign on for a project, you’re making commitment to fulfill your role.

CONTRIBUTORS Agree to submit their work within the specifications given for a project (sizes, materials, etc.) They agree to meet project deadlines.They understand that they will need to purchase project supplies, either through the group or on their own depending on the project, and that they will need to arrange for delivery of their items to the production people. They can expect their work to be included in un-altered form, respectfully, and with recognition of their participation.

PRODUCTION TEAM (or person) Agrees to assemble contributions within the context of the design plan agreed upon by the group and articulated by the project leader. Agrees to consult with the contributor and or the group in cases where technical issues necessitate change to work submitted. Agrees to consult with the group and leader to decide how production problems will be solved (Missing pieces, past deadline submissions, etc.) Can expect to receive compensation as agreed upon by the group to cover costs. Can expect role and effort to be recognized when project is delivered.

PROJECT LEADER (or leaders) Agrees to actively recruit group members from the entire board membership. Agrees to support and encourage discussion of project ideas to ensure that everyone's ideas are given fair consideration.
Agrees to communicate decisions and finalized plans once consensus is reached. Agrees to support contributors and production team by ensuring communication and solving problems.
The Project Leaders will have final say on issues including recognition of participants and delivery of projects. Project leaders will be able to assign tasks to contributors and or production people in order to see the project completed.



What is most important is that we do these very good projects like the family we are – with respect, care and concern for one another. In the end everyone involved should feel good about the amazing things we manage to accomplish.

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THIS IS THE FIRST DRAFT AS ORIGINALLY POSTED


WHAT IS A GROUP PROJECT?

WHAT IS A GROUP PROJECT?
A group project is a combined effort on the part of many board members to celebrate, acknowledge, and do kindness towards a band member or other person(s) involved in the Smack Board experience.

A group Project is NOT

*an invitation to show off or draw attention to yourself as a fan or board member


*an attempt to gain favor from a band member

*a competition between board members to see who can do the most or the best.


HOW TO GET INVOLVED IN A GROUP PROJECT
All projects will be developed within threads in the projects forum. There will be a discussion period for each project followed by a sign up period. Once you sign up to be part of a project, you will be included in the private message group for the project. As projects evolve, we use pm’s because we don’t want to share details of the projects with the recipients. Also, we often exchange private contact information such as e-mail addresses, phone numbers, etc. that would not be appropriate in a public forum.

MEMBERS OF A GROUP
For a group to function well, each member must take their responsibilities seriously. If you sign on for a project, you’re making commitment to fulfill your role.

CONTRIBUTORS Agree to submit their work within the specifications given for a project (sizes, materials, etc.) They agree to meet project deadlines. They can expect their work to be included in un-altered form, respectfully, and with recognition of their participation.

PRODUCTION TEAM (or person) Agrees to assemble contributions within the context of the design plan agreed upon by the group and articulated by the project leader. Agrees to consult with the contributor and or the group in cases where technical issues necessitate change to work submitted. Agrees to consult with the group and leader to decide how production problems will be solved (Missing pieces, past deadline submissions, etc.) Can expect to receive compensation as agreed upon by the group to cover costs. Can expect role and effort to be recognized when project is delivered.

PROJECT LEADER (or leaders) Agrees to actively recruit group members from the entire board membership. Agrees to support and encourage discussion of project ideas to ensure that everyone's ideas are given fair consideration.
Agrees to communicate decisions and finalized plans once consensus is reached. Agrees to support contributors and production team by ensuring communication and solving problems.
The Project Leaders will have final say on issues including recognition of participants and delivery of projects. Project leaders will be able to assign tasks to contributors and or production people in order to see the project completed.



What is most important is that we do these very good projects like the family we are – with respect, care and concern for one another. In the end everyone involved should feel good about the amazing things we manage to accomplish.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Teach,

quote:

Originally posted by Teach:
Can expect to receive compensation as agreed upon by the group to cover costs. Can expect role and effort to be recognized when project is delivered.

This doens't include cost to deliver said project though. I wouldn't want anyone to be under the assumption that heading a project, or being a part of the delivery of project would be a free ride to get in a show or meet the guys.

Excellent Point!!! Will be worked in!

indeed lea. we've always covered those costs on our own since we'd be there anyway.

but you meant costs for the project itself - not the delivery process (which is often a pain in the arse to pull together!! lolol!!)

i know im not much of a poster/participant in much here so maybe im outta line or dont know what im talking about ? its sad when some1 actually has to come up with rules/guidelines for something that is intended for fun + from the heart projects cause some ppl i guess think its done for profit , free show or to meet the band ? i thought that as adults it would be just understood that it was from the heart + just to do something nice for some1 ? does everything have to be for profit ? give a HUGE to teach for tagging her name to this theres prob a few that thought same but she was the lucky/unlucky person to do it ? this opinion/rant doesnt mean im not going to participate in projects ive agreed to unless y'all dont want me to + maybe ive crossed or stepped over the line with my opinion + what ive said now ?

Yous guys are so smart!!! (OR this writer sometimes knows not how stupidly she writes...) Of course the intention is not to focus on the $ or even to suggest any sort of freebe or benefit to anyone! Do the changes in YELLOW andStrikethrough improve the clarity?

quote:

CONTRIBUTORS Agree to submit their work within the specifications given for a project (sizes, materials, etc.) They agree to meet project deadlines.They understand that they will need to purchase project supplies (either through the group or on their own depending on the project, and that they will need to arrange for delivery of their items to the production people. They can expect their work to be included in un-altered form, respectfully, and with recognition of their participation.

PRODUCTION TEAM (or person) Agrees to assemble contributions within the context of the design plan agreed upon by the group and articulated by the project leader. Agrees to consult with the contributor and or the group in cases where technical issues necessitate change to work submitted. Agrees to consult with the group and leader to decide how production problems will be solved (Missing pieces, past deadline submissions, etc.) Can expect to receive compensation as agreed upon by the group to cover costs. Can expect role and effort to be recognized when project is delivered.

Rockhanger -- YOU MOST CERTAINLY ARE AN IMPORTANT MEMBER OF THIS GROUP!!!!

THANK YOU for your really solid observations and comments. It is really great to have a person who is new to the dynamics of how these things go to add much needed perspective to the conversation.

These projects are really an awesome experience. However, with each one we hit some bumps in the road. I'm trying to find ways to smooth those bumps before we hit them.

Keep up the involvement, the helpful criticism,and the observations!!!

Oh... and don't even THINK of bailing out on the projects you've expresed interest in... We got ya & we's gonna keep ya!!!

i was just meaning or voicing that i myself feel bad that it had to come to having to post what u did because not ev1 it seems thinks thats its just ppl being nice ? maybe i shouldnt post when in an angry mood i dont explain what im saying ? point i guess was trying to make was its too bad u had to spell it out for ppl that dont get it that there are some ppl that actually do things + dont expect things in return unless its to cover cost of said projects

HOLY COW!!! are we actually discussing something kinda important here?????

Too much for me.... I'm going off to hide in that la-la land known as the waiting room... it's my comfy place.

Rock -- everyone involved in these things IS really nice -- it's just that we all sometimes flip our stupid switches and do or say a-hole things...

quote:

Originally posted by Teach:
Rock -- everyone involved in these things IS really nice -- it's just that we all sometimes flip our stupid switches and do or say a-hole things...

Flip our stupid switches I love it!

Is there any restrictions on "who" is eligible to participate in projects. I know in the past people who "just joined" were not allowed to participate until they have proven they were not a fly by night person who would stiff the project.
I am thinking that maybe we can have people pay for costs upfront? That way we know who is serious from the get go.
For a quilt, the squares do not get sent until they are paid for. etc...

Tam would be exempt from this seeing as postal costs for her are a lot more then they are for us in the states, she could do like she has for every other project.

I think that now with the posting of the "rules", it follows under the contributors section where once you agree to participate, then you are also agreeing to see it through. Plus, when we are responsible for our own costs...it tends to increase the chances that they will see it through. That would eliminate (most) fly by night peeps.

quote:

Originally posted by Teach:
it's just that we all sometimes flip our stupid switches and do or say a-hole things...

Nut-uh! My stoopid switch is under the bed....with the bedazzler.