How can we improve this union? An open discussion

In light of recent events and the departure of several long-time members, it's no doubt that our union is going through a rough spot.

So, I think it's time we had an open discussion about ways we can improve this union. This is not a thread for dissecting past conflicts and arguing over which side was justified and which side was not.

It's a forum for airing out your opinions on general ways we can improve; ways we can move forward. Ways we can keep this union together and sustain that sense of community and comradery that has been the hallmark of GUFU.

So if there is anything on your mind--whether it's suggestions for officers or members, ideas for new rules, or just general thoughts about where we went wrong and which way we as a union should be going--please share them here.

Another scantily clad women thread?Jandurin

I think things are actually pretty good here. We have a generally good group of people. The only change I would make would be just to have people be a little more active on the boards here. More gaming nights would be great as well.sonicare

Cleaning out the roster. (Bans, unused alts, inactive members, etc.)Ibacai

1. Not till we get a Graveyard.

2. No way.

3. Possibly (We''l definately give them a chance to be active first before we delete them.

This is the result of a long and serious disscussion the officers had a while back, This might change.

[QUOTE="Ibacai"]Cleaning out the roster. (Bans, unused alts, inactive members, etc.)lafigueroa

1. Not till we get a Graveyard.

2. No way.

3. Possibly (We''l definately give them a chance to be active first before we delete them.

This is the result of a long and serious disscussion the officers had a while back, This might change.

I think things are actually pretty good here. We have a generally good group of people. The only change I would make would be just to have people be a little more active on the boards here. More gaming nights would be great as well.sonicare

We need to obey the TOS. That would be a good start.musicalmac

I think we generally do. I don't think anybody committed any ToU violations while here. If ak47 was dodging here, then he may be breaking the ToU, but, as far as I know, we are not required by the ToU to report possible dodgers.

1. We should get more people involved. You know what, I say we should open this union for all people on Gamespot. We need some posters and we should change the focus of the union.

2. We should have more tournaments. We just need more people to be involved. We should give people days in advance before starting a tourney, not hours before.

3. We need more people's advice for the union. We need another officer to replace Sub. Also we need people's opinions in our GUFU government.

1. We should get more people involved. You know what, I say we should open this union for all people on Gamespot. We need some posters and we should change the focus of the union.blizzvalve

Another scantily clad women thread?Jandurin

only if there are scantily clad women posting. :)

[QUOTE="Jandurin"]Another scantily clad women thread?Ontain

only if there are scantily clad women posting. :)

1. We should get more people involved. You know what, I say we should open this union for all people on Gamespot. We need some posters and we should change the focus of the union.

2. We should have more tournaments. We just need more people to be involved. We should give people days in advance before starting a tourney, not hours before.

3. We need more people's advice for the union. We need another officer to replace Sub. Also we need people's opinions in our GUFU government.

blizzvalve

[QUOTE="sonicare"]I think things are actually pretty good here. We have a generally good group of people. The only change I would make would be just to have people be a little more active on the boards here. More gaming nights would be great as well.Ibacai

I also want a new way to find recruits.Like form teams each has a team leader of maybe 5 or 6 people each and have them cover ceritan forum sections of GS.Then have a report for every recruit that gets nominted and voted in.

Instead of focusing on gaming tournaments as a form of GUFU interaction, why not set up contests that involve the artistic or journalistic side of GUFU? Such examples include "GUFU Article of the Week", "GUFU Fanart of the Week" and "GUFU Review of the Week".

A weekly open roundtable also sounds like a good idea, where the higher ups can pick a topic and GUFU members can come into IRC and civilly discuss the issue. Afterwards, you can post the log for the rest to see as well as pick top debater of the subject. This will encourage regular interaction with members outside the forums.

Just tossing around ideas, of course.

Perhaps a mission statement of some sorts, which I don't see anywhere at the moment. Of course, that could be due to being tired.

Why are we all here? What's the purpose of this union? One can't ask where to go or how to improve without the goal first being outlined.

Another scantily clad women thread?Jandurin

I'm on it....

Spruce mentioned that there should be some sort of penalty system for officers and members alike. I agree. It's not a pleasant idea, but I think it's a necessary one.

There should also be some sort of process for kicking out existing members. There are a handful of people at SW (none of whom post here anymore, but they're still members and some wear our tag) whose posts are simply outside the bounds of what we're trying to represent. Our nomination system isn't perfect, so when a poster turns out not to be the kind of person we expected, there should be some system by which they can be booted.

And I like Rendarian's idea of putting together a mission statement.

As I said before, I think we need to clear the roster out, as in inactive members and banned people (send the inactive people who haven't posted in months a PM, give them a deadline of a month or so, if they respond, fine, if not....)

We also need more transparency on how things are decided, etc.

And lastly, I think a system of checks would be great, as in have someplace where users can say that they saw a GUFU member violating a GS rule, or a GUFU rule (a ToS violation or fanboy-type posting for example) and set up some sort of disciplinary system, like warnings and counseling, up to expulsion from the union.

I say we go with Blackbond's plan to make him leader for a week.8)VGobbsesser

I mean this would solve everything. What GUFU really needs is an all powerful Dictator *exuse me* I mean Leader.

[QUOTE="VGobbsesser"]I say we go with Blackbond's plan to make him leader for a week.8)Blackbond

I mean this would solve everything. What GUFU really needs is an all powerful Dictator *exuse me* I mean Leader.

I told you last time and I will tell you again,I will never allow dictation in this union.

[QUOTE="Blackbond"]

[QUOTE="VGobbsesser"]I say we go with Blackbond's plan to make him leader for a week.8)blizzvalve

I mean this would solve everything. What GUFU really needs is an all powerful Dictator *exuse me* I mean Leader.

I told you last time and I will tell you again,I will never allow dictation in this union.

Things to do list when BlackBond assumes Leadership. Punish the Blizzvalve and the rest of the non-believers :P

Perhaps a mission statement of some sorts, which I don't see anywhere at the moment. Of course, that could be due to being tired.

Why are we all here? What's the purpose of this union? One can't ask where to go or how to improve without the goal first being outlined.

Rendarian

That's a very good idea.

Theunion is fine. An argument happens on IRC and then I see posts like "GUFU is in a dark time. This could be the end for GUFU"

Its just an argument, stop acting like it is the end of the world. It gets blown out of proportion. Thats in the past lets just talk about the latest gaming news, I don't see a problem with GUFU itself and feel there is no need for improvment.

Theunion is fine. An argument happens on IRC and then I see posts like "GUFU is in a dark time. This could be the end for GUFU"

Its just an argument, stop acting like it is the end of the world. It gets blown out of proportion. Thats in the past lets just talk about the latest gaming news, I don't see a problem with GUFU itself and feel there is no need for improvment.

PelekotansDream

My thoughts exactly, lets just move on.

[QUOTE="blizzvalve"][QUOTE="Blackbond"]

[QUOTE="VGobbsesser"]I say we go with Blackbond's plan to make him leader for a week.8)Blackbond

I mean this would solve everything. What GUFU really needs is an all powerful Dictator *exuse me* I mean Leader.

I told you last time and I will tell you again,I will never allow dictation in this union.

Things to do list when BlackBond assumes Leadership. Punish the Blizzvalve and the rest of the non-believers :P

Over my dead corpse you're not. Close the gate and fire the cannons.

Things to do list when BlackBond assumes Leadership. Punish the Blizzvalve and the rest of the non-believers :PBlackbond

*bows down to dictator Blackdond to avoid punishment*

And lastly, I think a system of checks would be great, as in have someplace where users can say that they saw a GUFU member violating a GS rule, or a GUFU rule (a ToS violation or fanboy-type posting for example) and set up some sort of disciplinary system, like warnings and counseling, up to expulsion from the union.

SpruceCaboose

This is exactly what I think we need.

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]

And lastly, I think a system of checks would be great, as in have someplace where users can say that they saw a GUFU member violating a GS rule, or a GUFU rule (a ToS violation or fanboy-type posting for example) and set up some sort of disciplinary system, like warnings and counseling, up to expulsion from the union.

fuzzysquash

This is exactly what I think we need.

Thing of it is, I have introduced this idea before. And a lot of people felt that it would cause too much trouble here.

[QUOTE="fuzzysquash"][QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]

And lastly, I think a system of checks would be great, as in have someplace where users can say that they saw a GUFU member violating a GS rule, or a GUFU rule (a ToS violation or fanboy-type posting for example) and set up some sort of disciplinary system, like warnings and counseling, up to expulsion from the union.

jechtshot78

This is exactly what I think we need.

Thing of it is, I have introduced this idea before. And a lot of people felt that it would cause too much trouble here.

See, I think if we are supposed to be the "elite" posters, as in the ones who use logic and reason to refute fanboys, I think it is only rational to have a system in place to make sure that we all abide by our own rules and guidelines

Kinda like moderations in SW. You cross the line, they let you know about it. Keep doing it, you are done, but you can ask them, and appeal their decision...

MGS = interactive movie with an okay story = Jandurin -10 points sort of thing?

MGS = interactive movie with an okay story = Jandurin -10 points sort of thing?

Jandurin

No, that is an instant ban.:|

:P

heheh

I still say we should have an achievement plan.blizzvalve

I think we may be on to something. :P

Not a point system per se, but something like posting "fanboy" stuff, aka bashing without merit for the purpose of irritating or inflaming others, would warrant a "talking to" by the officers, just so we can make sure that all GUFU members uphold what the union is supposed to be about.SpruceCaboose

[QUOTE="SpruceCaboose"]Not a point system per se, but something like posting "fanboy" stuff, aka bashing without merit for the purpose of irritating or inflaming others, would warrant a "talking to" by the officers, just so we can make sure that all GUFU members uphold what the union is supposed to be about.FalconZero

lol, it's okay. Bashing Ninja Gaiden is an exception :wink:

Seriously though, this isn't about moderating people for every little post, or penalizing people for joke comments--it's about making sure that people who consistently misrepresent this union don't get to stay on our member list and damage our integrity by wearing the union's tag.

Speaking of which...where is YOUR tag, Fuzzy? ;)

Well, the only way to see how that'll work is giving it a test drive. Still not too into the idea, though...just me being paranoid. I doubt it'll change things much.

Speaking of which...where is YOUR tag, Fuzzy? ;)

Well, the only way to see how that'll work is giving it a test drive. Still not too into the idea, though...just me being paranoid. I doubt it'll change things much.

FalconZero

Well, there are no plans yet, however everything here will be discussed.