Hi Jodie,
No it wasn?t anything you said :D. I was just so pleased to see you still contributing to the forum when you?ve been in NZ long term now and I wanted to use that as an example to others of how they, too, can still play a useful part. The only people who can tell Lil Amy, and others like her, about Wellie are those that have been living there for some time. My comments stem from the fact that some folks in the past have appeared on the forum spasmodically, actually stating that they don?t feel they have anything useful left to contribute. We have so many people now in NZ who have gone through the immigration process and know first hand how it works. They are also the people on the ground in NZ who have inside info on the different towns and cities and how life is there.
Take this particular thread, for instance. Lil Amy is asking for inside info on Wellie. We have quite a few people who are established in Wellie, but only you have answered. Quite frankly a forum can?t function without its members? contributions and this is the way we?re heading. We?ve lost several of our regular posters lately since they?ve settled, with no one coming up to replace them. The writing's on the wall.
I try to fill in where I can, but my experience is not first hand and I don?t have knowledge of NZ other than from one visit. My posts aren?t really what people want to read, as they?d prefer it from the horse?s mouth which, of course, is the best way. I have to admit I often find it really difficult putting answers together with my limited knowledge and it takes hours of research. Someone else with the experience behind them can answer in minutes. I suppose you could say it?s a cry for help on my part.
I fully understand that it?s difficult for new immigrants to find time to post when they?re starting their new life, but there comes a time when things settle down. A peek into the forum once a week or once a month would still have merit and it?s good to keep up to date with how they?re doing. I often see previously very active members looking in, but they never post any more although I know they could have.
I can also understand that a lot of people simply don?t need the forum any more once in NZ, but I don?t know how to compromise this fact with the needs of the forum to continue running. I guess I?m struggling with the thought that other forums can do it and thrive, but ours just seems to limp along. I assume it?s because their forums are great places to hang out. Or perhaps it's me, frightening people off
.gif)
. The idea is, because it?s only a small forum, to encourage friendships to form offsite as well as on and this has already happened in some happy cases. We have a great tool in the forum, but we?re not getting the most out of it. Has anyone got any ideas on how to make the forum a better place to be? Even if it means stepping down myself because I?m thought to be too overbearing, I would gladly do it.
Meanwhile, I?d like to give a sincere ?Thank you? to those who continue to support the forum.
