Group and Forum Changes

Hello everyone!

Its a New Year for AOME, and another one of Fellowship and Gatherings. This group has made it into its third year. We have seen the LOTR Fandom through its ups and downs and our Fellowship continues on its journey. I know many of us hope to see "The Hobbit" become a reality but in the meantime we will keep the Beacons burning.

Arms of Middle Earth has always been a group opened to anyone who shared the love of Tolkien. Many of us have discovered over the years that we also share other fandoms as well. To keep the momentum of our group strong and to promote our continued Fellowship, I have decided to open some more forums on the board dedicated to other Fandoms. This was actually discussed right after Dragoncon as a means to encourage further discussion on the boards. This group will stay formost a LOTR group with that being our main priority. I just feel that opening more sections on the board will give us many things to talk about and will help us all to stay in touch. We will give it a test run to see how it works. The forums can always be deleted if the group decides they do not like it. The current mods were informed about this awhile ago and have been assigned to sections of their interest.

Along with this change comes a group leadership announcement. As some of you are aware Gayle is no longer a member of AOME. She resigned via Livejournal at the end of October. To those of you that are just finding out, I'm sorry that it was not mentioned earlier. I was hoping that she would announce it herself. Since it has fallen on me, I would like to extend my thanks to Gayle for not only founding this group but introducing many of us to each other through its existance. So bear with me folks as I get used to running things without a co-pilot. As many of you know, I promoted both Maddy and Foe to moderator positions to help run the group. I plan on promoting a couple more members shortly to help oversee the new forums. Many of you have pledged to continue on with our Fellowship and ride it until the last LOTR fan sails into the West. We have several upcoming events like Chattacon, Renfest, and Dragoncon to keep us busy. I look back with gratitude at how it all started, but I look forward with the Fellowship that will come.

If any members have any questions or ideas concerning the group, please email me or PM me here on the boards. Suggestions are most welcome! If there is anyone that would like to become more directly involved with the group then please let me know.


~Fiver

I like it. It is good to change with the times, and for a group like this I feel it is a wise move. I was quite surprised when I logged on, but I knew something was up.
I have interests in other genre as well, and most of them you have outlined here, but you need never worry about ol' Gandalf sailing into the west.

~Gandalf

I suppose it would be useless to say that I don't believe the changes are for the best. I'll only be told, whether here or privately, that this is good for the group and everything will work out, that this isn't a big deal.

Those are my opinions, take them as you will. I don't care anymore. When it comes to AoME, I don't have any fight left in me.

-Rose

I must say that I am with Rose on this one. I think such changes are unnesassary. Things were fine before, no change was needed.

I understand that the forum change might not be liked by everyone, and if there is not enough interest in it then it will be swapped back. A few folks thought it might be cool to try it out, so we will let it run for awhile to see what happens.

The layout will be moved around some so the board isnt quite so looooooooooooong.

~Mel

I like the idea of new forums. Maybe I'll discover a new love! likeeeeee Anime uhhh sorry Mel, NOT!

Go for it. Try the changes. These changes can always be undone if we find it doesn't work. But, I bet it will.



I'm behind you 100%.

Being curious as I tend to be, I would like to know why those who think the changes are bad think that? If it doesn't expand the chatter and conversation I say let it go back to the way it was. I don't think something like this will kill the forums or AOME, but if you think it will, tell me why.

SORRY, JUST READ YOUR LJ POST
Rose - You say you have no fight left in you for AOME. Since you brought it up, what have you been fighting for in AOME? I am sure if you bring it out in the open (as you kinda did already by telling us) people will either help you in your fight or stand their ground against your fists of fury. Either way, I think it a good thing to bring into the light what exactly your 'fight' is. If it is private, I apologize and ask you to not hint at things that aren't in the interest of the group. Not attacking you, just trying to help the board.

Also, I'm a bit slow as well, but was that last post which contained "I don't care anymore" an official goodbye to AOME? I sure hope not. Are you saying you just want to sit in for the ride or are you getting off the bus? Please pardon my ignorance.

Okay, I agree, it really took up a lot of space, so I shortened it to one board per, and put it in a section called "Alternate Fandom." I think this is much more Fung Shui.

And I want to add my thoughts on the change: This is NOT AoME "watering itself down" by adding forums for other fandoms. We arent out to get new members based on these new fandoms, we are only trying to provide a place for existing members to talk about their other interests. Almost everyone at DragonCon came with more than one costume, almost everyone here has interests BESIDES Lord of the Rings. So why not have them talk about the other fandoms here?

And yes, this is an experiment. We'll give this a few months and see if it works out.

The new shortened version is in improvement. Maybe "The Green Dragon" subtitle should read something like "a place to discuss things not related to fandoms or conventions." It could be a place to talk about upcoming holidays, what's going on in our lives, etc.

There's a lot of negative vibes going on around here. Any criticisms should be constructive or just kept to yourself.

Also, not everyone reads line journals.

Hey,

I know I'm not around much, but I'm really going to try to be now. I think the new categories are a great idea. A great way for AOME to expand and be able to discuss all kinds of things in a broader since. I look forward to seeing what happens!

Agreed

WTF? Being stranded down here in SWFL, I guess I miss all the drama. Good. I hate drama. I like fun friendly people, and so far, that includes everyone I've met in AoME. It's sad to see people leave, but better than the whole group breaking into factions.

As to the new forums, I'm always up for trying something new. If banana-rum-cherry turns out to taste just awful, then I can always choose not to buy it in the future. Same for the non-LOTR forums. I don't have to read them, right?

I would just like to interject that everyone needs to remember that all of this is just for fun. The moment it stops being fun and turns into something else is when problems arise. Each person is here for different reasons, some have been here since the start while others (like me) have been brought in later. With that some are more invoulved with the inner workings of this than others, and while you can't please everyone, each person has a say. While I see no reason why the board can't take on other fandoms there does seem to be some tension and since everything isn't clear and alot apears to be left unsaid to the masses. Alot has happened since last DragonCon some good and some bad and most of it has taken place behind "closed doors". I don't know who is wrong or right and I don't claim to have all the answers or even the whole story because I don't. I have just watched friends leave, and watched the rest start a finger-pointing war. So try to remember this is at least rooted in fun, and without everyone that makes this group diverse it won't be that much fun! Just one druken rangers thoughts..........

"Side?! I am on nobodys side......cause nobody is on my side"

I couldnt agree more! The whole purpose of this group from the beginning was for friends to have an outlet to get together and share our love for LOTR. Now with the additional forums we can share our other fandoms while LOTR remains our main connection.
I decided to open the additional forums to see if that could add some life into the boards since I noticed that many of us share more than one fandom. I also encourage everyone in the group to voice their opinion on these changes. The new forums are under a test run to see how well they do. As of right now, these forums seem to be doing well with the exception of the Narnia forum which has slowed down. Regardless of how they do, the group's main focus will continue to be LOTR.
Any members that have questions about the group changes can email me/PM me/ or Yahoo IM at anytime. The tension was mostly of a personal nature and did not need to be posted on the board. Like you said the Fandom and its groups are outlets for fun and fellowship. Everyone that has been a member of this group whether from its conception or joined us later on has brought diversity to this group. It has enabled a bunch of folks that might have never met a chance to share friendship and for that I'm very grateful.
Thank you for your insight Mike!

~Fiver

Remember always to think of the good and not the bad of someone.

I have many friends and it is inevitable that at times someone will do or say something that might rub you the wrong way, and more often than not, they may not even realize it offended you at all, and I am certain I too have offended others in the past as well, though no ill will was meant on my part, but such is human nature.

As a rule, if I find myself upset with someone close to me, I make it a point not to dwell and what has angered me, but to remember the good times we have shared, and almost immediately my wrath is cooled. If the problem is great, them I speak to them about it and there you will usually find resolve and understanding, and a friendship strengthened.

Friends are a priceless thing to have. Do not be too hasty in shutting them out, turning them away or running from them. Where will you go? Will not another set of people soon bring another set problems? Hold on to the friends you have and have faith in them. Remember, it is turbulent waters that make the best sailors.

~Gandalf

Honestly, my experience at Dragon*Con last year was a mixed bag. Although many were friendly and made my friend Chris feel most welcome, there was definitely a "clique" sort of feeling from some as well.

Personally, I didn't like cliques when I was in high school and I certainly don't like them now. The difference is I'm not a teenager anymore and I don't care nearly as much what others think, but it disappointed me nonetheless that it exists among people who should be old enough to know better.

Sorry for the negative vibe, but some people just need to lighten up (and grow up).

I would still be there this year if I could afford it.

Sorry you got the negative vibe Bonnie. I just tried to get to say hi to as many people as possible as I walked in knowing next to no one! I have a good feeling that this year's DragonCon will be far and away better than last years. Hopefully, all the weirdness will be gone and we can focus on Fellowship again.

I think the only thing I was disappointed about was the Sunday photo shoot. It happened earlier in 2004 (around 6, IIRC), so there was no conflict with the Masquerade and its accompanying "no photography in the lobby" rule. Last year, because we had to tend to the table until 7, it was too late by the time we were able to move to the Hyatt. I miss seeing the movie reenactments, and I was so hoping for a coronation scene....

Other than that, I have no complaints. I missed the track panels, but I had fun working the table. I wish I could have erased myself from the parade video, but... well, that's a whole other issue...

The other thing that irritated me was the us against TORN thing. Again, some worked with them and made them feel welcome, but I don't think they could have missed the hostility from some members.

Yes, they're the big cheese and it's gone to their heads somewhat, but they work hard to keep fans informed of everything LOTR and they've earned whatever glory they've gotten IMHO.

I suspect that this will not be an issue this year as I doubt TORN will be there anyway.

I think all those issues are behind us thankfully. At Chattacon it really felt like one big family. I wish you could have been there Bonnie as I believe you would have enjoyed it. I wasn't much for the table as I had a feeling it would force people to miss out on events, though apparently the whole raffle thing was a great success. I would like to propose something different this year (especially since I'll be there this time).

I think if we had a hotel room that could be designated as AoME central then we could use the door as a bulletin board to say where the group is going to be and what is coming up. Keys would be available to several members so there could be a presence most of the time without the obligation to man it all the time. It might be moot as apparently we will be able to have all our rooms ajoining if we check in at the same time as we had at Chattacon, one of the things that made all the fun there possible.

Thank you for your thoughts everyone! I know that one of the things I hope for is that we are able to make all our members feel welcome. I know that since many of us live in Georgia(ironically..we seem to cover all major cities with noone being close to each other), there is a group that tends to see each other more often. I have noticed though that everyone is always very welcoming and eagerly welcomes folks into the fold. AOME is open to anyone be they new members or even former members. The door to this group stays open to anyone unless they chose to close it themselves.

As for the room idea Frodo, I think it would be great to have an AOME central especially if the group decides not to do the fan table. There are 2 things to consider if we decide to do this option. One the cost of the room at $150.00 a night, or if we decide to use someone's room then their room becomes open to everyone. I know that most of us at some point of the con need a moment alone to recharge, so I'm not sure someone would want to give up their room privacy and hand out keys. I'm leaning towards finding another option. There was the possibility considered last year of renting a party suite, but its cost at $300.00 a day was a bit much. I will contact the hotel to check prices again and think of some other options such as using someone's room to host stuff(Even mine) and opening it for set events. We will have a group meeting in April most likely on a thursday night chat. I will announce a date shortly, and then I want everyone to brainstorm on some ideas for the chat. I'm also looking for party, and restaurant ideas for the con as well. The main purpose of this meeting will be Dcon, but we will also touch on other events as well.

And yes Chattacon was a lot of fun!! Especially with our own Spider-Daniel climbing the outside walls!!!!

~Fiver

Well, that all depends on how ya look at it... I am a TORN Line Party Mod, and I'll be there -- with AoME. And THIS year, I will NOT be in a wheelchair unable to get on elevators. I've got a cane -- maybe I'll change to a staff for my elven costume(s) -- so walking is still painful, but less emotionally painful than missing out on so many AoME events and panels. Sorry, Anne (Petty)! We'll hook up this time! (Anne came to Ft Myers for my Line Party for Trilogy Tuesday -- as did Decipher games, distributing vouchers for free LOTR cardgame packs -- making for a very successful event. Anne even donated some prizes for our raffle, and wrote half the Tolkien Trivia questions, so she deserves Kudos!)

How come we can't see who is on-line anymore??

It's at the bottom of the main page. I think that's the only place you can see it.