Travel Forum & Career Advice Forum

[tmma 467]

I do not diminish it . I think that as VJ moves along things will always change, grow and morph into what the community best would like to see happen, within the vision of whoever is making changes. If my track record shows anything I hope that it indicates my willingness to listen and update the site's features to best serve the community.

Agreed...in all I've seen, and my limited communications with you, you appear to be a catalyst of evolution. For better or worse, you court feels you may be over-worked....or perhaps the fruit has fallen far from the tree.

What does the bolded part mean? Sorry-it's early here and this has gone right over my head. I hate metaphors or whatever first thing in the morning.

[Sinergy 3]

I do not diminish it . I think that as VJ moves along things will always change, grow and morph into what the community best would like to see happen, within the vision of whoever is making changes. If my track record shows anything I hope that it indicates my willingness to listen and update the site's features to best serve the community.

Agreed...in all I've seen, and my limited communications with you, you appear to be a catalyst of evolution. For better or worse, you court feels you may be over-worked....or perhaps the fruit has fallen far from the tree.

What does the bolded part mean? Sorry-it's early here and this has gone right over my head. I hate metaphors or whatever first thing in the morning.

sounds insulting to me

The "Working & Traveling prior to getting a Green Card" forum was mainly created to cover EAD's and AP's for people that were waiting on their AOS. I have long thought about a part of the site that would enable "networking" or other interaction for the community that would promote travel and career for the community. How nice would it be to be able to consider traveling some place and then "boom" be able to see all the VJ'ers in the area and get ideas that they may have posted or that other have for that location. Maybe even meet some long time members that you know that live near where you are traveling? Also for jobs it would be great to establish some type of networking or other mechanism that people can leverage to help them when the first get here. Finding a new job with no "US based" references at any age can be tough!

Anyhow those are just some thoughts I had. The "Portal" feature on VJ was the original attempt to help on some of these topics... maybe an expansion of this would be useful or simply a forum as was originally suggested. Thoughts?

One last idea I had was to create a list of members (that could sign up) as "VJ buddies" for other new members. People could then find other members on this list and contact them to ask about their experiences locally with regards to immigration. Example, if someone brought their wife to the US they may find a local VJ Buddy and give them a PM and ask about how hard it was to find a job for their spouse; issues at the local Social Security Office; etc.... Maybe even act as a way to allow people to find new friends in their city with similar immigration and social backgrounds. Wild idea I know but sometimes ideas turn into something great!

I think your last thought is an EXCELLENT idea capt...we should really move forward with that!

[TBoneTX 47,952]

One last idea I had was to create a list of members (that could sign up) as "VJ buddies" for other new members. People could then find other members on this list and contact them to ask about their experiences locally with regards to immigration. Example, if someone brought their wife to the US they may find a local VJ Buddy and give them a PM and ask about how hard it was to find a job for their spouse; issues at the local Social Security Office; etc.... Maybe even act as a way to allow people to find new friends in their city with similar immigration and social backgrounds.

If the "buddy" systems works as intended and purely in this way, great; however, I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

If the system is implemented after all, perhaps "buddies" could be allocated more space in their PM mailboxes -- a "buddy" could be away for a couple of weeks and be unable to reply or clear his mailbox, si man.

Also, while we have the Cap'n's attention: In the Embassy Info and the Reviews: Embassies sections, PLEASE correct the "Ecuador" location from Quito to Guayaquil. From an accuracy standpoint, NO family- or marriage-based visas are processed in Quito. From a truth-&-fairness standpoint, Ecuador-inflicted VJers deserve to see the name of the consulate that they will likely forever curse. We thank you in advance for this correction, si man.

[KimandRuss 0]

I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

Great point TBone.

[TBoneTX 47,952]

Great point TBone.

It is an hono(u)r to be praised by the lovely, gracious, responsible, and sensible Kim, si man.

[Sinergy 3]

I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

Great point TBone.

Good point indeed, however, there should be rules to being a buddy...example above in TBoneTX's post

[Ling Ling 22]

I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

Great point TBone.

Good point indeed, however, there should be rules to being a buddy...example above in TBoneTX's post

What kind of rules could be created to stop people from privately sending inaccurate information?

Perhaps rather than a buddy scheme, a mentor scheme. The difference being, whereas everyone could be a buddy,

mentors would have to be appointed or elected. If information is to disseminated off forum, we need to at least have a reasonable

belief that the contributor is appropriate to the need. In my opinion, there's nothing worse than giving someone information that could

slow down their immigration efforts.

To that end, I suggest a nomination committee be created to determine criteria and method for selection of mentors.

I still think the Travel and Job forums are worthy of further consideration. Besides bringing an idea to this forum, is there an official means for consideration?

Edited January 9, 2009 by Ling Ling

[Sinergy 3]

I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

Great point TBone.

Good point indeed, however, there should be rules to being a buddy...example above in TBoneTX's post

What kind of rules could be created to stop people from privately sending inaccurate information?

Perhaps rather than a buddy scheme, a mentor scheme. The difference being, whereas everyone could be a buddy,

mentors would have to be appointed or elected. If information is to disseminated off forum, we need to at least have a reasonable

belief that the contributor is appropriate to the need. In my opinion, there's nothing worse than giving someone information that could

slow down their immigration efforts.

To that end, I suggest a nomination committee be created to determine criteria and method for selection of mentors.

I still think the Travel and Job forums are worthy of further consideration. Besides bringing an idea to this forum, is there an official means for consideration?

your suggesting the same thing ewok is, only you changed the name from buddy to mentor...

and even if we did a "mentor" youd still need rules, bc just as you sd with a buddy, who is to say they wont give private immigration information that is wrong.

I think the thing is, ewok needs to select the ppl he knows have the most knowledge and can trust them. I dont think we should vote on it, it should be up to ewok solely.

[Ling Ling 22]

I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

Great point TBone.

Good point indeed, however, there should be rules to being a buddy...example above in TBoneTX's post

What kind of rules could be created to stop people from privately sending inaccurate information?

Perhaps rather than a buddy scheme, a mentor scheme. The difference being, whereas everyone could be a buddy,

mentors would have to be appointed or elected. If information is to disseminated off forum, we need to at least have a reasonable

belief that the contributor is appropriate to the need. In my opinion, there's nothing worse than giving someone information that could

slow down their immigration efforts.

To that end, I suggest a nomination committee be created to determine criteria and method for selection of mentors.

I still think the Travel and Job forums are worthy of further consideration. Besides bringing an idea to this forum, is there an official means for consideration?

your suggesting the same thing ewok is, only you changed the name from buddy to mentor...

and even if we did a "mentor" youd still need rules, bc just as you sd with a buddy, who is to say they wont give private immigration information that is wrong.

I think the thing is, ewok needs to select the ppl he knows have the most knowledge and can trust them. I dont think we should vote on it, it should be up to ewok solely.

Nope...sorry, mentors and buddies are not interchangeable concepts. Think about it. Would a shopping buddy and a shopping mentor be the same thing?

Would a drinking buddy and a drinking mentor be the same thing? Nice try, but a FAIL.

I'm still waiting to hear about these "rules' you suggest for buddies. For the mentors we have the TOS, as well as common sense. I think if both are followed, there won't be a problem. I feel like you've got a personal issue with me or my ideas. You come here and only add boos to anything I say, and cheers to anything by an old comrade.

If this were in the OT forum, I might be tempted to suggest that you're an ####### kissing hypocrite, but I won't.

Instead, I'll ask why in earlier posts you were against creating any more work for the over worked Capt. Ewok, but now you'd like him to take on sole responsibility for a new initiative? Really, does-not-compute.

Edited January 10, 2009 by Ling Ling

[LaL 418]

A buddy system is a pretty bizarre concept for a site where no one is required to post or participate.

[Sinergy 3]

How could i have a prob with you, this is the first time ive even interacted with you however its clear that if someone doesnt agree with what you propose, they are attacking you. *rolls eyes*

In a situation like this...as ewok is proposing, mentor and buddy would be used the same. and should be choosen by ewok alone.

the buddy would be there to assist the newbie, show them where the proper places were to post certain things, guide them thru the guides as no one reads them when they sign up and etc.

Rules on it would be completely up to ewok. If he chose the correct ppl, he wouldnt have to worry about rules as much as those ppl would be fully knowledgeable in ALL areas of immigration. your going to take a risk of privately sending inaccurate information either way, buddy or mentor, thats why ewok would do the picking.

If you think about it, and use your common sense, everyone on VJ who has been here or has gone thru the process already, is already a mentor to the rest of VJ who is still seeking help and advice.

call me whatever you want, here or in OT, your breaking the TOS by clearly attacking me bc i do not agree with you also, as for giving ewok more work, setting up a buddy system by choosing a few members to buddy up with newbies, is clearly not as difficult and time consuming as creating new forums for forums we already have.

I dont call respect for someone as being a "an ####### kissing hypocrite " as you so nicely put it!

I foresee a danger (random, but a danger nevertheless) that newbies or newer members would begin asking their "buddies" for advice on immigration paperwork/policy/procedure. Some VJ members would give wildly inaccurate responses. I believe that this would be an overarching negative that would be difficult to prevent, despite initial warnings, and nearly impossible to reign in, once it starts. Thoughts, si man?

Great point TBone.

Good point indeed, however, there should be rules to being a buddy...example above in TBoneTX's post

What kind of rules could be created to stop people from privately sending inaccurate information?

Perhaps rather than a buddy scheme, a mentor scheme. The difference being, whereas everyone could be a buddy,

mentors would have to be appointed or elected. If information is to disseminated off forum, we need to at least have a reasonable

belief that the contributor is appropriate to the need. In my opinion, there's nothing worse than giving someone information that could

slow down their immigration efforts.

To that end, I suggest a nomination committee be created to determine criteria and method for selection of mentors.

I still think the Travel and Job forums are worthy of further consideration. Besides bringing an idea to this forum, is there an official means for consideration?

your suggesting the same thing ewok is, only you changed the name from buddy to mentor...

and even if we did a "mentor" youd still need rules, bc just as you sd with a buddy, who is to say they wont give private immigration information that is wrong.

I think the thing is, ewok needs to select the ppl he knows have the most knowledge and can trust them. I dont think we should vote on it, it should be up to ewok solely.

Nope...sorry, mentors and buddies are not interchangeable concepts. Think about it. Would a shopping buddy and a shopping mentor be the same thing?

Would a drinking buddy and a drinking mentor be the same thing? Nice try, but a FAIL.

I'm still waiting to hear about these "rules' you suggest for buddies. For the mentors we have the TOS, as well as common sense. I think if both are followed, there won't be a problem. I feel like you've got a personal issue with me or my ideas. You come here and only add boos to anything I say, and cheers to anything by an old comrade.

If this were in the OT forum, I might be tempted to suggest that you're an ####### kissing hypocrite, but I won't.

Instead, I'll ask why in earlier posts you were against creating any more work for the over worked Capt. Ewok, but now you'd like him to take on sole responsibility for a new initiative? Really, does-not-compute.

[Sinergy 3]

A buddy system is a pretty bizarre concept for a site where no one is required to post or participate.

I get what ewok was suggesting. it wouldnt be and shouldnt be mandatory, but when a newbie joins, they could possibly choose to have a buddy to help them around the forum. i dunno, it was ewoks suggestion, i just agree with it.

[Ling Ling 22]

A buddy system is a pretty bizarre concept for a site where no one is required to post or participate.

i dunno, it was ewoks suggestion, i just agree with it.

There's a lot of truth in that sentence.

[LaL 418]

my buddy never logs in, can I have a new one?

[Sinergy 3]

A buddy system is a pretty bizarre concept for a site where no one is required to post or participate.

i dunno, it was ewoks suggestion, i just agree with it.

There's a lot of truth in that sentence.

yea, that its his suggestion and HE needs to make the rules for it, not me

and that i agree with his suggestion.

wth is your problem with me? i dont agree with you, deal with it and move on already.

my buddy never logs in, can I have a new one?

You know ill be your buddy anyday