Postcard Exchange!

[Marilyn. 340]

I think Ashen did a great job running the exchange ...

Edited August 27, 2010 by Marilyn.

[brightskte 18]

I think Ashen did a great job with the postcard exchange. Having new management isn't going to magically make anything better. And I don't think that one person was deliberately not sending postcards. We're all adults here, and life gets in the way. It just happens. It's going to continue to happen. I personally(and it's nothing against you, Ant. I think you're awesome ) think that the more rules and things you put on this, the less fun it's going to be for everyone.

Having said that, Mathew and I are going to be moving, so I wont be in the September exchange and maybe not in the October one, depending on how long it takes for my life to settle down. I do hope that everyone enjoys themselves like this exchange was meant to be in the first place.

[OBX 51]

I think Ashen did a great job running the exchange ...

:thumbs:

[ashenflowers 5]

awww... you guys....

Thank you. I appreciate that.

:star:

Wait... I'm not in this thread *whoosh*

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone,

To sum up my recent posts in regards as to how I feel about this postcard exchange……

Thanks to all those who have participated in the exchange by sending your postcards in a reasonable period of time. And its nice too, to see people receiving their postcards because of those responsible senders. Thanks too to those who have posted so far as to the direction where youd like this postcard exchange to go, as without feedback certainly it ill be harder to know what should be the best course to take regarding the exchange.

The postcard exchange has been a great way for VJers to relax a little bit and to have fun, by sending out postcards to those interested in receiving such, and to receive likewise in return. In this day where we can have immigration worries, personal issues, or other issues, etc., what better way to brighten up the day than to receive a friendly postcard?

I feel that the postcard exchange has been good in many ways, but I just feel we could fine tune it a little more and make it more efficient so that we are not only interested in short term happiness and success, but long term fulfillment and growth. I personally have had fun for the most part with how the exchange has been going. However, if we are honest there have been some problems, and what better way to stop any problems before it becomes too large and seriously negatively affects the whole group.

Part of being responsible is not just looking at the past and the present, but to also look in the future, too, and preventing possible bigger problems from occurring by resolving minor issues now, and by anticipating possible future issues. I feel its too simplistic to say lets just have fun and not worry about rules, but I agree too many rules would defeat the purpose too. However, a few basic rules are needed, to make sure that we are all on the same page here to make sure that the postcard exchange runs smoothly.

Im sure I havent pleased all there in some of my ideas, just as nobody who posts agreement, disagreement or opinions on how the postcard exchange should be run will be able to please all. Personally, I dont see myself as a leader or in a leadership role in most things in life, but if we want this postcard exchange to continue we need to find someone who cares to keep this going, and is willing to save such, regardless.

So if nobody emerges within a week or two (by September 11) to want to help coordinate the exchange, Ill take on the role myself if nobody other wants to step up, and as nobody has yet to want to help coordinate with me either. If someone wants to take on this exchange alone, Id be glad to support them if some basic rules and safeguards are in place to make sure that the exchange is fun, fair, and safe, for everyone.

To be honest I feel those who join any postcard exchange, no matter how big or small, should show common respect through their participation, and by not only expecting to receive but by giving too as again this is an exchange and not a giveaway. And after all, how much does it cost to send a postcard out, and how much time is needed to do such? We all have lives and expenses of course, but we are talking about a few minutes and cents every month to three months, and so it is not unreasonable to expect a few basic rules to be honoured or to be removed from the group.

In my previous posts, I have outlined a few basic rules that I feel are needed to promote long term happiness, success and growth, and which will make this a fun, fair and safe group for all participants and not just a few. By growth I dont necessarily mean size as again quality is more important than quantity to me, but what I mean is full compliance and appreciation, without ever having to worry if someone is going to get a postcard or is going to send one.

Of course mail can get lost or delayed on rare occasion, but thats why the three months to send out postcards, and hence the three strikes rules comes in. The truth is one who doesnt participate or seem to care can indeed spoil the whole bunch as if for instance one forgets to leave the group or refuses to participate for whatever reason, or if they refuse to show respect in acknowledging receipt, then feelings can be hurt, nice participants may drop out, and the process can start to become more disorganized and chaotic.

As well, safety and privacy could be a potential problem too if trolls or lurkers are on the postcard exchange, and if the coordinator doesnt enforce any rules and make sure only truly caring participants are allowed. After all, addresses are exchanged and personal information may have been given in any postcard. We have to be realistic about this postcard exchange, and to be fair and expect the non-participants to leave and not those who participants who may be offended because they werent worth the five minutes of ones time within three months by sending a postcard to them.

I agree we are all adults and should be responsible enough to send cards out without rules, but the truth obviously is that many adults arent responsible in life, but with some being self-centered, and so accountability needs to occur there. And again there will be some if not now then later who dont show politeness and respect by doing the right things, like sending out cards or timely, acknowledging receipt of a card or thanking them for it. And so in these situations of course it is better to push out those persons or not enable them, as not doing so disrupts the friendliness and flow of the postcard exchange.

As for anyone who wishes to leave because of being too busy that is the responsible thing to do, and so we shouldnt be pressuring them to return if it has been made clear this postcard exchange is too much for them or no longer a priority. We all are free to go, but it is the participants and ones who want a safe, fair and fun group who should be the ones who are encouraged to stay. In my case, I will stay if there are some basic rules in place and enforcement. Otherwise, I will wish this group well and focus that time and effort on other things.

I do put this postcard exchange as one of my priorities, and I have sent out cards monthly and always thanked those promptly when I received a card. I look forward to sending and getting cards, and that is what this card postcard exchange should be all about. It shouldnt feel like a chore to do it, and if it does, then perhaps you are in the wrong place.

Regardless of rules, it can be fun having such a group. And even with rules people can still send and receive their postcards without any further problems, as some basic rules are there to prevent problems in the first place.

After all, what is a postcard exchange without postcards being sent and received?

Overall, I would like to make the postcard exchange fun, fair, and safe for everyone.

And a new coordinator should be chosen soon, regardless of who that person is…

Whatever you all decide I am fine with…

But in the end, I hope you all make the best decision that is in the best interests of everyone in this postcard exchange.

Is this postcard exchange worth saving?

Lets all decide soon…..(by mid-September or sooner than that, so that we can continue with the exchange as soon as possible if the majority want to keep it going again)….

Thats all I have to say for this matter for now, until a final decision can be made as to what happens next with the future of this postcard exchange….

Until then…Good luck. Happy Postcarding, Everyone!

Ant

Edited August 28, 2010 by Ant+D+BabyA

[Marilyn. 340]

to be honest Ant it is only a postcard exchange... you seem to want to make it into something bigger then it is...

like you said it should be fun but you are making it not fun and now I have no desire to join the club..

[Kathryn41 3,205]

to be honest Ant it is only a postcard exchange... you seem to want to make it into something bigger then it is...

like you said it should be fun but you are making it not fun and now I have no desire to join the club..

I can appreciate what Marilyn is saying here. Ant, I think you are 'over-thinking' this. I am beginning to feel 'lectured at' and it is beginning to feel not like so much fun anymore. Why not just say 'ok, you will be the co-ordinator', Ashen will send you the email list, you will make the choices for who sends to whom, and we can get on with the show'. I really didn't think this was in need of 'being saved' before; now I am beginning to wonder. Micro-management doesn't make things more efficient - it often makes them less so as well as negatively impacting morale. I'm beginning to feel that here.

So, maybe we can try and put things back into perspective: if you want to participate in a post card exchange, let Ant know. She will make a draw of names and send out notifications to everyone who wants to participate of who to send their postcard to. We can all participate in a 'theme' - and then just let the chips fall where they may. If you are personally worried that you will not receive a postcard each month, I will be happy to send you one so you will always get one every month.

Now, do we really need to keep discussing this by going over and over the same information?

[lilacvioletiris 11]

awww... you guys....

Thank you. I appreciate that.

:star:

Wait... I'm not in this thread *whoosh*

It was fun to see what you and kitty would draw for a month. Congrats on your green card and all the fun that comes from freedom to work and travel as you desire.

[lilacvioletiris 11]

And a new coordinator should be chosen soon, regardless of who that person is…

Whatever you all decide I am fine with…

But in the end, I hope you all make the best decision that is in the best interests of everyone in this postcard exchange.

Is this postcard exchange worth saving?

Let’s all decide soon…..(by mid-September or sooner than that, so that we can continue with the exchange as soon as possible if the majority want to keep it going again)….

That’s all I have to say for this matter for now, until a final decision can be made as to what happens next with the future of this postcard exchange….

Until then…Good luck. Happy Postcarding, Everyone!

Ant

I have been busy with work and your posts have been long.

I love sending postcards. If you (Ant) will coordinate a draw, send a theme and address to the participants each month, please do so. Sending and receiving is fun amongst the immigration waiting and bill receiving.

I want to send postcards since I have a stockpile now and yes, Pauley yours is going out in the mail late but it is coming.

I liked receiving postcards.

[OBX 51]

My August postcard arrived today; thanks Kizza. Congrats on your upcoming wedding; I hope you have a wonderful day and a lifetime of happiness ahead of you.

Looks so refreshing, especially since it's 93 and sunny here in NJ and our brand new A/C unit has decided to shut down.

Edited August 31, 2010 by OBX

[usmcwife 3]

Postcard exchanges sound fun! From what I've read you get an address and send a postcard to them that month on a particular theme? What have the themes been in the past? (it may have been in previous posts but there are 11 pages!) Is it just one postcard sent and hopefully one received? BTW any other Canadian VJers in the eastern Carolinas?

[Penny Lane 8,159]

to be honest Ant it is only a postcard exchange... you seem to want to make it into something bigger then it is...

like you said it should be fun but you are making it not fun and now I have no desire to join the club..

This is my thought too. I was considering joining when I first read about it when I joined VJ. But the more I read, the less interested I am. It is a great idea, should be something that is carefree and enjoyable for everyone. It's a postcard exchange. It shouldn't have a huge, long list of rules and regulations. I don't want to be stressed if I happen to miss a month or two because life gets in the way.

[antda 13]

Postcard exchanges sound fun! From what I've read you get an address and send a postcard to them that month on a particular theme? What have the themes been in the past? (it may have been in previous posts but there are 11 pages!) Is it just one postcard sent and hopefully one received? BTW any other Canadian VJers in the eastern Carolinas?

Usmcwife- Glad to hear that you would like to join...

And yes, postcard exchanges are fun, indeed!

In a nutshell, this is how the postcard exchange works:

3) How the postcard exchange works:

-It is an exchange: You are both a sender and a receiver...Send a card, Receive a card...

-Sender: You send one (1) postcard a month. You will then get an e-mail once a month with the name/address of the person you are going to send a card to.

-Receiver: You receive one (1) postcard a month. You will receive a card from a sender.

-First week of the month/5th of the month: The drawing for the postcard names/addresses will be done on the first week of every month....

-By the 20th of the month: Postcards should be sent out on or before then, to make sure that everyone receives their cards on time by the end of the month

-You can write about anything on your postcards! Be creative!

-There are optional 'themes' as to writing ideas for the postcards....Feel free to use those, or feel free to come up with writing ideas and themes of your own too.

-At the end of the month, the sender/receiver list for the previous month will be posted, so as to keep track of things publically and to be able to thank the sender for receiving your card

Themes are optional..But they make the postcard exchange more fun, as it gives some ideas what to write about and/or what postcards to send...

The past themes include: Sun (April), Flowers (May), , Summer (June), Home (July), Vacations (August)

Yes, it just one postcard sent and one received, per month....That's simple and easy to do...:

And you shouldn't have any problems, if you send and receive your cards within a reasonable period of time (3 months)...

We're looking to start up the exchange back up in October.....

So stayed tuned for further details and keep on reading this postcard message thread..

See you in the postcard exchange!

Ant

[antda 13]

So, maybe we can try and put things back into perspective: if you want to participate in a post card exchange, let Ant know. She will make a draw of names and send out notifications to everyone who wants to participate of who to send their postcard to. We can all participate in a 'theme' - and then just let the chips fall where they may. If you are personally worried that you will not receive a postcard each month, I will be happy to send you one so you will always get one every month.

Now, do we really need to keep discussing this by going over and over the same information?

I love sending postcards. If you (Ant) will coordinate a draw, send a theme and address to the participants each month, please do so. Sending and receiving is fun amongst the immigration waiting and bill receiving.

I want to send postcards since I have a stockpile now.

I liked receiving postcards.

Ok...So let's put things back in perspective...

Just let me know if you would want me to co-ordinate or not..

If most of you are ok with it, then I'll notify Ashenflowers this week for the transfer, if that is the case, so that I can get the postcard exchange going again for October (or mid-September if I can get it done sooner)...

Likewise, I like sending and receiving postcards too...I agree, it's more fun to get a postcard in the mail than it is to get a bill and/or immigration related stuff...

And I don't mind co-ordinating a draw, theme, and whatever else needs to be done in order to make the postcard exchange go smoothly, and to have it "fun, fair, and safe" for everyone...

As for a theme....

How about "back to school/back to work" or "fall colours" for September/October?...

What do you all think?

Ant (looking forward to getting the postcard exchanging going again)....

[usmcwife 3]

Um Canadian thanksgiving could be the theme for october since that's the only way i'll really get one!!!