How Can We Better Help New Members?

[Adina P]

As we get ready to implement a new series of welcoming and informative emails to new members to help guide them once they join, I'd like your input on a few things:

-- What do new members need to know?

-- What do they need to know first...what's most important?

-- What do they need to know next...and after that?

Mainly I want to get your feedback on what is most critical for new members to learn and what is important for them to learn over a period of time as they settle into DK membership.  We want to ensure they feel welcome, now how to navigate, can find answers to common questions, etc.

When we're done, anyone who wants to get what new members get will be able to sign up for the emails.

[My Perfect Doodle Daisy]

It seems most people are upset about repeat questions, short of the "discussions" also being "approved" (and F would HATE this the most) I don't see how you can stop people from doing that.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The only way would be a nicely worded message such as Amy posted somewhere here earlier about reading and looking around before posting. But of course, people would have to read the message, lol. That's what gets me the most, I guess, that people just join a website (or anything really) and plunge right in without looking at directions, guidelines, instructions, etc. or even getting a feel for where they are and what it's about.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I watched and read for quite a while before I posted to get a feel for things.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

Me too.  I just checked and I joined in March 2011, didn't post a comment to a discussion until June and didn't actually post a discussion of my own until August.  But then again, i'm not the type of person to just jump right in somewhere.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Correct, I would object vociferously and perhaps go on strike.

[Adina P]

I would have to approve your strike.  ;-)

[F, Calla & Luca]

; ) All strike deniers have to do so in person. When shall I expect you in NJ.

[My Perfect Doodle Daisy]

And that my friends is exactly why we can't do it!

I love that adjective F.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think, but I'm no expert on parts of speech, it's an adverb. I can hear my teachers saying" How would you object. Isn't object a verb ?" : )

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Of course it's an adverb - oops, my English teacher would have hit me with a ruler.

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

i was a new member..id still say i kind of am..  i would say to talk to some of the old members to be a little nicer to people. as im SURE u know i posted a pic of my doodle and was attacked for it. i saw another man posted asking if anyone had advice on bernedoodles..he also seemed to get a lot of negative responses... people who are just joining here are looking for advice and sometimes people seem to be mean to them.. im sure im going to get that i was being mean too..but yes if someone offends me i am going to defend myself.. people get excited and want to start posting right away and maybe dont realize all the groups and things.. like i didnt at first.. but if someone posts a question in a group that they "shouldnt" i noticed people get "annoyed of reading the same questions" people arent doing it on purpose by repeating questions..they have a question they need answers so they post it... if u dont want to re read a question..skip it..pass it by.. or be nice and answer again if u know the answer.. i have seen SO many posts about puppy craziness and biting..i experienced that.. and if i see the same questions again i answer..i dont get mad for someone re posting it.. i dont see what the big deal is.. if ur an old DK member maybe u dont remember or see how it feels when u post something and people get angry or nasty with u..its really discouraging and makes u not want to be on here.. not saying everyone act like this but i have definitely experienced it first hand. some people arent computer savy and its harder for them to get around on here..  

[Julie and Charlie]

I think a goal for all of us, new or old members, is to think before we post something that might be inflammatory, and not to make the post or comment about the person, instead make it about the ideas or opinions on a topic. Many members here are very good about this.

That said, if you believe you are being "attacked", I recommend taking a break from that discussion instead of riling it up. Don't take anything personally. We all have way to much to do to be worrying about what an online personality thinks about us.