Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 8:51 pm Post subject: Recent Developments on Lab Forums
Hi Everyone,
Firstly - thank you for your patience, i know many of you have been waiting today, to hear what has been going on over the last day or so.
In a nutshell - i have sad news.
Rhoni & Margaret (aka 3p)(Who are the 2007 Get Together Co-ordinators & LostLabs Ladies), Kay (Kayc) (committee staff for breeding/rescue/showing enquiries/questions & LLR co-ordinator) & Jane (aka Maxsmum) have resigned from their positions on Lab Forums.
Over the last few days (and for quite a while actually) there have been many an unpleasant posting in the forums for what i feel is part responsible for their resignations. There are some subjects which are and always going to be sensitive, especially when it comes to the breed we love so much - yes our lovely Labs.
I know for a fact that these 4 members of staff have done their utmost to help members, not to mention Labradors - and it hasn't been plain sailing for them for quite a while now. I'm sure many members will have seen many posts and will know what i am referring to, i don't wish to go into things now, or in the future.
I also appreciate that some of our members have been unsettled with certain aspects of the forum - mainly the rules that have been in play, for which i will go into more detail about in a moment.
Late yesterday afternoon - I decided to call a chat session, to listen to what our members had to say - to find out a bit more as myself & Dave haven't been about much over the recent months, and our moderators have spent many an hour watching and looking after things on our behalf, for which we are truly grateful for.
Just before the chat session, i spoke with Kay (KayC) who stood on the Lab Forums committee and answered many a question in three key areas, breeding, showing & rescue. She also ran (and did a fantastic job) the LLR.
When speaking to Kay, she told me she wished to resign from the committee & from LLR. We also discussed this a little while back and she felt the same then - i feel she needs some time away from everything, especially as she hasn't been well recently.
Kay - you have been wonderful with all your help, knowledge & care towards Labs & their owners, over the last 3 years - and we will miss you very much. Thank you for everything you have ever done for us - and our members - you will be missed very much.
I hope you can have a much deserved rest from everything (especially LF!!) i think it's now time you took some time of for you. I do hope you will remain a member of LF, and hope to see you in the forums whenever you wish to join us. I know many members will miss you also - you are & have been a credit to Lab Forums. Dave & myself send you all our best wishes at this time and once again thank you for everything.
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During the chat session - i was also advised that Rhoni & Margaret (aka 3p) who are our LostLab's ladies (www.lostlabs.com) and the main annual Lab Forums Get Together organisers, also wish to resign from their position of GT co-ordinator. Unfortunately, i haven't spoken to Rhoni or 3p today, and am unsure on the position of LostLabs, i.e. if they still wish to run it, but when i know more i will let everyone know.
With regard to the Get Together, we respect Rhoni & 3p's decision - and although we are of course extremely sad about this - on a personal level too - we will do our best to make sure that we do not waste all their past effort (and their efforts have been huge, believe me) and try to make sure the Get Together still goes ahead. Like i said, i haven't spoken to Rhoni or 3p today - but when i know more i will let you know - soon. (Hopefully by the end of the weekend)
Rhoni & 3p - thank you so much - you have done so much....i wouldn't know where to begin on everything. I still can't quite believe what has happened. We are so very sorry to be losing you, and like Kay -hope you stay as members.
Jane, who has been a moderator for quite some time now, has also decided to resign. Jane - thank you for your dedication to LF as a moderator, i know all the team will miss you a great deal, and of course our members.
With regard to other points in last nights chat, the only threads that will be moved or deleted from now on, are those that contain abusive/swearing content, personal attacks, 'for sale' posts and advertisements. Members who may be involved in personal attacks will be spoken to privately, and if neccessary be asked to leave the forum. Please think before you post, even if you are angry. We all say things we don't mean, just remember this is the world wide web! People in timbucktoo can read what you say, and we all have feelings. Thank you.
Unfriendly PM's - there has been a lot of talk in the forums and i have asked Rhoni, Kay, 3p & Jane to advise me on who has sent them pm's that have been, lets say, unfriendly. I have spoken to our other moderators, and John (committee) who have assured me they haven't received any, thankfully. When i do hopefully get more information about pm's that have been sent Dave & myself will be taking this seriously, and the matter will be dealt with, with the individual/s off forum.
I'm going to be posting a new thread this evening, especially for Jane, Kay, Rhoni & 3p - so that our members can personally add their thanks in the form of replies. After everything that has happened, please, only those with friendly comments need reply to it.
I don't feel i can say too much more on the subject at the moment... it has been a sad day for Lab Forums.
All i would day is please, do your best for everyone, including staff, new members and yourselves to keep Lab Forums a friendly, and happy place.
Please have respect for our moderators, and John (JohnW) who is also on the committee.
Thanks for listening everyone.
I intend to be about a lot more from now on, daily.
I am deeply saddened by this turn of events, not been a member long and thought this was a genuinely caring forum with a common goal, our lovely labs, maybe i was wrong
Thanks for the post, and yes it has been a sad day and we all need to remember one thing that you and Dave set this site us for the propose of helping others who had labradors and I for one would have been totally lost when we first brought Kimmy home if it wasnt for all the members on here, and even to this day you all still give me loads of advice.
Ive made lots of friends some really special and who without LF I wouldnt have made.
So please everyone lets get back to the business in hand OUR LABRADORS and there well being, not personnel attacks on there owners.
Ann and Kimmy
____________ Kimmy you will always be our superstar, we love you
thought this was a genuinely caring forum with a common goal, our lovely labs, maybe i was wrong
Lorna, this is a caring forum.
Sometimes things get out of hand thats all - and this time some of our staff were deeply affected by it. It won't be happening again, thats for certain.
I can't really put into words what it's like to lose Rhoni, 3p, Kayc and Jane from the forum.
I've made so many lovely friends through here. including them.
Yes, this is a genuinely caring forum, which is probably why tempers do get so frayed - people have made friends through the GTs and speaking via here.
We've gone through so many ups and downs together...
I'm going through one atm with poorly Corbie, but everyone has been great with their messages of support. Also when I lost my dog last year, I was touched by peoples comments. When I've needed advice, people have given me it and the support needed.
With 8000+ members compared to the 100 it had when I first joined, it's easy to see how things can get out of hand more, but we try and keep the peace.... I don't mind a good heated debate as much as the next person
Let's not forget all these things and why we come on here. We wouldn't be here if we didn't like it, would we?
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