Team Captains: Issues/Alerts/Discussions (A place for them to communicate.) Round I

[Rebecca NJ]

Well just know that you are not alone :)

[Mary X]

I hadn't bothered clicking on my link as I just assumed it was adding them in since I'd been doing a start and finish date. But it had only added 2 out of my 5 and the last 3 were marked as finished 2+ days ago. I try to remember to click on the link more often.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Alright, we've had another person sign-up to a Team without going through the sign-up thread. What makes this one different is her goal is 200, though she has NOT tagged any of her books. I'm going to leave her there, for now. However, this puts that team's anticipated goal way above the other teams.

I shot off a welcome PM to her and told her who her captains were. I'm putting off adding her until I hear back.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

I think it is a good time for Team Captains to start thinking about contacting those Team Members who have NOT yet join the appropriate challenge on the Home Page.

Please, if you are concerned about a member changing their mind, let me know who (via PM) and when you sent them a PM. Someone who has a goal of 15 books and 20 comments may not be on GRs as much as someone with a goal of 150 and 1,000 comments.

BTW, you will see comment history count by rolling you cursor over a members names and waiting a second.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Things to consider before making the next Team Assignments.

Team C has two people who didn't sign-up through the normal pathway and have not responded to PMs. Checking out the other teams. I guess I am just a little more cautious b/c they didn't go through the normal sign-up pathway...even after the stop signs were posted. LOL!

TEAM MEMBERS WITH ZERO BOOKS "TAGGED"

Team A - with Zero books
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 200 - signed up Jan. 21 Team A; signed up Jan. 17 Team C - chose Team A
✉ ✉ One person with 200 - signed up Jan. 1 -on viewing bookshelves, only one book read; page count good; start date October, 2012?? Update: Another PM sent 2/11.
TOTAL = 400 200

Team B - with Zero books
✪ One person with 030 - signed up Jan. 21 -too soon to send a message; Update:one book posted
✪ One person with 040 - signed up Jan. 18 -too soon to send a message; Update:one book posted.
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 100 - signed up Jan. 7 -read book that qualifies
✉ China (100) - signed up Jan. 5
✉ Tory (060) - signed up Jan. 1 -no response to Zara'a comment on her challenge thread Update: active on GRs in February; one book marked as read, but doesn't have enough pages to count.
✉ ✉ Melissa (060) - signed up Jan. 1 -states to Zara in her challenge thread she is a slow reader; Update: 1/24 replied to me that she will update soon.
✉ ✉ ✔ ✪ Sanz - signed up Jan. 1 -states to Zara in her challenge thread she's reading a 900 pagerUpdate: Posted a book.
TOTAL = 260 340 270

Team C - with Zero books
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 200 - signed up Jan. 17 - NOT through sign-up thread now on Team A
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 020 - signed up Jan. 4 -read book that qualifies
✉ ✉ One person with 050 - signed up Jan. 4 - NOT through sign-up thread
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 060 - signed up Jan. 1 - book posted
TOTAL = 330 110 50

Team D - with Zero books
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 030 - signed up Jan. 11 -replied; no book qualifies; Update: reading book today that qualifies; Update: posted book
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 075 - signed up Jan. 1 -replied, no book qualifies yet; Update: read book that qualifies Friday, still not posted.Update: posted books
✉ ✔ ✪ One person with 050 - signed up Jan. 1 -replied, no book qualifies yet; Update: no books read since 1/1
TOTAL = 155 000


REQUESTED ENTRANCE, BUT HAVE NOT SIGN-UP ON HOME PAGE TEAM CHALLENGE

Team A
✉ ✉ Cait (050) – Jan. 6 (only comment ever to group) Update: Sent another PM on 2/11.
✉ ✔ ✪ Lauren OK {Name Alert} (075) – Jan. 7 (only comment ever to group) Update: added books
TOTAL = 125 050

Team B
Denice (050) - Feb. 1 too soon to contact
Jojiwoji (125) - Jan. 28 too soon to contact
✉ ✔ ✪ Cathy (MI) {Name Alert} (250) – Dec. 30 is Cathy G. (requested after assigned)
✉ ✔ ✪ Nasanta (100) (050) – Dec. 28 - on humanitarian effort in a non-WiFi area; lowered goal; Update: book posted
TOTAL = 350 300 050 000

Team C
Christal (100) - Jan. 31 too soon to contact
✉ ✔ ✪ Amy F. {Name Alert} (024) – Jan. 16 (3 comments to group)
✉ Samantha (100) – Dec. 30 (4 comments to group)
✉ Abhinav (017) – Dec. 29 (only comment ever to group)
TOTAL = 141 117

Team D
✉ Lindy (260 240) – Jan. 4 -TC saw in another group that she's been sick over the holidays.
✉ ✉ ✉ ✔ ✪ Ebonny (040) - Jan. 1 -Initially left group, but not challenge; books still showing; PM sent; GRs Feedback contacted; ex-member re-contated.
Update: Kindly rejoined and removed herself from challenge.
TOTAL = 300 260 245 240

KEY
✉ = contacted
✔ = member responded or took action
✪ = books showing and/or all resolved

Special Note: If book is posted & issue is resolved, then books removed from total (here for this info).

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

PART 1 - Team Members with Zero Books
I am requesting that the Team Captains consider contacting those people who have signed into our challenge on our Home Page, but have NOT "tagged" any books. I think, if it has been MORE THAN two weeks since they signed up, then you should try a gentle inquiry.

PART 2 - Team Members Requested Entrance, but have NOT signed up on Home Page
Team Captains, same two week review. Plus, for those people with 5 or fewer comments (this is for the total NBRC group), if you attempt to contact them, but don't hear back, then I'm going to take them off the Team Registry and try and re-balance the numbers. So, PLEASE let me know who and when you contacted, etc.

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[Rebecca NJ]

TEAM D - Status Update

PART 1 - Team Members with Zero Books
I've been monitoring them. Two were private profiles and accepted my friend request so I know that they are around and have been on GR recently. Based on their posting history, I was going to give them a few more days before I reach out to them.

One person with 075 - signed up Jan. 1 - only 11 posts to NBRC. No books finished that would meet requirements.
One person with 030 - signed up Jan. 11 - only 1 post to NBRC. No books finished that would meet requirements.
One person with 050 - signed up Jan. 1 - more active member. No books finished that would meet requirements.

PART 2 - Team Members Requested Entrance, but have NOT signed up on Home Page
Lindy was contacted yesterday by Leslie. We have not heard anything back from her.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Great, Rebecca! Thank you for the update. ☺

Cupcake for you ladies!

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[Mary]

TEAM A
We've already discussed the member with 0 books, so I'll skip that. Cait & Lauren were contacted January 11 via PM and have not responded.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Thanks, Mary!

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[Sonia]

oooohhhhh I want one of those....

[Lisa Kay]

What kind do you want, Sonia? Exactly that kind? Or something besides chocolate?

[Rebecca NJ]

Hmmm...I suddenly want a cupcake and I can't figure out why :)

[Sonia]

either goey chocolate, molton lava cakes or red velvet with cream cheese frosting

[Lisa Kay]

Okay, Sonia...

red velvet with cream cheese frosting
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[Sonia]

Lisa Kay wrote: "Okay, Sonia...

red velvet with cream cheese frosting
"

OMIGOSH!!!!

Thank you LK, that totally made my morning... I love red velvet cake, unfortunately is not a typical Portuguese cake, plus we don't have the habit of using buttermilk - only the ones, like me that love US baking, so I only bake them in a very special occasion, or when my sister asks me to - I bake her one once for her b-day, and she's a fan ever since.

[Vikki]

Have sent messages to the 3 members for Group C who haven't signed up yet - Abhinav, Amy F & Samantha.

[Vikki]

Team C

For the 0 books - the member with 20 looks like she's currently reading a book that will meet the requirements. Will keep an eye on this. Have sent a message to the member with 50.

Edit - have also sent messages to the 2 members who didn't sign up through the proper thread.

[Sonia]

Uhmmm, Lisa Kay, we have a Team member that signed-up directly on both Team A and Team C.

And she already added 12 books O_O

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Thanks, Vikki!


Orange Mimosa Cupcakes
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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Sonia wrote: "And she already added 12 books O_O"

To each? I'll check it out, Sonia. Thanks.

[Vikki]

Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges wrote: "Thanks, Vikki!

"

Yummy - those cupcakes look delicious!

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Glad you like them, Vikki! I meant to say what kind they are: Orange Mimosa Cupcakes...added it.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

BTW, if any one can figure out why Georgina Swagger's books are NOT showing under view (she's the person who signed up for both Team A and Team C), I'll give you a cupcake. ☺

[Rebecca NJ]

Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges wrote: "BTW, if any one can figure out why Georgina Swagger's books are NOT showing under view (she's the person who signed up for both Team A and Team C), I'll give you a cupcake. ☺"

Oooh! I would imagine it's because she's signed up in two places. You would be the only one to test this theory with your placeholder account.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Hmmm... I think it was happening before she signed up for both, but GREAT idea for me to check. Thanks, Rebecca.

Cupcake for you, for the suggestion!

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Wasn't a problem for me, Rebecca. To the computer, they really are separate challenges. You can have one shelf that is used by multiple challenges. I've done this a lot in other groups. **sigh** Nice try, though.

[Mary]

That looks DELICIOUS. My stomach literally rumbled at the sight of it. I need to find me some good gluten-free cupcake recipes.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

I saw a book at Williams-Sonoma, Mary. And I think the same book was at Whole Foods last night when I ran to the grocery store. Hmmmm... can't remember the name.

Let me see if there are any in .

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Mary, here is one on Pinterest:
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THE Chocolate Gluten Free Cupcake
recipe(view spoiler)[

I have just finished making a batch of THE BEST gluten-free cupcakes IN THE WORLD.
Ok, maybe a bit enthusiastic on the biased front there, but OMG they are SO good.
I will gladly testify to the amazing effects that using a bit of Xanthan Gum has on the texture of the cakes.
JUST like my regular cuppies, made exactly the same way but using Trufoods GF plain flour and Lotus foods Xanthan Gum.
(See bottom of page for supplier links to these products.)
Heres the recipe:

Ingredients

90g Cocoa (I use Droste)
350g boiling water
3 eggs (150g) ( free range preferably)
1 Tblspn Vanilla Paste
300g sifted Plain gluten free flour
430g caster sugar (Trufoods)
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp Xanthan Gum (Lotus)
1/2 tsp salt
230g unsalted butter (BioDynamic / Organic)

Method

Preheat oven to 180C (350 F)
Line 2 maybe 3 x 12 hole muffin trays with paper bake cups.
Combine the cocoa and boiling water in a medium bowl and mix really well , get out all the lumps. Allow to cool.
In the bowl of your mixer combine ALL the dry ingredients on low speed for 1 minute.
In another bowl combine eggs, vanilla and 1/4 of the cooled cocoa liquid.
Add the softened butter and the main cocoa liquid to the dry ingredients and mix on low until moistened.
Then increase the speed to medium for 2 minutes.
Scrape the sides down then add the egg mix in 3 lots on medium speed beating well between additions.
Grab your spatula and give the bowl a really good scrape and gently mix in any naughty bits from the base of the bowl.
Using your regular ice-cream scoop, gently transfer level scoops of batter into paper bake cups.
Bake for a minimum of 15 minutes then start checking. If not done but starting to overbrown, gently lay a sheet of aluminium foil over the top of the cakes.
Cupcakes are cooked when they spring back if touched lightly in the centre .
Allow to cool in the pans for 10 mins then cool on racks.
Smother with your best G/F buttercream of choice ( most buttercreams are G/F anyway!) Just make sure that whatever icing sugar you use adheres to GF and avoids cross contamination of non GF products in manufacture.

Drop me a line to let me know how you get on as everyones recipe interpretations can differ slightly here and there and I can help sort any probs out.

Happy baking!
Bev
xxxx0x0x0xxxx (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

Oh drat! I was hoping that would be the solution. It's strange because if you go into her profile, you can see the books.

[Lisa Kay]

Rebecca wrote: "Oh drat! I was hoping that would be the solution. It's strange because if you go into her profile, you can see the books."

I KNOW! Weird. Totally weird. She must be doing something Mary and I ...and now you...can't figure out.

[Mary]

LK, that looks amazing! Thank you. :D Also, my favorite flower is a daisy, so it really is perfect.

[Lisa Kay]

Do you watch Cupcake Wars on Food Network, Mary? There was a woman one there - whose vegan cookbook I have (but it does NOT have cupcakes in it **sigh**). She won! The other people in the challenge were really surprised ... (and unhappy) that they lost to vegan cupcakes. One of them was gluten free.

[Mary]

My boyfriend and I watch Cupcake Wars sometimes. It's surprisingly addicting...

Whole Foods makes these amazing gluten-free chocolate cupcakes. If you don't know they're gluten-free, you can't tell any difference. They're some of the best chocolate cupcakes I've ever had.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

I haven't tried any, but I'll look for them. Thanks!

[Sonia]

LK I can see her books on the team challenge page, that's how I found out about the 12 books

No clue what the problem is though, my web skills are limited

[Rebecca NJ]

The only other thing I can think of is that it didn't work for you because you are a moderator.

I'm out of ideas. Good luck!

[Lisa Kay]

Well, I shot her off a PM a while ago; let's see if she can tell me what she did.

[Stefani]

Moderators of Nothing but Reading Challenges wrote: "BTW, if any one can figure out why Georgina Swagger's books are NOT showing under view (she's the person who signed up for both Team A and Team C), I'll give you a cupcake. ☺"

I have noticed that with my progress, it doesn't update until I click on it. For example up until Sunday it was saying 2..well over 24 hours after I added book 3. Once I clicked on view community progress, it immediately started showing 3.

All 3 times I have added books, I had to click on "update my entry" then click on "view community progress" and it magically updates. Maybe something similar is happening to her?

[Lisa Kay]

No, if I - or anyone else - click on your "view books" it will update you, Stefani. But, nice that you are trying to figure it out, too.

Carrot Cake Cupcake

[Lisa Kay]

This is what I think happened: She originally signed up with Team C, then didn't sign-on to GRs for awhile. Then, when she came back, she could remember which team she signed up on, nor could she remember the shelf name. So, she made up a new one. If you notice, on her Profile Page there is no end parenthesis ) after the number on her specified bookshelf. Either that, or she edited that bookshelf.

[Rebecca NJ]

The missing end parenthesis on her profile page I think is just a spacing problem on the home page. Some members of my team have things missing in their bookshelves as well.

I think you might be onto something that she may have either edited the shelf after she registered and the challenge shelf cache hasn't caught up.

Part of my day job is testing a website for errors and glitches and trying to re-create errors when things to happen. That's probably why I'm trying to hard to figure this out :)

[Lisa Kay]

I'm a nurse, but once a pay-period I taught all the newly hired ancillary staff how to use the computer; I also worked closely with IT on updates. It is really bugging me, too. LOL!

There was another member who deleted her bookshelf, and that left her books read total b/c she didn't withdraw from the challenge. However, at one time we could see all her books. With Georgina's we have never seen her books under "view books."

Nevertheless, in the eyes of the computer, the Team A challenge is a completely different challenge than Team C.

[Vikki]

Our member with 60 books but 0 tagged hasn't finished anything to meet the challenge requirements yet.

I also got a message from Georgina asking where she could sign up properly, so I gave her a link to the sign-up thread.

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Thanks so much, Vikki! Georgina hasn't PM'd me back, but she did remove herself from Team C and is now only on Team A. (I told her whichever team she wanted to stay on, she could.) And, her books are showing. Yay! The mystery of why they weren't may never be known. ☺

Toffee Crunch Cupcake for you!
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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Team Captains:

Important: I updated Post #105 . I hope I got it all straight, as some of this is gleaned from multiple sign-ons, PMs, threads, and the mod group. Please let me know if I made any errors.

Again, for members who have NOT signed up for the challenge on the Home Page, and have 5 or fewer comments for the total NBRC group, and you have contacted them, but don’t hear back, I’m going to take them of the Team Registry and try and re-balance the numbers. I’ll give them a week, if you think that is long enough?

Please note the Key at the bottom:

KEY
✉ = contacted
✔ = member responded or took action
✪ = books showing and/or all resolved
Special Note: If book is posted & issue is resolved, then books removed from total (here, for this info).

Also, I listed the people in reverse chronological order of sign-up. Some are too early to contract. I'm trying not to use names, but looks like I'm going to have to resort to that.

Team B:
• Could one of you please PM China (100) and Tory H (60) if you haven't already done so – and not just comment in their challenge thread – members with zero books who joined on or before Jan. 5.
• I know Melissa (60) has read some books for another group challenge that qualify, so I shot off an inquiry as to why she hasn’t “tagged” them for Tower Teams Reading Challenge.
• Sorry, I finally figured out that Cathy G & Cathy MI are the same person, even though I swear I checked this, like, three times because I was suspicious the goal numbers were the same. **sigh**

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

Okay, now I'm going to double check everyone's anticipated goals to match my list. Then, I think I'll assign the people awaiting teams.

Check and double check.
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[Dee Gonzalez]

Hey don't fret..even Santa has to check his list twice!!

[Lisa Kay]

Yeah, well I check mine thrice; still didn't work. But, thanks, Dee. ☺