IMPORTANT - Inactive Members/Group Clean-up

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

When I founded this group, I set out with the aim of having a relatively small book group. I was always intimidated by large groups, and thought I'd never be able to get to know people or catch up.

Dragons & Jetpacks has grown massively over the past year, and we are nearing 700 members - not quite what I'd call a 'small group'! However, only a small percentage of these members are actually active and participate in discussions.

After some discussion with the other moderators, we have decided to kick people from the group who fit the following:
- have never posted/appeared to be active
- have not used Goodreads in 6 months (this may be narrowed to 3 months if it does not result in a much smaller group)

We worry that the appearance of a larger group may be putting some people off, who would otherwise be active members, from joining or taking part.

However, I am aware that some people may purely join to read the threads, and don't feel a need to post. If that's you, please let us know of your presence by commenting just once, here or anywhere else!

I hope everyone understands this decision.

UPDATE: Just to emphasise: the only people we were thinking about kicking were those who hadn't posted at all AND who hadn't been on Goodreads in the past 6 months. So if you've commented, if you've sent me a PM, if you've been on Goodreads recently, YOU ARE FINE. :)

I managed to remove around 40 people last night, but I may start looking at people with no comments who haven't logged in 2015, and then perhaps people who HAVE commented, but haven't been on in over a year.

[RachelvlehcaR]

I'm one of those silent people that wouldn't want to be kicked.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Thanks for letting us know! :)

[Emily]

I just joined last month, and haven't gotten a chance to read the book selections yet. I plan to be more active in April. :)

[David]

I'm one of those fairly silent people but value being a member of the group.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

That's fine, you both seem to be active GR users so I would have left it a while anyway. Thanks for posting! :)

[Alex]

I would like to remain in the group, I don't really post nearly anywhere, but i like reading the discussions

[Michele]

I'm not sure how much I've commented so far but I like reading what people think of the books (at a minimum).

[Paul, A wanderer in unknown realms]

Seems a reasonable decision. I know a lot of people join goodreads , join ten groups then never open their account again. Also nice to see some of our ramblings are well recieved by quiter members :-)

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Well now you've commented enough ;) We're just looking at people who haven't commented at all, so just one post, if you prefer to read but not participate, is all good :)

[Mpauli, Bitten by a radioactive book]

Thanks for all the comments so far. As Rinn said, our general approach is here to find people that are generally inactive (commenting or reading) and shrink the group a bit again.

As we are happy for everyone that comments, it's totally fine to be a more passive member. We just don't think that having people in the group who haven't checked in for a year or two are benefitting the group or really get something out of it.

And in the rare case someone would be out of the country for half a year or a year, it will be possible to rejoin.
So, it's just a bit of spring cleaning to get the group to a more manageable size. :)

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Yeah this is really interesting actually, to see we have plenty of people who read our thoughts on the books! :)

[Mike]

I am also one of the quiet ones who wishes to remain in the group. Thank you.

[[deleted user]]

I'm also one of these people. I like to read some of the threads so please don't kick me out. :)

[Xander]

Just want to put a shout that Hey! I'm one of them passive readers :)

[Kimberly]

I just joined this month. I won't read every month, but from looking at past choices/discussions, I'm looking forward to the chance to join in. Please keep me. :)

[Adam]

Don't kick please.

[Eric]

I like to read all of the discussions and usually vote every month, occasionally I'll nominate/second a book, but for the most part I'm happy just lurking! You mods do a great job with this group by the way!

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Thanks for commenting everyone :)

And thank you for the kind comments, Eric!

[Jakelene]

I'm one of those people who like to read the threads! I can always try to comment and contribute more, but I mostly like to read about other people's opinions and thoughts. I also vote on the the monthly polls and stuff, so I'd really like to continue to lurk please.

[Tokio]

I'm one of those silent people who haunt the threads.

[Charlotte]

I'm one of the quiet ones. I do enjoy the books of the month when I get a chance to read them.

[Emma]

I like to lurk, and enjoy reading threads and voting in book of the month/seeing which get picked.

[Freya, Dragon Rider]

Thank you for lurking (I love that word!) and voting :)

[Vera]

I usually stay pretty silent, I like reading the posts, finding new series to read and sometimes picking up the monthly reads.

[Den]

I actually look forward to checking this group on a usual basis. I guess i'm a silent stalker, but what kind of avid epic fantasy reader doesn't enjoy a casual stalking every now and then?

[Marie]

I am here! I am here! I feel like a Who ;). I really appreciate this group and enjoy all of the posts--I am, however, a lurker right now. :( I sneak on when I can, read all the lovely bits, then run back into my crazy world.

I enjoy all you do, and I do hope you'll let me stay?

Thanks!

[Sarah]

I mostly lurk, but I'm here

[Nathan]

Michele wrote: "I'm not sure how much I've commented so far but I like reading what people think of the books (at a minimum)."

Ditto

[Cheryl]

I'd like to stay even if I only lurk. I like to read up on the past discussions after I get around to reading the book.

[Raavyn]

Hello,

I received your email about group clean up. I am one of those who enjoy reading the discussions and forum posts. Seeing what everyone is up to, reading, and what the group reads are.

I understand your vision for this group and what you were wanting to accomplish. After your explanation in the email there are no hard feelings from me if you decided to boot me, but here I am in hopes that I can continue to read the groups discussions and book club picks!

Raavyn

[Autumn]

I tend to lurk, but enjoy voting for and reading the picks. I would like to stay.

[Ty]

Hi...my name is Ty and I'm a lurker. (Crowd responds "Hi Ty!") One of these days I just might join in on a conversation, but for now I'm mostly just reading along with the books and forum posts.

[Kit]

I'm a silent member as well, I enjoy the discussions but I'm bad with words so I never post anything.

[Ana]

Kaila wrote: "I'm a silent member as well, I enjoy the discussions but I'm bad with words so I never post anything."

Ditto.

[[deleted user]]

I'm a lurker! I don't have much of a chance to comment, but I enjoy reading the threads on the books I've read/want to read.. I totally understand the rationale behind wanting to keep it small though!

[Greg]

<-- I am also a lurker but I think purging members from time to time is a good idea. Please don't purge me though :)

[Nara]

Wow there is a surprisingly large number of lurkers!

[Nic, Wormhole Technician]

Yeah, i can't believe the response to this! Who knew we had so many silent partners! It's great that you all like reading our posts, but we'd love to hear from you all too, don't be shy!

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Oh wow! :D

Just to emphasise: the only people we were thinking about kicking were those who hadn't posted at all AND who hadn't been on Goodreads in the past 6 months. So if you've commented, if you've sent me a PM, if you've been on Goodreads recently, YOU ARE FINE. :)

I managed to remove around 40 people last night, but I may start looking at people with no comments who haven't logged in 2015, and then perhaps people who HAVE commented, but haven't been on in over a year.

[António]

Fair enough. I'm one of the silent ones who does little else besides reading the threads and checking the book suggestions. But I'm quite active on Goodreads, checking at least once a week, so I guess I'm safe :)

[Kayleigh]

I'm fairly silent on here but will comment every now and again but I'm pretty active on Goodreads in general.

[Kristina]

I just joined the site a few days ago so I'm still trying to find my way around! But I hope to be active once I get my bearings! :D

[Kirsty, Jedi Master]

Hello to all our Lurkers :D you're very welcome here!

[Greg]

Kirsty wrote: "Hello to all our Lurkers :D you're very welcome here!"
As long as we bring cookies?

[Chris]

Hi everyone,

I'm also one of those now titled 'lurkers' ^_^ I do enjoy reading through he posts and checking the books of the month selection. However, I mostly use it for inspiration and I'm quite passive. Feel free to dump me if you want to limit your group to active members, I won't take it personally! But if I may, I'd love to stay especially for the Fantasy books. Regarding the SciFy my tastes diverge more towards space opera so I'm not so well aligned. Still fun to follow, though.

[Rinn, (Retired mod) Captain of the SSV Normandy]

Chris wrote: "Hi everyone,

I'm also one of those now titled 'lurkers' ^_^ I do enjoy reading through he posts and checking the books of the month selection. However, I mostly use it for inspiration and I'm q..."

Oh no, we're not kicking anyone who has been active on GR lately, so you are of course welcome to stay! :D Plus you've posted now!

[Veronica]

I just recently joined this group so haven't participated much beyond reading threads and getting to know the lay of the land, so to speak. I am active on GR and in other groups to which I belong though, so I guess I'm okay. I do plan on becoming more active here as well, just still getting my feet wet. :)

[Samantha]

Rinn wrote: "When I founded this group, I set out with the aim of having a relatively small book group. I was always intimidated by large groups, and thought I'd never be able to get to know people or catch up...."

Count me among the lurkers who don't post to the group but love reading the threads!

[Daniel]

I'm silent, but still want to follow.