Wild Things: YA Grown-Up discussion
Bookmark Swap
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Bookmark Swap rules - need your input!
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I don't think the swap has run its course (yet), but I do think we might need to be a little more strident about things. Frankly, we're all adults and we should know what we're capable of. If you can't take on a commitment but just get too excited about the potential for REAL MAIL in your mailbox (as opposed to bills), you probably shouldn't sign up.If you know that you are notorious for forgetting deadlines, then you should either set an alert for yourself (phone! Google calendar!) or let the group know this so they can remind you - I'm sure there are many of us who would be glad to send you a reminder message a day or two before it's time to send.
I'm thinking that we may need to start enforcing some kind of policy regarding flakage. I mean, we all want this to be fun, so no one wants a ton of rules, and yes, emergencies happen and things DO get lost in the mail on occasion - but the thing is - someone else's fun depends on you coming through. So we should at least consider having a 3 strikes policy, or suspending people from participation for a few rounds when they don't come through.
That would really stink. I hope that is not the case... I don't know how to guarantee on-time shipping except to maybe to exclude late shippers from participating again. :(
Do we need more time for the creation process? Would that help if we had three weeks to make the bookmark, or would that just prolong the inevitable?It's hard to prove whether people are sending late or there real transit issues... What if we made it a rule that you have to post in the thread when you ship? Most people do, but not everyone. Would that accountability help?
Another group has all of their participants send their bookmarks and a self addressed stamped envelope to one person, and that person is in charge of divvying them up. What do we think about that? It would ensure that only those people who sent, receive.
Why don't we do it like the other group does and just have it where it begins the first of the month and ends the last day and everyone has to ensure that they send it out within the month. Maybe at least before the end of the month? We can all open them but not post the pics or say what they are until the end of the month?? Maybe???I kinow a month is a long time but if everyone just tried to do it right away and get in the habit of the same time all the time that might help...
I do agree on the 3 strikes policy or even 2 strikes! If you made a mistake or an emergecy came up then fine but to let it happen again...???
I really like that idea! It's been great having monthly swaps. I don't feel as pressured and have plenty of time to plan and create (and recreate if needed).I also agree with the three strikes rule. If you compeletly flake that's it. If for some reason you have some issue and you can't participate or send out, let the organizer know so we can rearrage things or have someone else take your place.
I think a monthly swap works well, especially for the people who want to make their bookmarks. I'd like to corss stitch a bookmark, but 10 days isn't enough time. I'm a slow cross stitcher.
I agree about the three-strike rule, or as suggested, even two. No one wants to put in all the time and effort, only to get left out.Also, maybe if the theme was announced a bit earlier so we can have somewhere around 15-20 days to complete the bookmark? This month I decided to read a new book as well, so that shortens the "creation window".
I just joined, so it would suck to see this end. :(
I think if we do a month as our time frame, that would totally allow for reading a book (if needed) as well as the creative process.
I have loved making and receiving bookmarks the past couple of months! I enjoy going to the mailbox and waiting to open such a neat package. So, I can understand someone's frustration in not receiving a bookmark.I have one caveat I would like to add, though. Sometimes life gets away from us. Perhaps it makes it difficult to arrange the time for the bookmark or to even read the book. To give those experiencing time problems the benefit of the doubt, I wonder if there is a way to improvise.
For those who find it hard to get things accomplished, they could post to the current thread prior to the mail deadline, as could late entries, and perhaps the 2 groups of people could meet up. For example, Cassie just posted that she would have liked to participate but came in too late. I'm really swamped myself, so I offered to let her take my spot. This may not always work out, but in the event it does, it could cut down on people neglecting to follow through.
I have already read my book for this month and will still make my bookmark if Cassie doesn't want to or if Angela does not want a switch to keep things simple. Either way, I understand.
I hope we don't dissolve the swap because I love seeing everyone's creativity and engaging in a little of my own!
~Gale
We can definitely incorporate a few of these suggestions. I'm fine with having it start on the 1st and be shipped by the last day of the month. I agree with Heather that it's a long time, hopefully not too long!We can also pick our themes ahead so there's plenty of time for decision making. We can suggest themes in a separate thread and we can get them lined up now.
And I think if we did decide to send all our bookmarks to one person, that job could rotate. It could be a volunteer job, so only people willing to do it would sign up.
What if we were to do something like this: 15th of previous month: Select themes and sign ups
1st - 14th of round month: Make bookmark
15th of round month: Ship deadline & themes/sign ups for next round
End of round month: open and post pics
This way, it would give people time to read their book if needed and plan for their bookmark, since they'd have almost a full month of knowing what they'd be doing before the deadline to ship. The overlap of the sign-up period would add about 2 weeks of planning/making time to the round without really extending it.
Does that make sense? =\
Edit to add: I like having opening and picture time as part of the round rather than shipping by the end of the round and opening after. It just seems more cohesive to me that way. *shrug*
We could also tentatively schedule the rest of the year so everyone will know ahead of time what the theme is for each month.
Agreed, Gale. I have a bookmark theme thread posted here http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/4.... Please go there and suggest themes for us, people!The thread lists themes we've previously used too.
Let's get this worked out so we can start fresh in June.
The bookmark swaps should definitely continue!! It seems that everyone is saying this, so it looks like they won’t die out :)I think it's a great idea to allow "replacement swappers" to take someone's place. This provides a safety net if something does come up. Of course, I'm partial because I came in late too late for the last round ;)
I think it would be best to ship the bookmarks out ourselves, rather than creating a middle person to deal with all of it. It seems like that would create a lot of work and drag the process out more than necessary. It would be better to just make it clear that each person take responsibility for themselves. I think it would become confusing and create a greater chance for items to be lost in the mail or people to be accidentally left out if something arrived late, etc.
A reminder might be helpful. It seems very reasonable that everyone post and be involved on the board. That ensures that everyone is aware of the time frame and shows that they haven't flaked, etc.
Ok, we have 9 theme suggestions so far, when we get to a dozen I will send them through the randomizer to set the order. We'll use all of the suggestions received.I will be the first to admit that I forget about the swap until the very last second and have to scramble to get signups posted... I will not be a good person to depend on for reminders! I agree that a reminder would be very helpful, though.
We will try out Becky's schedule to see how it flies. If we know in advance what the theme is, we can begin creating the bookmark well before we know who our swap person is.
I know we like to know who we have in order to customize the bookmark for that particular person, but it gives people who need longer for their project (like Paula for cross stitching) an added two weeks if they sign up right away.
I will do my best to get sign ups posted promptly with the theme of the swap. I will ask in return that if you have ANY issues with completing the swap on time, you tell me. We do have people willing to fill in in a pinch. Please don't stiff your swap partner, or ship late! Remember that you can also purchase bookmarks on websites like etsy and amazon or at a B&N store if you are scrambling last second. I'd much rather receive a spur of the moment purchased bookmark than no bookmark.
Because I can't "prove" when someone ships late, we will have to go by if your person receives your bookmark late for figuring out whether or not you'll be able to continue participating. That sucks, I know, because the post office is not consistent, but what other choice do we have?? If your bookmark arrives late twice, you are out. (I will allow some additional leeway for out of the country mailing)
I do typically ask advice from other regular swappers about how to deal with flakes, so I won't be making any decisions completely alone.
I appreciate all of your input! I want this to be FUN!! I love getting a cool new bookmark in the mail. :)
As far as late bookmarks, can we also maybe use the date the post office stamps on there? So it needs to be mailed out? That will help in knowing WHEN exactly it was mailed.Angela, I'd be happy to help with reminders and such!
Such great suggestions everyone! I like the idea of reminders, that would really help me out. I also like the idea of 1 month. I also have some ideas that might take me a while, and like some decided to read a couple of books this month within the theme. I wish I had more to add, but you all have mostly covered it.
Ok, I posted the next six topics for themed bookmarks under the "bookmark themes". Hopefully this will give everyone a chance to plan ahead!We will follow Becky's suggestion and open sign ups on the 15th for the next round. As soon as you sign up you can begin making your bookmark, but sign ups will not close until the 1st (about 2 weeks later). We will ship on the 15th of the month, so if you sign up early you will have a full month to work on your bookmark. No excuses, right?!
What can we do to stop this problem? We moved opening day to 10 days after shipping day in case the postal service was to blame, but honestly, this seems to me like it's people just shipping way late.
Any thoughts on this subject? Has the swap run its course?