A Good Plan/Idea???

[mellomayking]

Hello all,

For those of us who participate in these swaps, etc...I thought it would be a good idea if we give instructions to a family member or friend to post a message here if we ever become unable to post for a while due to illness, etc.

Maybe the "Topic" line should be our Forum Name.....any ideas???

Melanie

[shelly322002]

thats a good idea melanie... we've had a problem with one of the swaps that finished 6 months ago. the host has disappeared off the face of the earth.
it's the not knowing what has happened etc that is one of the worst things!!
other people who are involved do need to know what is going on!

even if we have some other person's contacts details at hand like a 'next of kin' set up for on here would be helpful, then that 'next of kin' person could let everyone else know... say an email address...

[Irishgram]

Years ago, I was with another group that did something like this, which, Melanie, I think is a great idea....With that group, 1 person kept everyone's address, e-mail address or next of kin info and if someone didn't "show", she would try to get in touch with someone from the family....

There has to be a way to keep track of everyone...It is sad if someone disappears and no one knows what happened......

I always laugh, if it were up to Jim to get on the machine and post or answer a message, it just wouldn't happen...He's not sure where the on/off button is..(And doesn't want to know)...

[Joannequilts]

I'm not sure this would work..my DH is like Irishs DH..he doesn't even know how to turn the computer on or off! And he also doesn't want to know either!

In every swap the phone #, address, email address and a second contact person should be exchanged between the participants and the hostess. That would probably work. If you aren't willing to do that, then you couldn't join..it's that simple.

[Marilynsgrammy]

I just asked my DH if he knew how to get ahold of someone or log onto this site and he said he didn't have my password.....

so it's written down in our address book under P for Password...

also, to create a username on this site you have to give an e-mail address.. the moderators can e-mail any of us if it's necessary...

I have some addresses in my book for forum members taht I have swapped with

I can only think of maybe two or three times we have really really wondered where someone went... and one is the block swap you are talking about...

[CindyB]

Doesn't RockinRobyn have the rolodex that QIADLinda had?? Linda started it, and it had our forum names, our real names, our contact info, phones, emails, in case something happened, like an earthquake, or disaster, she could contact the forum member and see if they were ok.

Participation in the Rolodex was voluntary, but it would be good to have the swap hostess give someone contact info... I remember the swap you are talking about, even though I didn't participate in that particular swap, it's very, very good idea to know how to get in touch with forum friends!

[TeresaK]

Sorry to be a downer - It is a good idea BUT unfortunately even that doesn't work.

My DH has been on several "Can you find this person" committees for past HS reunions so he has all the software and network needed to find me all the info just stated to get in touch with Brenda from the Spools swap. Nothing .... not even an answer when I called her on the phone and yes it is her number.

I am really very sad about this. I was so trying to contact her short of driving there. Too many states to cross. The only 2 people I have figured out from playing with my map are Joanne and Vivian but they weren't part of the swap and I was trying to go down every lane possible before I even thought of asking

The Moderator did as much as he was allowed under the rules of the site. Also by law he is not allowed to give out any personal information. They did reach her and left a message on the phone but again no answer. Robin also helped as much as she could as well.

So it is up to us to have a contact person who holds this info. I do have a very long list of names and addresses started as you will see from my map when i can post the pics ... the battery died in the camera and the pictures came out black so I am waiting for the battery to charge... If this is something you would like me to do please feel free to let me know.

Well those are my thoughts. The main thing is ... if you are going to be part of a swap .... COMMITMENT, COMMUNICATION and FUN are the keys to success for everyone or just don't do it because you will ruin it for everyone. I say that with a ;

[WeSignificant]

I am thinking it is a good idea, would it work, I don't know. I am not sure if something happened to me, and I had left those instructions, that DH would follow through. He can check email but other than that, computer skills are sketchy.

Communication is key, but we must remember, we are doing these swaps at our own risks. In most cases we have never met the people we are swaping with and really only know the words on the screen. As horrible as it may sound, if the host is not a regular, I am not joining. I have lost on this forum in the past and am very careful now.

Unfortunately people do drop out and disappear. This is a chance we take. For those of you who have lost your blocks, I have been there. I never did get mine but learned a lot through that lesson.

[Joannequilts]

Valerie is right on. When I first joined the forum, I lurked and watched for a long time before I even posted. Since I worked in law enforcement for years, I am overly cautious and very skeptical. And she's right when she says that all we really know is words on the screen.

I watched the whole thing several years ago with a hostess gone missing..it was so sad. And now this spool swap kind of looks like it might be going in the same direction. But, like Val said, we join at our own risk. Personally, I won't join a swap with just anyone..I'm very careful.

There is no way to guarantee reaching someone..even if you go to their house! They just may not answer the door!

Sometimes there is a reason for not following through...and sometimes people just don't care.

I really hope that the ladies that invested their time and money get some closure to this..hugs to all of you!

Joanne

[vivian1970]

In theory its a good idea. But my husband won't even check his email, much less mine. I would have to have my DD do it for me. DH doesn't like the computer being in the house.. lol

I will try tomorrow to get hold of Brenda. I looked up her landline phone in the phone book. She does live out in the country from what mapquest says. I can't promise anything but will post whatever I find as soon as I find out.

vivian