Mentoring For Newbies

[Fella]

Isn't all the newbie type stuff in pinned topics?

Yes.

I don't understand what the adavantage of "mentoring" would be? Surely they'll just post threads asking questions, and get replies anyway?


And who is to say which people would make good mentors? What's the definition of a "good fishkeeper"? Who can say who fits that model?

I can't see the necessity for it at all.

 

[Cheffi]

Isn't all the newbie type stuff in pinned topics?

Yes.

I don't understand what the adavantage of "mentoring" would be? Surely they'll just post threads asking questions, and get replies anyway?


And who is to say which people would make good mentors? What's the definition of a "good fishkeeper"? Who can say who fits that model?

I can't see the necessity for it at all.

Whoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time to cut the negatives guys...........there isn't going to be any mentoring..............read the thread properly. As for the first point you make they may post but chances are they won't get any replies. Now if they had someone they could pm then they could be guided in the right direction. A mentor isn't someone who is an expert on anything in particular. It's someone who 'Guides' and I think it's pretty obvious to a lot of the older members on here who would be suitable and who wouldn't. But hey it's irrelevent as there isn't going to be a scheme although I'm impressed with the amount of views this has had and the comments which on the whole have been positive about the general idea.

 

[jollysue]

Actually, Cheffi, I think a sign up for new members looking for some one to interact with who has more experience, would be an asset. As you say, some are more shy and slower to make connections. On the other hand it is a little like a blind date--It works for some but not all.

 

[Cheffi]

Morning Sue yes you are right. Me...well I am the shrinking violet type

 

[jollysue]

You get up early. It's 2 am here in California. B)

I'm sorry you couldn't work something out for those that need the extra help.

Shinking Violet! When was that?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I think some of the complaints that newbies have about their treatment is sometimes due to the very young adolecsents that are quite blunt at times in their opinions.

This statement looks very true to me.

Actually, putting a "mentor" label on them could make them worse. Young people love titles and they'd probably flock to be mentors and then be even worse about it.

I have nothing against young people, BTW. I used to be one and was the kind that mostly needed to just shut up. I knew what I was talking about but had no tact. I think its not in them yet. Some adults never get it, either. I hope I'm not one of those...I think it would be hard to self-diagnose.

sadly i have to agree, like people posting rubbish just to get a pinned topic cos they want one...... they just wanna feel a bit important and having something like being part of the 'mentor's group that shows up different on they're profile would just be like a status symbol for them. Don't get me wrong this isn't the case for all youngsters, there are some on here who are very mature and experienced and wise beyond they're years. But it'd be hard to say who gets to be mentors and who doesn't and who actually knows enough to do it properly rather than offering up bad advice due to inexperience.

 

[Cheffi]

I think some of the complaints that newbies have about their treatment is sometimes due to the very young adolecsents that are quite blunt at times in their opinions.

This statement looks very true to me.

Actually, putting a "mentor" label on them could make them worse. Young people love titles and they'd probably flock to be mentors and then be even worse about it.

I have nothing against young people, BTW. I used to be one and was the kind that mostly needed to just shut up. I knew what I was talking about but had no tact. I think its not in them yet. Some adults never get it, either. I hope I'm not one of those...I think it would be hard to self-diagnose.

sadly i have to agree, like people posting rubbish just to get a pinned topic cos they want one...... they just wanna feel a bit important and having something like being part of the 'mentor's group that shows up different on they're profile would just be like a status symbol for them. Don't get me wrong this isn't the case for all youngsters, there are some on here who are very mature and experienced and wise beyond they're years. But it'd be hard to say who gets to be mentors and who doesn't and who actually knows enough to do it properly rather than offering up bad advice due to inexperience.

As it's the mods/admin that pin topics don't you think that they are intelligent enough to distinquish the difference between 'people posting rubbish just to get a pinned topic' and something of great use to members? Point me out a pinned topic that is rubbish?
The term 'mentor' was dropped quite early on in this discussion in favour of buddying. Buddying gives no-one any status. Buddying takes time and effort and is not for selfish, impatient people. I know two very young posters on here personally, both are intelligent and I think would be offended to be lumped into a group of juvenile status seekers. Buddying is not there for imposing ones beliefs onto newbies it should be there for guidence only, to point people in the right direction, to help them to use this forum to their best advantage and after all would only have been there for those that wanted it. Those who didn't want/need it had no reason to use it.

I have to say that I hadn't even considered your last comments on the status symbol part but I guess that would be true of some.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

Like I said it's not everyone who's young who's like that. But there was a topic posted just a week or so ago that didn't say much useful just to welcome people to the forum then said to everyone please don't reply to this thread as I'm trying to get it pinned.... some discussion followed and the poster said they just wanted a pin cos it's cool. It's exactly that sort of attitude that I mean that could end up with newbies getting bad advice from someone who doesn't know they're stuff who's just volunteered, in a post it's OK if someone say's soemthign wrong, other's will see it and point it out so the newbie can get an idea what info is correct, if they just get a reply to a pm from someone who's they're buddy then they're likely to take it as gospel which won't nescessarily be the case.

Yes fair enough the mods can just on a thread if it's good and worthy of a pin, but to judge on a person is much harder..... someone may know everything there is to know about african cichlids but nothing about tetra's so if they were signed up as a buddy and answered a question wrong it could be quite bad. Think it'd be quite a big job and could end up with people getting offended if they got turned down to do soemthing like that.

Please don't feel I'm having a dig at all youngsters, I'm not by any stretch of the imagination. There are some very dedicated, knowledgable and experienced youngsters on here who I'd be happy to take advise from, I wish I'd known as much as they do when I was starting out.

 

[Fella]

Isn't all the newbie type stuff in pinned topics?

Yes.

I don't understand what the adavantage of "mentoring" would be? Surely they'll just post threads asking questions, and get replies anyway?


And who is to say which people would make good mentors? What's the definition of a "good fishkeeper"? Who can say who fits that model?

I can't see the necessity for it at all.

Whoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time to cut the negatives guys...........there isn't going to be any mentoring..............read the thread properly. As for the first point you make they may post but chances are they won't get any replies. Now if they had someone they could pm then they could be guided in the right direction. A mentor isn't someone who is an expert on anything in particular. It's someone who 'Guides' and I think it's pretty obvious to a lot of the older members on here who would be suitable and who wouldn't. But hey it's irrelevent as there isn't going to be a scheme although I'm impressed with the amount of views this has had and the comments which on the whole have been positive about the general idea.

Ok, so it's not going to be offering any fishkeeping advice, it will just be advice on how to use forums?!

I think I must be missing the bigger picture here because I can't see why you need people to help other people with common sense.

 

[Cheffi]

As the point seems to be completely lost now I have asked for this thread to be closed. So if you want to cast a few more stones now the the subject is close to death please feel free.

Isn't all the newbie type stuff in pinned topics?

Yes.

I don't understand what the adavantage of "mentoring" would be? Surely they'll just post threads asking questions, and get replies anyway?


And who is to say which people would make good mentors? What's the definition of a "good fishkeeper"? Who can say who fits that model?

I can't see the necessity for it at all.

Whoooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Time to cut the negatives guys...........there isn't going to be any mentoring..............read the thread properly. As for the first point you make they may post but chances are they won't get any replies. Now if they had someone they could pm then they could be guided in the right direction. A mentor isn't someone who is an expert on anything in particular. It's someone who 'Guides' and I think it's pretty obvious to a lot of the older members on here who would be suitable and who wouldn't. But hey it's irrelevent as there isn't going to be a scheme although I'm impressed with the amount of views this has had and the comments which on the whole have been positive about the general idea.

Ok, so it's not going to be offering any fishkeeping advice, it will just be advice on how to use forums?!

I think I must be missing the bigger picture here because I can't see why you need people to help other people with common sense.

Negative...negative...negative. It's pretty darn obvious that if someone asks you a question and you know the answer you aren't going to send them round the houses to get an answer you could have given them in the first place.

 

[Fella]

It's not that it's negative. Obviously everything has pros and cons. it's not that I'm "putting the idea down" or whatever, it's that I've brought to light a few problems it may cause, and that they might need to be identified and dealt with, possibly in other ways.

 

[Inchworm]

You guys are so great! Your thoughtfulness and concern about new and inexperienced fishkeepers is what has made TFF the success it is.

But you've mentioned the very reason why we cannot accept a buddying or mentoring plan. Many of our members are quite young and there are some very unsavory characters in this world. There is no way for us to tell if any of them keeps fish as well. I'm sure you can well imagine how we would all feel if a young and trusting person were to come to harm at the hands of someone we endorsed as reputable.

If everything said is posted on the public boards the risk of this happening is decreased. If some members want to develop other, more personal relationships with other individuals, that's OK too. But that's up to the individuals involved on a one to one basis. Even as it is, the mods are sometimes called upon to intervene between members who feel they are being harassed by others. It's never a pleasant situation to have to deal with.

So please continue to do the excellent job you have all been doing. There are always newbies and beginning fishkeepers who need your help and guidance. When you speak from your heart, and about your own experiences, it not only educates others but makes them feel comfortable and a part of things here too. It's so much more helpful for someone just starting out to hear your kind words of support than to simply be directed to a pinned topic.

Thank you all for understanding.