Approving New Members

[Victoria]

Actually there is a set of questions all new applicants are suppose to answer in full.
The problems start when they object to the questions as "nosy" or "uncalled for" or they are "insulted" by the questioning of members etc.

Perhaps in addition to the questions they know they have to answer, there could be a declarative paragraph explaining that current members will be delving into their answers further asking more specifics and verifying the existance of their website, etc.

Many times when we have asked for more details, they have bowed out on their own because their motives for applying maybe haven't been as pure as stated. I am with others who say they prefer membership to be florist store front/studio.

If you have noticed the number of applicants has increased dramatically. Many say they are finding the forum on the internet. While a few say they were referred by current members. Perhaps when a member refers someone they could make sure they confirm that when the applicant post their intro.
This might keep the applicants from attacking V. the way they have been doing. The sheer numbers alone must keep V. covered up.

Thanks V. for all you do!

You're welcome... I LOVE the bolded statement. What a great idea. If an existing member feels strongly about a particular applicant they should stand and be counted.

I have a paragraph I use a great deal when vetting an applicant. I'll brush it up and post it if you like.

Thank you so much for all the kind words. They are much appreciated.

V

 

[sharonbrannigan]

i would really like to read your paragraph when it's available.

 

[Sarah Botchick]

I have a somewhat general question that this thread brings up. The comment about finding out if someone is part of a wire service raised it once again in my mind. Is there a list of "rules" for members and who is allowed to become a member? Are WS florists not allowed to become members? I had planned on telling my customers (florists) about this forum but I don't want to do this if they would be rejected since some of them are most definetly connected to Wire Services. Unlike the Gift Basket Industry that has a number of interesting forums, this seems to be the best (only?) for florists...

Also, I am concerned about behaving "properly" as a vendor member, I really don't want to overstep and bug anyone.

I have sincerely searched for some sort of rule list, but can't seem to find it. Is there such a thing? If it is up and I am just missing it, please forgive me.

 

[BOSS]

The current system seems to be working as planned. There is a consistent group of members (Thank you) that continually vet new applicants, and raise the red flag ::BS when thing's don't seem "just right" at which point a few more folks chime in.

I think that if we form a posse to go after folks we may set up a lynch mob mentality from the get go, something we would not want to put forth.

I think it would help, and I do try to do this, is that if someone applies, and you know them personally that you would step forward and speak on their behalf. That would lend credibility to their application.

We could "raise the bar", but I fear doing that may eliminate some potentially good future members, as not enough people take part in the voting process.

 

[Palms]

I just want to clarify that i started this thread as a result of a conversation in a new member thread where it was asked if more people would join in on the application process. Boss, i honestly did not want to start a lynch mob, more, relieve some pressure.

I understand that there is a set of questions yet sometimes more questions follow from people and i just wanted to clarify who was accepted really. For instance there is someone at the moment applying, i looked and they worked from home yet had done so for 9 years, they have a picture of their home on the website so their is no trickery and they seem to do a nice range of designs. Do i say yes or no to these, i am quite happy to leave it to someone else to decide as i most definately trust their judgement but is that fair for them to have to do it?

 

[Iris Eyes]

Sign me up to V's fan club too.I am amazed how much work she does on new members applications .I have to put my hand up and say I dont do any work on these simply because I wonder is there a protocol I need to follow .Are there guidelines /rules and will I do the wrong thing .I think it is a privilage to be a member and I'm delighted to be a part of it .I worked from home for a long time before opening up my retail shop so I can see both sides of the coin .But I was always a legit business paying tax /vat etc and studied hard for years to get my ICSF and NDSF qualifications .
Teresa

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

you could search the planet, and NOT find a gem like Victoria, actually, literally...,maybe she's an alien, with articulate verbose.
Anyway, we ALL owe her some respect, regardless, that she is NOT currently, directly involved in the floral trade, and some LOVE, 'cause she shares so much, and some latitude, because V adds a dimension to FlowerChat that we wouldn't have!!

 

[Iris Eyes]

Youre right Mikey 100% respect and love to Victoria she deserves it .
Teresa

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

Speaking of barn door closing, I've been reminded often enough that I was lucky to get in before "vetting" started. Also been told in very subtle ways I really have no business being here. It's sad really because where does one turn to to delve into this profession they've conciously decided to pursue? I mean, it's not like there are floral groups meeting regularly across the country to join and meet with once a week to share about the industry. So to me, this is my resource, my outlet, part of my education and my chat time with people in the industry where I can learn, explore ideas and meet people-maye make a friend along the way!

Who cares what they think Leenie!

This is my outlet too. My friends and family couldn't care less about the floral business. What a joy it was for me personally to find an on line community that speaks my language!

There are some newbies to the biz that just make me want to shake my head. they have made one or 2 OK arrangements and then think they are master designers and then open a "shop" either a B&M or in their home. Then there are they type like you that really seems to want to absorb all they can and learn and hopefully become truly great floral designers.

BTW I have no problem with good quality freelancers.

I am on the fence about who should be "allowed" into FC.

My dilemma is this... We all have to start somewhere. And FC is such a great tool for learning.

When I see substandard work coming out of B&M shops, I just don't understand how they stay in business.

Then I personally know a "basement betty" that does pretty darn good work. And yes she does have all the licenses she should....

So I say this: Who is the better candidate to be welcomed to FC?
The crappy B&M shop, who clearly needs help, OR the rock star basement betty who could actually contribute her expertise to FC?

It's a tough call for me, so most of the time I just stay out of it....

 

[Connie]

When there is an appllicant who is working from his/her residence, I back off from the application until it's learned whether this person has a business license. All folks who work from their homes are not Basement Bettys. Also, I've learned that when some people say that they work from their home, they actually have a retail area, e.g., the downstairs rooms, in their home. One person, if I remember correctly, stated that he/she worked from the home, but later stated that there was a separate building which was used for the business.

It gets tricky, and it helps when several people ask questions, politely of course.

I have had a couple of applicants who quickly let me know that my questions were not appeciated, and when that happens, without Victoria's grace and ability to soothe with well chosen words, I tend to back off. I'll try to do better because, as much as Victoria is loved, the diligence of the task should not be left to one person.

BTW, there have been several threads about what constitutes a Basement Betty and the difference between a BB and a Freelancer. There are, IMHO, clear distinctions between the two.

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

I 100% agree, not all people who work form home are basement bettys, however I also believe that a red flag goes up the instant some says they work from home.

I also believe that just because one has a B&M shop, that also does not qualify as good quality work either.

BUT the applicants who have a B&M shop are favored over home based businesses.

So I ask again------> Who should be allowed into FC?

So that's why I stay out of it... Then once they are in, I chime in my 2 cents.... and often.

 

[aileen_c]

I'm thinking about this whole basement betty thing. I mean what stops someone from lying in the questioning saying they have all the proper docs? When in fact they don't. I mean it's not like we make them scan their info or something. So essentially anyone can just lie and say yes they have a license, pay taxes, etc.

Shannon does bring up a good point and that has been something that has been on my mind as well. There are great designers, business people out there that don't have a retail shop. Someone does have to start somewhere and if they're that passionate they will find a way one way or another. I mean, look at Thom (TGDragonfly) for example he stated he started in his home. Look how awesome he is/his business turned out to be, now imagine if a place like FC didn't allow him in because he was working out of his home. This is where I feel a bit weird when we dismiss at home people.

 

[Victoria]

Many of us started in our homes, many of us continue to work from home (with all the proper acoutrements of course), many of us will go back to working from home if the economy dictates that course of action to survive.

My criteria is based on the information gleaned by all the questions asked by our participating members. If someone is clearly lacking in basic knowledge and or is a blatant "hobby" florist, then I vote no. Rarely do I vote negatively without asking many questions first. I hate to make a snap judgement, because like Connie says, there are some really talented people we can learn from out there.

And, as has been said before, we have many members but like any community there are those who participate fully and those who don't. Those who don't tend to drift away.

I do have a question though. If a member hasn't logged on or participated during a certain amount of time, do they have to re-apply?

V

 

[aileen_c]

That is a good question V. I've wondered that as well. I also wonder if there is a cleaning out of accounts.

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

That would be a GREAT criteria, even if it is a generous time like 6 months. Seems if you can't visit a friend/colleague at least once a year ...............

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

That's a darn fine question V...

Also, I got a friend request the other day from a person that on their profile it says they are still an appilcant from June 2008. the last activity this person made was 13 hours ago, and they have not been approved for membership. In fact they are even in the red...so to speak..

So I tried to post a reply to thier new member thread, so hopefully (since they are obviously interested in FC) they can become full members, or at least voted in or out and there is no where to post a Reply...

So how the heck is this person allowed to participate in FC if they haven't been approved for FC?

I don't get it..

I'm sure that's a question for Ryan.

 

[Victoria]

Shannon, I think you're talking about Honey... she is a closed account... her choice I think.

V

 

[shannonlovesflowers]

nope, wasn't Honey...

And yes it was Honeys choice to close, I asked her to reconsider.... But whatever.

 

[Victoria]

I do find it somewhat disconcerting that an applicant can send private messages and visit member pages.

V

 

[theRKF]

It's not unusual for an applicant to request guidance from the admin team during the application process. They have limited PM access (ie they can't broadcast to 50 people at a time) but we keep that option open as a communication venue. New applicants are greeted with a PM welcome message, so that is an easily identifyable means of asking questions should they have some.

Ryan