A future that calls us into action and being today...

[NathanATX]

What I am hearing/reading is that the existing purpose of the Soulforce Forums may be complete. I say that because it sounds like it's not calling people forth, inspiring and moving people.

That might mean that the original reasons many of us had for coming and participating here are now complete in our lives. i.e., You may have a peace and freedom about the integration of sexuality and spirituality in your personal life and this is no longer an area of concern and heartache for you. And that happened out of your participation in this community.
If we took the case that the future we are living into calls us into action and being today, you could look at the actions and who we're being today and take a stab at guessing what the probable future might be for the Forums. So what's happening now?


We wait for a trigger, like a gay-rights news article, before coming to the Forums to see what others are saying.
There is very little personal communication and relationship building happening.
People get their personal issues handled here and then they go off to do "bigger and better" things.
There is little identifiable correlation between participation here and participation in Soulforce.
People come, join, post a "Hi, My Name Is..." and don't get involved further.
People come, join, and try to be in conversation at the level of intention/power/nonviolence that others are at, things don't go well and people get offended and hurt.
People who operate at the level of intention/power/nonviolence are decreasing involvement on the Forums and getting active outside Soulforce making a difference in their communities.

There are probably other things you might add to this list, but the probable almost certain future I see here is a message board that does little other than provide a space to talk about issues, events, etc., with no personal development happening, no training in how to be a leader in Soulforce happening, no creation and no action happening. As a moderator, my experience in that probable future would be "baby-sitter."

That future does NOT call to me.

So my questions for you are:

1. What is a future for the Soulforce Forums that would inspire you, call you to action, enliven you, challenge you, excite and engerize you? What do you see possible?

2. What is missing now, that, if it were present, would make THE difference?

3. What could you take responsibility for in the creation and fulfillment of a future for the Soulforce Forums that makes a difference in the world?

(This is not serious and significant... don't make it mean anything... just look to see what you can create!) :D

[Zerbie]

Hey Nate,

I came here looking for a venue to put my concern and passion into action 3D. SF has provided a couple of opportunities for me to do that (7SN 2 years in a row) which was satisfying, but not what kept me on the forum.

What kept me engaged in the forum was conversation where those similarly engaged shared ideas, experience, advice. And mainly, the fact that we became friends. I got in the habit of coming here to chat about silly movies and recipes with those I considered friends even MORE than for discussion of issues and activism. Since that has faded, I check here periodically to keep tabs on what is going on in this segment of social justice, but that hardly makes for an engaging, ongoing personal conversation.

Some folks have expressed feeling unsafe here, which I have not experienced. Their concern is worth seriously investigating to see what we can do differently, if anything in fact, to rectify. It is difficult to be completely emotionally safe on the internet, but since the issue has been raised here on more than one occasion and by more than one individual, it is worth investigating.

[Daniel]

Nate- I don't have any pithy thoughts to share re what would make a difference in forum participation. As it is, I have been posting only infrequently- aside from a recent flurry of posts.

That said, I started a thread some time ago questioning the future of the forum. It received a good deal of participation, the tenor of which I read as "I am not here as much because I am busy!"

When I joined there was vigorous and intense discussion and debate. And I spent two years of my life involved in online activities here. What happened to change that? Life. I found myself experiencing changes I did not anticipate. Life can be full of surprises, can it not?

I am not convinced that there is anything that anyone of us as forum members can do to increase participation. Far from it. My sense is that there is a macro event happening, both culturally and personally. We are- it seems- in a period of recession. And the very word means that everything is receding, pulling back- contracting!

That is what we have witnessed here, is it not?

The wheel will turn again. But who can say how things will look? Perhaps the best thing to do right now is nothing. Watch and wait.

You can't force a plant to grow. And even the ground needs to lie fallow for Spring to come. As such, many come here based on what Soulforce proper is doing. And that is where change may ultimately need to happen first. What might that look like?

I haven't a clue.

[Jennifer5]

So what's happening now?


We wait for a trigger, like a gay-rights news article, before coming to the Forums to see what others are saying.
There is very little personal communication and relationship building happening.
People get their personal issues handled here and then they go off to do "bigger and better" things.
There is little identifiable correlation between participation here and participation in Soulforce.
People come, join, post a "Hi, My Name Is..." and don't get involved further.
People come, join, and try to be in conversation at the level of intention/power/nonviolence that others are at, things don't go well and people get offended and hurt.
People who operate at the level of intention/power/nonviolence are decreasing involvement on the Forums and getting active outside Soulforce making a difference in their communities.

There are probably other things you might add to this list, but the probable almost certain future I see here is a message board that does little other than provide a space to talk about issues, events, etc., with no personal development happening, no training in how to be a leader in Soulforce happening, no creation and no action happening. As a moderator, my experience in that probable future would be "baby-sitter."

That future does NOT call to me.
This hit a lot of important points for me.

Personal communication and relationship building was huge, in a big world I found friendship in a small community. Which connects to dealing with personal issues here, which I have been guilty of doing many times. I liked feeling like I could do that and I honestly really care about hearing other people's similar cries for help. I want to know what is going on in each of your lives, whether it be good, bad, or boring, I don't really care. When I saw that Andy was updating us on what was going on, I really did care! I wanted to read it. I wanted to respond. I wanted to tell him, out where the world could see, that I believe he deserves better and that I/we really love and care about him. I miss those oddly personal relationships that we created, right out in the open, where the world to see. It was an amazing example of what a diverse community of loving people can look like.

Personally, I guess I do solve my personal issues here so that I can go on to do bigger and better things because it felt that with the support I received I could do just that. You gave me faith. When I received those simple comments of comfort when I was scared, it allowed me to become a stronger person. When I was told that I was being unreasonable or given advice I didn't agree with, I didn't like it, but it was what I needed. I loved that kind of honesty and support.

Correlation between participation here and in Soulforce, that I wish we had more of! I need to be more involved in SF, so I'm just one of hundreds to blame for that problem. I wish that we had equality riders who wanted to join the forums and be active, but so far I don't think that's happened. Even when we do connect the the forums and active community, they continue to feel very separate. I hope that will change.

I hope that we can regain the level of power/nonviolence that we had and be patient with those who are still learning.

So my questions for you are:

1. What is a future for the Soulforce Forums that would inspire you, call you to action, enliven you, challenge you, excite and engerize you? What do you see possible?

2. What is missing now, that, if it were present, would make THE difference?
On the forums, what energized me was new people with new stories, new ideas about life, ridiculous chit-chat, conversations about heaven and hell, etc. etc. etc. I was energized by the energy that people put into their posts, any topic will do.

Nate- I don't have any pithy thoughts to share re what would make a difference in forum participation. As it is, I have been posting only infrequently- aside from a recent flurry of posts.

That said, I started a thread some time ago questioning the future of the forum. It received a good deal of participation, the tenor of which I read as "I am not here as much because I am busy!"
That was around the election and the visible beginning of this recession. A lot of people were involved in campaigning. Many were worrying about finances. People didn't come back though, that's the part I don't understand.

When I joined there was vigorous and intense discussion and debate. And I spent two years of my life involved in online activities here. What happened to change that? Life. I found myself experiencing changes I did not anticipate. Life can be full of surprises, can it not?

I am not convinced that there is anything that anyone of us as forum members can do to increase participation. Far from it. My sense is that there is a macro event happening, both culturally and personally. We are- it seems- in a period of recession. And the very word means that everything is receding, pulling back- contracting!

That is what we have witnessed here, is it not?

The wheel will turn again. But who can say how things will look? Perhaps the best thing to do right now is nothing. Watch and wait.

You can't force a plant to grow. And even the ground needs to lie fallow for Spring to come. As such, many come here based on what Soulforce proper is doing. And that is where change may ultimately need to happen first. What might that look like?

I haven't a clue.
It's been a long winter and I'm ready for spring. I hope it's that simple. :flower:

[Emproph]

Nate, I agree with a lot of the points you’ve brought up.

We wait for a trigger, like a gay-rights news article, before coming to the Forums to see what others are saying.

That’s often true for me, but it joys my heart that I don’t need to participate in those threads, because I have nothing to add. Those that are regulars know all the lies, hypocrisy, Biblical misinterpretations, etc. And I see that on other blogs too, there’s a real awakening and integral understanding of the reality that we’re facing.

People get their personal issues handled here and then they go off to do "bigger and better" things.

I would see that first part as a good thing, that they do get there personal issues handled here. And I admit, attention to my own blog, and commenting on others’, takes up much more of my time than it did before.

People come, join, post a "Hi, My Name Is..." and don't get involved further.
Not sure what I’m basing this on, but my experience has been that about 1 in 10 sign ups leads to further posts, and 1 in 10 of those members become regular posters and members of the community here.

I struck that first part out because the 1 in 10 seems to be an almost universal gauge. Even in the Bible, Jesus healed 10, and only 1 came back to thank him. In my experience, I come up with 10 ideas for a post on my blog, and I’m lucky if 1 of them gets published. Same goes for commenting, here or elsewhere.

It’s a fact of life. Think about the predators in the wild, especially the big cats, they say only 1 in several (as in 7-10) attempts results in a kill.

But there is something to be said for what can be done to increase membership adherence, not for the sake of it, but for the sake of generating the feeling of safety and the pursuit of non-violence. I miss Susan, and dream…guy, and many more.

People come, join, and try to be in conversation at the level of intention/power/nonviolence that others are at, things don't go well and people get offended and hurt.

As Zerbie says:
Some folks have expressed feeling unsafe here, which I have not experienced. Their concern is worth seriously investigating to see what we can do differently, if anything in fact, to rectify. It is difficult to be completely emotionally safe on the internet, but since the issue has been raised here on more than one occasion and by more than one individual, it is worth investigating.

And I am sometimes one of those offensive people. But I keep coming back, because I feel safe here and am reminded of the importance of practicing non-violence in my own world, whether online or in person. I have little to give on that front, but it’s always on my mind, and when I can give, I do - specifically because I am reminded of that here.

I don’t like to call myself a Christian (noun), for more than one reason, the greatest of which is that I rarely live up to being Christ-i-an (adj). The Golden Rule is all there is, and I’m lousy at it.

I know how to look at my “opponent” as an eternal part of my own / God’s being, but I rarely do, because mocking them is too much fun. But like I said, it’s knowledge of the purpose of this place that often tempers my temptation to do so, though mostly only when in personal contact.

Congratulations to me are in order. I’ve graduated from violence of tongue to mocking of tongue, lol. Yup, I’ve got a ways to go...

That said, I started a thread some time ago questioning the future of the forum. It received a good deal of participation, the tenor of which I read as "I am not here as much because I am busy!"
That might be worthy of a sticky thread too. There are many times I wish I could just drop in and say something like that, but it’s not a conversation starter or worthy of a thread.

I am not convinced that there is anything that anyone of us as forum members can do to increase participation. Far from it. My sense is that there is a macro event happening, both culturally and personally. We are- it seems- in a period of recession. And the very word means that everything is receding, pulling back- contracting!…

…You can't force a plant to grow.
That said, perhaps some focused contraction is in order, to streamline our goals and focus on the challenges of being non-violent of thought - which is really where it all begins.

1. What is a future for the Soulforce Forums that would inspire you, call you to action, enliven you, challenge you, excite and engerize you? What do you see possible?

One thing that might help could be a sticky thread of homepage updates in the Soulforce Activism section. I hardly ever remember to check the homepage for updates. It would keep us informed, inspired, and could spawn spin-off threads.

HTML: There may be a reason this feature is turned off, but often times people don’t feel like clicking on a link for the info. It’s much easier if it’s right there in front of you to watch, and there are a lot of informative videos (only available in HTML) out there that could fortify the information sharing on this site.
---
And as Jennifer and Zerbie said, I really feel a sense of community here. I consider many of you dear friends. Often when I link to SoulForce, I link to the forums instead of the homepage, so that people know that it’s not just a website, but a community.

[BenL]

Nate,

I think Daniel summed it up admirably when he said that life happens and sometimes gets in the way (a condensed paraphrase).

I can only tell of my experience here. I am up to 510 posts in the couple of years that I have participated. That's a fraction of what some of the people have contributed who have chalked up a thousand posts or more.

I signed up because I, like many, have felt put down by organized religion. I am fortunate now that I am in a loving, accepting church that embraces diversity. I wanted to find healing here ... and I have. I wanted to help others ... and I have tried to. And I wanted to make friends who are likeminded but also diverse. I feel I have accomplished that, too, but online friendships are so much more elusive than those made in 3D.

People come and go ... and come back again. I think you can relate to that experience, Nate. I miss some of the voices: Pablo, Dash, dsdrane, to name a few, and u-dog's, Daniel's, and Zerbie's fuller participation.

I have never been an activist in the formal sense, and if that's what you have to be to be an SFer, I'll probably drift away, too. I do my work one-one-one, I write, and I try to build community wherever I am, but that doesn't happen to be on the picket line or in the demonstration.

I tend to read more than I post, because I don't always have something to say, because I'm still learning. In all the online forums I have participated in over the years, I have tried to confine my comments to what I know personally and not to tell other people what I think they should do. I have not always succeeded in that restraint, but I try.

Community is the thing that attracts me to the Soulforce forums. Building that online community is the task I value here. I think that community building has two important functions: to support each other and to support the larger goals of Soulforce in society.

My thoughts, totalling probably about $1.86. :lol: Thanks for asking.

[tdogg]

Nate,

I think Daniel summed it up admirably when he said that life happens and sometimes gets in the way (a condensed paraphrase).



Yeah, it's kinda like that. I think the SF forums are still valuable, needed and I enjoy them. I'm pretty busy right now, but still take the time now and then to read through and sometimes post. I think we have all evolved, with everything going on in our country (and even worldwide), to being more active, which means less time on the computer (or at least the forums).

I don't think it's passe. There are a lot of new members, many of whom are in the place we were when we all signed up. It's like a wave, ebb & flow, influx of new and somewhat outflux of old. Although the older members are still mainly around somewhat, the newer ones are posting more. There is a real value to this place. It is a relatively safe place for discussion, although some have indicated they don't feel that safe. I have always felt pretty safe even when those that would 'save' us come around. And I have made so many friends here, friends that I would never want to lose. SF is a place we can always come back to, to refresh the friendships and share news, encourage each other and support all.

I love it here. Spending less time but no less valuable to me. :love::love:

[NathanATX]

Thank you all for your contributions to this conversation!

[Jennifer5]

One thing that might help could be a sticky thread of homepage updates in the Soulforce Activism section. I hardly ever remember to check the homepage for updates. It would keep us informed, inspired, and could spawn spin-off threads.
---
And as Jennifer and Zerbie said, I really feel a sense of community here. I consider many of you dear friends. Often when I link to SoulForce, I link to the forums instead of the homepage, so that people know that it’s not just a website, but a community.
I really like the homepage updates idea. While it seems like a little weird, I too forget to check the homepage.

I agree with you Patrick, I think of the community when I think of SF. These forums have been a big part of my life. The two FoF protests were powerful and unforgettable. Hearing Mel White speak for the first time and sitting and joking around with his partner Gary, was a very cool experience. Everything about the SF community has been powerful to me. I love you all! :love:

I tend to read more than I post, because I don't always have something to say, because I'm still learning. In all the online forums I have participated in over the years, I have tried to confine my comments to what I know personally and not to tell other people what I think they should do. I have not always succeeded in that restraint, but I try.

Community is the thing that attracts me to the Soulforce forums. Building that online community is the task I value here. I think that community building has two important functions: to support each other and to support the larger goals of Soulforce in society.

My thoughts, totalling probably about $1.86. :lol: Thanks for asking.
510 posts or so over the years may not seem like a lot compared to some of the other, but with those posts your contributed a lot. I'm glad that you're here in this community. :love:

[NathanATX]

One person's $1.86 is another's wealth. :)

The SF Updates idea is great! We need to have an RSS feed anyway... off to techie land...

[Emproph]

I love it here. Spending less time but no less valuable to me. :love::love:

That’s exactly how I feel.

even when those that would 'save' us come around.

And when they come around, you are a bastion of patience and witness. So before I eat them, I always feel confident that the 'saver' has at least had the opportunity to see us as human beings. ;)

but online friendships are so much more elusive than those made in 3D.

...The two FoF protests were powerful and unforgettable...

Ben, elusive they may be, but don’t doubt the importance of them.

I‘ve met several people, from here and web-related abroad, at a protests, including Jennifer :wave:, And it’s been my experience (and I think those of others on this site), that when you meet in person, it’s as though you already know them, or at least like you’re already friends.

The most important communication often goes on online. I think we’re often more open online because of that perceived distance. Plus, at least for me, I have the time to formulate my thoughts, and therefore feel more confident in expressing them.

My thoughts, totalling probably about $1.86.

I think you should charge more than $1.86 for your 2¢ worth. I found your post genuine and well put.
________________
PS Dewdrop was his name, not "dream...guy." So "I miss Dewdrop" is what I should have said (that has been driving me out of my mind for days..).

I've seen him in action, he's a master of non-violent interaction.

[tdogg]

I‘ve met several people, from here and web-related abroad, at a protests, including Jennifer :wave:, And it’s been my experience (and I think those of others on this site), that when you meet in person, it’s as though you already know them, or at least like you’re already friends.
.

Ditto that Patrick. It could be a combination of getting to folks on-line (even if 'somewhat') and those individuals being persons that are easy to get to know, or that I'm comfortable with. But I totally agree!

[Jennifer5]

I‘ve met several people, from here and web-related abroad, at a protests, including Jennifer :wave:, And it’s been my experience (and I think those of others on this site), that when you meet in person, it’s as though you already know them, or at least like you’re already friends.

The most important communication often goes on online. I think we’re often more open online because of that perceived distance. Plus, at least for me, I have the time to formulate my thoughts, and therefore feel more confident in expressing them.
There is a lot to online friendships. I definitely know you better online even though I did meet you in person. In our case, our friendship was the only way I managed to get to CO in 2006. You wrote that presentation for me, there is no way I could have done that by myself. In my mind, we will always have a special friendship because you gave me that gift. It led to meeting you, Jamie and Corey (I think that was it?). :love:

I really do value online communication though. I agree that there is a feeling of distance that comes from it that allows you to share the things closest to your heart. My three best friends are people I know in person, but we don't do a lot of talking in person. We go home or even into different rooms though, sign onto msn and pretty soon we can get into a meaningful conversation of whatever is bothering us.

I had to joke around with one of the guys when I was staying with my uncle though (he's been living with my uncle)... I finally said to him that if we were all going to be spending that much time together we should really start talking in person. So we did, now can carry on more of a conversation in person, but all the real things still happen online. :p

Anyway, I LOVE online communication it allows me to open up the way I need to and it clearly allows others to do that same. I love to talk, but I also love to listen.:love:

[awediot]

What I am hearing/reading is that the existing purpose of the Soulforce Forums may be complete. I say that because it sounds like it's not calling people forth, inspiring and moving people.

That might mean that the original reasons many of us had for coming and participating here are now complete in our lives.i.e., You may have a peace and freedom about the integration of sexuality and spirituality in your personal life and this is no longer an area of concern and heartache for you. And that happened out of your participation in this community.
If we took the case that the future we are living into calls us into action and being today, you could look at the actions and who we're being today and take a stab at guessing what the probable future might be for the Forums. So what's happening now?


We wait for a trigger, like a gay-rights news article, before coming to the Forums to see what others are saying.
There is very little personal communication and relationship building happening.
People get their personal issues handled here and then they go off to do "bigger and better" things.
There is little identifiable correlation between participation here and participation in Soulforce.
People come, join, post a "Hi, My Name Is..." and don't get involved further.
People come, join, and try to be in conversation at the level of intention/power/nonviolence that others are at, things don't go well and people get offended and hurt.
People who operate at the level of intention/power/nonviolence are decreasing involvement on the Forums and getting active outside Soulforce making a difference in their communities.

There are probably other things you might add to this list, but the probable almost certain future I see here is a message board that does little other than provide a space to talk about issues, events, etc., with no personal development happening, no training in how to be a leader in Soulforce happening, no creation and no action happening. As a moderator, my experience in that probable future would be "baby-sitter."

That future does NOT call to me.

So my questions for you are:

1. What is a future for the Soulforce Forums that would inspire you, call you to action, enliven you, challenge you, excite and engerize you? What do you see possible?

2. What is missing now, that, if it were present, would make THE difference?

3. What could you take responsibility for in the creation and fulfillment of a future for the Soulforce Forums that makes a difference in the world?


Well...

(This is not serious and significant... don't make it mean anything... just look to see what you can create!) :D
BOOM!

You just answered your own question.

[wmanion]

Many may come and go, but Soulforce itself will not outlive its purpose as long as religion is oppressing people to the point that they commit suicide, until a parent can love their child regardless of sexual orientation, and until the GLBT community is treated as an equal to everyone other group of people. I know I have not been around a lot for the past three months, but Soulforce is a life line of mine. I have not been around because the computer is one of my triggers to light up a cigarette and read away. I had to give up my computer for awhile until I conquered the cigarettes, which by the way I have not smoked for three months and twelve days, and it feels wonderful.

Bill

[tdogg]

Great job Bill. Keep up the good work. Awesome! :D:love:

I totally agree with you re: Soulforce still being useful. A personal lifeline yes, in the sense that I've made some really great friends through SF and can't imagine not having them in my lives. Definitely a more global lifeline in regards to saving ourselves, and especially our youth, from religious oppression.