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Thread: Making Optiboard a more welcoming place!

  1. #1
    Master OptiBoarder
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    Making Optiboard a more welcoming place!

    As a whole, we have not been a very welcoming community to newbies. I think that we tend to scare off those who are new to the business. I know that I have been guilty of it.....have you?

    How can we change? How can we become the community of optical professionals that we should be? How can we improve how we handle new members?

    I am on a personal mission to try to change the climate here and make it more welcoming. I encourage others to join me in trying to make a difference.

    I posted in a thread about sending newbies info, materials, websites, contact info, etc. to help and encourage them.

    http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...134#post431134


    Let's step up........not aside!


  2. #2
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    Well said Fezz.

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    If we can't vent all or venom and frustration on the net trying to make ourselves look better by putting others down, aren't you afraid of mass suicides of older optiboarders?

    Chip

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter Jubilee's Avatar
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    I am with ya Fezz! Lets encourage people to be a part of this industry and to embrace it. That way people like Chip can feel a bit better at night about the people who will take over after he retires from the industy ;)
    "Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate. But I believe that happiness is something we create."-Something More by Sugarland

  5. #5
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    Great job Fezz! I am in. Beer Scouts unite!

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by chip anderson View Post
    If we can't vent all or venom and frustration on the net trying to make ourselves look better by putting others down, aren't you afraid of mass suicides of older optiboarders?

    Chip

    Will you step up....or step aside? How can you help?

  7. #7
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    I have been thinking and kicking ideas around. One of my main thoughts is:

    *A Newbie Mentor Section
    This could be a section of dedicated Optiboarders who are willing to help without the BS usually associated with replies in the general forum. My thought is that maybe newbies would feel more comfortable posting in the "No Hassle Zone"

  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter Jubilee's Avatar
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    I think that is an excellent idea Fezz! Heck, I bet there are many old timers besides myself that dont' know it all yet, or at least need some reminders on things once in a while..
    "Some believe in destiny, and some believe in fate. But I believe that happiness is something we create."-Something More by Sugarland

  9. #9
    Master OptiBoarder optigrrl's Avatar
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    We just need to spread the kindness everywhere, regardless of the situation. More and more the stress of our daily lives as well as our patients and customers are rising with the state of the world and this brings about a lot of negativity in our daily interactions. Pushing ourselves to take the extra step and be strong and be nice will go a long way in helping to combat this.

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder optigrrl's Avatar
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    Thanks Fezzy, for bringing this to light!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Fezz View Post
    I have been thinking and kicking ideas around. One of my main thoughts is:

    *A Newbie Mentor Section
    This could be a section of dedicated Optiboarders who are willing to help without the BS usually associated with replies in the general forum. My thought is that maybe newbies would feel more comfortable posting in the "No Hassle Zone"
    That's a great idea! I'm in for this one.

  12. #12
    Master OptiBoarder LENNY's Avatar
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    Ok, ok I will be nice!!!!:)

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    I have allways been told it is nicer to say Please and Thank You to new comers. Like" Please don't ask dumb questions or Thank You for being a Newbie Idiot". Sounds a little more polite

  14. #14
    ABOM Wes's Avatar
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    Sign me up.
    Wesley S. Scott, MBA, MIS, ABOM, NCLE-AC, LDO - SC & GA

    “As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.” -Albert Einstein

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    O.K., Fezz.

    I, uncut, hereby pledge not to send newbies home in tears, crying to mommy that they weren't welcome at Optiboard.

    I, uncut, promise not to maim any flies, furry critters, or monsters, at least for today!

    I, uncut, also promise not to tell newbies to stick their nose into anything.
    Eyes wide open

  16. #16
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    You're right...but sometimes we can't tell if newbies are real optical people or consumers or vendors in disguise. We tend to jump all over these people. Obvious consumers should politely be reminded of the rules. The not so obvious posters should be given a few more posts and be asked a few more questions, since there is really no way to verify someone's credentials.

    We should not vent our own philosophical differences on first time posters.

  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Fezz View Post
    I have been thinking and kicking ideas around. One of my main thoughts is:

    *A Newbie Mentor Section
    This could be a section of dedicated Optiboarders who are willing to help without the BS usually associated with replies in the general forum. My thought is that maybe newbies would feel more comfortable posting in the "No Hassle Zone"
    You mean like a "newbie daycare"?
    Eyes wide open

  18. #18
    ABOM Wes's Avatar
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    I know this isn't in the spirit of this thread, but I'd like to share why the "stupid" questions annoy me. I don't mind the intelligent questions, but the ones displaying a near total lack of knowledge that any optician should posess from someone calling himself an optician really gets my hackles up. It's because I call myself an optician as well, and that person is giving us all a bad name. Now I realize that keeping that individual ignorant, not helping him progress, is furthering the bad name. So I help anyway. Sometimes grudgingly.

    I can't help but think none of this would be a problem if we had standards. That's the point of that ABO survey. Does an optician encounter this or that in the first two years? Yep. Should know all that stuff before practicing as an optician. Those surveys are being used to support a position that many are pushing for.

    Anyone else?
    Wesley S. Scott, MBA, MIS, ABOM, NCLE-AC, LDO - SC & GA

    “As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.” -Albert Einstein

  19. #19
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    I'm not going to allow this thread to be de-railed. In most states anyone can be labeled an optician. Yes, we need standards, but in the mean time we hurt no one by helping each other.

    Back in 1972, when I took my first job in this industry, before I knew that Opticianry was a viable career path, I had plenty of "stupid" questions. They were answered politely and helpfully and it made all the difference for me.

  20. #20
    Master OptiBoarder pseudonym's Avatar
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    Newbies should get a subscription and post their dumb questions to the eyecare professionals forum. That's what I do. Really dumb questions I PM to certain soft-hearted opticians who'll do their best to answer it- you know who you are.

    pseudonym (coming up on year one in the business)

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    I am a "newbie" and asked my first question not long ago. I was met with very mean-spirited replies by one person in general. Most of the people were very kind. I was VERY discouraged! I received many private notifications of apologies by the nice people on here, but I also received some that said they were met with the same kind of replies as a
    "newbie". Some things some people do every day may not be something that someone else is familiar with. I don't think newbies want to be held by the hand, but to make them feel like they are not asking a stupid question would be nice. I like that idea.

  22. #22
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter Judy Canty's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Judy Canty View Post
    I'm not going to allow this thread to be de-railed. In most states anyone can be labeled an optician. Yes, we need standards, but in the mean time we hurt no one by helping each other.

    Back in 1972, when I took my first job in this industry, before I knew that Opticianry was a viable career path, I had plenty of "stupid" questions. They were answered politely and helpfully and it made all the difference for me.
    Too late...but it was a nice thought.

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    The stupidest question, is the question not asked.

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    OptiBoard Apprentice junebuggy's Avatar
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    This is why those of us who took this most recent ABO are going berserk for results! Until we prove ourselves worthy we certainly don't seem welcome.

    And while I'm ranting, thanks ABO for putting up that survey on the front page and not updating us on the progress of our tests. A blurb on the log-in page of any delay would be appreciated. Three weeks is a long time for page maintenance...

  25. #25
    Forever Liz's Dad Steve Machol's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wes View Post
    I know this isn't in the spirit of this thread, but I'd like to share why the "stupid" questions annoy me. I don't mind the intelligent questions, but the ones displaying a near total lack of knowledge that any optician should posess from someone calling himself an optician really gets my hackles up. It's because I call myself an optician as well, and that person is giving us all a bad name. Now I realize that keeping that individual ignorant, not helping him progress, is furthering the bad name. So I help anyway. Sometimes grudgingly.
    I can certainly undersatand that, but in all fairness we were all newbies at some point. The mere fact that someone is taking the time to seek out knowledge and advice from a community of professionals should be rewarded, not discouraged. These are the people we should be helping.

    Quote Originally Posted by Browneyes1208 View Post
    I am a "newbie" and asked my first question not long ago. I was met with very mean-spirited replies by one person in general. Most of the people were very kind. I was VERY discouraged! I received many private notifications of apologies by the nice people on here, but I also received some that said they were met with the same kind of replies as a
    "newbie". Some things some people do every day may not be something that someone else is familiar with. I don't think newbies want to be held by the hand, but to make them feel like they are not asking a stupid question would be nice. I like that idea.
    I'm sorry for the bad apple, but unfortunately such people are a fact of life, particularly in the online and anonymous world of the Internet. It's important to keep in mind that you will always run into jerks wherever you go. The only thing within your control is how you respond. Don't let the jerks get to you. They really aren't important enough to give them any power over your life.


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