Identification of club members by name...

[melbarnes]

Hi John,

I've spoken to you in the past about how difficult it is for newcomers to the club to identify club members by name. This is especially difficult when people use usernames or initials on the ADAPS website rather than their real names.

I believe that some members don't like their identities to be revealed online, so that would rule out named photos on the ADAPS website.

However, it is possible to produce members' photos with their names underneath for display either on the club walls (as for the committee), or better still (because there is insufficient room on the walls) displayed in a book. This would enable people like myself as a relative newcomer to the club to identify relevant people so that I can chat/network with them.

I know that this is an issue felt by others in the club, and indeed, when I asked a senior committee member of the club on Thursday night "who is this 'ajs' listed on the forum?" - the response was "I don't know". I also asked a couple of long-standing members, and they didn't know either. So it seems that such an identification system would be beneficial to new and existing members.

An alternative would be to issue name badges to members - but this would invoke costs, and would rely on the members to remember / be willing to display them.

I think a book with a photo of each member (after all, we are a photographic society...) together with their name and forum username would be the best solution - it would be easy to implement in loose-leaf form, it would be cheap, and it would provide some data protection for those members who are not willing for their details to be spread outside of the club.

What do you think?

Cheers

Mel

[John]

You mention data protection Mel and the only reason we are exempt from such considerations is that we have no computer records of our membership, it's all done with pen and paper. It's a logistical nightmare to think of doing pictures of all the members, it took long enough to get the committee members to sit for images!

ajs is Julie Sales, Sue Boon's friend, so say hello to her when you can!

If any members want to, they all have cards so they could be used on lanyards like the committee members are supposed to. Meanwhile, some will want to stay in the shadows and some will be happy to shout their names far and wide. But seriously, it is a problem to get to know people and the bigger the club is the harder it gets. Sometimes just saying hello and introducing ourselves is the best way forward with this.

[Mrs Sales]

Just saying hullo to Mr Barnes

As the forum hates my Imac Its easier to post and read it from my phone
So do a lazy login with my initials
It does say aka mrs sales on the signature I think

[Paul Jones]

I've spoken to you in the past about how difficult it is for newcomers to the club to identify club members by name. This is especially difficult when people use usernames or initials on the ADAPS website rather than their real names.

I empathise with this, Mel. I know I don't attend club nights as often as I would like, but there are many faces that I struggle to put names to. I suppose I'll get to know them all in time.

On the forum we do request that people use their real names when registering, but it's difficult to enforce. The forum administrators, and the ADAPS committee have debated this issue on several occasions.

[melbarnes]

Hi Julie,

Thanks for your reply - we must introduce ourselves next time we are both at the club! Gwen (my significant half...) and I sit on the left hand side, on the back row (it's more convenient for nipping to the loo!).

Cheers

Mel

[Mrs Sales]

There's a loo?
yes please say hullo, I'm the elderly lady that comes sometimes with Mrs Boon

[Janice Freeman]

Surely you mean 'mature' and ' experienced' like me Mrs Sales Think I might make myself a badge or a T-shirt!!!

Janice.

[Paul Jones]

... Think I might make myself a T-shirt!!!

[Janice Freeman]

As usual, Paul is absolutely correct

[John]

Catchy phrase, let's hope it doesn't go to Paul's head!

[Alan Duckworth]

I always thought that it was old age that made me forget names???????

[Paul Jones]

As usual, Paul is absolutely correct

That gives me an idea for a t-shirt.....