Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
- Crystal
- Brooding
- Posts: 1331
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 2:27 pm
- Location: Richmond, VA
- Contact:
Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
I've been meaning to write this for a long time!! (& as implied by the title, there will be other 'parts to the story' to be added soon!)
Letter to the Membership, Part 1: Celebrating diversity
Dear fellow finch enthusiasts,
When I founded this forum years ago, it was intended to be a place where anyone with an interest in learning about, teaching about, or simply sharing about finches could find others with whom to connect. The goal was to create a forum that brought a sense of community and thereby nurtured a supportive, family-friendly learning environment where anyone (no matter how inexperienced with finches) could feel secure in sharing and engaging in an open exchange of ideas. (Now our official forum mission statement!)
Of course the very nature of this goal means bringing together differences in opinions and differences in methods when it comes to caring for birds, not to mention variations in personality types and communication styles when it comes to the folks sharing the information (online, as in life!). Please know that so long as the tone is civil, and the information being shared not endangering/detrimental, contrast is not, nor has it ever been considered a problem in need of solving—far from it! In my opinion, our differences have been, and have every potential of continuing to be one of the most valuable resources we possess. After all, it is our diversity of experiences, of opinions, of life-lessons learned that makes this forum so great and informative, and which has allowed it to be such a success for all of this time!
I want to take a moment to celebrate our diversity, and to thank you for making this forum so fantastic, in part by keeping the discourse friendly (or at least neutral) as we exchange interactions. I think this deserves a big thank you because it is no easy task, especially when encountering subjects of controversy and debate!!
And debate is important because it offers a truly fantastic and powerful means of advancing interest in, and education about a subject, but only remains that effective (in my opinion, anyway) if it’s friendly and therefore constructive debate. Having a truly friendly debate is naturally challenging, because controversial subjects carry at least 2 very strong, and often contrary, sides to an issue, and most people feel very strongly one way or another. Sometimes a person may even feel threatened, hurt, or insulted when they encounter someone else who does not agree with their position; sometimes this has more to do with how the information is presented during the debate (the tone of the information or what was inferred) rather than what information is actually presented (the content of the information).
For years, however, this forum has found a way to maintain a friendly atmosphere despite encountering subjects of debate. It is a challenge, an art really, but not impossible! And so many of you have helped us realize that goal!
And to that effect, you constructive contributors, you friendly finch enthusiasts, you deserve your share of credit and thanks for helping to make this forum possible, and also so great, active, engaging, and generally wonderful. I love that we appreciate each other, even when our opinions may vary, and wanted to extend a huge round of applause for you on behalf of not just myself but our entire moderator team!
Letter to the Membership, Part 1: Celebrating diversity
Dear fellow finch enthusiasts,
When I founded this forum years ago, it was intended to be a place where anyone with an interest in learning about, teaching about, or simply sharing about finches could find others with whom to connect. The goal was to create a forum that brought a sense of community and thereby nurtured a supportive, family-friendly learning environment where anyone (no matter how inexperienced with finches) could feel secure in sharing and engaging in an open exchange of ideas. (Now our official forum mission statement!)
Of course the very nature of this goal means bringing together differences in opinions and differences in methods when it comes to caring for birds, not to mention variations in personality types and communication styles when it comes to the folks sharing the information (online, as in life!). Please know that so long as the tone is civil, and the information being shared not endangering/detrimental, contrast is not, nor has it ever been considered a problem in need of solving—far from it! In my opinion, our differences have been, and have every potential of continuing to be one of the most valuable resources we possess. After all, it is our diversity of experiences, of opinions, of life-lessons learned that makes this forum so great and informative, and which has allowed it to be such a success for all of this time!
I want to take a moment to celebrate our diversity, and to thank you for making this forum so fantastic, in part by keeping the discourse friendly (or at least neutral) as we exchange interactions. I think this deserves a big thank you because it is no easy task, especially when encountering subjects of controversy and debate!!
And debate is important because it offers a truly fantastic and powerful means of advancing interest in, and education about a subject, but only remains that effective (in my opinion, anyway) if it’s friendly and therefore constructive debate. Having a truly friendly debate is naturally challenging, because controversial subjects carry at least 2 very strong, and often contrary, sides to an issue, and most people feel very strongly one way or another. Sometimes a person may even feel threatened, hurt, or insulted when they encounter someone else who does not agree with their position; sometimes this has more to do with how the information is presented during the debate (the tone of the information or what was inferred) rather than what information is actually presented (the content of the information).
For years, however, this forum has found a way to maintain a friendly atmosphere despite encountering subjects of debate. It is a challenge, an art really, but not impossible! And so many of you have helped us realize that goal!
And to that effect, you constructive contributors, you friendly finch enthusiasts, you deserve your share of credit and thanks for helping to make this forum possible, and also so great, active, engaging, and generally wonderful. I love that we appreciate each other, even when our opinions may vary, and wanted to extend a huge round of applause for you on behalf of not just myself but our entire moderator team!
Webmaster
http://www.finchinfo.com/
http://www.finchinfo.com/
- L in Ontario
- Mod Emeritus
- Posts: 13365
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:29 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
I can only echo Crystal's sentiments and thank each and every one of you for not only being a member and posting but sharing your experiences - a part of you - that is what makes this forum number one. Hip, hip, hooray for every one of you!
Liz
- cindy
- Bird Brain
- Posts: 18754
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:33 pm
- Location: west central Florida
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
Thank you so much for having us!! We appreciate all you do to make it possible for us to gather here and share!
Zebra, Gouldians, Java, CBM Shaft tail & Grasskeets
~ My Facebook groups ~
*Finchaholics ~ finches, hookbills, softbills & canaries are welcome here!
discussions regarding species, housing, breeding, preventatives, treatments
*Birdaholics ~ Avian Classified Ads Only
- lovemyfinch
- Mod Extraordinaire
- Posts: 10036
- Joined: Tue Mar 31, 2009 7:12 am
- Location: St-Hippolyte, Qc
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
Echoing here as well Thank you to everyone for making this forum as friendly and helpful as it is And for being my second family
Janine
shaftails,gouldians,societies,green singers,owls,cubans, and 1 parrotlet
shaftails,gouldians,societies,green singers,owls,cubans, and 1 parrotlet
- DanteD716
- Good Egg
- Posts: 8084
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:16 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
Well I do try to be as much help as I can...
But, thank you for having me on this forum, who knows what'd I do without it!!
But, thank you for having me on this forum, who knows what'd I do without it!!
Dante
- L in Ontario
- Mod Emeritus
- Posts: 13365
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:29 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
And we would be a lessor forum without any one of our members!DanteD716 wrote: Well I do try to be as much help as I can...
But, thank you for having me on this forum, who knows what'd I do without it!!
Liz
- DanteD716
- Good Egg
- Posts: 8084
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:16 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
Don't need to sugar coat by saying "one of our members" I know you guys need me
Dante
- L in Ontario
- Mod Emeritus
- Posts: 13365
- Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2006 10:29 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario Canada
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
You are so funny Dante!!DanteD716 wrote: Don't need to sugar coat by saying "one of our members" I know you guys need me
Liz
- DanteD716
- Good Egg
- Posts: 8084
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:16 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Contact:
- cindy
- Bird Brain
- Posts: 18754
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:33 pm
- Location: west central Florida
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
Zebra, Gouldians, Java, CBM Shaft tail & Grasskeets
~ My Facebook groups ~
*Finchaholics ~ finches, hookbills, softbills & canaries are welcome here!
discussions regarding species, housing, breeding, preventatives, treatments
*Birdaholics ~ Avian Classified Ads Only
- DanteD716
- Good Egg
- Posts: 8084
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:16 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
(the more laughs we get, the higher posts!!! )
Dante
- cindy
- Bird Brain
- Posts: 18754
- Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2009 8:33 pm
- Location: west central Florida
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
ha ha...I noticed your posts rising in number!!!!!
Zebra, Gouldians, Java, CBM Shaft tail & Grasskeets
~ My Facebook groups ~
*Finchaholics ~ finches, hookbills, softbills & canaries are welcome here!
discussions regarding species, housing, breeding, preventatives, treatments
*Birdaholics ~ Avian Classified Ads Only
- DanteD716
- Good Egg
- Posts: 8084
- Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:16 pm
- Location: Buffalo, NY
- Contact:
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
Yes! I cannot wait until I finish moulting!!!
Dante
- Domenic
- Weaning
- Posts: 1833
- Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:09 pm
- Location: Reedsburg, WI
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
I recommend this forum to anyone and everyone I discuss finches with. I have met some of the most genuine, intelligent people on this forum and I can confidently guide anyone here knowing they will be welcomed, listened to, and helped, to the best of all your abilities. As far as forums go, this is the best one I have ever been a part of and ever will be a part of. I think it's great that that simple truth is being recognized.
Zebra, Orange cheeks, Owls, Gouldians, Blue-Capped Cordon Bleus, Goldbreasts, Black Face Fires, & Button Quail
http://www.Ironsidecomputers.com
http://www.Ironsidecomputers.com
-
- Brooding
- Posts: 1224
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2012 10:56 pm
- Location: Springfield, Il
Re: Thank you for being awesome & adding to this site!
I too cannot even begin to express what I get back out of the members on this forum! It really is the only friendly forum I have found, and the best people!! It is so rewarding to help others here as well as what I learn from other's! Every bird I sell, I strongly recommend if they want to learn or need a question answered quickly with reliable information..finchforum is a must! I hurry to show you all any and all of my bird news, and look forward to other's as well! Thank you for having this wonderful resource available!!!
Heather finch and canary hobbyist
gouldians, canaries, zebras, societies, parrotlets, english budgie and a greencheek
gouldians, canaries, zebras, societies, parrotlets, english budgie and a greencheek