HMRRC Forum

1) Reduce the number of forums, 12 is too many, 4 to 6 might suffice, then rename them so they are more general in scope. After 5 years it's obvious which ones get little or no discussion.

2) Move it out of the Members-only menu and put it where people tend to go most often, like race info and results. Or at the top level. I'll bet no one ever visits the Fun Runs heading. Why not a discussion forum heading instead of Fun Runs?

SumoRunner wrote:

1) Reduce the number of forums, 12 is too many, 4 to 6 might suffice, then rename them so they are more general in scope. After 5 years it's obvious which ones get little or no discussion.

We’ve seen this suggestion before and have been reluctant to act on it, mainly for the reason that it seems counterintuitive to us.  Do people really arrive at this site and say to themselves, “I would post but there are just too many categories”?
 
We want to attract as many people as possible, and it seems to us that offering a wide array of choices would do that better.  On the other hand, there is no disputing the fact that some of the categories are not being used.  Our thinking is that as long as the majority of the activity is coming from a relatively small group of users, eliminating categories doesn’t make sense.  If we build a larger and more diverse user base, and these categories still sit idle, then it would make more sense to us.

However, if there is a consensus that the current lineup is a deterrent, we will consider consolidating.  Please let us know your thoughts.

SumoRunner wrote:

2) Move it out of the Members-only menu and put it where people tend to go most often, like race info and results. Or at the top level. I'll bet no one ever visits the Fun Runs heading. Why not a discussion forum heading instead of Fun Runs?

This makes good sense.  Back in March we added a link to the forums in the body of the main HMRRC web page.  It doesn't really stand out much and we wonder how many people have noticed it.  We will look into placing a permanent link at the top of the page.

Thanks for your suggestions Sumo!

Its a pretty boring board because HMRRC is kind of a boring running club. Little has changed at all in the past 30 years but that the members who were 25 in 1980 are now pushing 60. Same Pacesetter, same races, its like being in a time warp. If nothing changes what is there to comment on?

I cannot even believe the words of Hounddogharrier.  I had to read them twice!!!!  Nothing has changed???  Has this guy been to a club meeting or an HMRRC race recently?  We have new equipment; we have made a number of changes that have made it better for runners - such as eliminating those god awful look up your nmber lists.  Same old races???  New races within the last five years has been Father's Day and Valley Cats.  What about the 10 Free program?  Definitely new in the last five years.  How about the JUST RUN program for the kids started 2 years ago?  How about the wrappign of the pavillion at Central Park in Schenectady funded last year?  What about the $20,000 that we donated to charities though our sponsor CDPHP from the proceeds from that race last year?  And how about the volunteer recognition program?  Not bragging but I think it is one of the few that exists for race volunteers anywhere in this area or probably the state.  Do you want me to go on? 

What else do you want us to change?  And do you want to step up to chair the committee for that change?   I will be more than delighted to promote you as a chair.

What we need to help us grow as a club is not general broad statements like this but rather constructive suggestions and/or critisims that can lead to really making a  positive difference to the members of this club.

I concur with Sumo's 2 recommendations he made a while back. Consolidate to ONE.  Highlight the forum by showing the last message scrooling.