Attracting more active members

[frankgallagherwasere]

It has become more noticable that we are loosing more active members than we are gaining, I know its holiday period but the trend is still not encouraging and in the interest of all those involved.

Unfortunately there are not many ways and opportunities to promote the false accusation forums, but I do think some effort should be made to attract and encourage new members to join.

The way I see it there are only 2 inside papers (insider times and the other one I cant remember but have copies of upstairs somewhere), and we need to get some editorial space in them to tell inmates what the forums do and how they support their familes when facing time inside. I agree on the focus being on moral support that way there wouldnt be too many questions asked and opposition - but I do think its important forums work together to promote their cause - we need to build up our strength and that is by the numbers of active members we have posting !!

We need to use the connections members have between the forums not make it a competition. I know Ive said before about the conflicts, but I do honest support both forums just wish a compromise could be found and we could take advantage - and this forum being public facing serves a vital link to the outside world - it has to be active to encourage new members to join us in our fight as well as to try and protect the innocent.

Vic and Phil should work together draw up some action plan or have others represent the boards/forums and come up with some ideas and marketing strategy. We must not and can not let the system win !! There are more than 102 innocent people in Acklington alone and Hull wont be far behind them as its also remand and there are significant number on remand who are innocent BUT silenced due to being banged up.

I do honestly and sincerely believe this is such a serious matter that all members should be encouraged to support and participate in !! Cases might be unique and individual but were all victims of one common system. I know there are other ways to promote the forums but best I give others the opportunity to have some input into, NOT JUST ME.

[webmoo]

Hi frank,

It's not a competition - it never has been! Or at least, I don't see it as a competition. This forum and PAFAA, which I assume if the other forum you are referring to, serve slightly different audiences in my opinion. Some people want to discuss their experiances in an open forum, and in particular, want to read about the subject but are too afraid or do not wish to post about their expriances. This forum is ideal for that.

Others wish to post in a much more enclosed environment, where only 'approved' members can post, and measures are taken to ensure people tell the truth. If they want that, then PAFAA is the place for them.

We are both here to support people who have been through similar things, but we do it in a different way.

I do get very upset when you say that "the same people have control over both". That's not the case. This is my forum, with my rules. I have three moderators who help me to enformce the rules and have discussion when we are not sure what to do with posts, but at the end of the day, this forum is run on my rules. PAFAA is run on their rules. They make the choices and run it in whatever way they see fit. I've always tried to make this forum as open and accepting as is possible, which is why myself and my wonderful helpers have facilitated you and other difficult posters over time, and done our level best not to resort to banning. I hope it's appreciated!
Who is Vic?

Re the papers - I wasn't aware that there were newspapers for inmates! If we could somehow get a free advert in them, it's probably well worth pursuing. If it costs money, I can't really afford it. This forum already costs enough to run, and it all comes out of my pocket at the mo! Another thing I've always resisted is resorting to ads. Websites aren't too expensive and I've always thought that ads would be too unsightly in a forum of this sensitive a nature.

Lastly, I agree with your point about getting more support on here - I'd love to get more users and more people giving support if I could. Any suggestions?

[frankgallagherwasere]

Ok its not a competition - if you say so.

However, if all new active members leave here within 12 hours of their first post and appear on the other forum what chance has this forum got to build up its own healthy community of active members - they have already been transported to the other forum via private message. Get my drift?

Its in the other forums interest and to its advantage for this forum to also have active members - none = no new recuits !! No active members no active recent posts and therefore no reason nor attraction for people to join. After all this forum is public and appears in all the search engines DOESN'T IT !!

So any promotions would and should help both in theory but the reality would be very different - if the status quo was allowed to continue without some redressing.

Im certainly not going to spend any of my time effort and money promoting this forum (or expecvt you too either) or even advising on my thoughts when the reality is it would only help the other forum - which Im banned from or should that be barred - samething really.

(This reply has been saved and forwarded to forum owner)

[Rights Fighter]

The problem is FG is that you are not actually using this forum to support and advise. You are using it as a platform for your own anger and venting your spleen here and repeating yourself doesn't actually help anybody.

Has it not occurred to you that some people don't like to read the same rants about the police, the CPS, corrupt lawyers, judges, the Government, the legal system and uncle Tom Cobley and all? I would venture to suggest that you in fact chase people away unless they are of your own ilk.

For the record, I am not a moderator on this forum as I have enough on my plate with PAFAA.

Vic is the owner of PAFAA forum and as far as I know he doesn't even visit here.

I have just moved home and using mobile broadband at the moment so I won't be on here as often as I usually am (which is to offer support and advice and if it seems that the newcomer needs help in a confidential and private arena they are then invited to join PAFAA, which is of course a private forum the threads of which cannot be Googled).

Anybody invited to join PAFAA are free to come and go onto this forum and any others that are around.

It's not a competition to see who can get the most members. This system is an active positive method of helping people and giving them the correct advice, and that is something FG, you are not doing.

[Saffron]

I am a bit at a loss as to what to say.

Yes, it is good to have lots of activity on the forum, and it is a shame when new members drop away.

However, we are here to support. We do not "own" the people who enrol here, and they are free to go wherever they like. Perhaps they choose to post elsewhere because they have been put off coming back in some way. And to be honest, threads like this are really not helping.

People want to come here if they are made to feel welcome and supported. They want to find friendly, knowledgeable people, not bitter, angry people who will frighten them.

Why forward a copy of this thread to the forum owner?

[mark]

To get more members to stay forums need to be MORE POSITIVE, some are down right depressing and repeat the usual "theres nothing you can do" type replies all the time.
when an innocent person has been accused the last thing they need is this attitude imo.
THERE ARE ALWAYS THINGS INNOCENT PEOPLE CAN DO TO HELP THEMSELVES,THATS A FACT.
and i do not subscribe to this lay down and die attitude.FIGHT like a mad dog for as long as it takes and you will prevail in the end.

[frankgallagherwasere]

Mark this has been my arguement from the very start. Your Solicitor, Barrister, Probation and even others on here in the know tell you not to do anything, not to approach your MP, the media IPCC and Law Society and complain.

The problem is you need to understand your case and the issues as early as possible and start to make waves and fight for your rights - yet everyone around you is saying DON'T DO IT?? After all, all you want to do is highlight whats been done and what the system is doing wrong !!

If you dont then in the end the system wins and you get convicted on the back of all these tricks collusions and faults and your Solicitor in most cases just ignores them (they are even responsible for many of them themselves) - there is no one else to help you or wants to listen. It looks like there is a policy in place to silence and appease everyone yet when it comes to actions and words - there simply hollow with no meaning or depth. People do need moral support, but Im sure many people would also like to feel their in a community who are trying to address the problems and make a change - if not for themselves then for others how might fall into the same trap.

[mark]

yes i agree with you.
People accused tend to be "bullied" from almost every angle as every ounce in their bodies are telling them ssshhhh!it will go away on its own.
it has been suggested to me by the police (of all people) i should be "gratefull" i wasnt charged with anything.
Well im sory and all that but i DIDNT DO ANYTHING ggggrrrrrr
And although i do feel lucky and appreciate i wasnt charged,the point surley is lost by the police and all involved.

[littlemoo]

Mark, we understand your point, thus we have updated the rules (see news and announcements) to include a rule that threads should stay on topic. this will hopefully reduce the number of "doom and gloom" posts.

many of the members are happy to explain what can be done, based on their experiences and we thank them very much for sharing those experiences and trying to help.

[mark]

Certainly a big plus for the forum,great stuff
positivity breeds positivity as i can see you agree. mark

I do however appreciate people should be informed as to the realities of what they are dealing with.

[littlemoo]

Frank, people are free to post on any forums they like to get whatever help they need. some people find other forums more to their taste and we are more than happy for people to post links and comments about other forums they have visited, both for false accustaions and for rape issues.

i notice that a while ago, there was a discussion with isi and others about another rape forum. That is great as far as we are concerned. If people are happier elsewhere, then we would like a bit of feedback as to why they would like to go, if possible, but we are happy for them to go if they feel happier elsewhere.

I, personally, find it very difficult to "talk" to someone via a keyboard and am very selective about which forums i visit and post on. On such sensitive issues as are discussed here, so will other people.

Jo

[mark]

Iwould also like to add,this forum is an extreemly helpfull place for people to go, and i would recomend anyone to browse here for advice and comfort/support. mark

[frankgallagherwasere]

Big Hi to Mark and to littlemoo and lets see if some positive steps can be taken to try and make both forums actively work together in harmony and serve a purpose not just fight for the same audience and members??

Falsely accused have very few places to go and VERY little assistance and advice. Whether its on bail charged trial inside and afterwards, all the time one is faced with mutliple challenges and opposition from the system who just wants you to shut up and be good - when most probably there not !!

We are all fighting a professional dedicated and well planned system that has only one aim - conviction. Its not the accused who charge and convict its the system (state) and thats all too often ignored and not addressed. (Lets forget huries for now cos there only sheep and follow the master (judge nd judicial) voice.

How many convicted have never had their injustice corrected cos the system doesnt want to listen, it knows its mistakes and abuses and yet has the power to cover them up. Why? cos there isnt any powerful strong voice to standup to them and demand justice. Will it make a difference, probably not or not until more people listen and become active and only then in strength and numbers will the system start to take notice - it would have too !!

[frankgallagherwasere]

Littlemoo yes I do believe everyone is very sensitive about the subjects on this forum accused and victims of attack (especially when its themselves who are personally involved and affected). Sometimes the line between the tow can be grey but we are not here to judge only understand sympathise and yes sometimes even advise. Although if one has done wrong were probably the last ones to want to listen and correspond with them. I do not venture into other sections simply cos my attitude and thought are not probably always going to be understood and acceptable - so I leave them in peace.

We are dealing with one hell of a subject here cos the damage done if it goes wrong is life changing and well very dangerous. What can one add to that, except one must do their damndest to protect themselves and others have a responsibility to assist, advise and hold their hand if required.

[Rights Fighter]

Big Hi to Mark and to littlemoo and lets see if some positive steps can be taken to try and make both forums actively work together in harmony and serve a purpose not just fight for the same audience and members??

I'm not with you FG. Who is fighting for the same audience and members? Certainly not me or anybody from PAFAA.

As has already been explained PAFAA is a support group for those protesting their innocence of sexual offences. The surfing public cannot search for any of the subject matter on PAFAA forums because it is private.

PC is not private as any of this can be found by searching through Google. This suits some people and other people require absolute privacy and confidentiality and need to discuss their problems in private with people who are going through or who have gone through what they are experiencing.

PAFAA members do sometimes come on here as it can be helpful to them just to read other people's posts and see things from a different perspective. One member who has posted here told me this afternoon that you had "spooked" him and he was then wary of posting anything.

There is no fight between any parties FG. I think that this is your own fight - and it is in your own head.