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Greetings everyone,

 

I write this message with mixed feelings about the past and warm enthusiasm

regarding the future.

 

Since I first learned of this Raw Food discussion group nearly 3 years ago,

I have watched with great joy as many, many people experienced this place as

an excellent entry point into the world of raw food and, in a larger sense,

to new approaches to healthful living. At the same time, I have watched at

times with a great sense of sadness and disappointment as I see one or two

people create an atmosphere that causes others to go silent. Now is not the

first time, but now is the worst I've seen, in my own experience.

 

The moderators of this Raw Food group apparently choose to moderate in

absentia. That is their right. But I see a clear need for a group that is

wide open to newcomers and experienced RFs alike AND that feels just plain

safe. So in the background, several of us have been discussing formation of

a new group, one with similar goals as this one, but one that is

well-moderated for safety and basic respect and kindness.

 

So I'd like to share my idea, to see what others may think ... and invite

you all to join. :)

 

1. The name of the new group is Going Raw, to capture the idea that we are

all always transitioning in some way, that we are all always on a journey,

each at his/her own place along the way.

 

2. Moderation takes a certain commitment of time and energy. Eventually, no

matter how good someone's intentions are, most people become weary of

moderating, particularly in a group of this size. Therefore, I propose that

people from the group volunteer to serve as moderators for 3 months, then

pass the baton to others. Janet FitzGerald has volunteered to take on a lead

role during this formative period and to stick around for the long term.

Several others have already volunteered to serve for a 3-month period, and I

feel confident that we'll always have people willing to do so.

 

As long as we have 2-3 active moderators at any point in time, then there is

never a problem if one moderator is busy, traveling, or the like.

 

Who can volunteer? Absolutely anyone ... it would truly be an act of

service!!! We can train anyone to be a moderator, it's easy, even for the

" technically constrained " among us. :):):)

 

How can you volunteer? Simple ... just write to

GoingRaw-owner and let us know you'd like to help out.

 

If you wish to try out this solution, just click on

<http://health.GoingRaw/>

http://health.GoingRaw/, then click on the Join

button. We monitor all requests to join the group. For everyone here (with

one or two obvious exceptions), just type something like " Coming from the

Raw Food group " and we'll understand and approve you right away.

 

I invite your feedback about this solution, whether here in the group or

privately at GoingRaw-owner . Meanwhile, let's just begin!!!

 

Best to all,

Elchanan

 

PS: One more point. Most of you are aware that I am involved in another

group called PathOfHealth, and you may wonder if this new group will turn

out to be a clone of that one. The answer is " no " . This new group will

preserve the general intent of the existing Raw Food group (perhaps updated

with a tweak here or there) to provide an open, entry-level discussion forum

about raw food, health, and the like. It's all described on the home page.

And sharing the moderating role will only help to preserve the openness of

the group, over time.

 

 

 

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-

In rawfood , " Elchanan " <Elchanan wrote:

 

I see a clear need for a group that is wide open to newcomers and

experienced RFs alike AND that feels just plain safe. So in the

background, several of us have been discussing formation of

a new group, one with similar goals as this one, but one that is

well-moderated for safety and basic respect and kindness.

--

 

Hello,

I'm very glad to hear this. I had been thinking of suggesting

exactly the same thing!

 

Regards

Roger Rowan

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Thanks, Roger. For me, the recent silence here has been deafening ... and

this group CAN be so wonderfully active and lively when there is peace. I

mean, nearly 3200 people are signed up to participate here ... that's a LOT

of people to serve!

 

And that's what we hope to accomplish in the new group.

 

Best,

Elchanan

_____

 

rawfood [rawfood ] On Behalf Of

roger.rowan

Saturday, December 22, 2007 6:25 AM

rawfood

[Raw Food] Re: Creating a Safe Discussion Group

 

 

-------------------------

In rawfood@ <rawfood%40> .com, " Elchanan "

<Elchanan wrote:

 

I see a clear need for a group that is wide open to newcomers and

experienced RFs alike AND that feels just plain safe. So in the

background, several of us have been discussing formation of

a new group, one with similar goals as this one, but one that is

well-moderated for safety and basic respect and kindness.

-------------------------

 

Hello,

I'm very glad to hear this. I had been thinking of suggesting

exactly the same thing!

 

Regards

Roger Rowan

 

 

 

 

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-Elchanan,

since I have been rejected from your path of health group opting out

of having (your version of)the spanish inquisition'i will not follow

you anywhere

If you start a new group because you want to feel safe from having to

answer someone's very direct questions~

then fine start that group

start as many that will make you feel loved

I don't know that you have discovered the unconditional kind

anyway I was waiting for you to come outof your corner and answer

Lauries questions.....

what I saw was you opting out-

opting out is always a choice

i realize

buti never felt anger from laurie's posts

just her wanting some logical answers instead of some thread that

would glorify you

good luck with your new list

Em-- In rawfood , " Elchanan " <Elchanan wrote:

>

> Greetings everyone,

>

> I write this message with mixed feelings about the past and warm

enthusiasm

> regarding the future.

>

> Since I first learned of this Raw Food discussion group nearly 3

years ago,

> I have watched with great joy as many, many people experienced this

place as

> an excellent entry point into the world of raw food and, in a larger

sense,

> to new approaches to healthful living. At the same time, I have

watched at

> times with a great sense of sadness and disappointment as I see one

or two

> people create an atmosphere that causes others to go silent. Now is

not the

> first time, but now is the worst I've seen, in my own experience.

>

> The moderators of this Raw Food group apparently choose to moderate in

> absentia. That is their right. But I see a clear need for a group

that is

> wide open to newcomers and experienced RFs alike AND that feels just

plain

> safe. So in the background, several of us have been discussing

formation of

> a new group, one with similar goals as this one, but one that is

> well-moderated for safety and basic respect and kindness.

>

> So I'd like to share my idea, to see what others may think ... and

invite

> you all to join. :)

>

> 1. The name of the new group is Going Raw, to capture the idea that

we are

> all always transitioning in some way, that we are all always on a

journey,

> each at his/her own place along the way.

>

> 2. Moderation takes a certain commitment of time and energy.

Eventually, no

> matter how good someone's intentions are, most people become weary of

> moderating, particularly in a group of this size. Therefore, I

propose that

> people from the group volunteer to serve as moderators for 3 months,

then

> pass the baton to others. Janet FitzGerald has volunteered to take

on a lead

> role during this formative period and to stick around for the long term.

> Several others have already volunteered to serve for a 3-month

period, and I

> feel confident that we'll always have people willing to do so.

>

> As long as we have 2-3 active moderators at any point in time, then

there is

> never a problem if one moderator is busy, traveling, or the like.

>

> Who can volunteer? Absolutely anyone ... it would truly be an act of

> service!!! We can train anyone to be a moderator, it's easy, even

for the

> " technically constrained " among us. :):):)

>

> How can you volunteer? Simple ... just write to

> GoingRaw-owner and let us know you'd like to help out.

>

> If you wish to try out this solution, just click on

> <http://health.GoingRaw/>

> http://health.GoingRaw/, then click on the Join

> button. We monitor all requests to join the group. For everyone here

(with

> one or two obvious exceptions), just type something like " Coming

from the

> Raw Food group " and we'll understand and approve you right away.

>

> I invite your feedback about this solution, whether here in the group or

> privately at GoingRaw-owner Meanwhile, let's just

begin!!!

>

> Best to all,

> Elchanan

>

> PS: One more point. Most of you are aware that I am involved in another

> group called PathOfHealth, and you may wonder if this new group will

turn

> out to be a clone of that one. The answer is " no " . This new group will

> preserve the general intent of the existing Raw Food group (perhaps

updated

> with a tweak here or there) to provide an open, entry-level

discussion forum

> about raw food, health, and the like. It's all described on the home

page.

> And sharing the moderating role will only help to preserve the

openness of

> the group, over time.

>

>

>

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