Constructive Ideas to Improve Communications

[wighty44]

I'm very confused why the new communication topic was abruptly closed without any note as to why...

I did not think the discussion was running off the rail.

[Rebekah Canada]

<sigh> Would you pretty please give me a chance to catch up on everything I need to do? I was about to start a new thread.

I'm very confused why the new communication topic was abruptly closed without any note as to why...

I did not think the discussion was running off the rail.

[wighty44]

Sorry... I had just typed in a reply comment to the old topic when it "bounced" attempting to post it, and I was perplexed at what happened. I looked for some indication of what happened and saw none.

I'm certain your hands are full with customer issues and I had no intention of making it worse.

I would offer a suggestion from my previous forum admin experience (3 different forums, not related to this subject matter). Any time I closed a topic, I first posted a note as to why that action was being taken as the last post in that topic; and, if it was in preparation to move posts to a new forum topic I noted that as well. After creating the new topic, I went back and inserted a link to the new topic in my "Closure Message Post" for continuity's sake. I know it's more work that way but it kept the lions at bay...

[Rebekah Canada]

Mike,

I understand. :-) I am attempting to turn moderation on now. We are going to try full moderation for about 2 weeks or until my throbbing headache goes away --whichever comes second.

[Peter MacDonald]

Is allowing only reviewed posts by FTDNA staff now the preferred method of communications???

[wighty44]

Considering improved communication, I would hope that for those Big Y customers who will to need to submit another sample that they receive some form of advance notification before a new sample kit shows-up at their doorstep.

I only mention this because I read snippets that suggest some customers may need to do this.

I know I would be quite upset to find a new kit in my mailbox, without ever having a hint of that need from FTDNA...

[Rebekah Canada]

If a new kit is needed

Mike,

I am very sorry, but that function is currently broken. :-( Yes, I am aware that this is appalling.

Could you all please kindly all go double check your mailing addresses in your myFTDNA accounts? It helps if we ship the kit to the right address.

...I know I would be quite upset to find a new kit in my mailbox, without ever having a hint of that need from FTDNA...

[gtc]

We are going to try full moderation for about 2 weeks or until my throbbing headache goes away --whichever comes second.

Full moderation??? What brought that on?

[Rebekah Canada]

Contemplation

Hi,

It is designed to be a time of contemplation.

The Forums are not a place for venting, complaining, or negativity. The Forums should be a place of happy collaboration. That is why the forum guidelines include this. "The forums give community members the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other. That collaboration includes people from many cultures and education backgrounds. Regardless of personal background, all should find our forums to be welcoming and nurturing."

The correct place to voice concerns about Family Tree DNA is to our customer support team. That team is lead by Dr. Michelle Fiedler. If you ever wish to reach her directly, just send a message to [email protected] and put Attention Michelle in the subject line. Please, of course, do be respectful and courteous.

Full moderation??? What brought that on?

[Biblioteque]

Rebekah: Well said! And thank you for putting things in their proper perspective. We need to be reminded when we get off course.

[Rebekah Canada]

Enough! or A Long Overdue Apology from Rebekah

Hi Crew,

This morning I was told:
"Rebekah, as far as I am aware, we each have but one life, and working in a Gulag would not be my first choice."

Well, mine neither, but it seems that I have fallen into condoning the parts of my work environment that are indeed Gulag-like. Worse, I have brought a Gulag atmosphere to the forums. My intentions were good. Good intentions are no justification though. Thank you to those who messaged me publicly and privately.

My deepest and most sincere apologies to all. My actions were not acceptable. They made me unhappy, and I am ashamed of them.

I spoke with Nir Leibovich (Gene by Gene's Chief Business Officer) last night and this morning about what we can do to change things. Here is what we agreed on.

From here on out, the forums are a place where people can:

• Ask whatever is on their mind
• Vent - even if it's not favorable to FTDNA
• Express their opinions, no matter how crazy so long as it's on topic

I truly want The Forums to be a place of happy collaboration. That is why the forum guidelines include this. "The forums give community members the opportunity to collaborate and learn from each other. That collaboration includes people from many cultures and education backgrounds. Regardless of personal background, all should find our forums to be welcoming and nurturing." However, I cannot simply demand that it be so. Family Tree DNA with your help will work to clean up our messes and communicate effectively. I will learn to inspire all of you to focus on the fun part of genealogy and DNA testing by example and not by dictates.

To that end, I have created an area where you can always go to let off steam. It is here.

http://forums.familytreedna.com/forumdisplay.php?f=237

If you post unhappy thoughts someplace else, I may politely ask you to take them to the designated forum. I will not move your posts for you. If you go beyond the forum guidelines, I will have to follow through on them. It is my hope that I will never have to do that.

I am for humor and the occasional trip off topic. I have created an area just for off topic chat.

http://forums.familytreedna.com/forumdisplay.php?f=238

Please don't limit humor to this area though. It is welcome throughout the forums.

I may be asked from time to time by senior management at Gene by Gene/Family Tree DNA to moderate or remove posts. For transparency. I will always message those are Removed at the Request of Bennett Greenspan, Max Blankfeld, etc.

I consider the genetic genealogy community my family. Family is more than being together. It is more than getting along. Sometimes it is about having knockdown drag-out arguments venting, screaming, shouting, and pushing before everyone gets their feelings out in the open. That makes us all stronger and not weaker. Please keep telling us how we need to grow.

[Kathleen Carrow]

Rebekah
That was a very brave statement and decision.

I understand completely where you are coming from, I worked for the State of NJ( Social Worker) and we used to use such epithets (black humor) for work environments. It is what gets you through bad and stressful times. It is what it is.

I commend you!
Kathleen

[cybrsage]

I concur, bravo and kudos to you! I will say that I never thought of you as part of the problem, but rather as part of the solution. From your post, I can see you are still part of the solution.

[Kathleen Carrow]

I concur, bravo and kudos to you! I will say that I never thought of you as part of the problem, but rather as part of the solution. From your post, I can see you are still part of the solution.

I agree that she is part of the solution, a big part..

[andbro]

Ditto Ditto