Live AMA/ New Forum Mentor Meet 'N Greet!
Whaaa I'm so excited! First off, I'd like to apologise for the late notice, but you're all formally invited to a live AMA/Meet 'N Greet for our new forum mentors. We've had some lovely new forum mentors inducted in the past couple weeks, and in the spirit of forum love, @poeticguy and I would like to help 7cups give them a warm welcome! Here's everything you need to know:
Who will be "interviewed": Specifically, the new forum mentors (if I missed you please let me know so I can add you) - @mscoxie @TranquilSong72 @WonderfulPumpkin71 @Anggi @Dillion @AdVictoriam @bookworm4 @cristiana33 @Erinik @anchoredwithhope - and also any current forum mentor you decide to ask questions to!
When and Where: The Listener Community Room, Tuesday December 22nd, 9 PM EST as well as this thread!
How will these "interviews" be conducted: Questions can be posted in this thread or in the Listener Community Room during the event. All questions will be answered in this thread.
Why a live AMA in the forums: Demonstrate the value of the longevity of the forums; Increase engagement by allowing listeners who aren't comfortable with the forums yes to participate via the chatroom; Time Zones can be a hassle but with the combined force of notifications, tagging, and the longevity of forum posts, your questions can still be answered even if the person in particular you are "interviewing" isn't even present at the time, how cool is that??
Rules: Questions must follow chatroom, forum, and community guidelines found here. I have volunteered these individuals without their prior consent, so please be respectful and don't feel hurt if they choose not to participate.
If you have any other questions or concerns regarding this event please do not hesitate to clarify with me via pm or this thread :) I look forward to seeing you all there!
WOW so many questions! I'll have to get back here as soon as I get my badge haha.
@UmbrElla1413 asked
What inspired you to become new forum mentors?
I've always felt better expressing myself in writing so seeing that only forum mentors can edit/moderate more the content made me curious to find out what the requirements are. Shortly after that, I started writing more and more in the forums and I noticed a few names that made me want to be better. Two of them are @Anomalia and @Roadie. I loved their dedication and how thoughtful their post were and how Roadie encouraged people from time to time on how great they are in supporting others. So yeah... this is how it all started.
How are you planning on influencing the forums?
I will try to organize a bit better all those sections I'll be leading & try to invite more and more people to connect in thoughtful threads. I think the forum is a BIG, separate part of this community and not many people handle it well. If I can help in any way to raise awareness on how helpful our support forums are, I'm more than happy to work on this aspect.
If you were an ice cream flavor, what flavor would you be?
Hazelnut.
@Anomalia asked: Is there a particular forum thread you're especially fond of?
Relationship Support. Because it covers not only romantic relationship that we all struggle with, but also two of our most important relationships on this world: family & friendship. It is a BIG section with many challenges and I often see new long posts not many people are getting into.
@cristiana33
Oooops! You said thread & I read section haha! Here are some of my favourites:
30 blogging/writing challenge (very nice stories in there! cannot wait to take up this challenge myself from the start of next year)
For all victims of bullying (incredibly encouraging!)
Psychology of Motivation (really makes you think on how you are working through things around 7cups and proactivity)
Small victories (for eating disorders that's woah, all you can read in there...)
These are only a few haha. Most recent that made me feel deep things. I have too many favourite threads around.
@cristiana33 - I'm honored that one of my threads makes your favorites list! I really really love that one and would love to see it more active! :)
@cristiana33
Awe! Thank you for featuring one of my threads (Psychology of Motivation) as one of your favorites. 
What great questions. I am new to the AMA so I would appreciate any briefing on this topic specifically. (Am I to answer the question posted most recently? Or all questions?, etc)
I am most proud of my work in the Borderline Personality Disorder forum as numerous threads there were the result of my own neurotic genesis. I do take pride in initiating successful discussions, challenging debate (respectfully of course), and meaningful responses. Similar also, in the Bipolar Support and Mindfulness Support forums. :D
**Above all, I am passionate about additional reference and resource lists.** Namely, Human Trafficking Information and The Siris Project: Distractions & Alternatives to Self Harm.
Spread the Love is great, too.
@blitheSun94
You can answer any and all questions :)
@MonBon
Thank you for clarifying.
Here are some other questions that were asked. I shall give you my answers too. :)
@Dillion asked:
What would you do in an instance if you thought something needed to be edited, vs another mentor thinking that it shouldn't?
I will surely learn from their opinion and try to get to a common ground. Why? First off, I am new to this role so they must have more experience than me. And second, it's best to gather as many perspectives as possible in a more tense situation to be able to look at the bigger picture.
@poeticguy asked:
What makes a good forum post?
A good post isn't defined by how long/dense is in content, but by the imact it has on the person that reads it - which should never be something negative.
@Vivelespatates asked:
What is the main advantage of forums versus the chatrooms or 1-on-1?
I love the forums because you can always reach out to more people. I also love that it helps people explore so many complex information and resources.
Do any of you forum mentors like potatoes?
Haha I surely love them!!
Do you encourage all your members to use the forums?
YES! I always try to help my members reach out to the support forum of the topic we are talking about. If i'm talking with a Guest, I'm using the resources from the forums to help them understand how helpful our community is and how amazing it would be for them to join our community! I believe we are still pretty far from how I like to see it being used - very often!
Why negative posts always get more upvotes?
Mmm... I do not agree with this statement. I've seen lots of positive announcements or threads that have an amazing amount of upvotes. However, I believe you are talking about those threads that express issues many people don't have enough courage to talk about without someone else starting the conversation. That's an interesting question tho.
