Forum: Needs reply initiative (Project...possibly?)
Hello everyone!
I've noticed throughout my time here as a listener, we get a lot of new forum threads! I know how overwhelming it can be and sometimes we do not have the time or energy to reply to all of them. This year, we have been doing excellent and thus far, all posts from members needing support have been answered. Give yourself a pat on the back and a round of applause if you're one of the many listeners who have responded to needs reply posts!. 
I would like to keep up that initiative but I'd also like to propose a "possible" idea!
If you browse through the "Needs Reply" section of the forum....there are so many unanswered posts from last year and even the year before. Our little community is growing so quickly, so I feel like now is the time to start a new project for us! I'd really like to see ALL needs reply posts answered, even the ones from last year. I don't want to give up on these threads and I believe that all those who are seeking support, should get at least one reply on their forum threads. As we all know, it can take a lot of courage and bravery to speak out when you have a problem or just need support and I'd like to see them answered. Our members deserve all the love and support and I know we can help provide that! You may ask, "Well, if they're old posts, how do we know that they are still seeking support today?" I myself have answered posts that were from last year and I have received many replies back, thanking me for responding. There are some members who do not participate in the forums as much anymore but still participate on 7cups. That is why it is important to respond to them all because you just may brighten someone's day by showing that you care.
If you are new to being a listener and aren't sure what I am talking about, here is a screenshot to show you how to find the "Needs Reply" section of the forum. In order to encourage and inspire those who would like to respond to these unanswered threads, this is where I'm going to need the support of those who are higher up on the ladder at 7cups. 
I'd like to see a badge awarded to those who have responded to "Needs Reply" posts. I think it would be a great way of giving back to members for support and listeners for our efforts. It would encourage us to respond and to give a supportive comment to everyone.
I really feel like now is the time to start this and it would be a great way of encouraging everyone to pitch in with helping respond to forum posts. I really hope my idea is considered or I have inspired someone to respond to old forum threads. Thank you! 
Tagging some people here! @Laura @Heather @Iara @Amelia
@KindListening
Goodness! This is such a great reminder to every listener out there, and I myself often goes to the needs reply section and found out that I'm replying to posts that are written last year, or even earlier. Although none of my replies were replied, but I've noticed that they're upvoted ( hopefully they've read it).
Anyway, my suggestion is that maybe the forum team members should try their best to be always on alert and leave no member/guest posts unreplied. Of course, I agree that other listeners should also try to help out in the forum section as well when they're available.
Could I also suggest that this thread is moved so members can read it too? I notice a lot of thoughtful and caring replies by members on the forum, and it seems a shame not to include them in this initiative.
Fab idea by the way @KindListening :)
@DeborahUK
Hey! That's a nice idea! I've never thought about that, but members who can relate to those who are experiencing similar issues could be really helpful at times. So it's a definite yes from me!
@SnowInOctober
You're very right! I know so many members are great at giving support, I'll ask Lyra if she can move the thread to another section!
@KindListening--I moved the thread to the "Problem Solving" section--where members can access it as well :)
@Amelia Thank you!
I firstly want to congratulate on your idea. Nothing new comes without an idea first. And nothing great comes unless its first new. So well done with that.
With the idea, I considered going back through those last year however, at least from my experience anyway, I found two inalienable truths. Firstly, if it had been a while since they poster had created the thread, I didn't see any evidence that they read it (i.e. no upvote or reply). Secondly, sometimes go past their time of drama per se and you can easily dredge something up that doesn't need to be dredged up.
Irrespective of that, it's great to see you passionate for providing support to members in the forums. That's really great to see :)
@Roadie
That's a really good perspective! I never thought of how it could dredge up old feelings if a old post is responded to. Hmm, I have also noticed that sometimes you can tell on their member's profile if they've been active to 7cups. Some profiles show that they have been active only last year and have not apparently came back since then.
I'm definitely open to more ideas, suggestions or opinions on how to deal with old posts! I'm still learning myself, so it's good to see different perspectives on this matter.
@KindListening Thank you for running so well with this! I myself was only planning on going so far back with them, but you've encouraged me to at least look back further.
The mention of bringing past issues is also a good one, so I'll just try to tread carefully/use my judgement if I feel like responding is a good idea or not.
@wonderfulMagic99
That's awesome to hear! I'm glad my post inspired some people to look at past forum posts. You never know, there could be some gems waiting to be replied to
@Heather225
Does leadership set up initiatives like this nowadays? With further reaching posts than I can do?
Looping in our forum leads @CheeryMango and @tommy! ❤️
@jesusredeemedme2425
The Needs Reply team is inactive at the moment. The team is dedicated to helping clear the needs reply but it’s volunteer based with a monthly quota of 10 posts and we have lost a lot of members due to inactivity or general busyness with offline responsibilities. There’s a few regular members that help to clear with each week and whenever there’s a backlog, we alert the queue to the community to assist.
Have you thought about reactivating it, by putting out a call?
