What's the focus for 7 Cups?
I'm feeling very confused with how things are being handled.
Emails have gone without a response for quite a while.
The 7CupsCommunity account's activity shows it was last active within the last 6 months, meaning no one has been utilizing it to answer questions for a while. Over here, this issue was discussed in July. The account was used in early Aug, but again was soon inactive.
Also note - I asked a question in that thread in early August which still has no answer.
We were told in October that the profile picture guidelines would be updated 'within a week' - which still hasn't happened.
There was a trial where new members were limited in how they could connect with listeners, which was never clarified and they were unable to follow through on advice that was often given on finding a listener who is a good match.
While that takes about a year to get done, a new protocol is put into place which states "If you have encountered an individual in the chatrooms with DID please refer them to the DID community on 7 Cups and to a 1:1 setting at 7 Cups. You might want to say to them, Its great that you reached out but the 7 Cups support protocol on DID outlines that this type of support is not suited for a user experiencing DID. " I'm still confused how there wasn't a bit of reflection on this and realizing the problems with it prior to hitting 'Add Thread'. I'm not an expert and we were told there were at least 2 people in the field involved with the decision. Not all admin seemed to be on the same page when this was announced.
Not long ago people in leadership development were asked to go Scott Adams' blog, something which I never did get an apology (personally, nor as a group, etiher would be acceptable) for from the poster despite reaching out and explaining my dismay.
The same leadership program has a section focusing on culture which means things like equality trust and accountability.
I keep asking about a listener rating issue that has gone on for over a year for certain now and I'm not even getting a clear answer as to if it's something that happens to all members or only some.
I know some individuals are trying their best. I know there's a lot to manage. I feel like there are issues that need to be dealt with though before trying out some new initiatives. Some things need further thought before pushing through with them. I feel like currently, there's a lot of hurt being caused with rushing some things through.
What's seen as a priority right now? What direction does 7 cups want to go in? How do you want to treat the community here?
@GlenM @Heather225 @EvelyneRose @Hope @ASilentObserver
@AffyAvo
Thank you for the post. To be honest i am reading about some new rules at this moment in your post only. Which i was supposed to know when they were posted a long time ago only. But there are so many Posts and guidelines to remember that i don't understand what to read and where to find the posts if i forget a guideline from a specific post. I know that our leaders are always working. Work is in progress. But there is less efficiency and effectiveness. It may happen if a small group of people were hired only for site updates purpose and were paid for their job. There are demerits of volunteering too. I just wish that understanding rules and guidelines was a bit easier. Like you said, some updates haven't happened yet.
I even don't understand the active and passive suicidal member related guidelines because my coach said that i should end chat with any member who was suicidal in their lives but not right now but.. I have read a post about active/passive suicidal members where they say that i can chat with someone who's not actively suicidal.
Then this DID rule. I had no idea about this rule so thank you for this post. Although i didn't understand the rule. I think i shouldn't have 5star rating in my profile too.
A few days ago i saw a negative review published in the account of a listener. I asked in listening support room.. They ignored.. I asked to a leader still waiting for a reply from 3 weeks. I don't think i was ignored this much in my life before.
@dtanushree The DID rule has already changed, and I wouldn't be surprised to see more updates with time. An official suicide policy come out on 7 Cups a while ago - although I am surrpised how many years it took for that to be done.
https://help.7cups.com/hc/en-us/articles/360026238093-Crisis
I get that rules change, but it's really hard to keep up with all the changes at times.
@AffyAvo
One more thing.. If i were a Manager or Ambassador or had any big post on 7cups.. I'd have removed all shiny badges. It's frustrating.
We have leaders with shiny badges who train listeners to listen to members. The bio of these listeners say that they can't take member general/personal requests anymore because of their roles and shiny badges. Then they coach new listeners and encourage listeners to get into some roles too. Again, these shiny badges are so attractive that listeners earn these badges and put their bio as, no longer accepting member chats. Then what's the point of helping a listener to become a better listener? What's the point of getting verified? What's the point of updates? Get a shiny badge and stop being a "listener"?? But we joined 7cups as a listener to listen.. Their are so many programs for a listener so many roles.. Seems like except listening and helping a member.. All other things are happening smoothly here.. Sometimes i even feel depressed when i see the leaders bragging about their shiny badges. In listener sharing circle.. There are fewer shares related to good experiences with members.. There are more shares related to how they earned a badge, or became a leader. So.. Why are listeners becoming leaders and why are so many roles here?
@dtanushree I understand the badges for some, but it does get a bit excessive at times. The organization of them is pretty bad. There is a lack of consistency too, in a group room it helps to identify who is a mod, but isn't the same true for forum mentors? I get concerned with some of the information put out by leaders too. For example, I know there are some quizzes happening on the listener's side - look at comments regarding the expectation for members to be sober. I think it's sad that so many listeners, including those in leadership positions expected members to have to harm themselves by stopping medications in order to be allowed to be on 7 cups!
@AffyAvo
As far as I know, members don't have to be sober. Listeners do.
@EvelyneRose Right, but looking at the responses that's not what many thought. Quite a few commented on that being a question that was wrong. At least the quiz was correcting that misperception, but it's sad it was such a common one.
@dtanushree
From the other side, this perspective might help, i might've only become part of admin in the last two months, but I volunteered for 7 years prior. It's not really about the shiny badges. It's about the amount of time a position takes up. The thing about leadership positions is they really do take time. It's all about time management, but sometimes you can't do it all. Keep in mind that outside of cups is real life, so work, school, friends, family, etc.
I would love to be able to have many members, but I can only have a few for fairness to both of us. I only have so much time to listen AND do all the things I need to get done. They deserve someone who can meet their needs in a listener capacity. I know my limits, and I let my members know what I can and cannot do. They decide if they are ok, and if they aren't, I help them find another listener. I have to have my boundaries for how much I can realistically do, and sometimes that just means unfortunately having less members. A lot of behind the scenes work goes into leadership positions. PMs, administrative duties, team projects, etc. Those all take time as well.
