The Workshop IS underutilized. I think some things need to be added, for example a troubleshooting guide which directs GMs to specific Workshop locations, and these things will need to be implemented before the Guide program can officially begin. We can't expect GMs to first solve their own problems if the self-help provided is overwhelming or inadequate.
What I'm proposing is a system that will need to be discussed, tested, modified, perhaps tested again, and then - hopefully - implemented. We have the holidays coming up, and that is a terrible time for games. It would be a great time to do testing, imo. The Guide program itself won't see 'official' implementation until early next year. In the meantime, we will ideally be using that time to strengthen the Workshop.
Back to the round table/volunteer commitment issue. How about:
1. Volunteers can sign up for 3 categories: a) PC fill in, b) Game Repair, c) Round Table. At the time of signing up, they will state any restrictions/specialties and be informed to expect routine PMs to establish their current availability, and those that sign up for option C are expected to subscribe and participate in the Round Table folder in the Workshop Forum. All Volunteers are allowed to withdraw at any time.
2. A team of mods will be in charge of maintaining the Volunteer Pool. Basically, this will be a database of who/what is available. After the initial drive to obtain volunteers, the workload should be rather light. The team will send out monthly/bimonthly PMs verifying volunteer status (I vote monthly), and they will be in charge of matching up volunteers to requesting GMs. To recruit new volunteers, existing volunteers will be encouraged to place information in their sig and perhaps quarterly volunteer reminders can be announced.
3. GMs will be required to have utilized Workshop elements, and the Round table, if such exists, before being considered as program candidates. We do not want to undermine our volunteers' generosity by allowing any joe blow to take advantage of them. GMs will be reminded that Guides are essentially loans, and they may withdraw for any reason at any time. Guides will be reminded that withdrawing without informing the Guide team will incur a black mark upon their record. It will be encouraged for Guides/GMs to first establish a time constraint in which to solve the problem.
PC Adoption vs GM Mentoring
We might actually divide this into two programs, one specifically for temp PC takeover, the other for GM assistance. The PC Adoption can actually extend to players who know they are leaving for an extended amount of time and would like their character taken over while they are gone to insure their absence doesn't injure the game.
What I'm proposing is a system that will need to be discussed, tested, modified, perhaps tested again, and then - hopefully - implemented. We have the holidays coming up, and that is a terrible time for games. It would be a great time to do testing, imo. The Guide program itself won't see 'official' implementation until early next year. In the meantime, we will ideally be using that time to strengthen the Workshop.
Back to the round table/volunteer commitment issue. How about:
1. Volunteers can sign up for 3 categories: a) PC fill in, b) Game Repair, c) Round Table. At the time of signing up, they will state any restrictions/specialties and be informed to expect routine PMs to establish their current availability, and those that sign up for option C are expected to subscribe and participate in the Round Table folder in the Workshop Forum. All Volunteers are allowed to withdraw at any time.
2. A team of mods will be in charge of maintaining the Volunteer Pool. Basically, this will be a database of who/what is available. After the initial drive to obtain volunteers, the workload should be rather light. The team will send out monthly/bimonthly PMs verifying volunteer status (I vote monthly), and they will be in charge of matching up volunteers to requesting GMs. To recruit new volunteers, existing volunteers will be encouraged to place information in their sig and perhaps quarterly volunteer reminders can be announced.
3. GMs will be required to have utilized Workshop elements, and the Round table, if such exists, before being considered as program candidates. We do not want to undermine our volunteers' generosity by allowing any joe blow to take advantage of them. GMs will be reminded that Guides are essentially loans, and they may withdraw for any reason at any time. Guides will be reminded that withdrawing without informing the Guide team will incur a black mark upon their record. It will be encouraged for Guides/GMs to first establish a time constraint in which to solve the problem.
PC Adoption vs GM Mentoring
We might actually divide this into two programs, one specifically for temp PC takeover, the other for GM assistance. The PC Adoption can actually extend to players who know they are leaving for an extended amount of time and would like their character taken over while they are gone to insure their absence doesn't injure the game.