It's been brought to my attention that we should hold another bonfire. We are on the new platform now and many new members. I know that i have hosted many bonfires in the past and would like to give the opportunity to someone else. Is there someone who would like to host it this time? You can choose whichever weekend you would like to do it on.
Well I'm going to be totally laid up for six weeks or so after Friday so I'll have plenty of time on my hands. Could do it the weekend of April 28th (not sure I'll be up for it on the 21st as one needs some prep time to send out notifications, etc). Or would be happy to collaborate with someone else on it. Or if someone else is just dying to host it - have at it! Mark when's your conference?
May 1st - 3rd
It can be set up as an event in Celebrations & Events so people can put it on their calendar and they can RSVP for it.
Mark
EX Community Manager
I know how much time setting up a bonfire and it's communications takes - from Shawn - because (well she IS the Master Hostess) but she suggested and so I was thinking about hosting a bonfire myself many months ago now. And I was rather stunned by the amount of work she put into it. I had no IDEA. But then the site changed and then... and then... Perhaps we need to spend LESS time on the AMOUNT of cigarettes thrown in, and just gather up more Newbies - who obviously have LESS to throw in. If this makes any sense. The Bonfire has become this GOAL to reach the biggest number of unsmoked cigarettes thrown into the fire. May I suggest that the Bonfire move on to a different mindset? That seeking quitters who are no longer on this site with big numbers of unsmoked cigarettes is not what's really important.
Rather, what's important is the 25 cigarettes thrown in by the Newbie who is thrilled and still struggling to throw them in. Not by my 11 years of cigarettes I've not smoked which at this point cost me almost nothing to throw into that fire.
I think it's time to re-think the Bonfire and what it really means. I think it's the EVENT that's important. Not the numbers. And when we aim for numbers only - we lost the true intent of what we're saying and trying to teach here.
Perhaps there could be a bonfire only for those quitters who have under a year quit. I think if I am to do this bonfire - that's where my attention will be focused. And so - if I am to be the Bonfire Mistress this time around - I'm NOT going to put out invitations to all the old Exers out there in Exland who don't participate on here (except, thankfully, on their yearly quit anniversaries) just to get their unsmoked quit counter stats. The stats are great, I grant you, to spur on the new quitters, but.. maybe we need to also pay attention to how many cigarettes the Newbies have put in? Maybe that's a whole lot more relevant and important in the scheme of things? And so perhaps my time will be spent in trying to find all those Newbies who have only a few un-smoked butts to throw in.
Just a passing thought here on this Monday night. So I haven't a clue as to how to go about this new scenario. But if ya'll want me to be your Bonfire Hostess - this is my thought process and this is what I intend to do. Anybody else who wants to take on the Bonfire in it's normal "personification" with amount of unsmoked cigarettes totaled - please - it's all yours.
But this literally just occurred to me. What - ultimately - is our purpose for this community "event?" Just to get the most unsmoked cyber cigarettes? Each time trying to beat the last? Does that kind of a bonfire ultimately motivate and create longterm quits? Or would perhaps re-focusing on the newly quit unsmoked cigarettes that THEY throw into the fire just be .... oh I don;t know Just passing thoughts here. And if we don't pass the thoughts on - then nobody can read them and hopefully comment on them
You are the hostess - It is your party and you need to take it in the direction that you feel is the best way. If you need help getting the blog set up, I will help with that or with anything else that you need. Just let me know.
Ah, so this is going to be a lot more complicated than it used to be???? Like the train and the pledge page have become? Not just a simple blog? Do we need a 17 page instruction manual in order to set it up? Mark
It's not that difficult Giulia and I would be more than willing to assist you.
Great Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14 Blog Sometime next week maybe you can give me a lesson in setting up an "event."
Mark will set up the event - we just have to get the word out and post the blog. I can help with invitations, posting the blog, food, music, etc. Also tabulating the results. Just let me know what you need help with and I will do my best!
i
I was wrong - you can add events. I looked closer this morning and under the "Celebrations and Events" tab there is an option to add an event. Let me know if you need help.
Only those who lead Freedom Train, Daily Pledge, EX Cafe, Bonfires can post in Celebrations & Events, everyone else can only reply/comment/respond. We don't have a designated Bonfires leader at the moment. Since Giulia is willing to do so I can get it working for her.
Mark
EX Community Manager
I've re-thunk the thinking I had last night. I'm a work in progress, what can I say. Will be out of commission soon. Will let you know when I'm ready to start working on that fire. Thanks for the help to come. Mark Jennifer-Quit-05-01-14
Thanks ShawnP Would love to see this happen. Could a couple people band together to make this possible or does it work better with one person?
I'm going to be talking about the community at an upcoming conference and the Celebrations & Events community will be featured as part of that talk. Having a current "bonfire" will be helpful to recognize the amazing traditions we have on EX. There hasn't been a bonfire yet on EX and I'm certainly curious if adding the Quit stats will help get a new amazing number of cigarettes avoided. Toss those nasties into the pile!
Mark
EX Community Manager