Suggestions Please

[_wenglund]

In relation to the discussion board I am attempting to set up, in which former and current members of the Church can have access to proven interventions that will enable them to heal and grow personally, I could use some helpful suggestions on the following:

1) Discusion Board software and hosting services--i.e. where to locate the board and what software to use in running it (I am currently operating on a shoe-string budget, so I can't afford to pay much, if anything for the service).

2) Staff (I am looking for volunteers to help me deliver the service--particularly those, like Truth Dancer and Harmony and Calmariah who have educational backgrounds and/or professional experience in behavioralism, sociology, psychology, counseling, family therapy, etc., as well as those, such as liz, who have moderator experience.)

3) Format (what sub forums and resources should be included, and should it be designed specifically for ex-Mormons and unbelieving Mormons, or also take in consideration believing Mormons)

4) Name (what the forum should be called)

I am currently crafting the forum's Guiding Principles (in lieu of Board Rules).

Thanks in advance for your assistance, -Wade Englund-

[_dartagnan]

1) phbb 3.0 was just released and it is often free in most web packages. Hostcolor.com offers it in their packages and it ends up being about $8/month for the mega webpackage, which includes domain name, web hosting, a ton of bandwidth, blogs, emails, phpbb and other features I haven't got around to using yet.

2) You're an expert in everything, and shouldn't need any help.

3) The dunce corner. Why Wade is never wrong. Logical fallacies 101 (how to commit, not avoid them)

4) Wade's World.

Just curious, but what makes you think the web needs another discussion forum of this variety? What would your board offer that isn't already offered here or elsewhere? Do you really think anyone takes you seriously as someone genuinely interested in psychoanalyzing those who have left the faith?

[_Yoda]

Hi Wade! :)

Kevin's suggestion on phbb 3.0 is a good one. It's very reasonable for all of the "goodies" that come with it.

Is this discussion board going to fall along the lines of the LDS Support groups we were discussing in TD's earlier thread?

I think it could be an interesting idea, especially if you had some folks like Harmony and TD, who have certified counseling experience helping with some of the advice.

Actually, Kevin, I think you may have been a little harsh on Wade here. You may have missed the earlier thread TD started on LDS Support Groups, but Wade actually came up with some really good ideas. If he plans on expanding those ideas, I support him in his efforts.

PM me, Wade, if you would like some preliminary "techie" advice, and I'll give you my email address.

Liz

[_wenglund]

1) phbb 3.0 was just released and it is often free in most web packages. Hostcolor.com offers it in their packages and it ends up being about $8/month for the mega webpackage, which includes domain name, web hosting, a ton of bandwidth, blogs, emails, phpbb and other features I haven't got around to using yet.

This is very useful information. Does Hostcolor.com post advertisements along with the $8.00/month fee?

Just curious, but what makes you think the web needs another discussion forum of this variety? What would your board offer that isn't already offered here or elsewhere?

Aside from RFM, the other LDS web sites I am familiar with don't exactly address things from an emotional, psychological, relationship, behavioral standpoint. And, RFM only makes a pretense at doing so, and I believe the culture there even makes matters far worse for all parties concerned--it has become a breeding ground for religious bigotry, rather than a source for "recovery". My proposed discussion board is intended to help people really heal and grow inter-personally and intra-personally in relation to their experience with Church.

Do you really think anyone takes you seriously as someone genuinely interested in psychoanalyzing those who have left the faith?

For one, there will be little if any psychoanalysing going on. For another, I, along with hopefully others with professional experience, will be facilitating the SELF-HEALING. So, as long as the participants trust themselves, and are willing to accept nominal direction and insights using proven interventions, it should work.

In fact, in spite of your marked disdain towards me, I think even you could be helped.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_Ray A]

Wade, in theory the idea sounds good. You would have to be non-judgemental of people recovering, and you would need people to assist you who have alternate views to your own, for balance. Preferably exmos who have been through the process and have experienced the pain of exiting. If this idea this works, it could be the first true recovery from Mormonism board on the net.

[_wenglund]

Hi Wade! :)

Kevin's suggestion on phbb 3.0 is a good one. It's very reasonable for all of the "goodies" that come with it.

Is this discussion board going to fall along the lines of the LDS Support groups we were discussing in TD's earlier thread?

I think it could be an interesting idea, especially if you had some folks like Harmony and TD, who have certified counseling experience helping with some of the advice.

Yes, it is going to fall along those lines, though I would like to see the pilot group focus on ex-LDS and unbelieving member issues.

PM me, Wade, if you would like some preliminary "techie" advice, and I'll give you my email address. Liz

When I get a bit further along, I will gladly look to you for "techie" advice. As things now stand, I have about zero knowledge of BB software from and admin/mod perspective (though I have ample experience as a bb user), so I am not even sure I would understand as yet the advice you may have to offer. ;-)

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_wenglund]

Wade, in theory the idea sounds good. You would have to be non-judgemental of people recovering, and you would need people to assist you who have alternate views to your own, for balance. Preferably exmos who have been through the process and have experienced the pain of exiting. If this idea this works, it could be the first true recovery from Mormonism board on the net.

The beauty of the methodology that I intend to implement is that it is blind to one's religious affilitation and beliefs. In fact, one's religious affiliation is, for the most part, irrelevant to the healing process (both in terms of those facilitating the healing, and those being healed).

If I get a moment, I will post here the draft I am working on of the Guiding Principles that hope to be the foundational theraputic philosophy driving the Board, so you can see what I mean.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-

[_moksha]

Wade, in theory the idea sounds good. You would have to be non-judgmental of people recovering, and you would need people to assist you who have alternate views to your own, for balance. Preferably exmos who have been through the process and have experienced the pain of exiting. If this idea this works, it could be the first true recovery from Mormonism board on the net.

I agree with everything up to the recovery from Mormonism. I think such a board should first and foremost be aimed at supporting
people in spiritual crisis and not be aimed at any type of religious conversion. Such persuasions for conversion it seems to me
would only heighten a person's spiritual angst.

Once again, I wholeheartedly support the good intentions behind Wade's idea.

[_dartagnan]

Well, color me skeptical. It isn't a matter of disdain towards you Wade, just learning from experience in seeing how you work. Your credibility usually comes in spurts and is short lived once you have had the opportunity to reveal his true agenda.

I don't think you're going to be able to successfully sell the line that you are genuinely concerned about anyone, especially those who believe they are in a legitimate state of "recovery" from Mormonism. You have a well-known history of mocking them.

But then, stranger things have happened, so it isn't beyond the realm of possibility.

[_Who Knows]

Well, color me skeptical.

Leopards can't change their spots... ;)