Can you guys help us out over here?

[cc]

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=9092

[WhiteRhino]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ClarkstonCracker @ Apr 12 2006, 12:55 PM) 13089</div>
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=9092
[/b]


Posted a reply.

[Jarhead]

I did a quick grab of current issues:

Your favorite trail could now be LEGAL!, Send me your nominations by April 8th
http://www.glfwda.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1454

The candidate questionnaire posted below is being mailed to the Democrat and Republican gubernatorial candidates, Jennifer Granholm and Dick DeVos.
http://www.glfwda.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1604

Keep the Trails open/ URGENT!, send form letter soon!
http://www.glfwda.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=1485

[WhiteRhino]

Bob,
Did you post it over there or just here?

[Jarhead]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 12 2006, 01:59 PM) 13094</div>
Bob,
Did you post it over there or just here?
[/b]

No, I did not cross post as I am not a member of the other board.

[WhiteRhino]

I think I got it covered for now. There is a renewed proactive interest. Let's hope it grows. I am also trying to hook up with ClarkstonCracker one on one for a little discussion.

[Zookeeper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ClarkstonCracker @ Apr 12 2006, 08:55 AM) 13089</div>
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=9092
[/b]


You say, "help us out," but when I look at the posts there's a lot of bitching about GLFWDA and people not getting stuff done by people who I have yet to see accomplishing anything either! Now, is it because they haven't done anything or I just haven't heard about it? Could be the same thing for them and why they feel the way they do about GLFWDA.

So, sure, I'll help you out over there any way I can, but I need to know what you need/want from GLFWDA and from your board members at GL4x4 (like me) besides more drama.

:blink:

I think this is a great opportunity for all of us. GLFWDA has a new executive board and there's suddenly a renewed interest in land issues across all the Jeep boards lately. Let's take advantage of it and let's not let any of these threads develop into too much drama and not enough action! :bigemo_harabe_net-145:

[WhiteRhino]

Ari, I think ClarkstonClacker was asking us to fill in the blanks that he could not fill in. My take on it was that he knows GL has had activity but couldn't expand. He was looking for input.

His ask for help was a good thing.

[Zookeeper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 13 2006, 03:05 AM) 13120</div>


His ask for help was a good thing.
[/b]

I agree, and I'm PMing him to have more discussions "off the grid" to keep the drama low(er). :rolleyes:

[calvynandhobbs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 13 2006, 07:05 AM) 13120</div>
Ari, I think ClarkstonClacker was asking us to fill in the blanks that he could not fill in. My take on it was that he knows GL has had activity but couldn't expand. He was looking for input.

His ask for help was a good thing.
[/b]

x2 I dabble over on that board as well as being a member of GLFWDA. I'm fairly new to this board and have already started writing letters. I think this is a great opportunity to join fronts and become more powerful as an organization. As I wrote over there, I think the leadership of GLFWDA is in place to really make a difference right now.

Roger

[Zookeeper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(calvynandhobbs @ Apr 13 2006, 03:11 AM) 13122</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 13 2006, 07:05 AM) 13120
Ari, I think ClarkstonClacker was asking us to fill in the blanks that he could not fill in. My take on it was that he knows GL has had activity but couldn't expand. He was looking for input.

His ask for help was a good thing.
[/b]

x2 I dabble over on that board as well as being a member of GLFWDA. I'm fairly new to this board and have already started writing letters. I think this is a great opportunity to join fronts and become more powerful as an organization. As I wrote over there, I think the leadership of GLFWDA is in place to really make a difference right now.

Roger
[/b][/quote]

I saw that and it is appreciated!

As I said over there, too, I've noticed a surge in interest lately in people coming together to figure out issues as one again. Now we need to keep that momentum going! :thumb-up:

[joe_jeep]

sure seems like were not very popular over there!! :WhiteRhino:

[WhiteRhino]

C'mon guys, don't read too much into what you read on other sites. I consider GL4x4 and MJ to be "social" sites. Many of the folks either A) Don't care to get over involved, B) Are just getting into the sport and asking questions & don't necessarily know where to go for answers and C) Enjoy the fun of the "drama".

When a guy like CC asks us for input, in my book he is suggesting a fair dialog. I had recent pm's with him and he promised to keep the "drama" off of that thread.

THE LAST THING I WANT IS SOMEONE FROM HERE CREATING """"MORE"""" DRAMA!

Let it go and keep to proactive responses.

Jim

[Roadhouse]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 13 2006, 07:05 AM) 13120</div>
Ari, I think ClarkstonClacker was asking us to fill in the blanks that he could not fill in. My take on it was that he knows GL has had activity but couldn't expand. He was looking for input.

His ask for help was a good thing.
[/b]


Thats exactly what he wanted. Some people don't really know us or what GLFWDA is about, but they know people who dislike us from past experiences. So they only know one side of the story.....

[Ironman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roadhouse @ Apr 13 2006, 04:51 PM) 13143</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 13 2006, 07:05 AM) 13120
Ari, I think ClarkstonClacker was asking us to fill in the blanks that he could not fill in. My take on it was that he knows GL has had activity but couldn't expand. He was looking for input.

His ask for help was a good thing.
[/b]


Thats exactly what he wanted. Some people don't really know us or what GLFWDA is about, but they know people who dislike us from past experiences. So they only know one side of the story.....
[/b][/quote]

That is what bugs me the most, people only hear one side of the story, and that side is usually skewed pretty bad.

Nobody ever remembers the good stuff but they cant seem to forget the bad. I still say the internet has done more damage to GL than GL has done to itself.

But on the bright side everyone seems to be getting the idea that if we dont act on land issues now we wont have to worry about it later. No matter what organization they belong to!

[Zookeeper]

Because of ClarkstonCracker's thread over at GL4x4, I've been able to start a dialogue and get some feedback from members of TwoTrackers as well as some other folks on the board over there. All the stuff via PM and e-mail has been drama-free! :thumb-up:

[cc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Roadhouse @ Apr 13 2006, 05:51 PM) 13143</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(WhiteRhino @ Apr 13 2006, 07:05 AM) 13120
Ari, I think ClarkstonClacker was asking us to fill in the blanks that he could not fill in. My take on it was that he knows GL has had activity but couldn't expand. He was looking for input.

His ask for help was a good thing.
[/b]


Thats exactly what he wanted. Some people don't really know us or what GLFWDA is about, but they know people who dislike us from past experiences. So they only know one side of the story.....
[/b][/quote]


I have been into online 4x4 forums for awhile now, and I have to agree with you Roadhouse. I have always heard negative things about GLFWDA, but really no basis for it. On the otherhand, for the last two years, I do not remember reading anything abotu how GLFWDA has been improving, or what they are accomplishing. I know it sounds goofy that you guys should be into advertising, but I think it has to happen. And I'm not talking about paid advertising, but maybe announcing when something is accomplished, or when help is needed.

The problem I see, (which may be abnormal) is in the last 3 years, I can think of 10-12 online forums that have popped up, mine included. This is seperating people almost on a daily basis. People will pick one or two sites, and just stay there. Every new site has a land conservation forum that receives no views. I think something should happen between all the sites, and find one website that is advertised as land conservation. (that site could be this one)

The other problem, is online forums DO NOT like to send people to other forums. I know this sounds goofy, but running a forum is kind of like a business. You don't send your customers to your competition, its not a good business practice.

I'm thinking if this site was to remove the offtopic section, the forsale section, and all the other sections not related to land conservation, then alot of forum owners would be much more happy to send people here for the discussion.

There are around 8000 (my estimates) of people who use online 4x4 forums from michigan. But they are all spread out. Someone has to figure out how to bring these people together. Not just to act as a whole, but to make sure everyone is using their time and money to the best use. .

GL4x4 receives about 2400 unique IP address' per day. If I were to have a GLFWDA link, saying this is where we chat about land issues, it might add some more action here.

[Zookeeper]

The other problem, is online forums DO NOT like to send people to other forums. I know this sounds goofy, but running a forum is kind of like a business. You don't send your customers to your competition, its not a good business practice.


[/b]

Is this why my post about the candidate questionnaire was deleted at GL4x4?

[lgottler]

I wonder if there would be a way to link to ONLY the Land Use section of this site instead of the whole forum?

If business is keeping from linking here, then business might start to go down when people get tickets for looking at the forest in the wrong way! Without supporting something that helps keep that 8k people wheeling in MI, that number will dwindle. Its a very tough time for anyone with a 4x4 in a state that doesn't want it here!

I think passion towards the sport and towards trail management get interpreted as "preaching" or as the ever popular "we're better than you" type feeling from others. Personally, I wanted to just bail about 5 times, getting so irritated by comments, by BS etc...but I stepped away, took another look and moved on with GL because it is a good thing run by people ordinary people who truly are passionate about MI, 4x4's, and the whole lifestyle.

my .02

Lucas

[cc]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zookeeper @ Apr 17 2006, 07:22 AM) 13231</div>


Is this why my post about the candidate questionnaire was deleted at GL4x4?
[/b]


You mean the one time you mentioned it in this thread:
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=8496&page=2

Its still there, and you never started a new thread about it.

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/images/smilies/trout.gif

[Zookeeper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ClarkstonCracker @ Apr 18 2006, 01:28 PM) 13285</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zookeeper @ Apr 17 2006, 07:22 AM) 13231


Is this why my post about the candidate questionnaire was deleted at GL4x4?
[/b]


You mean the one time you mentioned it in this thread:
http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/showthread.php?t=8496&page=2

Its still there, and you never started a new thread about it.

http://www.greatlakes4x4.com/images/smilies/trout.gif
[/b][/quote]

I'm pretty sure I did start a new one, because I remember copying and pasting the post at several boards. Oh well, I'll chalk it up to technical error and post again! :Ari: