Adding to 'sense' of community

Lately, Ive been seeing a running theme in the tone of our 'complaint' threads. A lot of it seems to have to do with sense of community we feel on these boards.

I know it used to be very strong. The membership was smaller and we all 'knew' each other. With the membership expanding, I think it gets really difficult to keep track of everyone. And as a result, I personally feel like we may be losing something really great.

In any case, I was hoping we could brainstorm ways to get that warm and fuzzy feeling back - at least on the NW board if no where else.

I think GTGs are one way. We had a really sucessful one last month and hopefully we will have another one by the end of summer.

Anyone else have some positive suggestions on how we can do this?

(Or if Im way off base and Im the only one feeling this...tell me Im crazy and to shut up
)

Stef, I think its a great idea. And GTG's definitely help. But I hope we can think of other things too since I'm almost never able to go to the GTG

Lisa: I understand. Im not able to go to the LI ones either so I feel your pain

I agree Stef...things haven become really hectic on here, and need some more positive threads and vibes

is there a way we can share common interests on a thread?

too bad we can't do journals...we could...but it would get hairy I think

Sharing peekshures

The LI girls must come to the city at least once. PS the city does not bite

On another note, I think the people that do the GTG lives close to each other, maybe they have the warm fuzzy feeling, I have it with a few ladies.

I def. have that warm fuzzy feeling w/a few ladies
I think it gets harder and harder as we grow. But I'm all for anything that will bring us all closer.

Nice post Stef...and I agree.

It would be much easier for me to attend a city GTG now. I missed the first few (not just the city ones, but the LI ones also) because of the wedding and my life as I knew it did not exist.

I'm ready for a big GTG LET'S GO!!

I definately have ladies on here who I am close with both on and off here.

I also love the boards as you all know

Sometimes there are so many GTG's, I have no time for them with my DH, my 'real life' friends and other things in everyday life. I can't go to one every week, although I'd like to.

I feel there is a special bond with all LIW ladies but I feel we should create a stronger bond on the NW side, since this side is much more peaceful & mature (no offense meant to anyone but there is no drama on here).

I see some don't support others at times, especially those of us who 'know' each other because we have been on the boards for a long time! I feel we planned with each other for so long when the LIW community was smaller, and yet some of us don't support others.
I won't go into any further explanation but some may know what I mean.

Sonicstef - I do understand what you're saying. And I think that's what I'm hoping for too - the way it was in some ways. I think change is good - having new women come on and experience all the wonderful things we had the opportunity to do so for so long now. But because the community has grown sooooooo much, I guess sometimes I take it personally when I see people posting their pics and so on without getting so much as a congrats. Because way back when, pretty much everyone would say it because the community was so much smaller...(I'm just using this as an example).

Honestly, I don't know how to get that 'sense' back. I guess I should just be happy to have formed the relationships I have formed, and look forward to trying to form new ones with an open mind.

But the offer is officially on the table...I am having a GTG at my house on Friday, July 18th at 6:30. I know it's hard for the city girls to get here, but it is the weekend if that helps. It is open to any of the wonderful women on LIW that have been so kind to me and so many others...it's potluck which makes it even better. Please just consider it...I will be sending out a post shortly to try and get an RSVP list going...

DId someone say GTG, I will do a GTG even in my home, even with just one person, I love GTG's

Liz, I have a warm fuzzy feeling for you

Jen do you consider us close J/K

I'll be the brave one here!

Some on this thread never even told me 'Congrats' when I got married!
I was very shocked but some told me they had the same issue!

Shamma um...no!

Jen were you expecting it?? is that why you were disappointed. Like I said in the other thread, I only look for the people I care for to see the peekshures that I post and to get their responses, if other ladies post I am happy too, don't get me wrong, all those who comment I am glad, but if a lot of people don't it does not bother me. If the girls I am close with don't respond, I bump the thread for them to see or send a Fm or email telling them I posted pix etc. I guess I don't take much on here personal.

*holds heart at your response* Here I was thinking we were close

PS must add, I think the people that want to have the sense of community will have it.

we also have to keep in mind how busy we all are as well. what life can throw at us sometimes can sidetrack us. jenn for example, i know i never formally congratulated you...but you got married right when i found out i was pregnant - i was SO tossed those weeks...confused, depressed, just in turmoil, and really forgot to give you a thumbs up!( not to say I didn't say to my husband...oh! i am so glad it didn't rain today ..it's jennbaby's wedding!) so that is a factor as well when it comes to community. i am not so good at constantly keeping up! some of us are a LOT better at that!

What I mean is here people are talking about 'the old days' on LIW, well I have been on a long time and when my review & pics came I got none from some.
I am not the only one either.

I don't lose sleep over it, but you do wonder why.

Jen, just b/c they don't post don't mean they don't wish you well.

Jenn, if I went back and looked I'm sure I could say the same thing. But I try not to focus on things like that.

out of curiousity, I just looked up my wedding review. MOST of the girls on this thread did not post on it, including Jenn & Shamma!

Only about 20 people responded, though I know there were more responses on my picture posts later on (I know you were on there Shamma!)

I don't hold it against anyone