A learning experience

Jennie@ifish · 07-02-2001, 07:20 AM

Dear ifish readers and contest people,
I reread the contest rules. It was not stated how the winners would be chosen.
If I had more time to devote to being a serious contest runner I would have done the contest differently. As it is, I do everything on ifish and wish sometimes I could be master of one thing, and do it right, but I try and do too much.
I won't be doing any more essay contests. It was my first one, and it is too time consuming. There is a reason there are professional contest runners out there, and what has happened here is one of the reasons!
I want to personally thank each and every one who entered.
I want to let you know that more than winning anything, you have shared some wonderful stories that have lifted people's spirits and touched souls.
I fully support Marty's tough decision and the way he handled it. It was my idea... And to some, a very poor one.
If someone would like to come on board to help run these contests, that would be WONDERFUL! Takers? [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
I have learned much, and I do see all people's opinions and realize the disappointment involved. For this, I am sorry.
I still maintain, however, that under the circumstances, I did my best, which is what I strive for.
Next contest will be back to the drawing only, unless I were to obtain a contest board of directors.
I hope that I am not forced to quit these contests all together, as I enjoy doing them for you.
Ifish does not benefit from these contests, and if it ends up taking more time than smiles returned, what would be the point?
Thanks,
Jen

[ 07-02-2001: Message edited by: Jennie@ifish ]

Hummingbird · 07-02-2001, 08:33 AM

Hi Jennie and all moderators etc.
I enjoyed the contest and even entered. I put some time in it because it made me feel Good!!! Here is what I have to say, Each and Every One of You go the Extra Mile by donating your time . Life is too short to argue about trivial stuff. It doesn't matter who won . It's the pleasure it brought to everyone who wrote and read the articles of others memories. A post is a post but a memory shared , now that's Happiness.
I would be more than thrilled to be on a board to evaluate contests on ifish. it's a good idea.
Jennie, I have tried to find my first post to get my password but have no luck getting there. I need to have it to be able to get on this site from my home computer.This site is Great and a favorite of mine. Please help me Jen , Thanks and Tight lines. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] Tom

THE REEL HEY_YALL · 07-02-2001, 08:40 AM

It was a very tough decision, and it could have gone anyway. Snagly made a good point, but since this is a "learning experience", we will chalk this up in the "experienced" column. We will now know for the second contest ( [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] )

I thought it was a great thing, personally, and I'm sure many of you did, especially those that got to relive the memory in their heads while they typed it out.

I personally will volunteer my time to help with contests in the future if someone is needed. I don't know how much time, but some time is better than no time. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Keep the contests going.......

NEUTRON · 07-02-2001, 08:49 AM

Hb and Y'all good posts. I had to click off
that thread last Friday for fear I would start crying on my keyboard at work. I really enjoyed the stories, I did read them at home over the weekend. So thanks to all and Marty P come back after you've Gone Fishin. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

Hookset · 07-02-2001, 12:01 PM

Agree agree agree, a learning experience.

I still like the essay contest and look forward to reading the stories. So instead of closing this type of contest, lets hold more. Except this time everyone gets to play judge. Say the contest runs for a month, then add a week where you vote on your top three. To vote, click on a seperate link where your vote remains hidden except for the contest organizer/'s.

I think this would be fun and everyone could really play a part and generate a lot of interest. After all, we are all writing and reading each others post, all we have is the written word, essay contests seem to be a natural for this type of media. The main thing is to have fun. FUN!! In all conests, rule number 1 should be FUNN!!

Ok, where do I vote..........I mean enter???

hook

ol tuna skipper · 07-02-2001, 12:14 PM

Jen,

I agree with your decision and also would like to volunteer to assist in future essay contests as a board member. I realize in doing so that I am eliminating myself from competing if I am a judge. That is OK as I enjoyed the writing and was not in it to win.

Just letting you know I am here for you. We all should contribute time to keep this board what it is. Rules have to be planned and need several peoples perspective to achieve fairness and still keep it all fun.

I certainly could not have established rules and selected winner on my own either.

Don't give up. Just ask for help.

Thank you Jen for giving me the opportunity to relive my youth for a moment in the essay contest.

Paul

Harvey Fish · 07-02-2001, 12:15 PM

Interesting idea hookset. Maybe it should be taken further by making the submissions happen through email only and then post the essays without the names of the contributors. Keeps the whole thing out of the popularity contest that it could degrade into.

Only iFish members can vote, and one vote per member. Votes can be done over email too, for that matter. A simple email form can send the vote and a filter on the receiving end can sort them accordingly.

If help is needed in setting something like this up I'd be happy to contribute my knowledge to the fray.

DF · 07-02-2001, 01:29 PM

I like hooks idea [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

sinker · 07-02-2001, 01:41 PM

Ok Jen, I wouldn't give out another rod. You realize you made a mistake and now you have learned from it. Isn't that what life's about? Get over it everyone!!! I was disappointed in the way it was handled but hey it's not my board, contest or rod.
I like the voting part.
I liked the whole idea behind the contest. We heard stories that we would have never heard otherwise, that were truly why we spend all this time and money pursuing such little meat [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .
Heck what I put in there, I've never shared with anyone. LOL.
C'mon let's have another.

Mr. Fisherman · 07-02-2001, 01:47 PM

Hummingbird,

Well put. I like the way you think.

Hook,
i think that would be great.

Harvey Fish, I think that your contribution would be fantastic.

Jen, You can only please some of the people some of the time. Look at it this way, the people complaining at least got involved and they wouldn't have been able to without your effort to begin with.

This is a great board. Keep it up.

[img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]