Thank you Meg for that clarification.
Jacqui

Since Meg requested this be discussed openly, I'll add my two cents about the phone number. I can't for the life of me understand how providing your phone number to a swap hostess is in anyway putting you at risk, Meg. That is unless you don't trust the hostess. Kim does not have the time to be contacting people to follow through with swaps. That is the job of the hostess and she cannot do that if she is not able to reach you. We learned from the last couple of swaps that people disappear for a variety of reasons and a phone number cuts through about as quickly as anything for trying to contact them. No one has ever been asked to post their phone number publicly on the forum, nor would they ever.

I believe Connie was trying just to be helpful and typed up those rules in that spirit. But as Kim has pointed out, there was nothing in what Connie posted that was new. Perhaps people hadn't been reminded for awhile, but those were always the rules. They may or may not have always been stuck to but that doesn't negate the fact they were the rules.

As far as the PM's that I took part in, those people who involved in the Christmas Gift exchange were invited..some participated, some didn't. It was kept off the board because 1) it started with the issue of Jess not receiving a gift so needed to be away from her eyes) and 2) discussed the other problems that occurred with that swap. I certainly feel that was not a discussion that needed to involve the general readership of this forum, which is far larger than just the 30 or so people who regularly post. Some things are best discussed between those involved rather than all of cyperspace. Just my opinion, but I saw nothing wrong in the PM exchanges. I certainly didn't witness anyone "having it in" for certain people.

As far as fulfilling obligations before taking on more...I'll stand in the front of the line of those who feel that is the minimum requirement. I know of many people who have already left BC or have threatened to, because of problems with just that issue.

Bottom line for me is that I don't think any of the rules are out of line. And if at any time I don't then I would simply not play. This isn't a "cheap shot" at you, Meg..it is just my viewpoint.

Hopefully we can all settle down and get back to having fun.

Meg,

I understand your concerns about photos and phone numbers, but there are ways to deal with these requirements.

We love to look at photos here! If the problem is file size reduction, I'm sure that there would be volunteers to help if you needed it.....myself included. If the problem is getting it to the computer, well...I'm again sure that someone somewhere would have a solution.

About the phone number requirement...I wish I'd thought of this first, back when I was hosting the Pretty Kitty swap! When folks don't answer emails and you don't know if they've mailed their package, it makes it really hard to know if you should go ahead and swap...or wait. A phone call would make it all so much easier.

Even though the rules were not discussed in an open forum, they are so well written and so necessary that I am willing to overlook that aspect of the situation. Whim or not, they are excellent.

Thank you Kim for your approval of these things.

Jacqui

Meg,

I just read your suggestion about giving me the phone numbers...there is a way to do this. There is a field to enter your daytime and evening phone number in your private profile. It does not show up in any public areas and it is only viewable by me. If anyone has a problem with giving out their phone number, they could enter it there, let the swap hostess know that I have their number and the swap hostess can verify with me that the number is in place in the private profile. If there is a problem and contact needs to be made, hostess contacts me and I will handle it from there.

Would this work for you?

Thank you Jacqui!

Maybe this has been addressed before but I was wondering if there could possibly be a public guideline put up as to the best way to mail items through the mail. Especially for overseas. I don't know how many nights I have laid awake concerned about Pam not receiving hers. Because in some way, I haven't quite fulfilled the requirements of the gift exchange even though it wasn't entirely my fault. So I was thinking couldn't the best way to mail be an addedem to the rules already set-up. So that we can have one place to go look and not have to search through the different posts. That would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Trina

Kim,

I think that is a wonderful idea, but mine is only one opinion. Please don't do it just to apease me. How does the rest of the forum feel?

I will abide by your decision, as I have stated before.

I think it is a great idea also

Jacqui

Mary I missed your post. I mentioned before that I was willing for the host to have my number but I would not be happy with it being on open board, for the very reasons that you have stated, it isn't just members who can read this board.
I also said once the fact had been made clear it was to be for the eyes of the hosts then I was ok with it.
But I think that as Kim has said she would be willing to do this it would be a nice idea.
It doesn't mean that she will have to contact anyone and everyone, most people are happy to give their numbers to host anyway , this way if they can give it to Kim instead no one is excluded That is what we all want You, I and everyone on this board want to share with each other in the way we always have

Three cheers for the fact that things are once more put in writing and known to all

Great job all
Thank you for all being my extended family

Jacqui