An Interesting Proposition in My E-Mail.

@Darkwing (21583)
March 3, 2008 9:19am CST
Some of my friends here, in Mylot, write for Helium, AC, and other sites, as do I. I've not been active in Helium for some time as I found it more difficult to manoevre than the other writing sites, but this morning, I opened my e-mail and found an interesting proposition from the site... the first sentence read thus: "I am gathering site stewards for the religion area of the site and wonder if you would be interested in joining the steward team in the Wicca channel." Now, those Wiccans out there will probably refute that Wicca is a religion, but that's just the way the site is set up. Needless to say, I was quite taken by this e-mail, and my first instincts were those of interest in joining the steward team, but there weren't any details, so I responded, asking for further details and expressing my interest. The main problem is that I'm not sure what stewarding entails... is it reading of and commenting on other people's work? If so, I feel quite honoured. What I'd like to ask is if any others of my writer friends have undertaken stewarding on any of their sites, and if so, what exactly does it entail? How much time would I need to sacrifice to do it, and would it bring satisfaction? I am very interested in reading other people's thoughts on Wicca because our beliefs vary slightly, according to which "branch" of the Tradition we follow. Does anybody have any experience of stewarding? Would you be willing to help me out here, pleeease?:)
2 people like this
7 responses
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Mar 08
Do you think this is just another word for being a monitor? DOes sound interesting. And ya might just love it just dont take to much time from us if you do go into doing this hugs and blessings
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@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
3 Mar 08
yup that would be cool and we need ya here to I am being selfish lol hugs
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@Darkwing (21583)
3 Mar 08
Naaaaaa, not selfish. I wouldn't do anything that meant I left my friends in Mylot behind. Take note, I never went to the other place, as you didn't, but strange how many came back, huh? :)
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@Darkwing (21583)
3 Mar 08
My understanding of the duties of a steward, are that it is a position of responsibility usually to a property or a company, to properly utilise and develop its resources, including its people, its property and its financial assets. So, from that, I would imagine that I would be called upon to take on this responsibility within the Helium Wicca Channel. So, yes, in that context, it means similar to a Monitor. WOW!!! I suppose I'd be open to queries from other writers, and such, so my time wouldn't be wasted, and I certainly wouldn't have to take time away from my friends here, or it would never even be considered. Brightest Blessings, love and hugs. xxx
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@mummymo (23706)
4 Mar 08
Wow that sure sounds interesting darkwing honey! I wish I knew what being a steward involved so that I could let you know! I look forward to hearing what happens here and if you take up the stewardship, what it involves and how you are enjoying it! xxx
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@Darkwing (21583)
4 Mar 08
I've received an e-mail back from my response and I'm just going to check into it. She said it would involve working as part of a team, and I'm really interested in taking it up, but I'll go read the article she sent me now, and come back and let you know my decision. Thank you, my dear friend, and Brightest Blessings. xxx
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@Darkwing (21583)
4 Mar 08
OK!!!! :) I've been to the article and cut an extract for you, and other people who have responded, to see... it sounds a very worthwhile task, which I'd really like to get into, and I don't think it would detract too much from my presence in Mylot. This is a section of the article, written by Barbara Whitlock at Helium... "Each Site Steward has three goals: Cultivate community: Site Stewards comb selected channels looking for passionate writers and contributors. Watch for Contact This Writer messages from our emerging team of Site Stewards. Meet them in the channel passion forums on the Community boards. And consider serving as a Site Steward yourself! (Details below.) Raise quality: Site Stewards will keep close watch over the content in their knowledge niche, targeting misspelled or out-of-place titles and encouraging individual writers. Expand knowledge: To steward a subchannel means to guide it in the right direction. Stewards seed titles to expand a section and find experts in the community who will suggest even more titles." The remainder can be found on: http://www.helium.com/tm/725782/announcing-heliums-steward-program I'm very keen to become involved in this, and honoured to have been invited, because to me, it indicates that all my study on Wicca and my online courses, have benefitted me greatly. It also indicates that I have the ability to word things in a way that makes them interesting. I am touched that I should have been asked, my friend. Brightest Blessings. xxx
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@mummymo (23706)
4 Mar 08
I can understand why they have chosen you and why you feel gratified to have been chosen sweety! It sounds like just the sort of thing you would be very good at -as long as you are sure that you won't abandon us in the process! lol Good luck and do let us know how you are getting on honey! xx
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@deeeky (3667)
• Edinburgh, Scotland
3 Mar 08
Surely an honour has been bestowed on you and rightly so. When you write and respond to myLot descussions you show a great strength of knowledge of worldly happenings that surround us all and provide an in depth answer to all your resonses. Well done my friend, keep up the good work.
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@Darkwing (21583)
3 Mar 08
Awwww... thank you for your continued support and encouragement, my dear friend. I guess on the strength of the responses I'm getting here, I should accept without further misgiving. I wasn't altogether sure of the reasons behind the request, but my eyes are being opened here. Thank you for your input, and Brightest Blessings, always. You know you started all this, don't you? Ha ha ha ha.
• Singapore
3 Mar 08
That sounds interesting, Pat. Stewarding, eh? Hmm... It sounds something like moderating to me. Make sure you know what you are supposed to do since I am sure you are want who take responsibilities seriously.:)
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@Darkwing (21583)
3 Mar 08
It certainly does sound interesting, my friend, especially reading through these responses. I guess it is something like moderating, but unlike here, with more interaction with other writers, helping them and making sure all runs in an orderly fashion, rather than banning them at every corner. lol. I did respond immediately asking for further details, and at the same time, relating my interest, so I certainly won't jump in without knowing what my responsibilities would be. My libra traits wouldn't ever allow me to do that. I have to balance the scales first, my friend. he he. Brightest Blessings and thank you for our input.
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• Singapore
3 Mar 08
Go for it then.:)
1 person likes this
@raydene (9871)
• United States
3 Mar 08
I think that would be a great spot for you Doll. I have been invited also..not for Wicca but I didn't care for the site because some of my good friends had their articles turned away telling them their writing wasn't up to their standards so I decided they were not up to my standards. lol xoxoxoxoxo
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@Darkwing (21583)
3 Mar 08
Hey, good move! Was that Helium as well, my friend? I think I'd like to give it a try and see what happens. I just hope I haven't frightened them off with my questions. lol. Brightest Blessings and thank you for your input. xxx
1 person likes this
@paid2write (5201)
3 Mar 08
I get Helium newsletters about various channels which are of interest to me and they always feature a photograph and biography of a channel steward. I think they are there to offer help and advise on writing about their specialised subject. I think you are right to feel honoured.
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@Darkwing (21583)
3 Mar 08
Oh WOW! When you put it like that, yes, it is indeed an honour that has been bestowed on me. I guess that means they like the way I word my writing, and the punctuation and everything.. thank you so much for enlightening me, Paid. I regard that as a great step forward, spiritually. Brightest Blessings in thanking you for your input.
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@royal52gens (5488)
• United States
4 Mar 08
Like you, I would be asking for clarification. What would they really like you to do? I am on the staff of a site. I have been informed of what is expected and I work closely with the rest of the staff. I truly enjoy the experience.
@Darkwing (21583)
4 Mar 08
Oh, thank you, my friend. I think I might enjoy this. It is on a team, and here is an extract from the article they sent me to look at. I'm seriously contemplating taking it up as it's an achievement for me, I feel. This is a section of the article, written by Barbara Whitlock at Helium... "Each Site Steward has three goals: Cultivate community: Site Stewards comb selected channels looking for passionate writers and contributors. Watch for Contact This Writer messages from our emerging team of Site Stewards. Meet them in the channel passion forums on the Community boards. And consider serving as a Site Steward yourself! Raise quality: Site Stewards will keep close watch over the content in their knowledge niche, targeting misspelled or out-of-place titles and encouraging individual writers. Expand knowledge: To steward a subchannel means to guide it in the right direction. Stewards seed titles to expand a section and find experts in the community who will suggest even more titles." It sounds good to me... in fact, I think I'm going to at least give it a try. Brightest Blessings and thank you for your input.
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@Darkwing (21583)
4 Mar 08
Yes, I realise I could meet some really interesting people, and probably learn quite a lot myself, along the way. I feel quite honoured to have been asked. :)
• United States
4 Mar 08
I encourage you to try this experience for at least 30 days. Then see how you feel about it and what you are doing. You could meet some really interesting people by taking this opportunity that has been shared with you. Good luck.
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