New Members' INTRODUCTION 

As part your request to join, you will have agreed to post an introduction of yourself to the Group within 3 days of approval.

WHY?

Because the rest of the group would:

•  like to engage with you.  Knowing something about you will further that. After all, you joined because presumably we have something in common. You have the floor, tell us what that is.

•  appreciate the opportunity to welcome you.  Introducing yourself is the first step to others knowing you are a member and helps us feel like we aren't talking only to each other.

WHY 3 DAYS?  The group owner would:

• like you to become involved. It has been observed that those who don't engage with Club within a few days are less likely to do so later on.  Ever.  People who do this are called "lurkers" for a reason. Frankly, it's creepy and feels like we're being watched by strangers. Don't lurk and don't be a stranger. You alone have the power to fix this.

• appreciate a variety of voices, opinions, input and perspective.  You may have info we don't and we may have info which you haven't been able to find elsewhere.  We have many, many long time and newbie collectors. Jump in, find friends, jump into a conversation, then post a separate intro.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON'T POST AN INTRODUCTION?

• Your membership may be deactivated without warning and you will no longer be able to access the group.  If you object to this, then please post an intro in 3 days.  Keep your account active because if Facebook reports that your account is inactive, your membership may be pruned and you'll need to go through the process of applying, joining, posting a new intro.  Your membership, your choice.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "POST" AND A "COMMENT"?  What is a REACTION?

• a "post" is a brand-new message that you place on the discussion board. It can have aspects like an uploaded photo or video or links to web pages on other sites  or past posts on the Club that you may wish to bring back up. It is time/date stamped when you post it.  Find on the discussion board where it says "Write something.."

• a "reaction" is clicking one of the icons on someone else's post or comment.  These are: 

  • "thumbs up, "heart", "huggy heart", "laughing smiley", "WOW!",  "angry face" *  careful with this one, it drives your feed to toxic content (according to the Washington Post.)  Reactions are a way of showing engagement, but aren't always consistent with engagement in the Club.

• a "comment" comes under someone else's post. it is time/date stamped, but is found within the post under which it is made.  Comments piggy-back under someone else's participation.

• a "post" is more substantial.  You don't have to write War and Peace, for an introduction, just give us an idea of  (suggestions):

  • Whereabouts you live. (NO ADDRESSES). A city/country is fine, or a town/region/county. (Please keep in mind this is an international group with membership around the world.)

  • What your collecting focus is on.  Could be porcelains versus vinyls. Could be fashions. Could be Other Royal Family Members than Diana or RF other than UK as its within our focus.

  • You don't have to tell us about your personal life, job, or family (unless you wish to and feel like that's significant about you.)

  • a "post" is easier to find later if you wish to signpost someone to it in future. There is a great search feature on the discussion board, but it is really difficult to find exact comments later.

  • a "post" also shows that you value your membership and other members. Other members are posting to you; pay back the favour by making posts and/or commenting and reacting to their posts.

THIS ADVICE IS BASED ON 20+ YEARS OF BEING A CLUB AND WHAT HAS MADE US SUCCESSFUL IS BEING SHARED.  YOU CAN CHOOSE TO IGNORE IT, BUT THAT IS NOT RECOMMENDED IF YOU VALUE MEMBERSHIP...