Did you know that 420 magazine holds contests on a monthly basis? There are some very generous prizes given out by the sponsors on this site for these contest winners too. The three categories are:
Nug of The Month, Plant of The Month, and most importantly to me is
Member of The Month
Any 420 member can enter the first two contests, from newbies to long timers. But, Member of The Month (MOTM) is something entirely different.
You can read how the moderators and 420 make their own decisions on a nomination on the 420 contests page, but I want to discuss how the members do their voting .
It has been said over and over again that this contest is nothing more than a popularity contest. I guess that may be true for some, but for this voter I look at things much differently when I vote. I wouldn't vote for someone just because they are a friend of mine. I would cast my vote based on the qualifications of doing good things for the cause, this site, and it's members.
I handle my vote the same way I would handle a vote for elections in my State or Country. There is a criteria that I follow that has nothing to do with how popular the candidate is to his/her social circles.
I have read posts on the MOTM contest thread wherein members commented on not being familiar with the other candidates so they voted for the name they were familiar with.
What happened to doing a little research on the other names on the ballot and getting an informed decision? It's easy to do here, you click on the candidates' name and in their profile you can view their recent posts and other things that help you understand who the candidate is. Voting just to vote is what gains us nothing. The voter feels good that they voted....but did it really serve the masses for the better? Choose your candidates wisely, do your due diligence and make your decision not on how popular they are, but on what their actual qualifications are. MOTM winners have a responsibility to live up to after they've won. They are expected to continue doing the things they were doing to be honored with a nomination in the first place. They aren't expected to just drop out of sight and enjoy their prizes. Although, even if they do...their threads are there forever to access and learn from...so all is not lost if someone just drops away from the help and interaction scene.
Here is the criteria I personally use and will continue to use to cast my vote for MOTM:
First:
How long has the candidate been a member of the site. I wouldn't cast a vote for someone who has only been here a month....I would have no real idea of how he/she handles interactions with the members.
Second:
How do they handle their interactions with members. Do they speak respectful and without harsh, intimidating "do it my way or hit the highway" statements?
Are they open to disagreements with what they stated? Or do they lash back refusing to see the difference in opinion. I listen to and try to understand other opinions, provided they are done in a respectful and decent way.
Are they respectful of gender, women who may reading their post? There are more women growers on this site than some realize that are reading these threads. (myself included) Reading some of the " boys will be boys" types of comments can be tough. I have to ignore a lot of comments, and some of them can be extremely offensive to women. I will quietly leave the thread and probably not go back. It's disappointing, and if the member making the comment is ever nominated, I will remember that and cast my vote elsewhere. Respect is important, these are open forums....they aren't talking on a Private Message where they don't have to worry who's reading it and possibly being offended.
Is the candidate helpful when asked a question on their favorite thread hang out, or do they respond with some unhelpful quip that doesn't really help answer or contribute to what the person was asking?
Third:
What is their method of helping new members? Are they regularly posting on the Frequent question and new growers threads? Or are they active and helpful only in the last few days or month of the contest?
Do they answer the questions with actual helpful information, and direct you where you can get an answer if they aren't sure? Do they make a newbie feel welcomed and know that they will get help with their grow?
And most importantly, do they stick around for the next question? This shows that they ARE truly interested in helping that member. A candidate patrolling through new posts only during the contest days, then disappearing... well I look at that in a rather negative way.
Bottom line is, the candidate has to care and genuinely show they want to help!
Last but not least:
Does the candidate show a genuine interest in changing the laws and public stigma surrounding MJ? Do they show a positive socially acceptable image of MJ?
Now everyone will have their own criteria that they want to see, I'm not saying mine are what you should use. Determine for yourself what YOU want to see in a Member of The Month candidate. Don't vote for someone just because it's what everyone else is doing, vote for who you feel is best qualified. Votes are anonymous, no one knows who you voted for unless you tell them.
There are two important sides to these contests, the candidate and the voters. Cast your votes wisely and informed!
Now ...go and spend a little time researching, and then get your VOTE in with confidence!
Click on the "420 lounge" tab, and then go to "420 contests" for the current month's contests.
And don't forget the other two monthly contests, nugs and plants!
Nug of The Month, Plant of The Month, and most importantly to me is
Member of The Month
Any 420 member can enter the first two contests, from newbies to long timers. But, Member of The Month (MOTM) is something entirely different.
You can read how the moderators and 420 make their own decisions on a nomination on the 420 contests page, but I want to discuss how the members do their voting .
It has been said over and over again that this contest is nothing more than a popularity contest. I guess that may be true for some, but for this voter I look at things much differently when I vote. I wouldn't vote for someone just because they are a friend of mine. I would cast my vote based on the qualifications of doing good things for the cause, this site, and it's members.
I handle my vote the same way I would handle a vote for elections in my State or Country. There is a criteria that I follow that has nothing to do with how popular the candidate is to his/her social circles.
I have read posts on the MOTM contest thread wherein members commented on not being familiar with the other candidates so they voted for the name they were familiar with.
What happened to doing a little research on the other names on the ballot and getting an informed decision? It's easy to do here, you click on the candidates' name and in their profile you can view their recent posts and other things that help you understand who the candidate is. Voting just to vote is what gains us nothing. The voter feels good that they voted....but did it really serve the masses for the better? Choose your candidates wisely, do your due diligence and make your decision not on how popular they are, but on what their actual qualifications are. MOTM winners have a responsibility to live up to after they've won. They are expected to continue doing the things they were doing to be honored with a nomination in the first place. They aren't expected to just drop out of sight and enjoy their prizes. Although, even if they do...their threads are there forever to access and learn from...so all is not lost if someone just drops away from the help and interaction scene.
Here is the criteria I personally use and will continue to use to cast my vote for MOTM:
First:
How long has the candidate been a member of the site. I wouldn't cast a vote for someone who has only been here a month....I would have no real idea of how he/she handles interactions with the members.
Second:
How do they handle their interactions with members. Do they speak respectful and without harsh, intimidating "do it my way or hit the highway" statements?
Are they open to disagreements with what they stated? Or do they lash back refusing to see the difference in opinion. I listen to and try to understand other opinions, provided they are done in a respectful and decent way.
Are they respectful of gender, women who may reading their post? There are more women growers on this site than some realize that are reading these threads. (myself included) Reading some of the " boys will be boys" types of comments can be tough. I have to ignore a lot of comments, and some of them can be extremely offensive to women. I will quietly leave the thread and probably not go back. It's disappointing, and if the member making the comment is ever nominated, I will remember that and cast my vote elsewhere. Respect is important, these are open forums....they aren't talking on a Private Message where they don't have to worry who's reading it and possibly being offended.
Is the candidate helpful when asked a question on their favorite thread hang out, or do they respond with some unhelpful quip that doesn't really help answer or contribute to what the person was asking?
Third:
What is their method of helping new members? Are they regularly posting on the Frequent question and new growers threads? Or are they active and helpful only in the last few days or month of the contest?
Do they answer the questions with actual helpful information, and direct you where you can get an answer if they aren't sure? Do they make a newbie feel welcomed and know that they will get help with their grow?
And most importantly, do they stick around for the next question? This shows that they ARE truly interested in helping that member. A candidate patrolling through new posts only during the contest days, then disappearing... well I look at that in a rather negative way.
Bottom line is, the candidate has to care and genuinely show they want to help!
Last but not least:
Does the candidate show a genuine interest in changing the laws and public stigma surrounding MJ? Do they show a positive socially acceptable image of MJ?
Now everyone will have their own criteria that they want to see, I'm not saying mine are what you should use. Determine for yourself what YOU want to see in a Member of The Month candidate. Don't vote for someone just because it's what everyone else is doing, vote for who you feel is best qualified. Votes are anonymous, no one knows who you voted for unless you tell them.
There are two important sides to these contests, the candidate and the voters. Cast your votes wisely and informed!
Now ...go and spend a little time researching, and then get your VOTE in with confidence!
Click on the "420 lounge" tab, and then go to "420 contests" for the current month's contests.
And don't forget the other two monthly contests, nugs and plants!
