Buddhist discussion

Out of curiosity, has anyone seen the Mod around? Should we maybe ask Goodreads for a new one? Anyone want to volunteer?

I'll be happy to Mod the group if no one else wants to and we all think we should have a Mod around.

Well it seems our moderator has not been active since 2007 - I'm surprised the group hasn't been culled by Goodreads. Perhaps getting a few more moderators would be a good idea if the group is getting active. Can do that?

I'm happy to offer myself up for mod duties too. Perhaps it would be a good idea to put up a poll to see who is using the group and how people feel.

I have seen this sort of thing help activate quiet groups. How many do you think we should have? What's involved?

If there are enough people interested, Moderators could start a bookclub or themed discussion topics... I'm sure other members can come up with good ideas.

Other than that, just general maintainence and moderating I suppose, not that I expect a Buddhism board to have a lot of undesirables! A few moderators is a good idea, just in case one leaves or has to be away for a while.

Amanda, why don't I contact goodreads and then we can decide who would want to Mod. If You, rebecca and I are interested, maybe we should Mod. What do you think?

It sounds like a good idea Kristi - I'd certainly like to help get this group going.

Yeah, I'd be happy to take part. Never been a moderator, but there's a first time for everything.

Worst case senario - if Goodreads doesn't let us take over the group - we could always create a new one?

I think it is great that you two want to take this on. I will certainly follow the thread of the discussion and will post responses when I feel I have something to add. I am connected to two local sanghas in the DC area. The Jetsun Khandro Rinpoche ( http://www.lotusgardens.org )students and the Shambhala Center of Washington DC studying the teachings of Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche ( http://www.shambhala.org/ )so I have a lot of interaction with dharma brothers and sisters both F2F and online. I am sure this group will be interesting and of benefit to all.

Great, I will get the ball rolling! We should talk about what might make this group more active!

I have several years of experience leading a F2F dharma book discussion group in DC. One effective way to stimulate discussion is to have each person present a short quote either from the same book or whatever book they are reading and then discuss how that quote helps them integrate meditation practice and a dharmic view into their life. We would each post our own and then comment on each others. Or we could take turns posting one quote and our commentary on that quote then we each comment on that one quote and commentary.Just a few suggestions.

Thanks for your suggestions, Larry! The only Buddhist group in my local area is rather inaccessible so I've never had that face-to-face contact.

Ok, we have new Moderators! Amanda, Rebecca and Me, will be the Mods. Any ideas about new threads or topics?

I added a few, let me know if you see anything that needs changing or adding!

Wow, well done Kristi. You've done a good job. I'll have a look about and come back with any ideas. I'm still keen on the idea of group reads, but we need to be sure the books we pick are easy to get hold of and that enough people are currently interested enough to do it. Perhaps I should put up a poll to find out who would like to take part?

Also, as Larry suggested above, group discussions based on a particular theme or quotation could get people talking. We could hold polls to decide the topic.

Why don't we put up a Nominations thread? Then we can have a poll and vote on the Nominations.

I've put up a poll to gauge interest and started a nominations thread. Started a suggestion box too.

great!!