PDM Book CLub Discussion Policy subthread

This is based on page 510 of the PDM:
EVOLVING A NEW POLICY BASE

Bill outlines a structure for making common policy. Lets try to apply it to this book club.

Define what is seen to be the problem or concern;
give weight to priorities on a scale from 1-10

State intent of policy for your region;
What it is intended to do (the principles of this policy);

Collect strategies that have been proven to work;
this really means a set of case histories

Frame a set of policies based on all successful strategies

Cj Verde wrote:
Define what is seen to be the problem or concern;
give weight to priorities on a scale from 1-10

Problems in no particular order:
Staying OT
How to make decisions
Personal anecdotes help or hinder discussion

Cj Verde wrote:
Staying OT

Intent of the policy
We need a policy to help keep the discussion OT so that the discussion doesn't spiral out of control; stays readable; but doesn't hinder participation

OT meaning 'on track'?

I think that if necessary we can create more threads for topics that develop from the ones discussed but aren't so relevant to the Designers' Manual. These could be moved out to other forums if appropriate.

I also think that we could add more threads for all the sub-sections of the chapters when that seems appropriate, to stop the main chapter thread getting too confusing. These could be linked from both the first post in each chapter thread, and also from the main index post.

For things that get too much into 'forbidden territory', like ethics and politics, we might have to move discussion to the Cider Press, but we're still working like crazy behind the scenes to get that up and running. Hopefully later today you'll see what I mean...

Cj Verde wrote:
Staying OT

Collect strategies that have been proven to work;
this really means a set of case histories

Now we get down to the nitty gritty.

Strategy 1:
Have a dedicated facilitator.
In my real world book club, the facilitator is the person who picked the book, who is also the host. It is their job to keep the discussion OT by redirecting people/questions that wander.

In the virtual world of Permies, there seem to be individuals who monitor threads. It is not explicitly clear who those individuals are.

Burra Maluca wrote:OT meaning 'on track'?

Yes - or ON TOPIC

Burra Maluca wrote:
For things that get too much into 'forbidden territory', like ethics and politics, we might have to move discussion to the Cider Press, but we're still working like crazy behind the scenes to get that up and running. Hopefully later today you'll see what I mean...

Cider Press - sounds interesting.

Cj Verde wrote:
Staying OT

Strategy 2:
Making use of the THUMBS UP button and possibly the !REPORT button

A post with with THUMBS UP is more likely to draw attention. So maybe it can act as a filter.
I personally am not likely to read a post so long I have to scroll down to read it all, but I'd be more inclined to read it if it's got multiple thumbs up.

Cj Verde wrote:

Cj Verde wrote:
Staying OT

Strategy 1:
Have a dedicated facilitator.
In my real world book club, the facilitator is the person who picked the book, who is also the host. It is their job to keep the discussion OT by redirecting people/questions that wander.

As the person who picked the book, started the discussion, etc. I find the need for a discussion policy absurd.

Here's the program I suggested: a chapter a week. Keep it simple. Above all, rather than adding complexity by trying to figure out how to handle potential problems, let it happen first. It's just a book.

Ann Torrence wrote:Keep it simple. Above all, rather than adding complexity by trying to figure out how to handle potential problems, let it happen first.

If no one wants to follow up on this thread that is totally fine. It's day 3 though, and the problems aren't potential - they are actual - at least it seems that way to me.

Not sure what the purpose of the book club is if not to discuss possible applications and musings that arise from the reading, which in turn help with understanding the book. I agree with Ann that just settling in and letting it happen with no preconceived notions of how it should go is the easiest course. With that said beginning a new sub thread for sections of each chapter might make info easier to access for all- even the late starters.

OT, in my experience online, has often meant "off topic", as in "this may be OT but..."

Also occupational therapy!

If the discussion veers off, and the topic is interesting to many, it warrants a new thread. The person starting the new thread should link it to the main chapter thread. How about that?

I've slogged through a lot of those long "hot topic" threads like the main hugelkultur thread and I think it's good to keep things fairly on topic.

Real life examples and metaphors seem like the meat of the discussion and the real exciting part of the book club to me. Figuring them out and really understanding the application of the ideas of the book, yeeeeeee haw! Philosophy and politics and arguments are less fun for me.

Matu Collins wrote:

If the discussion veers off, and the topic is interesting to many, it warrants a new thread. The person starting the new thread should link it to the main chapter thread. How about that?

I do like that, of course, but Burra thinks that each Chapter shouldn't get linked to until it's time has come, so to speak.

Maybe we need to see how the new "Cider Press" works out.

I think the policy on permies.com is that the Moderators and Stewards keep an eye on the threads and decide when things need to be split or moved to a new forum . That policy is not broken , no need to fix it . As far as the book club I would like to stick with each chapter , one at a time , and not jump ahead wily nily . It would be OK to draw from previous chapters but a chapter a week with discussion is alot . Especially for those of us who have not read it before . Later , when the chapters become more technical I can see a need for more subsections . All the moderators / stewards are very open minded and patient folks - even Burra {Ha} so I think they would be open to any advice or opinion from members . As far as controversial subject matters - especially politics - we can politely discuss those subjects in the Ulcer Factory. Some people may have to be asked by a steward to do so . I am a very open minded but opinionated man . My political bias is controversial and extreme . I vote a straight party ticket ! If I can keep politics off the other forums so can others .

Keeping the discussion of future chapters in future threads makes a lot of sense! Hard to do when everything is connected, I'm sure.

The problem I have (yes, totally my problem) is when someone starts talking about say zones while in chapter 1.

If I engage in discussion (which I'd like to) then we're veering OT.
Can't shunt it off to the proper thread - not open yet.
Just hold my tongue. Er, theoretically possible. Culturally... my head may explode. My people are big talkers. Really big.

Well hold on to your hats ! Chapter 2 is also a doozy . Brilliant . Then it gets very technical . Maybe it will get easier . It's hard to think about politics when your digging a swale in August . Maybe it will be so when we are discussing swales too!

Wayne, of course you like chapter 2 - the 1st quote is by your friend Bucky!

I can't image that we can get thru that chapter with breaking into sub threads but hey, everyone can prove me wrong!