All members
I was really thrilled about the launch of the new fanatics portal last year with the intention to create a gateway, which holds the various forum brands together as a single offering to the car enthusiast.
I wrote at the launch of the portal and forums that TheFanatics.co.za, site was necessitated by the need for an all-encompassing "portal" that was not restricted by the MyBB template. Forums are by nature restricted by their off the shelf templates and BmwFanatics was no exception. However, we have over the years stretched the MyBB platform and developed and created ideas and plug-ins that are not available elsewhere. We therefore developed the new portal as a line of sight to a broader online car community and to overcome some software limitations. The new portal is meant to be an easy reference and a one-stop of the best that South African motoring, the continent and the world have to offer.
We want to thank those members that volunteered to assist on the new forums and the portal as well as the other fanatics activities. Thanks for the help and the commitment. It is also the beginning of creating a community of enthusiasts that cuts across brands, borders, loyalties and places the focus on our love and passion for cars.
However, we should not assume the following:
That the network of forums is going to grow exponentially overnight - this is not going to happen. As with all online communities; growth takes time and creating a home and (value) for members take even longer. BMWFanatics took almost 6 years to achieve 23,000+ members with more than 60,000 forum threads and over a million forum posts. This is no mean feat and required hard-work, dedication, volunteering and strong leadership from mods and administrators.
BMWFanatics remain the cornerstone of TheFanatics network of forums. It shows us what is possible for the car enthusiast.
Secondly, we must not assume that moderators and administrators across the network of forums will be able to work together as a team from the onset. This also calls for patience. The fanatics (staffroom), is one such place where mods/admins across the forums can debate and discuss matters of mutual concern and find a solution. It’s our consultation room. Where we share and learn and help the network of forums grow. If I may use the BMWfanatics forum as an example: The team of mods and admin did not find each other immediately. That in itself was hard work to build trust, acceptance, loyalty to one another and the forum. And here is the thing; its ongoing. Team spirit will be tested over and over again.
The past year I devoted considerable time working with the webmaster to create the network & portal. Online communities are constantly growing and evolving and require time, resources and committed people to remain competitive. As the fanatics network grows so does our challenges, opportunities and responsibilities, volunteerism and lines of reporting and accountability.
GOVERNANCE TEAM
The small team that will manage and provide overall oversight of TheFanatics.co.za network and portal activities including staffing are:
* Arbee (Chiefwhip/head/leader/CEO)
* Coisman,
* Prev,
* Twinz
This team will provide support, guidance and direction to all forums where required with the sole aim to grow The Fanatics brand. Of course all forums will be managed by their own admin and mods – however the oversight team is an important business imperative and oversight structure to ensure all forums are aligned to the goal of being the premium enthusiast Network.
Ps. We need a good title for Yaseen Arbee to befit his new role.
Its important that we review the roles and responsibilities of bmwfanatics admin and mods as well as all mods and admin on all forums. We need to identify where support is required if any. We have to constantly build on our strengths and not become complacent.
ADVERTISING
Last year, we advertised for a social media and a marketing support persons for TheFanatics.co.za.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to formalize appointments due to some legal requirements on The Fanatics side; which needs to be finalised.
However, Cheff (Dyllan) will be managing and coordinating all advertising on Thefanatics and the various forums. He will approach our current and potential advertisers and ensure that contracts are in place where required.
THE DYNAMIK PROJECT
The Dynamik project has not kicked off and needs a lot of input. Fuzz and myself are responsible to drive this project and hopefully it can commence fully in 2015. This will be truly exciting venture if we can generate sufficient interest amongst members.
Thanks for your attention and we can only humbly ask for your support.
Charles
I was really thrilled about the launch of the new fanatics portal last year with the intention to create a gateway, which holds the various forum brands together as a single offering to the car enthusiast.
I wrote at the launch of the portal and forums that TheFanatics.co.za, site was necessitated by the need for an all-encompassing "portal" that was not restricted by the MyBB template. Forums are by nature restricted by their off the shelf templates and BmwFanatics was no exception. However, we have over the years stretched the MyBB platform and developed and created ideas and plug-ins that are not available elsewhere. We therefore developed the new portal as a line of sight to a broader online car community and to overcome some software limitations. The new portal is meant to be an easy reference and a one-stop of the best that South African motoring, the continent and the world have to offer.
We want to thank those members that volunteered to assist on the new forums and the portal as well as the other fanatics activities. Thanks for the help and the commitment. It is also the beginning of creating a community of enthusiasts that cuts across brands, borders, loyalties and places the focus on our love and passion for cars.
However, we should not assume the following:
That the network of forums is going to grow exponentially overnight - this is not going to happen. As with all online communities; growth takes time and creating a home and (value) for members take even longer. BMWFanatics took almost 6 years to achieve 23,000+ members with more than 60,000 forum threads and over a million forum posts. This is no mean feat and required hard-work, dedication, volunteering and strong leadership from mods and administrators.
BMWFanatics remain the cornerstone of TheFanatics network of forums. It shows us what is possible for the car enthusiast.
Secondly, we must not assume that moderators and administrators across the network of forums will be able to work together as a team from the onset. This also calls for patience. The fanatics (staffroom), is one such place where mods/admins across the forums can debate and discuss matters of mutual concern and find a solution. It’s our consultation room. Where we share and learn and help the network of forums grow. If I may use the BMWfanatics forum as an example: The team of mods and admin did not find each other immediately. That in itself was hard work to build trust, acceptance, loyalty to one another and the forum. And here is the thing; its ongoing. Team spirit will be tested over and over again.
The past year I devoted considerable time working with the webmaster to create the network & portal. Online communities are constantly growing and evolving and require time, resources and committed people to remain competitive. As the fanatics network grows so does our challenges, opportunities and responsibilities, volunteerism and lines of reporting and accountability.
GOVERNANCE TEAM
The small team that will manage and provide overall oversight of TheFanatics.co.za network and portal activities including staffing are:
* Arbee (Chiefwhip/head/leader/CEO)
* Coisman,
* Prev,
* Twinz
This team will provide support, guidance and direction to all forums where required with the sole aim to grow The Fanatics brand. Of course all forums will be managed by their own admin and mods – however the oversight team is an important business imperative and oversight structure to ensure all forums are aligned to the goal of being the premium enthusiast Network.
Ps. We need a good title for Yaseen Arbee to befit his new role.
Its important that we review the roles and responsibilities of bmwfanatics admin and mods as well as all mods and admin on all forums. We need to identify where support is required if any. We have to constantly build on our strengths and not become complacent.
ADVERTISING
Last year, we advertised for a social media and a marketing support persons for TheFanatics.co.za.
Unfortunately, we have not been able to formalize appointments due to some legal requirements on The Fanatics side; which needs to be finalised.
However, Cheff (Dyllan) will be managing and coordinating all advertising on Thefanatics and the various forums. He will approach our current and potential advertisers and ensure that contracts are in place where required.
THE DYNAMIK PROJECT
The Dynamik project has not kicked off and needs a lot of input. Fuzz and myself are responsible to drive this project and hopefully it can commence fully in 2015. This will be truly exciting venture if we can generate sufficient interest amongst members.
Thanks for your attention and we can only humbly ask for your support.
Charles
raise:
nerd alert, taking me back to x-men 
I'll get my coat. 
