Star Wars Oregon Discord Server?

[Vaughn]

Hi everyone!

The admin team has heard a few people talk about using Discord as a supplement for our club communications. We are developing a Discord server but would also like your input. Please vote using the options above and also feel free to post your thoughts/ideas/concerns about using Discord.

The Discord server will not be meant to replace our communications here in the Forum. The Discord will be a supplement to help consolidate a lot of different team conversations (event coordinators, membership liaisons, public relations, etc.) and allow people to set up notification settings for certain channels they want notifications about: (i.e. I want to hear about Merch runs, new Events, but not about SW lore). The channel can expand or contract and can be easily modified. It's also easy to manage permissions, so future members or supporters of our club can connect with us in certain channels but won't be able to see the member's only sections.

It's a work in progress but we'd love to hear your input!!

[khazara]

<old man voice> I remember, oh wayy back in the late 1900s, a friend of mine had one of those, it was a used hand me down from a relative.  Those Honda Discords, they were was made really well.  Really held their value, too. Ah, those were the days.
... 
What's that?  Accord?  No it didn't need a cord, it had an engine!  Now leave me alone, I'm going back to my game of online solitaire.

 

Seriously though: I don't really know what Discord is and not really interested in picking up yet another method of online communication.  But you young'uns, you have at 'er!] 

[carpe mindiem]

I use Discord for other non-SW stuff and have joined and looked into how the 501st groups in New Mexico and Kentucky are using Discord as their forums. I started mocking up something we could potentially use but fizzled out when all the stuff I wanted to try required boosts at a monthly cost on top of what we're already paying for the hosting and registration of our multiple domains.

If it were up to me alone, I'd move everything to Discord. I think forums are a clunky and outdated way to try to keep in touch, and layering a couple of Facebook groups on top of this just makes it harder to keep track of what's going on where. That said, I think we need to be cautious about adding Discord to the stack of tech we're already using; I'd rather see it replace instead of supplement. My $0.02, which is probably only worth about $0.0001...

[EldawenEmileia]

Maybe I'm just like cranky old man up there, but I'm not interested in adding another thing to have to keep track of if I want to know what's going on. Never used Discord, have only the vaguest idea of what it is, and not currently interested in learning it. This is one of those never say never things, but at this time in my life, I'm just not keen.

So. I'm relieved to hear it would not replace forums. Just like how I don't see facebook replacing the forums - it works as a supplement. If people want to use it, fine, but I'm not one.

I think it's already hard enough to get new people who show up on the RL forums to find this place. (Is it the same for the 501st forums?) Harder still to direct to facebook (which I'm thankful is not necessary).

[Blackthorpe]

I haven't used Discord much, but I can see it's use as a social tool, especially with the way Facebook has been going lately. I'm not sure how well it would replace the forum for event signups and costume submissions/builds, though.

[Lidocaine]

I 100% agree with Mindie that the forums feel outdated and clunky, and visiting here makes me want to go get my dial up modem when logging in. Not a dig at our webmasters either, it just feels like a dated form of communication.

I have very few positive feelings towards Facebook, so an alternative would be nice there as well.

Some positives for Discord:
    Real?time coordination for troops, last?minute changes, and armor fixes
    Easier engagement from members who avoid Facebook or rarely check the forums
    Better on-boarding for recruits who need quick answers === I think this one is bigger than a lot of people think... No using 3rd party sites to post a picture..
    Dedicated channels for armor builds, events, merch, approvals, etc.
    Voice/video for quick planning or build nights
    Mobile?friendly and actually searchable, finding stuff on FB is awful.

We don't have an external facing way for people to interact easily with members to get help, learn more, etc, either. I always let out a huge sigh when I have to tell potential recruits to go to the forums and sign up...

However, a Discord server thrown together in five minutes becomes a mess, and without a chunk of buy in it'd be a ghost town. Plus the costs that Mindie mentioned... There's no perfect solution but letting it be status quo for another 5 years seems painful to me.

[1nfern0]

I’m with you Luke. These forums serve a good purpose, but for the community aspect of SWO, a Discord server would be a nice step to modernize our setup, especially for new and prospective members, and also considering it’s becoming a standard for other garrisons.

Facebook served it’s purpose, but I try to go on there as little as possible any more, and I think more and more people are feeling the same way about it, so it doesn’t seem like a good option for longevity.

I’m not sure if this is in line with what everyone else is thinking, but I’m seeing the forums still being used for event posting/rostering, costume approvals, and build threads, and then Discord used for general and command staff discussions, news, heads up about upcoming troops or events, coordination for troops (carpooling, questions, etc), connecting with new potential member and making them feel welcome, stuff for sale.

I wonder if there is a happy medium that doesn’t require us to pay for many or any extra features on Discord, but still have the community and rapid communication aspect?

I’ll also add, I don’t love Discord, but I think it’s a better and more future proof option than continuing to use FB as we do.

[CadBane3]

I'd invite you all to read this, as this idea has been pretty fleshed out on the main legion forums:

https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=115884

More specifically, the part that says: "per the OPS protocol, a garrison must have a working website and forum."

Basically, ALL legion business must be handled on a forum (it doesn't specify that this must be that forum), but there is nothing stopping a garrison from having a Discord for non-legion related business, such as recruiting, private sales (not merch), carpooling, etc. The issue is that a Discord server is not owned by the legion and can be shut down at some point with everything in it being lost, whereas we own the forum and it has quite the history of this garrison.

So, do what you want with other tech, but sign-ups and events are to stay on this forum unless we create another forum, which also would have a substantial cost attached, I assume.

Now, if you want to replace the hundreds of Facebook messenger chats with another form of communication to coordinate carpools, etc, please feel free. But, you won't get 100% participation, just like now. Personally, I'm good without Discord and don't see that I'd want another form of messages on my phone.

[EldawenEmileia]

I'd invite you all to read this, as this idea has been pretty fleshed out on the main legion forums:

https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=115884

More specifically, the part that says: "per the OPS protocol, a garrison must have a working website and forum."

Basically, ALL legion business must be handled on a forum (it doesn't specify that this must be that forum), but there is nothing stopping a garrison from having a Discord for non-legion related business, such as recruiting, private sales (not merch), carpooling, etc. The issue is that a Discord server is not owned by the legion and can be shut down at some point with everything in it being lost, whereas we own the forum and it has quite the history of this garrison.

So, do what you want with other tech, but sign-ups and events are to stay on this forum unless we create another forum, which also would have a substantial cost attached, I assume.

Now, if you want to replace the hundreds of Facebook messenger chats with another form of communication to coordinate carpools, etc, please feel free. But, you won't get 100% participation, just like now. Personally, I'm good without Discord and don't see that I'd want another form of messages on my phone.

I wonder if the RL has a similar rule about using forums? (I would guess we do, but haven't the time/energy to research just now... but if anyone already knows...?)

[Blackthorpe]

I'd invite you all to read this, as this idea has been pretty fleshed out on the main legion forums:

https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=115884

More specifically, the part that says: "per the OPS protocol, a garrison must have a working website and forum."

Basically, ALL legion business must be handled on a forum (it doesn't specify that this must be that forum), but there is nothing stopping a garrison from having a Discord for non-legion related business, such as recruiting, private sales (not merch), carpooling, etc. The issue is that a Discord server is not owned by the legion and can be shut down at some point with everything in it being lost, whereas we own the forum and it has quite the history of this garrison.

So, do what you want with other tech, but sign-ups and events are to stay on this forum unless we create another forum, which also would have a substantial cost attached, I assume.

Now, if you want to replace the hundreds of Facebook messenger chats with another form of communication to coordinate carpools, etc, please feel free. But, you won't get 100% participation, just like now. Personally, I'm good without Discord and don't see that I'd want another form of messages on my phone.

I wonder if the RL has a similar rule about using forums? (I would guess we do, but haven't the time/energy to research just now... but if anyone already knows...?)

RL does have a similar rule: https://rebellegion.com/legion-charter/#h.deg2leib3vj1
S1.C. Unit Online Presence and Activities
All Units of the Rebel Legion must have a forum on the Rebel Legion global forum. When a new Unit is created, the Legion Webmaster will create a forum for the Unit’s members to post on. The Unit’s Commanding Officer and other designated staff will be the moderator(s) of that forum.

[CJ49er]

I have always argued that the definition of a forum pretty much covers all sorts of things, but LC doesnt listen to me

But, the 501st OP that was written back in the 1700's can, should, and realllly needs to be,  updated.  The Discord fans can write up a proposal and submit  to the LCRO.

I'd invite you all to read this, as this idea has been pretty fleshed out on the main legion forums:

https://www.501st.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=129&t=115884

More specifically, the part that says: "per the OPS protocol, a garrison must have a working website and forum."

Basically, ALL legion business must be handled on a forum (it doesn't specify that this must be that forum), but there is nothing stopping a garrison from having a Discord for non-legion related business, such as recruiting, private sales (not merch), carpooling, etc. The issue is that a Discord server is not owned by the legion and can be shut down at some point with everything in it being lost, whereas we own the forum and it has quite the history of this garrison.

So, do what you want with other tech, but sign-ups and events are to stay on this forum unless we create another forum, which also would have a substantial cost attached, I assume.

Now, if you want to replace the hundreds of Facebook messenger chats with another form of communication to coordinate carpools, etc, please feel free. But, you won't get 100% participation, just like now. Personally, I'm good without Discord and don't see that I'd want another form of messages on my phone.

[antarmen]

I think this has caused a lot more debate than Von and I had intended when we discussed getting a discord server. Having an SWO discord isn't going to be a replacement for any of our current forums or social media. One of my biggest goals this term as CO is to try and increase outreach with our members and communities. Part of that involves having a presence and being able to be reachable and accessible across as many platforms as possible. I'm also hoping to increase our presences in current social platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Members will still have to sign up for troops and post armor parties and such on these forums (as dated as some of you think they are). But if we can increase contact by having multiple venues to communicate to troopers, persons interested in joining, and/or persons in the community who may want to requests events or help otherwise; then I feel we should be open to those avenues. With that being said, I'm looking to expand the PR team with persons that are willing and able to help make this happen. Message me if you're interested in helping us out.