I think this is the first idea I've ever had. . .

While I don't completely disagree with the secret sections that are viewable only by moderators/administrators at the moment being opened up to everyone, I think the main thing that needs to be done is just post crucial information in News & Updates so everyone knows what the major and important topics we are discussing in those specified sections. There's no need for the whole sections to be opened up if there is a constant flow of information from those sections to the rest of the forum, and therefore viewable by everyone regardless of whether those sections are opened or not.

The reason being is that we have to discuss other things within those sections, such as bans, infractions, and things like that, and those discussions have to be private. We can't send that information through PMs, because then we would have to circulate it around the entire CHB staff, which would make our fingers extremely tired. It would be easier for everyone if we just posted the most important topics that everyone needs to know about in the News & Updates.

As for the democracy idea, while I really like it, it's difficult to run a site this huge as a democracy. There has to be at least a few people who know what they're doing and who lead and run the site. If there isn't those few people, this site might just erupt into arguments again. While it's easy to think that CHB would be a lot better if it was a democracy, think about how difficult it would be to maintain peace and calmness on the site. Arguments could be much worse if there wasn't a few people who took charge.

I am most definitely not saying this to keep my administrative job, for those of you thinking that. That would be ridiculous and childish of me to do so. However, I am trying to give you an idea of the bad sides of having a democracy on a site this huge with a variety of so many different people.

i think members are feeling like they are entitled to more than they are meant to have... after all, we're only members for a reason, and it is in the best interest of the site for the staff to have a place where they can discuss things that members don't need to see.

at the same time, having some transparency between staff and membership would help reestablish the trust that was had in the "good ole days." I think that is what is lacking, a sense of trust. So many people have been burned that everyone feels they could be next.

idk if this is the case, but i agree that a balance needs to be met. It's unreasonable to ask that all secrets be exposed because that'll probably cause more hurt than it helps. At the same time, staff transparency is in their best interest as well. Members will leave if they don't feel comfortable with the staff, and we all don't want that.

How would you guys feel if we made a new forum instead? It would be called something like Forum Improvement and members, cabin leaders, and staff would collaborate to improve on the site. It would be checked way more often than the suggestion box and it would be different from suggestion box in a way, and you'd have more of a say in the site and nobody's feelings get hurt.

i think people would still feel like secrets were being kept from them. i'd rather things stay as the are, but i honestly don't care. i just know that certain things need to stay secret for the staff to be able to do their job effectively.

but i also understand wanting to be in the loop more.

that being said, i don't think that's a valid compromise to this situation. i think it's a great idea, but i don't think it fixes this complaint.

Why don't we just make the suggestion box more useful, by actually implementing ideas that are submitted if they have more yes votes at the end of a certain period.

Because as it is now, no matter how many yes votes a suggestion gets, the admins are always getting the final word.

It makes the suggestion box a bit illogical to use or check, because even if you have 100 yes votes, if the admins don't like it, it doesn't go up.

If the member's votes were made the decision maker, then they would feel that they are being involved, more so since it is other members usually submitting the ideas to vote on, although staff can do so as well.

That way the staff doesn't give up their areas for private matters, and the members get a voice in new things. Its a win-win

I agree with Gaz. Although I asked for the admin area to be opened up [[which I realise is a bit TOO much]] what I was really hoping to get was less of a gap between admins and members. Because, to be honest, none of us have a clue what's going on at the moment. Arguments are going on between the members because we're confused, and we have no idea what's going on to OUR site. So if we get a little bit more openness and if the admins take more notice of the polls at the top of suggestions [[bar this one.]] then we can all work TOGETHER in UNITY to make this site a better place, and bring back the golden days.

but i think we still need to remember that the Admins are around to make the tough choices and to enforce the rules and stuff like that. Also, sometimes, suggestions aren't feasible even if a bunch of people want them.

I am all for open communication, but realize that the nature of an admin position requires them to do things that are for the betterment of the site without the approval of the general population.

Also, just because we use polls doesn't mean everyone has a say in that suggestion. I'd assume that some members rarely check the suggestions forum for whatever reason.

not trying to hate on every suggestion, but i do want to offer the downsides before anyone decides anything. everyone deserves to see the good and the bad.

Oh, I'm perfectly fine with that. Very sorry for not checking the suggestions more often!
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR TO CHECK THIS FORUM CONSTANTLY. D8<