And was there leather involved?

Probably feathers, too.

And was there leather involved?

Probably feathers, too.

Beaks! Beaks in new places!

t takes deep breath

I think it is time to retire the Class Protector awards.

While I think they were a wonderful idea to start with, as a way to say thank you to people who worked really hard to get and keep the board up and running, I also think that this original purpose has gotten somewhat lost, and that the awards have become less meaningful and enjoyable to the community as a whole. In fact, they seem to have become a point of contention and confusion for many people, and I think doing away with them would be good for the board.

The members of this community are an amazingly giving and caring group of people, who routinely go out of their way to make sure people know that they are loved and appreciated. Examples of this are everywhere, from Deena’s birthday lists and bath bombs to kilts to echidna skulls to blanket and tiara exchanges.

I love this aspect of the board, and I hope it never changes. I just don’t think the class protector awards are a good reflection of it any more.

I agree with Lee.

I also agree. Though, I would suggest that we take the discussion (if any) to Natter so that the Seattle folks can plan their F2F.

Thirding Lee's suggestion.

I agree we should stop giving them out as a matter of course.

I also think, however, that the time may come when someone does something staggering and then we could whip-em out once more... like a big scythe that's actually an axe but a nummy piece of continuity nontheless.

I agree we should stop giving them out as a matter of course.

I also think, however, that the time may come when someone does something staggering and then we could whip-em out once more... like a big scythe that's actually an axe but a nummy piece of continuity nontheless.

I agree with Trudy on this point.

Because it feels *to me* like, the first time the awards were given out, were recognizing/thanking/honoring some seriously HUGE work that affected the entire board (because, that first year, they were largely given to people who literally MADE the Phoenix). And those awards were totally well-deserved, in my opinion.

But since that first year, it just seems like the attitude is "Since we gave out awards that first time, we *must* keep doing it, so who has done something cool this year?"

IOW, it feels like something that's become forced now, as opposed to the first time, which really seemed like a spontaneous outpouring of appreciation.

And so, like Trudy said, undoubtedly Buffistas will do really kickass stuff in the future, stuff that affects the entire board, and, because it seems to be in Buffistas' nature to be generous, we'll want to honor that. And we will. We just don't need to *require* that it happen every year at the same time.

I agree with Trudy and Steph. Let's keep them as an option, if someone does something amazing, but not feel as if we MUST have them, and don't tie them to the F2F.

Fourth Trudy's idea. If someone does something big, give a Class Protector (and I disagree with Lee on tying to F2F -- the public validation is worthwhile). But let's not feel we have to give out awards every year.