Although in the past I haven't exactly been an upstanding member of this community, and I will admit to that, I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. These chances can be given in many different forms to many different people - unbanning, returning posting permissions, maybe even CL spots. It all depends on the faith the leaders of the community have in people, or their faith in [i]change[/i].
The moment I saw that General Discussion was looking for new CL’s, my heart completely leapt into my throat and I realised that this could be my chance to prove that I have changed, and my chance to help the community out on a higher level than I am already (the ‘level’ I am on is helping out Zybez in the QC team, which I have been doing so for nearly a year to date), but this all depends on the willingness to believe in change, to believe in the community members and maybe, just maybe, to believe in [I]me.[/I]
I first joined RSC on May 21st, 2006. At the time I was only fourteen and I spent a good year trying to sell my iron ore in the marketplace. However, a year on from that I realised the true meaning behind this community – it isn’t a place to insult people about Bounty Hunter, or laugh at other clans, nor is it a place to act like an idiot (although the latter I only learnt recently) – it’s a place to make new friends and create a civilised, helpful community for current and future members.
Upon this startling discovery, I began moving away from the marketplace, and I found a place in Off Topic. Not the best of forums to start in, but it was what got me my first +1. I then received my first mentor in attempts to progress in this community and help people more than what would be possible in Off Topic. His top two picks of forum for me to post in and help where, of course, General Discussion and Questions. My next three mentors – including you, Atarah, although I regret that you being my mentor was short-lived - have all stated GD and Questions (with the occasional mention of Suggestions).
Up until February of this year I turned against everything I had been taught about this community and began abusing the trusts placed into me by moderators and friends, thus causing me to lose all of my Off Topic privileges. At first I argued, stating that I had done nothing wrong, but after I realised it was in vain I began thinking about my actions; about how I can atone for them. This caused me to boost my Zybez Team activity, but I felt it wasn’t enough, and it was at that time I remembered the words of wisdom from my mentors – Questions and General Discussion.
As you may have seen, I have recently become rather active in Questions and I have tried my best to help as many people as possible. At first I was doing this to feel better about my previous bad mistakes but then I began to understand the true reason behind this: it felt great to be able to help someone. The satisfaction I gain now by helping someone and returning to that thread, only to see that they have thanked me for my help, is overwhelming. I absolutely love it and it keeps me striving to help more people, to help the community by doing my bit.
So now I come back to these CL applications. It almost feels like a path is being laid out for me. First I receive a new mentor who believes in me, I get my name changed back to Tanya, and I have gotten so much satisfaction from helping people in Questions. So the fact, for the first time in years, CL applications are being accepted, it feels like it’s a sign. An opportunity, even. One that I definitely will not pass up without giving it my best shot.
Although I don’t have an exceedingly high post count related to General Discussion, I know exactly how it operates. I find myself lurking everyday, spotting the topics with interesting discussion value, noting reasons why CL’s have closed particular topics, and finding a discussion that will interest me personally. One of my strengths that have come out of my lurking is that, after discovering the subject of a topic, I can deduce immediately how it will pan out, and whether or not it will be a simple debate or on the verge of flaming.
I’m familiar with the typical topics that pop up in GD, and I know which topics will end up having discussion potential, which would have to be watched closely and which need closing outright. Adding to this, I would always make sure to have sufficient reason in closing any topic or warning posters. I am an extremely independent worker, who adapts to the suited environment and I only ask questions when extremely necessary. Most of the time I can use my intuition and instincts to work out how to solve any problems that occur.
Although this may seem like I can be a very lone and independent individual, I do understand that a Community Leader is part of team, which usually can become very tight-knitted. In fact, this is great for me, as I stated earlier that I love making new friends and working in a team would allow me to create close bonds with people I would’ve possibly never spoken to otherwise.