It was brought to my attention that a lot of us are still a bit freaked out over the "male visitor" we had join the site over the weekend a while back. I don't blame you one bit! I just want you to know that since that occurance, we have upped our security by tweaking our screening process for admission. In the past, I would receive an email stating we had a new member and I would immediately approve them for the site. Once a member was approved either myself, Tammy or Kerri sent them a welcome pm with a questionaire that asked them some things that helped us to see if they were appropriate for the site. Many of you got this pm and know what I'm talking about. We were comfortable doing this because the majority of our members were friends, family or aquaintances.
Now that news of MMC is becoming widespread across the state, we no longer know every member personally. This isn't a bad thing at all, as a matter of fact, it's what I always wanted to happen. BUT, with growth comes changes SO We have now changed the admission screening process to suite the growing safety needs of MMC. Now, when someone first registers I am sent an email saying that "soandso" has registered and would like to be approved. I then send them an email BEFORE THEY ARE APPROVED. They cannot post until they reply to this email and they are verified. If I have a question about the validity of a member, I have the ability to trace IP addresses to make sure they are being honest about where they are from. Here is the sample email:
I'm Mandye Flowers, the Founder of Mississippi Moms Connection (MMC) and I'd like to welcome you to MMC. I'm really excited you've chosen to become a part of our community and I can't wait to get to know you better! As a new member, I'd like to tell you a little about MMC and ask you a few questions. We have a very private site and to make our community members feel safe, I ask all new members a few questions so that I can learn a little more about you and make sure you're appropriate for this site. This is to keep all users safe and keep trolls and lurkers out. I hope this safety feature makes you feel as safe and secure as our current members, so let's get you started! Please reply to this email with answers to the following:
1. As a member of MMC you must either be:
-Originally from or living in MS and be a Mother, Grandmother or other Female Caregiver of a child
or
-Orignally from or living in MS and trying to concieve a child.
Are you a Mom, Grandma, or Female Caregiver to a child? Please tell which.
2. Do you currently have a child or are you trying to conceive at this time? Please explain your situation.
3. Where in MS are you from or living now?
4. Who do you know on this board and/or how did you find out about us?
Depending on this answer, you might be asked to provide a reference. You have one week to respond to this email and once you are verified, you will receive access to MMC forums.
Once accecss is given, we ask that you first go to the Welcome Forum and post a little intro about yourself so our members can get to know you better.
Thanks,
Mandye
This new process has worked great so far and we've actually weeded out a few who didn't need to be members, as they didn't reply to the email and I never approved them. Please know that I am working hard behind the scenes to try and do some really neat things for MMC. My hope is that you will feel comfortable and safe posting here in our little community. Please feel free to pm me with any ideas you have, as this is your community, too! Thanks for making MMC a great place online for MS moms to meet and greet!
-Mandye
