Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels/Coordinators/June 2009

Overview
The project coordinators are generally responsible for maintaining all of the procedural and administrative aspects of the project, and serve as the designated points-of-contact for procedural issues. They are not, however, endowed with any special executive powers, nor with any authority over article content or editor conduct. The Lead Coordinator bears overall responsibility for coordinating the project; the Assistant Coordinators aid the Lead Coordinator and focus on specific areas that require special attention.

A more detailed description of the coordinators' responsibilities is available here; some specific examples of day-to-day coordinator work can be found here.

Incumbents
More information on the history of the coordinator positions can be found here.

Election process

 * The election will run for about four weeks, starting at 00:00 (UTC) on June 28 and ending at 23:59 (UTC) on July 28.


 * Any member of the project may nominate themselves for a position by adding their statement in the "Candidates" section below by the start of the election. The following boilerplate can be used:

Name

 * Statement goes here...

Comments and questions for Name
(this part is added when voting phase starts June 28)


 * The election will be conducted using simple approval voting. Any member of the project may support as many of the candidates as they wish.  The candidate with the highest number of endorsements will become the Lead Coordinator (provided he or she is willing to assume the post); the next eight candidates will become Assistant Coordinators.  The number of Assistant Coordinators may be increased if there is a tie or near-tie for the last position.


 * Both project members and interested outside parties are encouraged to ask questions of the nominees or make general comments once the voting phrase commences on June 28.

Alan16

 * I have been a member of the project for around four months now. Not long after joining I became coordinator of the fantasy task force, and started helping with the Outreach Department - delivering welcome messages and stuff. In the last fortnight, I took up the not-as-small-as-I-previously-though job of writing the newsletter with some help and mentoring from Ed and Kevin. With a lot of free time for the next while, I have plenty of time to put into the project, and I intend to do just that. However, what is needed is for all members to get involved more, because this project could be really useful to Wikipedia. So please everyone: get involved here; at the job centre; on the collaboration page (voting and working on this months collaboration: The Tin Drum); and just on the project in general. Alan16 (talk) 14:30, 24 June 2009 (UTC)

Vote

 * 1) Support — Ed   (Talk  •  Contribs)  21:54, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 2) Support looks like a good candidate. John Carter (talk) 23:09, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 3) Support for being the one to welcome me into this WikiProject and continually updating me on it. Clem (talk) 23:17, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 4) Support all credit for getting things going again on the elections and renewed impetus on the Newsletter. I look forward to fresh ideas and possibility of working with fresh blood. :: Kevinalewis  : (Talk Page) /(Desk)  08:05, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 5) Support -- Sri niv  as  08:14, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 6) Support I'm a newbie, but seem to have joined at the right time. It seems that there was a lull and that you're giving it an organized restart. I look forward to working on the projects. Sabiona (talk) 14:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 7) Support I am pleased that this editor would be interested in devoting his time to this work.--Drboisclair (talk) 14:43, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 8) Support - experience as co-ordinator, delivers friendly messages. --Joshua Issac (talk) 17:36, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 9) supportI support him because of his time devoted to this novels project. --Rident
 * 10) Support --RegentsPark (sticks and stones) 02:31, 12 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 11) Yes_check.svg  — Mikhailov Kusserow (talk) 08:36, 17 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 12) Support You seem to be serious and confident about what you are doing. I feel very comfortable to leave this in your hands... Alphasquadron138 (talk) 14:16, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 13) Support You're doing a great job! Norwaystudent (talk) 21:29, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Kevinalewis

 * I have been about this project for ages - can't remember how long in fact. Although I don't get as much time as I used to I am still willing to do what I can. I would prefer not to be Lead Co-ordinator, but to assist someone else. However this project and co-ordination only works with the freewill involvement and enthusiasm of contributing editors. I would encourage as many as possible to get involved in this way or through the job-centre or in other ways still to be developed. :: Kevinalewis  : (Talk Page) /(Desk)  10:25, 23 June 2009 (UTC)

Vote

 * 1) Support - the one who has kept the project alive through the last months. — Ed   (Talk  •  Contribs)  21:54, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 2) Support - without reservations. John Carter (talk) 23:09, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 3) Support - Classicfilms (talk) 23:19, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 4) support One of our best editors. Pmlin  editor  08:18, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 5) Support Kevin has helped me understand what I did wrong when I made a innocent mistake. I appreciated his helpful feedback. Sabiona (talk) 14:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 6) Support Editor Kevinlewis's name is the "undersigned" for many fine edits, and I would encourage all to support him enthusiastically.--Drboisclair (talk) 14:44, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 7) Support Zombie Hunter Smurf (talk) 15:23, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 8) Support Katharineamy (talk) 15:49, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 9) support disclaimer: not involved in this WikiProject; found a link here via a talk page. – Juliancolton  &#124; Talk 15:50, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 10) Support ---Joshua Issac (talk) 17:36, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 11) Support. &lt;K  F&gt;  20:15, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 12) Support. --RegentsPark (sticks and stones) 02:31, 12 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 13) Yes_check.svg  — Mikhailov Kusserow (talk) 08:37, 17 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 14) Support Kevinalewis does so much on Wikipedia. Majestysquest (talk) 19:02, 22 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 15) Support JayLeno175 (talk) 18:35, 23 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 16) Support Made me feel welcome when I first joined, and is much of the reason why I'm still around. Norwaystudent (talk) 21:30, 28 July 2009 (UTC)

Pmlinediter

 * I have been involved in the project ever since I came here. I have mostly been active at the Percy Jackson task force, Twilight task force and His Dark Materials task force. Of them, I am the co-ordinator of PJTF of HDMTF as well as PJTF (which I co-founded) and the former co-ordinator of TTF. In this period of time I've been here, I've been actively involved with the project. Of late, I became a bit inactive due to exams and personal problems, but I want to become WP:NOVEL coordinator since I love and respect the project. Also, it'll be a pleasing experience to learn from Kevin, a very experienced and proficient Wikipedian. Thanking you, Pmlinediter   Talk 14:37, 24 June 2009 (UTC).

Comments and questions for Pmlinediter
Why do you think that you will be the best person for the job of Lead Coordinator? (Gloryify (talk) 01:30, 10 July 2009 (UTC))
 * Of course, I think that I can do well with the job. I'm already the co-ordinator of two task forces, so I think I have some experience. However, I would say that Kevin would be a good person to be the co-ord. And thanks for joining PJTF. Pmlin  editor  14:19, 10 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Of course I had to join PJTF I love the books and the way Rick Riordan has mixed ancient Greek myth with a great story and modern elements. You mentioned Kevin and I was actualy thinking of voting for him but if you feel up to the challenge than I think that you should be given the chance to expand your role in Wikipedia. Good Luck! Gloryify (talk) 09:24, 15 July 2009 (UTC)

Vote

 * 1) Support — Ed   (Talk  •  Contribs)  21:54, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 2) Support - Learning from Kevin is something most of use would like to do. John Carter (talk) 23:09, 29 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 3) Support good work so far on the various task forces he is involved with. I look forward to the greater involvement from Pmlinediter that coordinating will bring. :: Kevinalewis  : (Talk Page) /(Desk)  08:07, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 4) support Although I haven't had any interaction with you personally I see that you have put in a lot of hard work. Sabiona (talk) 14:16, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 5) support An editor that is interested as this editor is serving in this capacity should be supported and encouraged. My support for the editor is strong.--Drboisclair (talk) 14:47, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 6) support disclaimer: not involved in this WikiProject; found a link here via a talk page. – Juliancolton  &#124; Talk 15:50, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 7) Support --Joshua Issac (talk) 17:36, 30 June 2009 (UTC)
 * 8) Support--RegentsPark (sticks and stones) 02:32, 12 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 9) Support- Pmlinediter sounds enthusiastic and ready for the responsibility while showing modesty and the willingness to work and learn from others. Gloryify (talk) 09:20, 15 July 2009 (UTC)
 * 10) Yes_check.svg  — Mikhailov Kusserow (talk) 08:36, 17 July 2009 (UTC)

General comments
Please make any general comments not related to one of the candidates on the talk page.

General comment by RegentsPark
It seems to me that the project is moribund. Not much seems to be going on and there is little involvement in it. For example, there are just three candidates for the eight coordinator posts and barely more than eight editors voting! Given that articles about novels are perhaps the most egalitarian (and portable!) form of art ever invented, this is a shame. I know this is not really a coordinator election issue, but it does seem to me an opportune time to think about how to attract more interest and more editors to the project. --RegentsPark (sticks and stones) 21:35, 23 July 2009 (UTC)


 * Although, as you say, only 8 or 9 people have voted, this is an improvement on the last election. Also, you talk about reviving the project, and believe me when I say I am trying. With the help of Ed and Kevin, I've relaunched the newsletter (this months will go out on July 29), set up this election, pestered people about the election (something I will be doing again before it closes), and tried to get people to vote, and work, on the collaboration (and a big thank you to all the editors who have done some work on the collaboration). Really, I'm trying. When I send out 3 or 4 memos about the election and only 8 or 9 out of 130 vote, it is hard to see what I could've done to get more people to vote. What we need is not more editors per say, it is more active editors. We need some of the 130 members to actually do some work. I don't want to offend anyone, but out of the 130, half I would imagine only do an edit to a WikiProject Novels related page every now and then, and when they do it is rarely the large work we need. This work is appreciated, but in the bigger scheme of things, it is nothing, and I can understand why people don't do more work - I've spent hours looking for refs, and trying to write well a piece which is only a few lines long. On the same theme, there are approximately 130 members, but about a dozen of these people have opted out of the newsletter - the primary source for information relating to the project. What are these people doing as members of the project if they don't even want the news of the project? It all comes down to commitment, and that is what's lacking. Too many people sign up thinking it is fun to be part of this group, yet too many just lose interest. I'll stop now, but this inactivity just annoys me, and for the same reasons as you. This project has so much potential, so much it could bring to Wikipedia, and the effort I'm putting in more often than not seems to go to waste. Another few hundred words which will probably go unread by most. Alan16 (talk) 01:55, 24 July 2009 (UTC)
 * At least you're trying (and trust me on this, I've noticed the effort on the newsletter) - I don't even know where to start! I plug away on individual areas that interest me but I can't say I'm doing anything as a member of the novels wikiproject. To be honest, I've looked at the various task forces etc and I really don't know what I can do that furthers the goals of the project. Perhaps it is because the project is broad and the overlap between the interests of the members is tiny. Perhaps it is because there are no specific guidelines on what members should be doing. Whatever the reason, I suspect that many book loving editors come to the project all gung-ho to do something but end up not really knowing what to do and become eternal kibbitzers like me. I think we (or at least I do) need to put on our thinking hats to figure something out. --RegentsPark (sticks and stones) 03:21, 24 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Interesting thoughts on reasons for activity levels. As I understand it it boils down to focus of overlapping interest. With work needed being there. :: Kevinalewis  : (Talk Page) /(Desk)  09:46, 24 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Unfortunately, I have to agree with Regent. We are in dire need of contributions from editors. I, myself, have not been able to contribute as much as I used to the past few days. Regards, Pmlin  editor  12:25, 24 July 2009 (UTC).
 * Pmlineditor, you may not have done as many edits as you would've liked, but you are doing something - standing for the position of co-ordinator for example. What I consider the problem, is that we have a lot of editors, around 130, but most do next to nothing. I would say we need something to focus everyone's efforts, but there is the Collaboration section already. Alan16 (talk) 15:46, 24 July 2009 (UTC)
 * I'm not much into barnstars but how about a barnstar for anyone who contributes to the COTM article? Anyone who makes say 5 edits automatically gets a barnstar and the person who makes the most edits gets a 'gold star' or some such thing. Similarly, we could organize a tag and assess movement that involves all editors (though someone will have to provide detailed guidelines and, perhaps generate a list of articles to be tagged and assessed). --RegentsPark (sticks and stones) 02:20, 25 July 2009 (UTC)
 * The barnstar idea I like. The other one could work but the amount of effort required to set it up, I'm not sure will be repaid by the end products. Alan16 (talk) 02:56, 25 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Perhaps a short survey or questionnaire to WPNovels members asking why they joined, what they expected and what they would like to get from the Project (or how can Project volunteers help them) would be useful for guiding such initiatives. --maclean 04:36, 25 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Nice idea. The obvious time to send something like this out would be with the newsletter which will be going out on Wednesday, July 29, so if the others concur then there is no time like the present to get to work. Alan16 (talk) 08:45, 25 July 2009 (UTC)

(out) - I decided not to stand for coordinator because I am not active in this project much, if at all; I apologize, but Milhist articles, especially those which fall under WP:OMT, have stolen the attention I once gave to WP:NOVPR. :| Having said that, the participation in this election is encouraging, and I may come back to help out with things around here. Cheers, —  Ed   (Talk  •  Contribs)  02:25, 29 July 2009 (UTC)

General comment by Alan16
Hi all. This election hasn't had a huge number of voters, however it is a vast improvement on the last attempt at an election. With an hour left, the result looks to be decided, so I would like to take this moment to thank all the candidates and everyone who took the time to come and vote. This is hopefully the start many of more great things for this project. Thank you. Alan16 (talk) 23:11, 28 July 2009 (UTC)
 * Yes, thank you to those who stepped up to the plate! — Ed   (Talk  •  Contribs)  02:25, 29 July 2009 (UTC)