How about a mentoring program/subforum?

[DC2]

See discussion below from another thread, and then please offer your thoughts...

Maybe we should have a mentoring program. Seriously.

I've been thinking about that for awhile, and wondering what would be the best way to implement it.
But then I keep thinking that really, that is what the New Members forum is anyway, one big mentoring program.
Still, there might be something to the idea...

@DC2
Well, it's worth thinking about. Mentoring might be the key for some people to succeed vs giving up. I think that it would be possible to get 8 or 9 out of 10 people to switch, assuming they had some sort of commitment to doing so, provided they had help (meaning: good advice, and help with product choices).
The percentage of people who do succeed is lower than this, though - and for those who buy the well-marketed internet or mall products, it could be fairly low. One poll found 31% succeeded, I seem to remember, and that would have been among those with less than optimal products and no one to turn to for help.
There are differences between a mentoring program and the NM board. The NM forum does its job well but it will never be as good as one-on-one assistance, especially where that includes things like emails, skype, or even mailing some stuff to try out.
- A Mentor Program would require someone to co-ordinate it
- Volunteers would be experienced users, with a minimum of 6 months experience
- The mentors would agree to coach and advise one newcomer at a time in any/all aspects of product use
- Some personal contact would be needed, such as email at the very least
- Mentors need to be people who know about many different options in hardware and liquid
- They could be allocated to new enquirers by a central co-ordinator
Because it seems to me that it would make the difference between success and failure for some people, it's worth considering - but it needs a bunch of experienced people who will take on the job, and someone to co-ordinate it by being a central point of contact. I don't think it is something ECF should set up and run - but if there were people who wanted to do it / run it, we would certainly provide resources.

I don't want to hijack this thread too much, so if this goes much further maybe I'll start a new thread in General Discussion, but...
I'm not sure this needs a central point of contact, nor any kind of "program" really.
I was thinking along the lines of a subforum for mentoring.
--There could be a large disclaimer that ECF is not responsible for any advice given by mentors
--There could be a sticky explaining how the subforum works
--People would post a thread asking for a mentor, and explaning their current smoking situation using a template of required information
--People would post in that thread to "claim" that "newbie" for mentoring purposes
I can see where it might be a good idea to "qualify" people to be mentors, but I'm not convinced that is necessary.
If a mentor feels they are in over their head, or that a different mentor might be better, they can make a post to indicate withdrawal.
Such a post could further explain what issues came about that caused them to feel a different mentor might be more appropriate.
But my main concern is too many people needing mentoring and not enough mentors.
If this moves forward I might post a poll to see how many people would be interested in mentoring.

Yes. It might be a good idea use an informal structure. Go for it

 

[wv2win]

Interesting idea and it has merit. I think this point from rolygate is very important: "Mentors need to be people who know about many different options in hardware and liquid".

If you have only vaped an M402 PV at 4mg nicotine strength, I think that person is under-qualified to provide a range of advice.

 

[DC2]

Interesting idea and it has merit. I think this point from rolygate is very important: "Mentors need to be people who know about many different options in hardware and liquid".

If you have only vaped an M402 PV at 4mg nicotine strength, I think that person is under-qualified to provide a range of advice.

Which goes to the question of "pre-qualifying" mentors.
Do you think that would be needed?

 

[Levitas]

I'd gladly accept some mentoring. I know I could use some advice on possible future mods and some other tech info.

 

[Adrena]

Is that not what the New Members forum is anyway? But a agree mentors would be nice. Yes "Mentors need to be people who know about many different options in hardware and liquid". But more importantly non bias and not pushing one product or site.
Mentors seam to just "happen" I have a DIY mentor you could say. She has helped me so much. She not only gives me her opinion but what others think as well. That is how a mentor should behave.

 

[Automaton]

Interesting idea. I think, to some degree, this happens already. I know I wound up with "mentors" when I started, and wound up "mentoring" others later on. We had a lot of contact through PM - sometimes several times a day - and I think a "mentor" dynamic is what kick-started the formerly dead MN vaping group, which is now quite active.

I can also see how this is different from the New Members section. To get why I say that, see the posts in the Generals section that pop up every month or two, about people getting overly complex and overwhelming with newbies in the New Members section. Here's the most recent, but I've seen quite a few of them in 9 months on ECF:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ssion/169508-what-world-wrong-simplicity.html

The Newbie section, while an incredibly good resource for newbies, can be overwhelming and scattered. There can be information overload, or a clique mentality with certain models.

On the other hand, I think demand would greatly outweigh supply. There are far more newbies than there are vets. And not every vet will want to mentor, or be qualified to do so.

Also, I wonder if it would simply become a way of by-passing the Newbie section to get answers faster and with less invested time researching. Just as the Newbie section has become a way of by-passing the search function (which admittedly... needs some work). That's a lot of pressure falling on a relatively small percentage of ECF members.

I think it's a great idea, but I agree with Rolygate that it may be something to organize independently of ECF. Perhaps make a group for it or something. I think making it an official aspect of ECF would create a lot of over-stressed vets, and overly-frustrated newbies. But if it were drawing from a smaller pool, it may function more smoothly.

I also agree with Rolygate that there should be some sort of qualification for being a mentor. I don't think it ought to be especially strict - there are always fast learners and especially technically inclined people. But something should be in place to make sure they're getting factual and experienced information.

There are certainly some newbies who take longer to find their stride than others, and that individual attention could be the difference between success and failure.

 

[starrynight]

When I first started I was so desperately lost. (Clueless vapor, party of one, your table is now ready ). I felt the other noobies in the new members forums were advancing far more faster then I was. I finally begged for someone to be my Yoda and help me, and with a few quick PM's back and forth a kind fellow member got me up and running. I think this is a brilliant idea for sometimes you just need someone to get you off your training wheels.

 

[Stosh]

Mentoring would be great for many noobs, but possibly over whelming for a limited number of vets. Usually a simple PM to a new member, or just an invite for them to PM you will do the trick.

The new member forum works for someone to read a LOT and glean a little information, but it's like asking a question in a large room full of people and everyone shouts their answer at the same time. My early reading and lurking, the recommendations for different model, manufacturer and style of attys & cartos had me baffled. I bought a bunch of adapters, and a couple of the latest recommendation I would read with each juice order, and found what I liked, (could use a mentor now on how to stop this behavior ) .

 

[wv2win]

Which goes to the question of "pre-qualifying" mentors.
Do you think that would be needed?

I think to a degree, yes. Many of us have used everything from a mini PV up to a variable volt and different atomizers/cartomizers. I think that type of experience allows the advice giver to tailor their advice based on comparative experience. Another option is to have "tiered" mentors such as they have in computer support services.

I know when I see a query from a new user about how to reduce throat hit or how to make an auto battery work better, I skip over it and let others answer those questions. Although I used auto batteries, it has been so long ago, I feel others are better qualified. Same goes for how to make carts work better. I haven't used a cart in a year and a half. I still know some of the methods but not all of them or any new ones so again, I don't answer those as I believe others are better qualified.

It kills me when I see some one asking for advice on how to get the best throat hit. There is one particular member who only uses mini PV's, vapes 2mg strength liquid and has stated that they don't like any throat hit at all and have never used a bigger battery PV. They will regularly answer these queries and tell the person to change their eliquid to a higher PG blend and that's all they need to get this massive throat hit. I don't see this advice as being helpful. If you haven't vaped at higher nic levels or used a better battery PV, how can you comparatively advise someone on the various methods to increase throat hit.

 

[Stosh]

Which goes to the question of "pre-qualifying" mentors.
Do you think that would be needed?

Basic need is someone smart enough to research and point a noob to a needed resource.

Different knowledge is necessary for various issues, someone expert in batteries, (read all
of Battery University and understood it all) may not have the best advice for DIY questions.
A health expert that knows all the side effects of nicotine, PG and VG, may not know an anode
from a cathode.

 

[OMG!]

Was it the thread about keeping things simple that inspired this complicated new program?

 

[DC2]

Was it the thread about keeping things simple that inspired this complicated new program?

Yes, of course.

 

[DC2]

I think the most important thing a mentor could do is help get someone up and running.
To me that means teaching them how to get past the various hurdles, and make the most of what they have.

The next step would be helping them to see directions they might take for improving their experience in ways that matter to them.
That might be letting them know about things like cartridge mods, or juice-feeders, or variable voltage.

So basically, getting them going while teaching the basics.
And then helping them understand the various options and what those various options are for.

 

[crevenew]

Ah mentors! I was fortunate to have an acquaintance at work, also a nice guy and soft personality, who jumped in as my mentor when I got interested in vaping. What a help, saved me a bunch of money and always an excellent none intrusive source. As a previous reply stated in this thread "The NM forum does its job well but it will never be as good as one-on-one assistance,”
I have used mentors at work for new employees and this works well. This is not only because you are offering a knowledgeable resource to help but that 1:1 relationship helps the new person to feel more socially comfortable in asking the questions without being judged.
In Summary mentoring program = good idea.