WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO STACEY!!! Welcome to the Watercooler! :D

Welcome, Stacey ^_^ :glomp:

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay! Welcome Capta'n!!! :woot:

Thank youuuu! Guess I should have made my way in here yesterday! :lmao: *blows kisses to you all* I am sooooooo exciteddd! :woot:

*sits in Tailzie's lap and plays in her hair while swinging legs back and forth* thankies! :D

I'm working on the news announcement for the QWC and I need to post it here so I can come back to it later. (I really wouldn't object to some input either.)

I think it sounds really good Tiff, it flows well :D

Please join me in extending a warm welcome to our two new Department Heads:

Level 1 (replacing fire_faerie): Pink Ninja

Level 6 (replacing LadyNerd): AmbiguouslyMe

Welcome, Erin and Jeremie!

Tailz and Becky, if you'll get with me on MSN in the next day or two, we'll discuss hiring and/or posting for Division Head replacements.

Welcome ^_^

*takes a bow* Thank you dahlings!

Congrats both of you!! :D

Anna, I'll get back to you about that :D

Congrats to the new Heads! ;) *givesflower*

:D

WELCOME JEREMIE AND ERIN! *tacklehugs* Look at youuuuu in your pretty italic UNs :P

Hi, guys! A few things have recently come to my attention that I'd like for us all to discuss/weigh-in on.

The first is that several of you have mentioned how inactive your Division Heads are and that you only have one or two doing his/her job. If you find yourself in this boat, we can definitely figure out a solution. The first is to send the inactive Division Head a polite PM letting them know that as head of an entire division, you need more help/activity from them. Offer them solutions and ideas as to what they can do to become more active. After the PM is sent out, if you still notice an extreme lack of activity on their part, we can consider a replacement (if all else has been exhausted).

The second centers more around the regular employees and plots/jobs, etc. they're being given. A lot of threads on various levels are inactive and have been so for quite a while. While we're in the midst of planning what I hope to be a really fun, interactive plot, we really need to give the regular employees something to do in the meantime. If you haven't done so already, please get together with your Division Heads and come up with something on your level that can be done while we are waiting for the bigger plot to begin. If your Division Heads are not participating, then you can always get in there and strike up something on your own.

I've heard, several times today, "there's nothing to do on my level" and even "I'd like to move to DA, because there's nothing to do in the MoM." I definitely understand that most of the MoM consists of inactive employees, but hopefully we can do something to spark up an interest for those who would like to roleplay.

Lastly, please go through your filing cabinet and place all inactive employees on the "inactive" list. This helps with sorting, as I can see how many each person has and who needs additional people. Inactivity equals not signing onto SS for three months or more and not participating in MoM/level plots for three months or more.

As always, I'm here to help out in any way I can! ^_^

1As someone who has had to do this in the past, I can say that this definitely works :yes: I've had people go from super inactive to being star division heads because I sent them a polite PM discussing their activity and their role as division head :D

Also, I mentioned this a while back, but I think evaluating them would work out nicely as well. I typed up an evaluation form for Tiff a while back but I don't know if it ever got looked at. I know we have had this done to US as Department Heads before, and I think it definitely works. By letting them know which areas of their job they should be improving, rather than just barking at them to be more active, we might get more results :D

Lissy, roll out the evaluation form, and we'll all take a look at it and see about getting that up and going. I'm all for anything that will help you guys with getting more activity on your level.

Also, this thread may help.

Ok, here was what I came up with (it was actually on the last page in here :P ) and I never got any input on it, so it may need some editting.

Quote from meee:

Here is a rough draft I created of the Division Head Evaluation...feel free to tweek it as you feel necessary :D I based a lot of the critera off of my OWN department and what I feel they should be evaluated on so if you have something else you want to add, please share it! I doubt it's perfect so I won't be offended or anything :xd:

Obviously number 1 needs to be changed for each department...five and one might be able to be smashed into one category, but I know that sometimes my employees don't really LIKE posting in the thread and prefer to PM me about plots...while I'd rather they post in the thread like they should be doing, at least they're plotting, you know?

I took the whole probation thing from that thread that Kris made "How to nudge your slacking division heads" so edit that to whatever you feel is appropriate as well :D

So I sent a PM out to my division heads. I hope that will help. After that, I will be sending a PM to all of my department about our upcoming plot [level 5 not ministry] and see if that, along with my division heads hopefully picking up helps.

Either tonight, or tomorrow morning I will be going through my list, to see who is active and who is completely not. I also have a couple that I have sent PM's to, that have replied to the PM's but NEVER posted in the filing cabinet...

&& Lissy, I think that looks great! ^_^

Feel free to have the poltergeist invade Bella's office. :P

Feel free to have him/her to wreak havoc in trhe Education Dept!

He can play in the Level 7 break room and lift. :)

Of course! :)

Lissy - that form looks great and I honestly think we should use it. Perhaps we can have it posted in the Division Head planning forum so that they can see what they're being evaluated on.

My department has been purged of inactives and the L7 threads were revamped (activity is picking up since they see new, shiny threads).

Feel free to go crazy on Nine. :whistle:

I've had my division heads apologising for being inactive without a single word from me, and promising to be more active, but it's just not happening. :no: Umm, at the moment, my department is going off small division plots, but when the ministry plot is over, we have a whole department one that's been planned since before I was head *nods*

Also, on my level, I added the suggestions thread and I've already had one reply, that was yesterday (I haven't looked today, yet). I added it so that people can tell us what stuff they want to win and what they want, eg: departmental competition... and so on.

I've just asked my division heads to update me on who's being active IC and OOC as part of the department, because I remember I used to get lots of PMs as a division head with questions and suggestions and excuses and stuff. The employees are closer to their division heads than to me *nods* So yeah, I'm updating already ^_^

EDIT: Oh, and Anna asked me to link these to you all. ^_^

Becky made me some really pretty MoM signatures, which are linked above. I thought it might be fun for us to wear or to offer to our employees.

Also, how are we coming along with Employee of the Month for December and January? If we could get the remaining certificates out within the next week, that would great. We only have a week left in February, so we'll need to get started on that soon, too.

Even if you truly feel no one deserves the honor, please continue to make a certificate. Hopefully after we get this going on a set schedule, employees will see them, want one, and work towards one. If they don't know the honor is there to get, though, chances are they won't work for it. Thanks, guys!

Also, don't forget to add an "Employee of the Month" sticky thread to your level. I've already seen a few...Becky's and Lissy's, I think...and they look great!

I have no employees of the month because I'm picky and no one has really done anything (unless I go back and look at who's been posting in the old level 7 threads).

Well...Umm..there's three things I've to reply..Yes :xd:

Division Head - From my two division heads, One is extremely brisk and active, doing justice for her selection. The other one is really capable but got stuck in school stuffs. He promised me tobe active from the beginning of the month March. So fingers crossed...:xd:

I've been keeping them in rhythm with small plot things like giving them a small parties to get along with each other and other stuffs. So it's going on very well in my deapartment. I can give both the division heads an "Excellent" certificates. :yes: *feelsproud* ..xD


Tailz's poltergeist - You're most welcome to level eight except the department Head's Office. :P


EoTM - It was up in my level ages ago. :)

Tailz - feel free to terrorize level 3. We're used to weird things happening up there :P

Also, I just wanted to pop in here and share something I thought of today in case anyone wants to try it :xd: I didn't have a suggestion thread on my level because when I did have it up, no one ever used it and it just cluttered the thread, so Tiff asked me to take it down. I DO have an IC inbox thread for Wes, though, that serves as a place for the employees and division heads to drop their IC assignments in once they finish a Ministry wide or level wide plot, and since I didn't want the employees to NOT have a place to put OOC suggestions, I combined them today and I'm going to try that out ^_^

Obviously I know a lot of levels don't have an inbox thread (I only did that because it helps me organize better) AND a lot have suggestion boxes that people actually USE so just ignore me if you do :P Just figure I'd throw this out there in case anyone else had the same situation I did :lol:

Just an update on employees:

I granted four transfers, so please check the transfer thread to see if any changes applied to your division.

We've also hired our three new division heads: midget ♥, DracikinsLuver4321, and Mrs_Molly_Weasley.

I've seen a few of you put banners in your level threads, which I think is EXCELLENT! However, the SS banner limit is 450x200, so please make sure any images or banners you put up in your threads are within those limits.

Thanks, team! You're doing awesome!

^_^

A few of our MoM employees will be doubling as part-time Diagon Alley employees. They will only work in Diagon Alley from the time the train home ends to the time the train back to school begins again (so in other words, only when the students are in Diagon Alley). This position will change nothing as far as their Ministry of Magic job is concerned.

Those employees are:
destinyjazzhands
DH Vixen
Whitterz
Tazenhani
individual
Sneakeh Cat

We started this last term to keep from losing valuable Ministry of Magic employees. These members may still post as their regular MoM character while they are doubling in Diagon Alley.

----------

I also wanted to bring up an issue that may or may not arise now that we've added the new threads to the MoM. Members who are not posting in their assigned department but are posting around the MoM are still considered "active members." Unfortunately, we may end up with employees who post around the MoM but not on their level. The hope will always be that if we keep them active somewhere in the MoM, they'll eventually want to participate in their assigned department. Please don't move employees to "inactive" unless they haven't posted anywhere in the MoM in three months or longer.

Thanks, guys! ^_^

Hey guys! :glomp: I just wanted to say hello :hello: It has been quite some time since I've made my way on to SS and I miss you all terribly! While I'm not back full-time just yet, I'm hoping to be on occassionally from now til June (and hopefully back full-time in June!)

I haven't forgotten about you all and I am so proud of you all for carrying on during my absence. And Thank you to Anna for taking on way more work than she originally signed on for :loved:

Love you all!

Yay, Tiff!!! :woot:

I'm so happy to see you on SS again! Welcome back (even though you said you're not back full-time just yet). It's so good to see you again!

:loved: :glomp:

I spoke with Tiff and here's the verdict on a question that's been asked quite a bit lately:

Diagon Alley and Daily Prophet employees can post in "Muggle London," but they can't post inside the Ministry (unless they are directly involved in a MoM plot and have been asked to post).

Can the plot be personal to a certain charrie or does it need to be a Ministry wide type thing or business related?

The reality of the situation is that the Ministry is a government building. Play it according to canon. All characters should have to stop at the desk for check-in, right? So do you think security is going to let people in without a purpose? Probably not. 'I'm meeting my coworker for lunch' is probably not good enough to earn you entry into the other levels of the Ministry. You'd probably be asked to remain in the Atrium and other areas of Level 8 (the communal areas).

But if you had a personal plot where a Daily Prophet reporter needed to speak with an Auror for an interview - that would probably earn you entry (even if said Auror tossed you back out on your hiney shortly thereafter :lmao:).

It really is situational. The problem with that is then different people have different opinions of what is canon and what isn't. If it is questionable, contact me or Anna. I just don't want to see this abused with every shopkeeper wandering through the halls of the Ministry for something to do. That is obviously not canon, right?

Tis late but....YAYYYYY TIFFFFFFFFF YOU'RE BACK! *tackleglomphugs*

:glomp: Tiff!

It's good to see you around again!

Is it bad that I wrote FIVE different things that I could do for the plot? And I end up back at idea #1 because it means a lot of fun RPing for all involved.

Hey, guys!

We probably won't start the plot tomorrow due to some last minute technicalities I need to get with Tiff about. I'll PM you as soon as those have been resolved.

In the meantime, I've sorted a few new members. We need to get those people placed ASAP, so they can participate in the plot.

Also, when the plot does open, remember to PM your employees and post an announcement in your "Notices" thread.

Howdy guys!

Could we possibly remind all of our Division heads that, if they're planning a plot with another division on another level, to please send us Department Heads (or even Division Heads) a quick heads up before they come in and start something? I just had another Division Head come up to my work place and start up what I think is a continuation from another plot, and while I TOTALLY don't mind this time (since we were like DEADED in there :lol: ) I'm just afraid that in the future that might cause plot conflicts--for example I know me and Erin were going to cook something up and if we had that plot going on AND another Division head comes in and starts up a whole different plot, the employees will get all confused and not know what to do.

Again, this particular incident I'm talking about is NOT a problem (I just want to clarify again so you don't think I'm mad cause I'm not :P ) BUT in the past I HAVE had issues where other Division Heads come in and start tearing up my office without warning o_O So I was just reminded that this might be a good thing to pass on to them :lol:

Thanks! <333

All updates/changes/edits to lesson posts for the plot need to be completed by Monday. The entire plot is stalled until the lesson posts are all completed and ready to go, so let's get this done within the next few days, so the plot can open.

Thanks, guys! ^_^

Looks like all the edits are just about done, so once Anna gets online to RP, this plot will be starting! :D

DEPARTMENT HEADS, MAN YOUR BATTLE STATIONS! :lmao:

Anyone with last minute questions should ask them now!

YAYYYYYY! I am so PUMPED!

*flails about* Wesley is all excited to start his first plot as DH :D

*stretches*

*jumping jacks*

*shoulder shrugs*

*cracks knuckles*

Alright! I think I'm ready to go.

LOL, Jeremie!

*exercises with you*

People seem REALLY EXCITED about this! :woot:

Also...*points to the edit in big, bold print at the top of the MoM plot notice*

:woot: SOO EXCITED! And Seb is too!

I am toooOo! So I can FINALLY RP Reagan again :woot:

I've really missed her cracking the whip :mwaha:

I'm not sure if you've seen/heard of the new rule yet, but members are now allowed to play BOTH a Ministry character and a DA/DP character. I just wanted to give everyone a heads up, so they'd know what was going on with that.

Also, because of the new rule, we've got a LOT of new apps. :woot: Remember to sort as soon as you can, so we can get these people in the plot! ^_^

http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...ylou/first.jpg
Winner - To Be Determined

http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...lou/second.jpg
Winner - To Be Determined

http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y...ylou/third.jpg
Winner - To Be Determined

http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/y.../honorable.jpg
Winners - To Be Determined

Look at the awesomeness Lissy made for us! ^_^

I'm trying to work out how to determine winners, but I was thinking maybe Tiff and I could have each person who makes it to the end give a short speech about what they've learned and what they believe the Minister was trying to teach them in holding the Education Fair and "going missing."

We need SOMETHING for them to do in that last room other than "Oh, hey, Taylor and Allie!"

Thoughts? Ideas?

I like it ^_^ They could be like "Here's your prize...BUT FIRST what did you learn?" :lol:

How do we determine who gets first place, though? Do we just go by who posts first? If so, that could be a toss-up depending on time zones and who can get online when. I'm not sure how else to do it, though.

Do we need to PM the keys via our own account or the announcer?

I have only had one person "pass" so far but I am off to bed anyway so they will just have to wait til the morning for the key as it is. :lol:

Well I personally was just going to use this account, since I'm not using The Announcer on my level :lol:

I'd assumed keys would go from our own accounts, partially because some of us aren't using the Announcer, and partially because it'll mean that key-sending isn't taking up Announcer-use time.

For what it's worth, it doesn't matter, but the preference is your own account, since it's technically your department head character who is passing people to the next level and not an announcer.

^_^

Is it bad that I have one division head who clearly doesn't know what to do in the first challenge? :head:

The first challenge... or the ground level challenge?

I have had to explain it several times... It is soooo clearly stated :lol:

Ground level challenge . . . and this person was even confused about POSTING in the Conference Room!

:faint:


Yeaaaaaah that might be a bad thing :lol:

I'm really loving how the plot is turning out! The members are loving it! :woot:

Meow?

Hisssss, hissssss.

Oink.

Mooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

LMAO!!!!!

I come back to see all the animal sounds. You guys rock. haha

--------------------

Anyway, just a little message regarding The Announcer account: Please don't visit any threads you aren't meant to be visiting under your normal account. We've pretty much set as many permissions as we can think of, but there are still a few we haven't thought to set yet. I see where the account has visited a few threads that require certain permissions in order to visit, so please, if you can't normally visit that area due to permissions, please stay away from it on The Announcer account.

Thanks, guys! ^_^

I said I would let you know, so I am :lol:

She's (or he? :erm:) enjoying the Education Fair and storming through the levels :P

Z told me the same thing and I forgot completely to share that little bit


She is doing great!!

Awww, yay! I've heard from two or three people that they're loving the plot. Touz told me last night that a few people have told her the same.

*high fives everyone*




Do you guys think it's possible we could try and get this thread going? It's meant to be like the School Chat thread, only...no one ever posts. I see where an employee posted something about their character recently, and maybe if we go in and get some talk going, it may help with Ministry interest.

I posted to a member and mentioned the plot. Maybe if we all keep things going in there for a little while, the members will start doing a lot of that on their own.

I can't wait for the players to reach challenge six . . . I'm gonna nickname it Fight Club :xd:

:lmao: Kay! :lmao: That made me giggle like whoa and I am not sure why

Shouldn't be too much longer! Zellanna, Maxie, rubindo, and...maybe a few others are booking it through these challenges! :lmao:

Double posting, but this message is important. I just PMed it to everyone, too. ^_^

Tiff asked me to contact you guys and let you know that the plot is moving way too fast. She was a little shocked that some people were already on the fourth or fifth challenge. There's too big of a gap between people like Zellanna, Maxie, and rubindo versus all the other players.

Tiff wants you guys to keep posting to them and interacting with them, but to NOT send them on so quickly. I know some of you haven't gotten people on your level yet, so this is just something to keep in mind when you do.

Again, please don't stop posting to them. Keep up the interaction but try and stall them a little. We don't want to have people complete the challenge when most of the participants are still on the first few levels. Oh, and please don't TELL them we're stalling them. :lol:

...and Erin, the stall isn't for you. You and mathi could probably just bypass stalling and try and get a few more people up to the second challenge (when they do what's necessary, of course).

IF anyone reaches challenge six within the next 24 hours, I will stall them . . . FIGHT CLUB!

:lmao:

This I gotta stalk...

So laik one member has arrived on challenge six . . . gonna wait for one more before unleashing the devil on them :lol:

FIGHT CLUB WILL BE IN SESSION ON THURSDAY . . . when I get home from work. :)

Sent PMs from both of my extra charrie accounts - unable to see the Ed Fair, so the Fight Club for Challenge Six will be postponed for another 24 hours (hopefully, the permissions will be fixed by then 'cause Rex isn't going to dirty his hands with combat)

Would any of you be available to post as "The Announcer" for the Ground Level Challenge while Erin is away for about a week? Because the plot is designed so people can jump in at any time, there may or may not be people jumping in to get a late start. I know SlytherinSistah texted me last night and asked if she could still jump in, so if she hasn't posted already, she's about to. So if any of you could post as "The Announcer" on that level as well as your own (until Erin returns), please PM me and let me know.

I got your PM, Kay. Ern said she let Touz know there was an issue with the accounts, so the problem may have been fixed by now. If not, Touz at least knows, so hopefully it'll be soon. ^_^

I can do it if no one else wants to. I don't even have people on my level yet, so it will make me feel like I'm doing something instead of nothing at all. When does Erin leave? or is she already gone? Cause that way, if shes still here I could talk to her. Would that also mean i was PMing them Keys?...and Erins been talking to everyone...so how is that going to work?

You're in! Thanks, Jenn!

Erin may want to come in here and give you a little more info, but I do know that she'll be online throughout today. You'd be posting as "The Announcer" and PMing the keys she's been PMing. You shouldn't have too many on the ground level, since most people who are playing have already passed that level, but if you do get someone, just worry about the posts from "The Announcer."

awesome :) and thats starting tomorrow right ?

Yes, this will start tomorrow. Thanks for volunteering, Jenn!

I am trying to get all of the ones done today that I can so there may not be much to do but just in case there is a later comer or two just follow my lead with the announcer posts. Don't worry about my charrie, she is only talking to them every now and again. :lol:


Thank you very much for doing this Jenn!

no problem at all Erin :)

Okay because I have a lot of things being discussed with people via PM I will unfortunately have to be logging on during my absence. I will NOT however be participating in any work related stuff or anything other than that.

Jenn if you need me you can PM or chat with me on MSN, m;kay. Same goes for you Banana. thanks aannnnddddd buh bye.


{Send good vibes my way that I don't get blown into Oz 'cause the weather is getting BAD}

I'm trying to get people through challenge 6 but there is one person who has tried to RP the actions of one character (the person is confused...and their action posts have me confused...trying to get them finished tonight 'cause I'm bored trying to RP with them).

And yes, my charries are being NICE . . . a few good moves/hits with a broomstick, knock 'em off their feet or get them to slip in gobstone goo and they can go on (so sad that NO ONE has thought about magical paper spitwads . . . Rex gave the hint!)

Jenn -- if you're still handling the ground floor (or for whoever is doing it)...

there's a PM in The Announcer's inbox from someone who says they made a mistake and is asking if they get another shot. Thought you might want to be the one to respond since I'm not really sure how it's working.

Awesome Jeremie :) thanks for letting me know :) I wouldn't of checked it other wise...im headingg of to bed though, but that is on my list first thing in the morning.

I talked to Tiff last night, and she said it's alright to move things along now. If you're still stalling people, you can go at a normal pace now. :yes:

The plot is scheduled to end Wednesday, but if we need to take a few more days, that's alright, too. That's just a date to give us a timeframe to work around. We at least need a first, second, and third place winner getting to the final room, but it'd be nice to have a group of honorable mentions, too.

Lower levels (ground to 3), do you think it might be possible to speed these people along somehow? I hate to end the plot with some still at such a low level. I know not everyone can/will make it to the end, but getting close would be good, too.

I think when I get home, I'm going to make a post from "The Announcer" on each level stating that the time to save the Minister and Senior Undersecretary is drawing to a close and must be done soon (maybe on that same type of parchment I did the clue on). Just kind of an IC deal to let them know to scurry along. haha

I've been speeding people through anyway. I decided to leave the stalling to people like Kay, who can have fun while stalling. ;)

I'll be doing all that this afternoon, I have a job interview in half an hour..so it will be after I get home from doing that. Need to concentrate on that, and then the ground level, and my level will be taken care of :)

i need to find the keys again!

OH, and Anna, I need to talk to you about something plot related, not this plot, my plot, so if i forget, remind me if you read this please!

You mean the keys we PM to people...or what? If it's the keys we PM, those are in v.2 of the plot thread.

Poke me on MSN when you're ready to chat! :D

Welcome!

A big shout-out to our two new Department Heads, Sneakeh Cat (Law Enforcement) and Luna Laufghudd (Magical Education).

:woot: Congrats, Cat and Claudia!!!

Cat and Claudia! WELCOMEEEEE! *tackles with hugs*

You both look so pretty in those italics. Yuppp :D

*Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeels*

Congrats :) and welcome to both of you!

:glomp: