Weekly Contest Thanks and Review

First of all, I want to give a big, sloppy thank you to everyone who has been a judge for us for the last few months. Quite literally, the contest couldn't happen without you. These members went above and beyond the normal "responsibilities" of the site, by reading 25 poems per week, ranking their top three, and writing comments that are probably more valuable to the winners than winning itself. I want to say an extra thanks to the judges who were consistent, timely, and open in their communication. It sure makes everything run more smoothly!

Past judges, feel free to reveal yourselves if you wish, so people can thank you by name!

We've just sent messages out to the 5 judges that were chosen to be our models of industriousness for December to February. If you accepted your nomination, check your mail, because you could be a lucky winner! If you are, don't tell anyone, but PM the Mod Account for further instructions.

This is also a place for members and judges to discuss the contest and its processes. Some possible topics:

-Was 3 months manageable? Too long? Too short?
-Was there a good variety of poetry nominated?
-Was there a good variety of winning poems?

Here is the current process: Members nominate judges. Some nominations are accepted. From that selected pool, the mods secretly elect 5 judges, who remain anonymous. The judges vote on poems that are nominated by senior members. The 3 poems with the highest number of votes win for the week.

-Are there any suggestions for tweaking the process to make it more fair?

Keep in mind, some people may not agree with poems being chosen, because they have different tastes or preferences. This is to be expected. However, we cannot simply decree that a certain style of poem should or should not be selected. What we can do is tweak the process to ensure that it is as fair as possible.

With that said, feel free to share any additional opinions or questions, while, of course, keeping it civil. Thanks!

Thank you Sibsib! :D

Thanks for the judges who dedicated their time to judge and add comments for the winners, and for trying your best to prove your reasons behind your picks.

From my point of view...

-Was 3 months manageable? Too long? Too short?

I believe this helps keeping things fair, and brings up a sense of security and patience in the heart of those who dislike certain wins, knowing that the judges will be always changing in an acceptable period of time.

-Was there a good variety of poetry nominated?

Yes, definitely for me I have seen different topics, different forms, different people from different clubs and even clubless members winning, We have seen new faces as well.

-Was there a good variety of winning poems?

I think my previous answer answered this one XD. All positive, I honestly had nothing bothering me with the winning poems.

Drum roll please!! I was one of the judges :) No surprise to most of you I'm sure.. it's hard to 'hide' yourself in comments.

I think three months was manageable. There was a bit of frustration that Sib and I discussed, but it seemed to go by pretty fast. I think it's short enough to get more people interested, but long enough to really get a good mix throughout the year.

I think that was definitely a variety of poems being nominated, but I found a lot of poems with a LOT of errors (simple spelling mistakes, grammar that wasn't messed up for poetic reasons, poems that had 'u' instead of 'you' etc) were pushing out the better nominated poems, because they got 'more' nominations. What I've been doing, is if I can't find other poems I want to nominate, I pick from the list of nominated poems already to ensure they'll stay up on the page if I like them and feel they should win. However this will be fixed once Janis fixes that glitch.

I think there was a variety of winning poems, though there were a few I didn't agree with for specific reasons, again that was discussed with the mods when I found some issues.

I don't think there should be any tweaking, I don't know how you could possibly make it any more fair without full on taking the names out of the process, which you just can't do. I think we just need to have good judges (which I think we definitely will with the groups I saw accepting). I'm excited to see a new set of judges and see how they see winners!

I should have added this as well. Here's the list of weekly winners during this judging period:

9/5

Melpomene
Yaki
abracadabra

9/12

Tara Kay
Monster
Jon914

9/19

Nightflyer
The Queen
slighte

9/26

Melissa
Jenni
Ms Sunshine

10/3

Mera Luna
Nicko
Melissa

10/10

The Poetess
Monster
Karla

10/17

Ms Sunshine
The Queen
abracadabra

10/24

Ms Sunshine
abracadabra
Mel

10/31

Narphangu
abracadabra
silvershoes

11/7

Liliana
Yaki
Melissa

11/14

Colm
dollwithafrown
sibyllene

11/21

Colm
silvershoes
Mera Luna

11/28

Lu
Lebanese Phoenix
The Prince

------------------Judges changed

Here is the list of total winners since last March. If you win, your name goes on here. If you win again, you get a star. Currently we have a 3-way tie between Melpomene, Ms Sunshine, and Narphangu. Who will break the tie?!

Gramma Concept
Melpomene*******
Karla*
Larry Chamberlin
Courageous Dreamer*
Kiko ****
Beautiful Chaos
zrabea jadallah*
silvershoes*****
Ms Sunshine*******
Novalyn Grace*
The Princess**
Sibyllene*****
Thomas***
Lady Mer Divinity
Melissa****
The Prince***
Narphangu*******
The Poetess**
Yakzzz (Yaki Love?)****
Colm**
TerryB
Meena Krish
Lonely Rider
Thomas Pender
Britt
slighte**
Hellon aka Miss Take
Mera Luna***
Mel**
Dixieday
abracadabra***
Tara Kay
Monster*
Jon914
Nightflyer
The Queen*
Jenni
Nicko
Liliana
dollwithafrown
Lu
Lebanese Phoenix

With changing screen names and such there may be some mistakes. If you are on there twice or not at all (and should be) let me know!

Wow, that's so organized, thanks,..haha I didn't say good things about the contest due to my wins, I cross my heart XD (A)

edit:

whispering " I will...I I..I will ;) " evil smile**

I hope I have done my duty 101%.
It was really tough, reading through all the nominated poems and choosing pieces that totally provoke my heart and mind. I don't know if the mods noticed that, but most of my poems I voted a 10 or a 7 on were pieces which delivered mostly, social messages.

Anyway, thank you Sib for bringing this thread up and for the organization.

I must say that the last week, it was OH MY GOD, so hard to pick a favorite three, for there were several poems which deserved a win. And there were other weeks when I wasn't satisfied with the poems, but I had to give a vote.

AND, I must also mention that those are my favorite winning poems which I voted on and are still in my memory because of their heaviness, during my 3 months judging:

- Yaki's: A poem for mama
- Tara's: Novel idea
- Myryn(the Queen)'s: Price-Tag
- Noura's(The poetess): Our First Date

^ I LOVE THEM! I LOVE THEM.

-------------- As for Sib's questions:----
~ Was 3 months manageable? Too long? Too short?

Yes, I think. For me, they passed in a blink of an eye.

~ Was there a good variety of poetry nominated?

Yes, there was! I mean as Nana said, many new faces appeared on the front-page, like: Liliana - dollwithafrown - Tara Kay - Jeni.

~ Was there a good variety of winning poems?

- Yes, there was a good variety of winning poems even if they weren't of my taste. But in general, I really loved the winners in the 3 months.

---------------- As for Britt:

I think there was a variety of winning poems, though there were a few I didn't agree with for specific reasons, again that was discussed with the mods when I found some issues.

^ I think your taste is different from mine or from the other 3 judges'. You can choose 3 poems which I won't ever like or which I agree with you on. So, not agreeing with some winners would be so typical. :)

It wasn't due to taste, it was due to previous rules from long ago....again it was something discussed with the mods and has been taken care of.

Okay Britt, why won't you share them, if it's possible?
I'm sure other judges are interested in knowing them.

-

And, oh my......................
I feel I'm powerless now.. totally powerless without the judging buttons, 4 - 7 - 10 !!!! I'm sure I'll miss them :p

I kind of can't. It has to do with something that happened while I was a mod, and I can't reveal the information. Like I said, it was all taken care of and it isn't an issue anymore.

Oh, sorry then,,,

forgot to say: BEST OF LUCK, New judges :)

Thanks to the judges for all your hard work & dedication! Also congrats to all who have been nominated over this time/won. I've definitely seen a lot of improvement!

Personally I think the judging term of three months is perfect! It worked out quite nicely this time I think. A few times I thought some poems being nominated weren't front page quality, but more than likely it's due to my knowledge of poetry and what I consider a good poem. We all think differently and vary in our opinions, so I understand why some poems were nominated, though I didn't always agree. I think the last few months a lot of the same writers have been winning, but I don't feel it's about the number of times you win, but the quality of the poetry on the front page that is most important. It was nice to see a few new faces make the front page/be nominated this time around, I enjoyed reading their work.

During those 3 months, there were only "8" poets/poetesses who won more than once, occupying 20 spots out of 36.

Abracadabra (4x)
Melissa (3x)
Ms Sunshine (3x)
Yaki (2x)
Mera Luna (2x)
silvershoes (2x)
Colm (2x)
Monster (2x)

~ ... And for the rest "16" poets/poetesses, they won only once, occupying 16 spots out of 36:

Melpomene
Tara Kay
Jon914
Nightflyer
The Queen
slighte
Jenni
Nicko
The Poetess
Karla
The Queen
Mel
Narphangu
Liliana
dollwithafrown
sibyllene

---------------> I think that assures the variety of winning poems as "24" different poets/poetesses appeared on the front page during this turn.

Nice break-down of the stats, dude. That's what I like to see.

Welcome, Sib.

Thank you to all the judges from the past 3 months and further back. Thank you for taking the time to read, vote and leave detailed comments on each poem nominated.

Goodluck to those judging next.

I would just like to thank those who did the judging this last term and to say that their patience and devotion is not overlooked but greatly admired and is a wonderful asset to this site.

I do believe though that three moths is a good amount of time as it gives more opportunity to see different taste of judging and also gets those judging a break from the previous, I believe, six months of judging.

I also believe most of the poems on the front page were winning quality and they were unique and deserving. Every once in a while I might have wondered about one or two but like Temps said, that has to do with ones way of writing and preference.

Overall, wonderful job to those who have been judging and good luck to those who will be. :]

Thank you recently retired judges! Thank you Sibs! Thank you everyone! Woo!

I'm excited about the new batch of judges :)

I too was a judge, and I have to say it was a good expreience overall. It was a pleasure to delve into the best works of PnQ these last three months! My thanks to the other judges and also to Sibs and the mods for the continued smooth running of the contest, and for the witty weekly threads!

-Was 3 months manageable? Too long? Too short?

I thought 3 months was manageable, I think it went by very quickly. I was wondering where the time went by the end of it. I think 3 months is a good judging term to keep variety and it is easier to commit to 3 months.

-Was there a good variety of poetry nominated?

Reading through the poems each week, I thought there were some very average poems nominated. Some were maybe not to my taste but some were just average/poor poems by anyone's standards. It wouldnt be much of a problem if poems didnt disappear from the nominations page. It was frustrating sometimes to see average or poor poems and know there might be better poems that were nominated but werent showing up on the list. Saying that, some very good poems were nominated too of course. I think you are going to get some poorer quality poems nominated form week to week, not every poem is worthy of the front page.

-Was there a good variety of winning poems?

I think there was quite a good variety. I think good poems graced the front pages nearly every week, and many weeks the 2-3 poems I thought most deserving did win. I think it is best judged on a poem by poem basis, the most important thing that the best poems are representing the site, and in most cases I think that happened.

Personally, I found it difficult to differentiate some weeks between the three winning poems, and give one poem 10pts and another 4pts when I liked them possibly equally as much. Perhaps I would have prefered a closer points system, say 5pts, 4pts, 3pts. But then one or two weeks it was difficult to find a poem that was truely worth 10pts. But thats unavoidable and part of the job to rank the poems for that week, it just required a lot of deliberation!

From my own experience also, I found that often I voted for the same poem one week after another, if it was still on the nominations list. I judged on a poem by poem basis, what I thought were the best three poems on the nominated page in that given week, and when a poem was good enough one week, it was often good enough the next week to get points.

Good luck to the next judges :)

Thank you to this semester of judges, your effort each week has been wonderful. Nice to see such dedication from PnQers, you do us all proud! I can't wait for the new judges to begin, goodluck to them and an early thank you for stepping up and giving it ago.

Well, these judges surrre liked me! So their quality of judging left much to be desired.
Not really, just trying to be modest.

Spank you hairy crutch for all your wonderful work!

I hope Janis fixes the nomination page and judge's voting rights pronto.

Gramma Concept
Melpomene*******
Karla*
Larry Chamberlin
Courageous Dreamer*
Kiko ****
Beautiful Chaos
zrabea jadallah*
silvershoes*****
Ms Sunshine*******
Novalyn Grace*
The Princess**
Sibyllene*****
Thomas***
Lady Mer Divinity
Melissa****
The Prince**
Narphangu*******
The Poetess**
Yakzzz (Yaki Love?)****
Colm**
TerryB
Meena Krish
Lonely Rider
Thomas Pender
Britt
slighte**
Hellon aka Miss Take
Mera Luna***
Mel**
Dixieday
abracadabra***
Tara Kay
Monster*
Jon914
Nightflyer
The Queen*
Jenni
Nicko
Liliana
dollwithafrown

All members of certain clubs are winners apart from myself and someone I tried to find but couldn't...TerryB.

Aside from the fact that a couple of people thought some of us were being bias, it was quite an experience, so thanks to the PnQ community for giving me the chance to judge some of the finest poetry I've read. and thanks for the trust, I hope I didn't disappoint
cheers.

Question...In the past....maybe way in the past...there was a ruling that members who were on the judging panel could not win the weekly contest....does this rule still apply?

Hellon, I don't believe this rule still applies. I was a judge at the beginning of the year and I recall winning the weekly contest a few times during that period. I've been searching to give you a more indepth answer and if I find anything in regards to this I'll let you know.

So..who would have changed it? New mods who came in the door as others left? I never actually seen this rule written is stone myself but...just one of those rules that áppeared'. Sorry...I have a new computer and every now and then it thinks it's french....just pronouce appear in the aussie fashion haha!!!

I was never aware of this rule. We mulled it over several times during our site-wide discussions about the weekly contest, and how it should work, but as far as I know, judges have always been able to make the front page. They are, however, not allowed to vote for themselves.

Well..I'm going way back...to the days when you were not a mod Jane and were free and easy to blast the mods as you felt necessary?

In those days (are you sitting comfortably then I'll begin) There once was a mod who made up random rules as he went along and...this was one of them. Sadly the poor judges did not know of the rule of this land before the pinned on their shiny badges....this mod had access to the judges thread in those days although he swore an oath not to go there but...like Adam with Eve...he had to and...what did he find...well he found a whole lot of apples that were rotten...

Judges had their own forums? I wasn't aware of these

Yes...they had a forum...to judge and leave comments and..the mods had access to it.

***Removed as not to stir up trouble in regards to past issues.

The way it is now is that when each judge votes using the buttons, they send their votes and comments to the moderators account. The mods can see on the nominations page what poems have what points. It is against the rules to vote for yourself.

I dont think, if a poem is good enough, it shouldnt win because it was written by a judge. If enough of the other four judges vote for it, then I dont see the problem. Remember, judges shouldnt know who each other are.

Hellon, all this issue sounds like it's dealing with the past. There's no judge's forum now, and I certainly don't think it is ethical for judges to negotiate their votes. The Mod you speak of is apparently no longer a Mod. Why dredge up stuff that can only lead to heartache and regrets?

Judges should not discuss or negotiate their votes.

Mods should not infringe on the privacy of judges doing their duty.

Mods should not, and I assure you, do not make up rules as we go along & then penalize people for them. In fact, we discuss any issues ad nauseam before making changes.

The rules as posted in each forum should give members clear notice of what is expected.

OMG...I've been edited out by the lovely Mel and...I had a reply from Janis today...I must be special? Who needs Christmas when I can come on here and receive free gifts?

Larry, I just asked a question....and provided information pertaining to it..you can not shut me down for that surely? Well, of course your can..I know butI'm only speaking the true...can you
close my account off for that?

Hellon, your question was fine and I hope you received the answer you were looking for. As for my editing of your post I left reason as to why I did so and it's the same reasons both yours and Connie's posts have now been deleted, that and they also caused the thread to become off-topic. Perhaps you should feel special, you were my first edit and first deleted post.

Why did you delete my comments?

I am not surprised

Truth hurts sometimes doesnt it?

feel free to delete this one too

The reasons your comments were deleted as due to the reasons posted above, I have no issue with the truth however we've been over the discussion countless times in previous months and it isn't needed to be re-discussed. PnQ has evolved and is moving on from the past, I ask you to do so with us.

I would like p&q to evolve honestly I would but...when comments are shut down/removed that's never going to happen...I asked a very simple question...most members will not even have had a change to read it ...Connie responded but...all of a sudden ít's "in the past''

FYI

You have never spoken to me even 1 time ever...

maybe about me yes..but not to me

good old google

Dont start now ok

Hellon, I edited your post due to bringing up past issues that were discussed. The only question you asked in the part of the post I edited stated "I've always meant to thank Abalone Abby) fron standing up for my colloquial poem back in..god 2008?" the rest of the post was in regards to the what was said in the judges thread you read. Connie's response didn't answer that question or any question for that matter. I understand the reason to your question in the previous post with regards to judging and I thought it was a good one, however the information you provided afterwards would only open an old wound that we thought was taken care of.

Connie, whether I have spoken to you or not isn't the issue at hand. I was simply stating that the topic has been discussed in full with other mods.

If an issue still stands please feel free to PM me.

Enough, already. You all have had several warnings and this is the final one.

I will start adding penalties if it continues on.

The past is in the past and if you wish to stay in the past then you will always continue to miss out on the great fortunes sitting in front of you.

Now, let's leave the past behind us since we can not change what happened and take a bold step into the future wher we can continue growing.

Off topic.. Final warning.