Cobra

Here's your announcement about COBRA

were getting a group of us together to form a "guild" or club here on BP net

We shall call it COBRA–Cool Owners of Balls, Reptiles, and other Animals.
We'll work together to help new people with their questions, and can always be counted on to chat in the Chatbox or the Random chat in the QR.

Post here with your desire to join; we have 4 members already. PM me too if you want to join. I'll be drafting a loose charter for us in a couple days

You know I'm in.

Seeing how that's pretty much all I do here on BP.net, I guess I'm in lol.

Um, I'm a cool owner of balls, reptiles and other animals...

Lol, does that mean I can be a COBRA, or join COBRA?


0.1.0 Normal Ball Python
0.1.0 Colombian B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 EBV Red Group Pastel Hypo Jungle B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 Hypo Colombian B.C.I 2011
0.1.0 Anery Colombian B.C.I 2010

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COBRA: a ruthless, terrorist organization determined to rule the world(or the forums).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEz3JOOw5w0



I do not apologize on any level for these references. I shall now digress. Carry on.

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Originally Posted by Pyrate81

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COBRA: a ruthless, terrorist organization determined to rule the world(or the forums).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEz3JOOw5w0



I do not apologize on any level for these references. I shall now digress. Carry on.

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Sure, some groups may have the same name but we stand for different causes.

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Originally Posted by Expensive hobby

Um, I'm a cool owner of balls, reptiles and other animals...

Lol, does that mean I can be a COBRA, or join COBRA?


0.1.0 Normal Ball Python
0.1.0 Colombian B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 EBV Red Group Pastel Hypo Jungle B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 Hypo Colombian B.C.I 2011
0.1.0 Anery Colombian B.C.I 2010

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Of course!!!! Ive got to finish my weekly homework pile, and then I'll get the official member list up and running.

Come on, Mephi! Priorities! !

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

Of course!!!! Ive got to finish my weekly homework pile, and then I'll get the official member list up and running.

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Awesome, I feel even more cool now haha!


0.1.0 Normal Ball Python
0.1.0 Colombian B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 EBV Red Group Pastel Hypo Jungle B.C.I. 2013
1.0.0 Hypo Colombian B.C.I 2011
0.1.0 Anery Colombian B.C.I 2010

If be honored to join :)!

I do not currently own my animals since I am in a transitional housing however when I get my own place I can get them back as they are being fostered by a very good friend of mine. so could I still join this.

Nobody on BP.net has ever made ME feel dumb for something I've done or for asking a question, but I've seen it happen to a lot of other new members. It would be awesome if this group you guys are forming doesn't ever speak to people like they are idiots but instead offer positive and motivating advice regardless of how common sensed the question is that is being asked. I think this group being formed is great and hopefully can be an awesome, friendly, and dependable source of knowledge and advice for novice keepers like myself! :)

You all can join

And yes; basically I'm trying to recruit people who are snake owners/enthusiasts who can form almost like a 'sub-community' here. When we see one of our members posting on a beginner thread, lets say, we can all go and help that person. Hopefully this will help keep the trolls away too....I've seen some people get BASHED on here over simple noobie questions that everyone has a right to ask, so this is my way of trying to help them out.

I'll only do this if i get a Destro or Cobra Commander T-shirt.

INFIDELLLL!

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I'll only do this if i get a Destro or Cobra Commander T-shirt.

INFIDELLLL!

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I guess my lack of a childhood is showing again, but what are people referencing?

GI Joe


I can try and make up a cool little banner jpg to put in your sig or something.....

thats cool I love to join... and looking forward to it

For realz, can we make t-shirts? Lol I feel like I'm in high school again

If someone wants to get some stuff together and plan it, we sure can. I don't have funds to organize that, but I think it's a great idea...

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Originally Posted by MootWorm

For realz, can we make t-shirts? Lol I feel like I'm in high school again

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Only if we can get Ts in 5xl

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Originally Posted by crepers86

Only if we can get Ts in 5xl

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Sure thing!

Not to be a party-pooper, but isn't this what BP.net is already about? The positive, helpful folks far outweigh the trolls, and we aren't about exclusion, even if we disagree with something that is posted.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Not to be a party-pooper, but isn't this what BP.net is already about? The positive, helpful folks far outweigh the trolls, and we aren't about exclusion, even if we disagree with something that is posted.

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I agree with this. I know on occasion threads get out of hand, but it really is very rare. The mods on this site are very good, and most members are just here to help other people.

That of course doesn't mean a group like this should't/can't exist. Just as long as the group doesn't turn into a we're right and everybody else is wrong mentality. (not that I expect that at all)

Gosh Anna, way to poop on the party! Jk. Good point though

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Not to be a party-pooper, but isn't this what BP.net is already about? The positive, helpful folks far outweigh the trolls, and we aren't about exclusion, even if we disagree with something that is posted.

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What you don't want to be part of the cool kids? :rolleyes:

In theory the idea is pretty much what EVERYONE does here already without having to be part of a "special group", I also would not encourage people to ask husbandry questions in the chat room for several reasons, primarily because the question will not get the attention that it would get if posted in the appropriate forum for everyone to see.

If the question is asked in the chatroom it will be seen by a small fraction of members who may or may not have the experience to answer the question which defeat the purpose of the forum.

Is this the nice way of telling us to stop??
I wasn't trying to start a problem...just trying to engender some teamwork and cooperation between individual members/buddies on here....


Sorry if I caused a problem :(

As I wasn't talking about just helping in the Chatbox...I meant in the regular forums. I know we all do this anyway, but I thought it would be nice to get a little group of mentors together who could help each other and the other new ones.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

If the question is asked in the chatroom it will be seen by a small fraction of members who may or may not have the experience to answer the question which defeat the purpose of the forum.

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I think this is a very good point, too. I have noticed a recent trend where new members are automatically choosing usernames that sound like businesses, which can give other new members a false trust in the experience of a select few. I'm sure no one is trying to be dishonest, and being a new member in no way means you aren't experienced, but it's another reason to keep husbandry and breeding type questions in the more public forum.

Meph - Not at all! I guess I just didn't see a reason behind the sub-club, when you're already here for the right reasons. :)

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

Is this the nice way of telling us to stop??
I wasn't trying to start a problem...just trying to engender some teamwork and cooperation between individual members/buddies on here....


Sorry if I caused a problem :(

As I wasn't talking about just helping in the Chatbox...I meant in the regular forums. I know we all do this anyway, but I thought it would be nice to get a little group of mentors together who could help each other and the other new ones.

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Not telling anyone to do or not do something if you guys want to have your own group it's fine with me I am just sharing my thoughts on the issues that would arise if people started to post husbandry questions in the chat and the lack of attention that they would get.

Chat is really to chat rather than advice.

If you guy want to form your own group you could actually have YOUR own subforum with your own name like some members do (it's available with the platinum membership) and it can be private too (invitation only). You can use your private forum to chat, offer advice, have serious discussion or not.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

If you guy want to form your own group you could actually have YOUR own subforum with you name like some member do (it's available with the platinum membership) and it can be private too (invitation only). You can use your private forum to chat, offer advice, have serious discussion or not.

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I do like this idea but what if not everyone has Platinum membership? can those without that level still go into that subforum?

Also why does COBRA have to be subjected to just BP.net why not have a facebook group as well as a its own web site with its own forum. maybe (forums are easy to start and I could help with that). Also there could be a group of COBRA members in each city and you can have chapters and they can do presentations and meet ups. I can see this actually taking off with the right members

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Originally Posted by crepers86

I do like this idea but what if not everyone has Platinum membership? can those without that level still go into that subforum?

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Members sub forum are only available at the platinum membership level http://ball-pythons.net/forums/annou....php?f=89&a=19 all it takes is for one member to have that membership to open their very own forum.

I am pretty sure if a group of people wanted their own private group bad enough the could elect one person to be in charge of that group and come together to get some funds. ;)

Other members participating in that sub-forum do not need to have any type of membership.

Could we still have the group if we don't have our own sub forum??

Also, I think your idea is great, but lets start small; we don't want to get too big too quickly

Well, I'll take that as a "yes", and we'll try and will now write down the COBRA "Membership Agreement"

We may want to consider Deborah's suggestion here as well

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I am pretty sure if a group of people wanted their own private group bad enough the could elect one person to be in charge of that group and come together to get some funds together. ;)

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I think that would be great I can't wait to see what you come up with

I like the idea of our own private sub forum for COBRA members. This way we can talk about anything and post where help is needed.

... Then make a sticky there with who has donated what so we can keep track of everything if no objections are made? Just let me know.

Sounds OK to me....what do the rest of you think??

- - - Updated - - -

with this idea on the table, do you want me to wait to post the mission statement, or should I put it up now and collect the member names first??

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Originally Posted by Neal

I like the idea of our own private sub forum for COBRA members. This way we can talk about anything and post where help is needed.

We could have a voluntary $10 annual membership fee that would cover the platinum cost to have our sub forum. Then make a sticky there with who has donated what so we can keep track of everything if no objections are made? Just let me know.

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I agree with this since not everyone maybe able to pay. but I like the T-shirt idea if some one can contribute a donation to COBRA a certian amount they get a t-shirt...

I am also intrested to see what a logo would look like for us to put in or sigys

How about whoever donates gets a shirt??

If someone who has experience with graphics design wants to help out with the logos, speak now.
Otherwise we'll just have to work with my crappy attempts at a logo :D

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

Sounds OK to me....what do the rest of you think??

- - - Updated - - -

with this idea on the table, do you want me to wait to post the mission statement, or should I put it up now and collect the member names first??

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I think collect member names now have like the first i don't know 5 to 8 members be like a board member and have all the board members work on the mission statement together

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Originally Posted by crepers86

I agree with this since not everyone maybe able to pay. but I like the T-shirt idea if some one can contribute a donation to COBRA a certian amount they get a t-shirt...

I am also intrested to see what a logo would look like for us to put in or sigys

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

How about whoever donates gets a shirt??

If someone who has experience with graphics design wants to help out with the logos, speak now.
Otherwise we'll just have to work with my crappy attempts at a logo :D

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It would have to be a few donations to make it pay off.

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

How about whoever donates gets a shirt??

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well lets say if some one can only donate $4 and a member donates $28 where is the offset price for the shirt.

you could always sale shirts and a portion of the proceeds go to paying for the platinum membership to get the subforum started

I'll go through and list all the people who have shown interest in joining



EVERYONE ELSE: PM me if you want to join. If you've posted here or PM'd me already that's OK...I'll get your names down on here (that way I don't forget).

My next post will have the member list so far, and the rough draft of member charter I came up with.

how much does a plat membership cost

Alright, so the first two members were Meph and myself. Meph started the whole idea. That put's us as two board members. Then Anya came and Serpent Merchant as well. So that's 4 board members.

Any donations would be helpful, but not mandatory. They would simply help keep the sub forum open.

Meph would you like me to do the organizing of donations and what not? I'm a very good organizer.

$75/year i think


Sure Neal...That would work great; about the donations I mean

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Originally Posted by crepers86

how much does a plat membership cost

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It's $75/year.

Here are the people who have expressed some interest in this so far:

Mephibosheth1 (me!!)
Neal
Anya
The Serpent Merchant
Expensive hobby
Crepers86
MootWorm
Mrl249
Brian B801
Mike41793
Annarose15
Trackstrong83

COBRA (Cool Owners of Balls, Reptiles, and other Animals) Mission and Guidelines


First off, our primary mission will be to help new members of this forum with their reptile related questions. As an organized group of knowledgeable, encouraging, and kind reptile owners, we will do our best to spread reliable, practical advice to those who we come across.
Second, we will work TOGETHER to make sure that we provide the best info possible. Sometimes we may not agree on every husbandry aspect, but that doesn’t make one of our ways right or wrong. If a member begins to get a “Holier-than-Thou” attitude, they may be removed from COBRA membership.
Third, we will not be Trolls or Bullies. Constrictive criticism should be more constructive and less criticism. We have come together to prevent our fellow forum members from being beset by the wolves who sometimes pick on the newer, less experienced ones. However, we must beware that in our attempt to prevent trolls, we do not stoop down to their level.
Fourth, since we are a group, we can always be there for each other on the forum. When we see one of our members ask a question, be there to help them. If you see them answering a question, chime in along with them. Be active in the Random Chat and Chatbox too……we like to have company. It will be nice to know that we can always count on each other for friendly conversation and assistance.
Fifth, if you have concerns or suggestions about how the club could be run better, or you notice one of our members who is not playing nice, let me know. We will get a “review board” of 3 DIFFERENT members (not including myself and the person who contacted me) to review the person’s membership. I know that you all will never end up in this situation, so there isn’t any real need for this.
Finally, as I thought up the idea, I will kinda be in charge to start. I’m not going to be a “god mod” or anything….I don’t think that’s how our coalition should be run. So feel free to critique and provide feedback on how you think the club should be run.






NOTE: THIS IS NOT THE FINAL COPY OF THIS

WE WILL NO DOUBT MAKE NUMEROUS REVISIONS TO THIS IN ORDER TO GET EVERYTHING SORTED OUT

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Originally Posted by Mephibosheth1

Here are the people who have expressed some interest in this so far:

Mephibosheth1 (me!!)
Neal
Anya
The Serpent Merchant
Expensive hobby
Crepers86
MootWorm
Mrl249
Brian B801
Mike41793
Annarose15
Trackstrong83

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is this in order of those that showed intrest in joining