Mentioned this idea in the Shoutbox, but wanted to make it a bit clearer here. This thread is for discussion, and opinions on the idea before dismissing or commencing with it
Basically we have a variety of awards awarded to members by the Forum, at the end of each year. Some of us thought that there was too much to do at our upcoming events to award physical prizes, but we could always award virtual ones - such as a golden badge next to winning members, visible across the entire site. I think that I can handle handing out a little prize to any winners at an event, anyway
End of the World one would be simpler maybe, as we have less to organize there than at Twixmas.
What kinds of awards? Well, the main coveted one would be
Member of the Year - a thread for nominating members, and then after a given amount of time we can have an online secret ballot on the site... With the winner not to be revealed until an event, or if not at an event on a given date eg 31st December. Admins can not be nominated for this award, but Moderators and regular members can, as long as they've made at least 1 post on the forum.
Other awards could be "Best Photo-Geographer" (Most correct Where in the World guesses) and, well..... Why not
suggest more ideas for awards below (I think 3-5, including Member of the Year, is a good amount, to keep it simple and a smaller number of them will make winning an award more special )
I think the awards would be a good way to promote and encourage use on the forum, and CacheWalker
Thoughts, rants, opinions, suggestions below