Patrick

Hello, Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. We launched our community on this day, 16 years ago. KarateForums.com has such a rich history, that we have made a habit of celebrating, and that I’m deeply appreciative of. However, in honor of today’s milestone, I would like to take a moment to specifically recognize a crop of current members, who are active now, who have contributed to our community in an outstanding way this year. They have sought to grow, helped others and thought critically while also being respectful of their fellow members. They are an important, incredible part of what makes our community special in 2017. Thank you to JR 137, Alan Armstrong, Wado Heretic, MatsuShinshii, hammer, tallgeese, The Pred, bushido_man96, sensei8, Lupin1, JusticeZero, Zaine, Safroot, Wastelander, LLLEARNER, Tempest, Bulltahr, DWx, ShoriKid, Nidan Melbourne, mazzybear, TJ-Jitsu, Spartacus Maximus, ninjanurse, Kusotare, Dani_001, Wayofaswede and ashworth for really exemplifying what KarateForums.com is all about. This is not an all-inclusive list of great members, now or in our history, but of members who have really made a big mark this year. Thank you to all of them, and you, for being a part of our community. I can’t believe that 16 years has gone by since we started this community. When people ask me what makes this community special and what I am most proud of, I always talk about the people and how they treat one another, even in disagreement. Thank you to everyone who that describes. Sincerely, Patrick

Hey all, I apologize for the error in this announcement initially (it said Spartacus Maximus, but linked to Alan Armstrong's profile). Congrats again, Alan! Patrick

Hello, Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. We recognize one member every month as the KarateForums.com Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community. Our honoree for May is... Alan Armstrong. Congratulations! Thank you for the great contributions that you have made to our community. Sincerely, Patrick

Hello, Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. We are about a month shy of Heidi (ninjanurse) being a member of staff for 14 years. It was on this day, 12 years ago, that she was promoted to moderator (Sensei), from the staff guide role (Sempai). That tenure comes to an end today. The type of long term commitment that Heidi has made to this community is extraordinarily unique. I have managed online communities for 17 years, and to have someone as a member of your team for this long is rare. Not just for our community, but for any. I am tremendously grateful for her contributions as a staff member, many of which most people will never get to see, but are so important in helping this community to be the best that it can be. On Sunday, this community will turn 16 years old. Heidi became a member pretty early. She joined within the first 9 months, and has been a fixture ever since, collecting 6,153 posts (6th all-time) and 12 KarateForums.com Awards nominations (5th), receiving 3 awards (T8th). This community is richer for Heidi's presence, and I feel fortunate to have had her as a member of our team, and as a member at all. Thankfully, though her time on staff is coming to a close, she intends to stick around as a member, and I look forward to continuing to have her as a thoughtful, exemplary contributor. Everything must come to an end, and having talked to Heidi a lot about this, I support her decision and believe that the time is right. She will be missed on our staff. I have been fortunate to have many amazing staff members over the years, including our team now, which is incredible. Heidi stands out within that group. I hope that you will join me in honoring her contribution to our community. Heidi, what a pleasure it has been to have you on our team and to get to know you through the community, over the last 14+ years. Obviously, this is not good bye. I look forward to continuing to know you, both through the community and outside of it. Thank you for the incredible contributions that you have made (and will, no doubt, continue to make) to the community. The quality of the contributions you have made, the lives you have changed or made better through those contributions - it's not a small number. Thank you for your friendship, kindness and loyalty, as a member of the team, over the years. Thank you, Heidi. Sincerely, Patrick

Solid perspective on the whole thing, but also super cool to see you up there. Congrats on the renewed excitement and the investment you made to be able to hold your own up there. Patrick

Thoughts after the event, Alex?

Welcome to KF, NifanchinxSanchin! Patrick

Safe travels, Bob!

Congrats on the godson and the promotion, Whisky147! Patrick

I went ahead and gave this its own thread. Welcome aboard, navi72. Patrick

Belated welcome, Karate Guy. Glad to have you. Patrick

Happy birthday to Mo (mazzybear)! Thank you for all of the great contributions that you have made to our community. Patrick

Happy birthday to Noah! Thank you for everything that you do around here. I hope that you have a great day! Patrick

Hello, Thank you for visiting KarateForums.com. We recognize one member every month as the KarateForums.com Member of the Month for their positive contributions to this community. Our honoree for April, who has now been selected as the Member of the Month twice, is... Spartacus Maximus. Congratulations! Thank you for your incredible contributions to our community over the last (almost) 3 years! Sincerely, Patrick

Maybe one day you two can connect.

Thanks for taking the time to add your thoughts here, SaiFightsMS. Patrick

Hey Devin, That's cool! Are you familiar with Jessamyn West? She's an acquaintance of mine and pretty well known in librarian circles (she's based in Vermont). http://www.librarian.net/ Patrick

Congrats Liam! :thumbsup:

Hey Bulltahr. It looks like you (and others in New Zealand) can catch it on SoHo! https://www.sky.co.nz/soho Patrick

Welcome aboard, Christine. Glad to have you. Patrick

Good idea, neoravencroft. Online community is the focus of my work. I am an online publisher and manage communities (like this one). Drawing from my experience, I write books, speak for companies, conferences and universities and do some consulting, occasionally. Patrick

Thank you for the kind words, LLLEARNER, Bob, catlike, Bulltahr, John, MatsuiShinshii and Brian. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. Patrick

Congrats on the second stripe! Patrick

Hello and welcome, Marlon Bangkil. Small aside, I just wanted to mention that many of our members are sirs, but many are not. No big deal, but just something to keep in mind for the future. Thanks, Patrick