First let's rehash what I told you before. To be a guide you must have a home [web page] on the Fortune City server & in the Rivendell District. That home page should conform to the general theme of the district. There is some room for latitude here but the reasonable approach dictates -- that is, if your page deals with cooking and recipes, it's a No-Go. If you're unsure of what the Rivendell District is about, recheck it's main page.

 You must be willing to spend a little of your time fulfilling your 'duties'. That is, I don't want false- starters -- people who say they will do something then either have to be constantly prodded or simply fade into obscurity. I DO want people who are serious about making the district a better place to build a home. How I expect you to do this will be outlined a little more below. I regard the time necessary as a minimum of two hours a week -- that's the minimum. Please, if you can't maintain that amount of time on a regular basis then allow this to pass by. A typical street will have up to 400 residents on it [the street may or may not be full -- currently, none in Rivendell are], I would expect that you go through the entire street once per month.

 I want people who are serious about helping our neighbors. That's what this program is about. Most of the folks out there don't want or need help, but those that do should find it readily available through us. Some residents may be shy about asking for assistance, but you will be able to see that they need it by visiting their home. A typical comment to the author of a home may be:

[emailed by you]    "Hi, I was visiting your site this afternoon and think you've really done a great job. I looked for a guest book to sign so that you'd know I had been here but noticed you don't have one. Did you know there are many free guest books available? Why not add one to your page? It's great fun to see where your visitors come from and what they have to say. If you like, email me at [email protected] and I'll give you the URL of a couple places. Keep up the great work.  Okay? Catch the drift? It's a couple of minutes worth of looking and writing AND you just made that newbie's day. The guides recommend sites on their beat for FC district and city awards, sign guest books, offer webrings and HTML help. Use your judgment in all of the above.

 This is a rehash of the paragraph above, but it bears stating -- I want MATURE people. You will undoubtedly get some folks who will respond to your kindness in a negative way -- tell you to mind your own business or something perhaps worse. Be mature enough to let it go without a response in kind [no response at all is best], realizing that person doesn't want our help. Those people are out there, I guarantee it.

 Another rehash -- we are here primarily to help, not to police, the district. There will be those times when we do act as 'policemen'. Just keep in mind that this is not our primary job. Once you apply and are accepted, I will supply you with a list of FC 'DON'Ts' for web pages residing here. A lot of that will be your judgment. If you come across a questionable site, don't be afraid to ask the assistance of another guide or myself. We'll operate as a team and decide together if a site has gone beyond the bounds or not. If you/we have determined that the homeowner is breaking FC policy then it will be your job as the Guide to make first notification to the homeowner of the problem, reference him/her to the guidelines posted by FC and politely request that they make corrections. Do NOT demand. Do NOT threaten. Do NOT flame or respond to a flame. Request. A copy of your email to them must be carbon copied to me as the overall coordinator [as a Guide, you will have access to several "form" emails -- thus you don't have to spend a lot of time trying to word the message correctly]. I will go to their page to see what you have found. They are to be given a week to revise their page. After that, you must re-visit and see what they have done. If no corrective action has taken place then you email me [this you may carbon copy to them, if you like] requesting I become involved. I will re-visit and send my own mail. If no action is taken within two or three days after this, I will contact the FC authorities and recommend their page for removal.    Truly, I think this kind of 'police action' on our part will be the exception rather than the rule.

 Okay, that's the job. Now what about some of the benefits?

 I've found there's a certain satisfaction in helping folks and being sincerely and appreciatively thanked. That's the biggest perk of all. Then there's the satisfaction of a job well-done, knowing you've made a difference. On a lesser note, FC offers it's volunteers little extras such as additional web-space after a probationary period of time. You will have the opportunity of placing the Neighborhood Guide graphic on your page, identifying you as a key resident. Your help will be sought after by those who need it. In every guest book you sign or email you send, you may place your home URL. If you want to build traffic to your site, this is a really good way to do it. That person may visit, plus others who read his/her guest book. Your page will also be listed on the list of Guides page here on this site. Hey, that's some free listings. What the heck, right?

 Does this position still sound attractive to you? Good, I hope so -- cuz I really need your help. There is no way I can do this by myself. I apologize if the above sounds curt or like a lecture, but then I'm an 'up- front' kind of gal and believe that you should know the whole story [at least as much as I know it] in advance. It saves disappointment, anger and frustration later on.

 Okay, if I haven't discouraged you by now, let's talk briefly about the application below [before you fill it out]. Here's what I want:

    YOUR FULL NAME --- I think this is self-explanatory. I mean your real name, first and last. Not a nick name.

    FC HOMEPAGE ADDRESS --- This is your web page on Lavender Hill [remember, you must have one here?]. I will be visiting it prior to accepting your appointment. Check to make sure the address is correct. I've filled out most of the URL -- all you need to do is put in the street and house number.

    E-MAIL ADDRESS --- I need some way to contact you. Make sure the email is correct -- double check it.

    LEVEL OF HTML EXPERTISE --- There is no requirement that you be a web page guru -- I'm not. It's not a requirement that you even know any HTML at all. I just want to know where you think you're at for reference purposes. Be Honest!

    YOUR AGE --- I'd like to know. Whatever you enter here will not necessarily disqualify you [though I doubt I want too many three-year-olds *grin*]. I'm trying to get a profile on you, okay?

    INDICATE 'STREET' YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ASSIGNED TO --- at least for starters, there will only be one Guide per street, at least until the streets are all filled. Some streets may be full of residents while others are empty. I will look at your desires and the requirements of the district. I don't need a Guide for an empty street. I think it highly desirable to place a person on the street where he/she has their own home, but won't guarantee that. Look at the guide roster [click here to check] and make a choice from the unfilled slots, please.

    HOW MUCH TIME WILL YOU HAVE AVAILABLE EACH WEEK --- Again, I'm trying to get a profile on you. Remember, I expect at least a contribution of a minimum of two [2] hours per week. If you don't think you can meet that, you need to wait to apply until you have more time. The time does NOT have to be in a block [that is, all at one time] and no one will be keeping track of you. You must be honest with yourself.

    BRIEFLY TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BECOMING A GUIDE -- Please be candid. I want to know you. I want to know who you are, what you're interests are, why you think the NGP is the program for you. Please don't give me a bunch of double talk - just tell me who you are, okay? I realize this is a volunteer thing and will not chastise you simply because you're not a mirror image of myself.

 Okay, that's it. Let me congratulate you on having the community spirit to join an organization I believe will really make a difference. I hope to have you working on my team very shortly. I'll email you back with your appointment and more details as well as a street assignment. If you have any questions, feel free to email me personally.

Best Regards,
Lilith's Childe