The future is female

Re: The future is female

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:17:46 GMT

[quote user="J G Wray"]It's not ambitious enough[/quote]

Er, I wasn't trying to be ambitious. Liz had a good idea, so I thought I'd try and bring it to life. Nothing more.

[quote user="J G Wray"]vetsurgeon.rog is insufficiently inlfuential[/quote]

To do/achieve what?

Re: The future is female

J G Wray — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:10:52 GMT

[quote user="ruths"]The wiki is a top idea, though![/quote]

It's not ambitious enough and vetsurgeon.rog is insufficiently inlfuential. I note the latest advert for Santander shows a women in charge of her group of veterinary practices. The Government campaign to explain PAYE changes esp for part timers shows a very tall lady vet. If these people get it then there is scope for something much bigger.

JGW

Re: The future is female

ruths — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:14:21 GMT

The wiki is a top idea, though!

Re: The future is female

ruths — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 09:13:45 GMT

Re moderation, I have been browsing here in the last week or so and peeked in the controversial topics. Sheesh! I'm not surprised people don't post. I find it odd that a 'play nicely' area is being suggested. Surely the whole place ought to be a play nicely area. Somebody else suggested they would "have a go" at somebody's opinions, not them as a person. Again, the language is not really encouraging people to post. Arlo, how many people post here in a weekly basis? How many active members do you have? This is quite a niche place tbh And I shudder at the thought of mumsnet, it's a jungle out there!

Re: The future is female

Liz w — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 22:02:19 GMT

Thanks, Arlo, that is exactly the sort of thing that would be useful. It might also be helpful to add a list of discontinued drugs.

Re: The future is female

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:36:45 GMT

[quote user="Liz white"]here or on the RCVS Website, a simplified diary of changes that have been put in place, in chronological order, covering such as changes to The pets passports, the 28 day rule for open bottles etc, so that it is straightforward to check on what has been altered since you last worked.[/quote]

Liz, I've started work on this: http://www.vetsurgeon.org/wikis/veterinary-history/2013.aspx

Any thoughts on the very rough first draft format? I think the one thing I have in mind is to add a section about new qualifications introduced.

What else could I add?

I plan to set up the basics of this, going back as far as I can, then invite everyone to add anything I might have missed.

Re: The future is female

Rob Loxley — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:18:17 GMT

[quote user="patrick murphy"]just returned from holiday, but for the poster that took the time out from their day to comment on my tub table that it was arousing some interest on e-bay, to say, in such a nice way, that a stick of sh..t would get interest on e-bay, and that it was only the insert (duhh the most improtant part) that it sold for £112 that will go to the animal charity of my staff's choice, who did it all of the e-bay stuff. another positive and helpful forum post.by the way did they sell their unwanted vapourisor.[/quote]

Miaow! Maybe you should PM Gerry rather than sharing this with us all - or at least post your reply in the correct topic (http://www.vetsurgeon.org/forums/p/14641/84988.aspx) ?

Re: The future is female

patrick murphy — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 17:13:11 GMT

just returned from holiday, but for the poster that took the time out from their day to comment on my tub table that it was arousing some interest on e-bay, to say, in such a nice way, that a stick of sh..t would get interest on e-bay, and that it was only the insert (duhh the most improtant part) that it sold for £112 that will go to the animal charity of my staff's choice, who did it all of the e-bay stuff. another positive and helpful forum post.by the way did they sell their unwanted vapourisor.

Re: The future is female

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 08:57:17 GMT

[quote user="Julie Innes"]So I opened my own practice![/quote]

As did my husband and I, when our eldest was 8 months old. A drastic but ultimately wonderful way to solve the 'inflexibility of bosses' issue!

Re: The future is female

Anthony Dennison — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 01:18:12 GMT

I grew up in my mum's practice - I went from cleaning kennels after school, to reception duties, all the way to nursing work. Mum went part time for a bit when we were younger but went back to get away from us! I saw 10 times as many caesarians before I was 16 than I have been involved with since starting vet school and working

Re: The future is female

Julie Innes — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:17:51 GMT

Interesting discussion. I did what a lot of mums do and went back p/t when the kids were 6 months (you only got 6 months mat leave then). I had a bit of a wobble, and wasn't really keen to go back even part-time, but my husband insisted, as he said I would regret it if I didn't! When my youngest (of 3) was 3 yo, I found the running about to school and 2 different nurseries was becoming a real stress, and there was talk of them taking away the school bus, which would have meant me having to physically be at the school for 9am and simultaneously at work at 9am!

So I opened my own practice! Just down the road from the school . I set my consulting times so I can dash up the hill and get the kids, bring them back to the surgery, do their homework downstairs in the staff area, and consult again 4-6. It was harder when youngest was still at nursery, but now they are all at the same school it is better. I am lucky in that my dad lives next door, and often picks the kids up early evening, or my husband will pop in on his way home and get them. I guess it seems a fairly drastic way of dealing with the childcare issue, but it works for us! They were off school today and spent the morning "watching ops" (but mainly getting on my nerves and drawing on the whiteboard!) I reckon at aged 5, 7 and 9 they have seen more than many prospective vet students- pity none of them want to be vets, particularly!!

Re: The future is female

J G Wray — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 13:08:16 GMT

Even the government knows

http://www.chtdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/PAYE_VET_cht_march-13-150x150.jpg

JGW

Re: The future is female

bob lehner — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:59:20 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Thinking one possibility is to create a separate forum for female veterinary surgeons.[/quote]

No - don't do that - instead make a special 'boot camp' forum reserved for all those alpha-males who just want to bang on endlessly about the RCVS, RMB, homeopathy, cycling etc. etc. Restricted entry - only available to those with testosterone levels above a certain limit, to be determined by yourself. Lock them in there and then throw away the key.

The rest of us more gentle souls could then continue to enjoy civilised, educational and entertaining discussions......?

Re: The future is female

Rob Loxley — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:48:38 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]Sure "you are an arrogant stupid person!" is personal[/quote]

And Tom Lonsdale remains an MRCVS purely so sites like this will give him his little bit of publicity to accuse the entire profession of 'pig ignorance' and there doesn't seem to be a jot of moderation in sight?

The tone/house style of the site has to be set and enforced by the house and there is far to much personal vitriol here, IMHO.

Re: The future is female

fluffygirl — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 22:50:34 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="fluffygirl"]Except I seem to remember a thread where some fairly harsh criticism was made of those of us who felt more comfortable posting anonymously.[/quote]

In general, posting under your own name makes you think harder about what you post. In my experience, forums where anonymity is the norm have far more issues with trolls and flaming.

Not sure that's been my experience.

I also don't see why you would be more upset or offended by someone's reply if you posted under your own name rather than an anonymous one?

[/quote] Neither do I. I have other reasons for wishing to remain anonymous.

Re: The future is female

Mark Hedberg — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:18:23 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]

I'll have a go at your utterances if I think fit but not at you.

[/quote]

Well said. Wish this was more widely followed. (not just talking about forums, talking about people in general.)

Re: The future is female

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:12:37 GMT

[quote user="fluffygirl"]Except I seem to remember a thread where some fairly harsh criticism was made of those of us who felt more comfortable posting anonymously.[/quote]

In general, posting under your own name makes you think harder about what you post. In my experience, forums where anonymity is the norm have far more issues with trolls and flaming.

I also don't see why you would be more upset or offended by someone's reply if you posted under your own name rather than an anonymous one?

Re: The future is female

Anthony Todd — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:06:48 GMT

[quote user="Liz white"] I would say a lot more if I wasn't putting my name to it![/quote]

See above and go for it!

I'll have a go at your utterances if I think fit but not at you.

Re: The future is female

Anthony Todd — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 21:02:32 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]When marketing agencies sit around a table having a brainstorming session, there is a firm rule that you are not allowed to criticise someone else's idea, only propose a better one. I have to say, it had a very positive effect on the brainstormings I attended.[/quote]

Surely to create a better idea you have to show why the previous idea is wrong, and that involves criticism?

I still don't understand why people take criticism of their view, opinion or comment personally. Sure "you are an arrogant stupid person!" is personal but " that's a stupid idea because it has been shown that homeopathy cannot be shown to be effective" is criticising the idea and not the person.

It doesn't matter whether the idea, thought or statement comes from a male, a female or one in between [ the "anatomy" reference previously was a joke, I assume].

Vets are vets.

Re: The future is female

Liz w — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:34:53 GMT

How about keeping the moderating the same, but if people have to be nice if we use the above smiley? Maybe by being less anti-anonymous posters, more would post? I would say a lot more if I wasn't putting my name to it!

Re: The future is female

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 18:16:18 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]How about a newbie section to the forum - where regular contributors are aware that they have to be nice? [/quote]

[quote user="Bob Russell"]Perhaps a 'play nice' area would be an idea! [/quote]

[quote user="robloxley"]IMHO, only a more robust moderation policy (at the moment it seems things have to really get out-of-hand to be moderated or people warned?), will encourage more people to post.[/quote]

All good ideas, thank you.

I think it is a combination of things. Yes, I think I need to tighten up on the moderation a bit. I think education is important too. There's a real skill to conveying thoughts in writing, and I am constantly amazed by the way that some people are genuinely blind to the way that their words can hurt, often so much more when written than when spoken. And I also think a newbies area would be no bad thing.

[quote user="tess"]

Wouldn't it be great if this were the cuture of the forum in general

[/quote]

Wouldn't it just (as long as it didn't become too saccharine coated). I'm certainly going to try and shift things in that direction.

Re: The future is female

Rob Loxley — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 19:26:02 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]the question is how do we make the forums intrinsically more welcoming to newcomers, whilst at the same time not stifling the robust discussions that are just as important to others

can anyone suggest what initiatives we could take to make the vetsurgeon forums more welcoming to newcomers, particularly women[/quote]

I'd maybe suggest a non-public survey (i.e. not on the forums, maybe a surveymonkey one) to ask people why they do/don't post, and what might encourage them if not. I'm not sure the answers would be surprising.
IMHO, only a more robust moderation policy (at the moment it seems things have to really get out-of-hand to be moderated or people warned?), will encourage more people to post.

Re: The future is female

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:58:30 GMT

[quote user="Cat Henstridge"]You're right, of course, but even when they reach school age, without a significant support system to look after them from 3.15pm until 7pm at least, it will be a challenge.[/quote]

No, you misunderstood me. Unless you're able to retire very early (lucky you) there are still some years left after they will become adults! Giving up your profession (and therefore a pretty high earning potential) would be a brave decision - none of us know what the future holds!

Re: The future is female

Anthony Todd — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:54:06 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

How about a newbie section to the forum - where regular contributors are aware that they have to be nice?

[/quote]

Perhaps a 'play nice' area would be an idea!

another forum has this:

Flame Free Zone (moderated)

Subforums

New Members & Introductions

[/quote]

Re: The future is female

Bob Russell — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 12:49:28 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

How about a newbie section to the forum - where regular contributors are aware that they have to be nice?

[/quote]

Perhaps a 'play nice' area would be an idea!