I can’t string these thoughts into a post, they might work better like this:
It’s good to plan some fun. House parties would be terrible if no-one remembered the alcohol.
People are more willing to do things if it’s fun; Turn up, donate money, write software code, cycle across Africa, e-mail a senator, meet up in person, buy your products!.
If your community is more fun than television, you win big.
If your community feels like work, you lose bad.
Fun is worth measuring. Every 3 months ask: “Is the community more fun now than it used to be?”
Use the sentence “getting out of hand” with extreme caution.
Fun Fridays are a good idea. So are Caturdays.
“What’s everyone got planned for this weekend?” is a valid question.
Silly avatars, in-jokes, pointless phrases and a healthy does of jest, are good.
Congratulating people about engagements, babies and promotions is fine. Congratulating their appearance or body characteristics, is not.
Publicly denounce things that have gone too far. But use with restraint.
Steal from tabloids. The same people who hate books, spend hours every day reading newspapers. Steal some ideas. Gossip columns?
If it doesn’t feel like work, you wont be held to work hours, or compete with work projects. Fun is always worth the investment.
Making your community fun is part of your job.
