From the most directly available news source about CouchSurfing it seems that the next Collective will be held in Alaska. And congratulations to Doogy, who seems to have been hired to work for CS. I wonder what his official function will be. Translation:
i have been hired to work for CS but then [i] have to decide before March 8 if I move to Alaska with the group for this Summer…
@ valeri, @ everyone really its just you mentioned this.
i too would be sad if the success of cs is only measured in the number of members, but sheer volume of members (regardless of idle profiles likely never to be used again) seems to be the goal for these guys.
cs has reecently been marketed to the press as ‘a cheap way to travel’, hooray, more surfers who see cs as merely a free hostel! many more, a majority maybe even, that do not care how it is run and will never think to express any desire for change, thus leaving the lt or whoever with that feeling that ‘most of the members are satisfied with the status quo’.
i have used cs for years through my friends, and ‘couchsurfed’ without the site across my country just by meeting amazing people on the streets or bars or wherever, i didn’t think that a site built around that pastime could have such a shoddy top-down ‘ocracy’
stop donating for CS! you won`t benefit from it…
Is it time to start an expanded campaign in the local groups of CS?
NO MONEY FOR THE CSAC
looks like more and more people are taking the red pill
or at least getting there.
Yes Daz, the diversity of people now being openly critical is much greater – no longer just those “bitter” OCS pirates.
Here from Community Communications group is MSDANNY Australia country ambassador being openly critical of the Communication Guru’s latest newsletter.
“I´ve just read the latest collective news.
It leaves the reader a bit dissapointed. When I receive a newsletter I expect to get news from the current project – not an announcement of when I´ll get them. But better than nothing.
( is there a reason why the picture quality of the slide show has to be so extraordinary bad? )”
Why do people keep bullshi**in and talking to people like they were knuckleheads???
Summary ?? Where was the content ? where was the dialogue with the members ? (ALL the CSCT members LOGGED into couchsurfing almost EVERYDAY from pai and phuket and the other places.
Summary without content wow!!Are we dumb???
This is the funniest BS part.NOT VISIBLE ,BUILDING FRAMEWORK?
You build framewords without discussion with your ambassadors with the guys who are doing such an awesome job at the wiki. I feel back for lei (his thailand group was a failure)
THis is also funnier. THe PR group had one google document.Jim stone hid the contents of the group from everyone who was not a member out of embarassment. The PR threads where really lost.
How does Crystal Murphy from Birmingham, United States get her news??It definately was not done on the group. maybe a hidden google group ssh ambassadors cannot be trusted.
THEY ARE building? still buidling it took 6 months to even to start talking what did shonali shetty do there?
http://www.couchsurfing.com/news.html?id=184
I see 100′s of beer bottles, fashion shows ,snorkeling in each photo from the csct??
I would like to see how donna cooks to books to show all those beer bottles
WHERE are the press releases.marketing opportunities?
Wow what did she do ?Aint she special ?
Yipped crystal cant wait. but wait a minute how did she know she was already selected?
AWESOME!!! WOOO HOOO . COOL THINGS GOING TO GOING TO HAPPEN
RAD!! HI5
sounds more and more like a business endeavour everyday.
How they get caught trying to take credit for work NOT done at thailand
TAKING CREDIT FOR STUFF DONE BY NORMAL MEMBERS IN AUSTRIA
This reminds me who the CSC NZ too credit for JOHNS search work
How do the participants from thailand get to be selected AGAIN . AND it looks like the tickets are ALREADY BOOKED
FROM ONE EXOTIC LOCALTION TO ANOTHER
PRODUCTIVE AND COMFORTABLE hehe .
This looks like a way better option.Portugal was one of the first countries to put couchsurfing on the map.
looks like that huge bucket of alcohol and the orgasm cocktail wiped mandies memory . Now refresh our memory wasent that supposed to be done at the CSCT the THAI COLLECTIVE ?? OK if this is going to be done at the NEXT ONE .WHAT was done at the thai collective??
I think MANDIE is on the payroll of cs now so she is using SPIN.
Why do people over exaggerate ? BIG JOB
she says I KNOW!! WE DO NOT KNOW!!!
PERKS
MOVING HQ = making it to your part of the world what BS!!!!!
In short dissenters shut the hell up!!
Hahhah Contact person: Mattthew Brauer Last updated: March 25, 2008
.Too bad for the people who had HIGH hopes and kept refusing to take the red pill. NO DISCUSSION > HIS DECISION IS FINAL.
Has gone beind all the backs of ALL the ambassadors and the CSN
http://www.idealist.org/if/i/en/av/Org/175573-126
This looks like Mandie will vanish after the csct
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteeropportunity/147018-325
What we need in your application:
CouchSurfing Username (if applicable):
Are you able to attend the Alaska Couchsurfing Collective between 1 June – 22 August 2008? If yes, there are additional questions you will need to complete.
he was always some slimy weasel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKjiIJTRrY4
JOIN US!!!!
We’re gonna party, party
party till the break of day
and there’s nothing or no one to stand in the way
we’re gonna have us a good time
dancin’ till the morning light
Wow, they really are going after $$$$$.
Prepare for a bombardment of “Donate! Donate! Donate!” pressure in the coming months.
This also from the volunteer position ads on idealist site:
“The roles of Fundraising and Grants Coordinator requires a leader and strategist with specific experience in a wide range of fundraising techniques and funding sources. Most importantly, the applicant must demonstrate a solid track record of success increasing revenue for related organizations and be confident in accomplishing the goal of increasing CouchSurfing revenue by at least 25% within six months. Your time will be divided approximately as follows: 30% developing long-term fundraising strategies with specific objectives and priorities, 30% implementing these strategies through hands-on fundraising, and 40% developing and managing a volunteer fundraising team.
We intend to solicit funds from a variety of funding sources including member donation drives,, large gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations, grants, and public events, as well as possible corporate sponsorships and fee based services. We also intend to solicit a variety of funding types including cash, temporary living/office space, equipment, vehicles, and services. This will require an applicant with broad experience and a wide skill set. It will also require the development of a fundraising team consisting of roles dedicated to specific funds sources or types. “
This is the reason the Collective house will not be open to unannounced visitors.
So… they’re expecting to obtain 501c3 status by june 2008? That’s rich… I lost track to be honest, but the application must have taken at least 2,5 years by then. So much for credibility, I guess
The search is on!!
Location: Places >> North America >> United States >> Alaska
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=298&post=833296
Tell me what’s great about Anchorage
http://www.couchsurfing.com/group_read.html?gid=1117&post=359863
http://www.couchsurfing.com/people/alaskamatt
Casey Fenton for alaskamatt
“Partied, exchanged computer shit, etc.”
From PINKFISH for alaskamatt Anchorage, United States
Mar 25 Met in person
Extremely Positive <<<<<<<<<<<<<
He set me up with a car, a couch, lot’s of information about Alaska and Anchorage area, and a great party, and that all in 24 hours!
its making me sick…
It seems the volunteers are recruited for June 1st to August 22nd, but the house is wanted from April 15th to September 30th.
Mattthew Brauer from San Francisco, United States
Location: Places >> North America >> United States >> Alaska
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m sorry you haven’t been able to find a way to volunteer with CS. If you’ve applied through the volunteer application, then you’ve hopefully received a message explaining that we’re behind on bringing in new volunteers because of a lack of team coordinators to manage these volunteers. We’re in a bit of a catch-22 there while we get through this time of huge growth.
The good news is that we’ve made great headway with this issue in Thailand. These Collectives enable us to train and build tools for volunteer team coordinators who in turn are able to bring on new volunteers to their teams. I’m sorry these growth pains have been frustrating – they are for us too!
It would be great if you can help Susy in her search, but if you have interest to volunteer in other areas, check out the Alaska Collective page and see if any of the remote positions are of interest to you.
Other happenings
Welcome to the 33rd Annual Girdwood Forest Fair Website!
July 4, 5 & 6 ~ 2008
.girdwoodforestfair.com
beartooththeatre.net/
Location: Places >> North America >> United States >> Alaska
PINKFISH from Anchorage, United States (Permalink)
Hello everyone!
I want to thank you all for helping me out in various ways to get this house hunting for the next collective going!
Tons of information about the areas, tips to get to the housing market, leads to follow up, lot’s of meet ups over cappuchinos, and a warm welcome from all of you
I was able to present a couple of options to the team and we deceided to be stationed in Homer for this summer.
Thank you all!
susy
KNULP from Genova, Italy
Hi all, my friends! Here are some pics about my short permanence at wonderful thai csc
Enjoy!
picasaweb.google.com/maxduegiga/CSThaiCollective0708
if you wants more check also photomax.shutterfly.com
these photos are really nice…thank you for sharing them.
Looks like alaska is going the same way as thailand
Location: CS Organization >> PROJECT TEAMS: Collectives >> CSC Alaska 2008 – Public
Members
Name Joined
Picture Mattthew Brauer
moderator 04/16/08
Picture Casey Fenton
moderator 04/16/08
Picture PINKFISH
moderator 04/16/08
Picture Jim Stone
moderator 04/16/08
BUT the private group has 10 MEMBERS
and 7 posts .
Jim Stone from San Francisco, United States (Permalink)
Guess who’s back in town? Yep, ME!
While three months in Thailand was very, very cool I’m soooo excited to be back in my favorite city in the world. Yay! I’ve already seen a few of you and now, thanks to the blessings disguised by some unfortunate things, I’ll have the chance to see more of you old and even new friends.
Location: Places >> North America >> United States >> California >> San Francisco Bay Area >> San Francisco >> True Primos of San Francisco
What about those unfortunate things? Well, my motorcycle had to be towed to the shop today and it’s going to be sometime next week (Weds or Thurs at the earliest) before i’m able to see it again. Once I get it out (well, probaly after next weekend) I’m riding it 3k miles to Alaska, so while i’m not excited about spending more than the bike is really worth (and more money than i have in all, really) on getting it fixed I’m glad that it’ll be in the best condition it’s been in in a long time AND that I get the chance to meet up with more of you lovely people.
So if you know me yet or not chances are (since you’re in this group) that we’d get along famously. And this leads me to my next question: got couch?
Yep, I’m going to need to hit a few of your couches up if this is going to work, so I’d really appreciate it if any of you wouldn’t mind some extra company in your living room at night. It would be a HUGE help! What do you say?
Hope to see many of you at Will’s tonight! What’s next?
Jim!
In the Community Communications group
PS: Of course, every time I try to volunteer no one gets the message. I am doomed.
Shows how much the couchsurfing managers hate old people and people from Alaska . Yeah .
You need to be in your 20′s young and horny to get invited to the collective. That is the Fact. F UNIT.
Location: CS Organization >> PROJECT TEAMS: Collectives >> CSC Alaska 2008 – Public
You need to send them POSTCARDS lol !
So take out your stamps lick em and sent those lovely post cards by snail mail to homer alaska .
Jerme – what does some Jim being back in SF have to do with the Alaska CSC? Who cares?
By the way, the according to Community Communications group the comm team is growing. I can’t wait to see how you guys trash their every effort. Hooray for more well-meaning volunteers for you to drag through the mud!!
OCSad.
The new chick(with the nose ring) in the Community Communications group is hot!! I wont mind her being part of my f*cko group. Doogie will have more doggie days with them .
J Stoner no we don’t thrash people till the steal other people work and are stoned lazy like you were in thailand. Stoned and drunk.
You stupid prick do you even read the date the comment was made?
Ok, guys. Please stop insulting each other in such an uncreative way. It’s anonymous versus anonymous anyway, so it’s like you are shouting at a wall: equally effective.
Yes yes, OCS sucks. Yes, the LT sucks too. Now let’s see some arguments either way. Or even better, tell the world something it doesn’t know already.
tgoodden: “Please stop insulting each other in such an uncreative way.”
Yes, OCS is supposed to be about *creatively* insulting each other. Let’s please get back to our core values.
However…
“Now let’s see some arguments either way.”
Come on, Tg. OCS has *never* been about seeing both sides of any CS-style argument. Why not just be open and honest about that one? Or at least be open that you, as a OCS admin and founder, that you’re interested in creatively insulting the other side’s argument.
Doom stoner being a prick as usual !!
The other side’s argument. ROLF!! There is NO Other sites. On CS ever one is super sweet . Looks at the new ambassadors !! Welcome !Welcome!!
They do not even know where the new welcome group is located!!
What would they know about the spending tricks of casey and his pal.
Spend spend spend!!
Spend on travel
Spend on Booze , on paying money for 20 of his pals who are to lazy to earn any money on their own for a whole year.
Orgies ! Raves! The STD/LSD/420 spreading network!! wow .
wow!!
The messenger of DOOM!!
Stealing money one couch at a time!!
Collective are Using up all the money the member donated to help cs after the crash . DONATE ! GET VERIFIED !! Give the collective Alaska slackers money to slack to 6 months!! They already slacked for 6 months in Thailand.
@Doom
Sigh. “Creative insulting” is pretty obviously meant as a joke. (I’ll stop trying to inject some humor into this thread, it’s a wasted effort anyway.)
Trent Collins, from Couchsurfing said its users are advised to use the safety tools, “There have been NO major incidents within Couchsurfing and members are encouraged at all times to make sure that they are careful to see that they follow safety protocols to keep it that way.” sky.com
This is what we call Creative lying.
Or just plain lying!!!! Or could be ignorance i suppose…
can you post the actual link in some form? separate the fields so it doesn’t get stopped automatically by the site, because i can’t find it.
But why the heck do people assume major incidents don’t happen on CS, simply because they haven’t heard of them?? Tons of us know they have.
Location: CS Organization >> Operations Experts >> Public Relations & Media
Trent Collins Canada Quebec Montreal
I’m also a member of the marketing and PR team so feel free to send me your communication ideas and stories.
spin is a usually pejorative term signifying a heavily biased portrayal in one’s own favor of an event or situation; it is a “polite” synonym for propaganda. While traditional public relations may also rely on creative presentation of the facts, “spin” often, though not always, implies disingenuous, deceptive and/or highly manipulative tactics.
Public relations (PR) is the managing of internal and external communication of an organization to create and maintain a positive image. Public relations may involve popularizing successes, downplaying failures, announcing changes, and many other activities; but ethical P.R. practitioners can also convince companies to work more closely with its various publics and form win-win relationships
Location: CS Organization >> >> MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS >> Community Communications
Seeing Jim stones comments here maybe he still is a nice guy not corrupted by power…
Remember him to be the only one who was in dialogue with the members during the crash..
No points to Mandie M and pink fish who ignored Pats call to help.