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Making these forums for RR's only

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Aug 28, 2008 2:54 pm

As discussed previously on this board, there seems to be a real interest in limiting membership to these forums to Registered Reps only.  By the same token all members insist on total anonymity for a variety of fairly obvious reasons.  This presents us admin types with quite the enigma.

Since we will be migrating this forum to newer, better software in the near future, now is a great time for the membership to let it’s voice be heard. 

Here are some possible ways this can be achieved:

1) All registrations need to be approved by admin. This would perhaps require the input of a license or identification that allows us to verify identity and occupation. Downside is that new members would have to wait for a period of hours or days for their membership to be approved and would be unable to post during that time.

2) Special groups are created for confirmed Reps vs new unconfirmed new registrations. Therefore it would be very easy to identify those posters that are indeed RRs.

I still need some ideas on a way to confirm identity and occupation as a RR that uses non-public information (so that identities cannot be misappropriated).

Please give me your input.

Aug 28, 2008 3:04 pm

What about individuals looking to learn more about a firm?  I found this to be a great asset before I got an offer.  It is a wealth of information at understanding what all is entailed with the position.  I agree with the two designated areas.  Although, one should be for those who are willing to submit some kind of verification, and another for those who are just looking to learn about the position and firms.  The latter tends to be the more commonly discussed topics here.  Its a thought.

Aug 28, 2008 3:05 pm

Forcing us to prove that we are RR's is a bad idea.  The problem is that we don't have 100% trust that this information will be kept confidential.  If I had to confirm my identity in some manner, I would no longer post.  There is also no reason to not allow other professionals to post...attorneys, cpas, RIAs, insurance agents.

What about an easy solution?  How about if the board just states up front that only registered reps can post and read the board?   If someone is obviously not an RR, just go ahead and ban them. 

Aug 28, 2008 3:29 pm

I personally like a hybrid model that would allow non-registered folks interested in exploring this career path a place to interact with those of us in the business (if we choose to do so).  However, like most here, I’d like the rest of the forum to be off limits to the general public and would be willing, if necessary, to supply evidence that I am in this industry to a forum admin for posting privileges.  Frankly, there’s plenty of evidence for several regular posters to waive proof of industry experience.  By now, I think we can all agree that posters like Stokwiz and Bond Guy are in the industry and should not be required to provide further proof to post and read in industry restricted zones.  Surely, posters such as those can have the proof of industry involvement waived when the evidence through past posts is compelling.

  As far as a way to confirm identity and occupation, how about the registration number from my RRMag subscription?  I assume that this number is on the address label and surely provides some compelling evidence that I'm in the industry?
Aug 28, 2008 3:33 pm

[quote=anonymous]

Forcing us to prove that we are RR’s is a bad idea. The problem is that we don’t have 100% trust that this information will be kept confidential. If I had to confirm my identity in some manner, I would no longer post. There is also no reason to not allow other professionals to post…attorneys, cpas, RIAs, insurance agents.



What about an easy solution? How about if the board just states up front that only registered reps can post and read the board? If someone is obviously not an RR, just go ahead and ban them.

[/quote]



I agree with the concept that we want to keep our identity private but as along as RREPS provide us with a privacy statement stating our information is secure and they will not provide it to anyone outside of RR then I am okay with the ID confirm… I would hope that once we provide information stating who we are that we would have the option to change our e-mail address back to some ultra private unknown address. This will allow our business e-mail to stay private just incase RREPS has the same reoccurring error message that allows others to see the e-mail address listed for our account.



I also see merit in having a ‘wing’ on RREPS for NEWBIE’S wanting to get in the industry to be able to ask some questions but it could be set up like the ghetto at ************************** and we the actual Registered Reps could go there and answer their questions.



By the way- Thanks for seeking our input.



Miss J
Aug 28, 2008 3:35 pm

[quote=admin] [quote=anonymous]

There is also no reason to not allow other professionals to post...attorneys, cpas, RIAs, insurance agents.

[/quote]

I too believe these professionals are vital members to this community.[/quote]   +1.  Obviously Bill Singer et al are welcome here and given the fact that members of that profession don't have the compelling need to remain anonymous, it should be easy to get evidence that they are in the profession they claim.
Aug 28, 2008 3:36 pm

Here’s a solution:  delete my membership.  If newbies want to ask questions, don’t allow these people to discourage them.

  There problem resolved.  I'd suggest anyone wanting to learn about the career field not admit you are not in the career field.   Delete my membership.  I'm done here.  I've done my job to fight cyberbullying.  Too bad joedabrkr had to delete his membership and it was because of the antics of you so called 'professionals.  Sad.   Thanks admin for doing a great job here and being fair to all.   Please delete my membership now.  Thanks! 
Aug 28, 2008 3:47 pm

Anonymity is very important not only for industry rules but just to avoid being harassed off of the forum, IRL.  I agree with Miss Jones and Indy in this respect.

However, I do think it is important that people that are interested in getting information about the industry with the idea that they may become RReps or otherwise make a career should be able to interact with the RRep posters.  Many who have been inquiring have really gone on to take their exams etc.     I enjoy giving information from my experiences that might be able to help someone else just starting in the industry.

In addition, most of us in the Indy world have limited interactions with others in our field, basically due to the nature of running a sole proprietor practice or a small Indy office.  The ability to discuss and learn from each other without the general public being involved is important for candid and worthwhile discussions.  Our aruguments and disagreements about product (VA EIAs), process, and investment strategies are best kept in the “secluded” area.

Perhaps having us input our registration number from RRep Mag as an identifier for the more professional sections of the forum (this could also increase your circulation ) and an open area for everyone else would be workable.

There still would be no way to eliminate the annoying trolls or the enquiries by innocent web surfers who don’t understand the nature of this board and think of it as a chat room.  Our best way to deal with those is ignore/shun the trolls and nicely explain the restrictions on giving information over the internet to those who are sincerely seeking financial information.

Aug 28, 2008 3:50 pm

There is also no reason to not allow other professionals to post…attorneys, cpas, RIAs, insurance agents

Absolutely.  I have learned many valuable things through posters like Anonymous and discussions about insurance and tax (CPA) type issues.   RRep is just part of what we do and we need to have input from other professionals in related fields.

Aug 28, 2008 3:51 pm

Going backwards in another thread, I see Tarheels had the same idea about using the rrmag account # to join here.  I think it’s a great idea, but wanted to tip my hat to Tarheels for thinking of it first.  I still think there should be exemptions for some long-time posters who in my mind have certainly proven their industry bona fides whether or not they subscribe to RRMag.

  Also, in light of CB's post above, and the fact that many here want CB to go, you should honor her request and delete her profile.  I will say this, she didn't do half the damage that Bobby Hull and his various personalities did here.  Feel free to disagree, but I'm calling that one as I see it.  That kind of behavior has no place here as it resulted in the loss of more than one quality poster.
Aug 28, 2008 3:59 pm

I don’t see anything good from having to give our names, firms, CRD #'s, etc…

  But I agree that the general public shouldn't have access to this stuff.  Ferris, Indy and Babs bring up some good points.   Why can't the admins just be willing to boot people that are obviously not reps?  It's not like there are a ton of them, and it's pretty obvious when we all know which ones they are.
Aug 28, 2008 4:21 pm

[quote=Ferris Bueller][quote=charlie_broker]Here’s a solution:  delete my membership.  If newbies want to ask questions, don’t allow these people to discourage them.

  There problem resolved.  I'd suggest anyone wanting to learn about the career field not admit you are not in the career field.   Delete my membership.  I'm done here.  I've done my job to fight cyberbullying.  Too bad joedabrkr had to delete his membership and it was because of the antics of you so called 'professionals.  Sad.   Thanks admin for doing a great job here and being fair to all.   Please delete my membership now.  Thanks! [/quote]   Deleting your membership is a start and we all know you'd never create a new one.   We need safeguards to keep people like you and Macca from creating new accounts and coming back.  Thanks, but let the adults continue the conversation.[/quote]   Does your feeling apply to your buddy also Ferris?
Aug 28, 2008 4:31 pm

[quote=Ferris Bueller][quote=Primo][quote=Ferris Bueller][quote=charlie_broker]Here’s a solution:  delete my membership.  If newbies want to ask questions, don’t allow these people to discourage them.

  There problem resolved.  I'd suggest anyone wanting to learn about the career field not admit you are not in the career field.   Delete my membership.  I'm done here.  I've done my job to fight cyberbullying.  Too bad joedabrkr had to delete his membership and it was because of the antics of you so called 'professionals.  Sad.   Thanks admin for doing a great job here and being fair to all.   Please delete my membership now.  Thanks! [/quote]   Deleting your membership is a start and we all know you'd never create a new one.   We need safeguards to keep people like you and Macca from creating new accounts and coming back.  Thanks, but let the adults continue the conversation.[/quote]   Does your feeling apply to your buddy also Ferris?[/quote]   I'm addressing the issue of non-industry people being here.  As for my 'buddy', he is he and I am me.[/quote]   So as long as they are in the industry, you approve of users being disruptive for the purpose of being disruptive?  I realize you were speaking to non-industry people, I was asking your opinion of your buddy and his antics.
Aug 28, 2008 4:45 pm

Where is the answer key, I want to know how I did.

Aug 28, 2008 5:12 pm

Most RIAs/Life Agents/RegReps should pass pretty easily

  So can anybody who knows how to Google     It's a quandry and I have sympathy for the Admins who are trying to solve this and yet keep everyone happy.   My personal solution is to ignore the trolls (unless I'm really bored and then it's kind of fun), read posts and threads from posters who I have gotten valuable information from and DON"T GIVE INVESTMENT ADVICE.   Discussing hypothetical situations in general without making product recommendations or soliciting business is not against industry rules.   I would hate to see the forum become too namby pamby.   There is a middle ground between hostile flaming and being boring milktoasts because we don't want to offend anyone.
Aug 28, 2008 5:32 pm

Difficult task to find that " middle ground " and still be able to provide thoughts , comments and experiences that can be shared with Members. Much like Babs , my personal answer to the trolls is to ignore ( well almost ignore ) and on the lighter side, on those days…a couple of Trolls have been actually quite amusing. NO I WON"T NAME NAMES.

Aug 28, 2008 5:45 pm

Subscription List may be a PARTIAL answer to the problem? Ice mentioned he just recently subscribed to the Magazine , I also fall in to that category. For Members in Canada and the U.K. the question then becomes will their magazine subscription be processed and sent to the above countries?

Aug 28, 2008 6:22 pm

iceco1d,

  Can we get CE credit for that quiz? 
Aug 28, 2008 6:31 pm

I like the subscription # idea.  I am not too keen on releasing my CRD.

Aug 28, 2008 6:43 pm

Ferris - the subscription idea put forth by Ice does have merit. In my humble opinion , I can not see the troll types subscribing to every Forum that they wish to join to be able to play havoc with the sites?