....I trust that it is a "good move."

However, as an Administrator to two groups, I've become concerned with the rationale behind the decision of members within the groups that I serve, to take their leave of our group. I'm not so much concerned with maintaining a certain membership number, as I am concerned with the process by which a given individual decides to join or stay. Scroll downward to "On leaving a Chess.com group" if you wish or read on in full. First, let me say that my first Chess.com group was Mirko-Babic group: a good community.

Enter Praxis group

For reasons I cannot recall, a Chess.com Admin. from Praxis group sent me my first invitation to join a Chess.com group. While I had joined a few groups based on their theme, colors, NFL affiliations and other surface-level impressions I gleaned from reading the group profiles, prior to "knightspawn's" invitation, I'd never been sought out to join a group. I explained to knightspawn that I had very recently had a bad experience and he replied that the maturity of Praxis group wouldn't abide "flaming" or anything remotely close to the rude exchange I had experienced as a new Chess.com member. I joined Praxis.

At present, I am affiliated with 6 groups and I am about to join another if they'll have me: Christian Chess Warriors, I believe is their group name. Personally, I don't foresee having a need for more than 8 group affiliations. In keeping with this idea of no more than 8 group affiliations, I have made a sacrifice of leaving off with one group in exchange for another. For example, my investigation into Christian Chess Warriors group is based on my desire to establish a fellowship to some of the members there, whose comments I've read...and was impressed by. And, though he doesn't know it yet "nubianprince" is one such member that has peaked my curiosity about Christian Chess Warriors group. My other interest in becoming affiliated with this group is because I haven't managed to engage with fellow members in much of a dialogue, from King of Kings; nevertheless, it is a very good group for receiving daily inspiration from quotes from the Bible....and, the "kingsmen" (as we men and women are called) are strong! I'm undecided on whether I'll sacrifice my King of Kings affiliation for Christian Chess Warriors group.

On leaving a Chess.com group

Just Know This: taking a leave of a Chess.com group can serve as either a benefit or a hazard. If it's a benefit to the one who has decided to move on, it's not my problem. On the other hand, when a member of any group under my Administration takes their leave of the group, I intend to do my very best to seek that member out and gently woo them back to the group, if the situation warrants such an invitation. And, if you can "Woo, Woo, Woo" like Jeffrey Osborne, then I encourage all groups and all members of all groups, to do the same for your group colleagues who I have taken their leave from a group. :-)>

My primary motivation for going through the trouble of seeking out old members who have left a given group is two-fold: (a) because I know what it is to leave a group and I know what genuinely good feelings it engenders in a person's mind to be included, to be "welcomed" back, to be "wanted"...if you will AND (b) the group is better served when a member doesn't leave at a critical time in the group's various team events: matches, tournaments, etc.

In wrapping up my ruminations on the matter, I'd like to offer my thanks to my colleagues in Praxis group (especially "Teja", "otherdog" and "knightspawn" whle at the same time giving a SHOUT OUT to my freshly invigorating groups "Misty Rivers Chess Club and "Chess Etiquette !"

If you're thinking about leaving either of the aforementioned groups for which I am an Administrator, get at me and let's discuss your next move. As GM Susan Polgar has instructed my 5 year old daughter along with countless other chess players, "Think before you move!" as opposed to, having made a premature move and then giving a thought in retrospect!"

I'll meet you down by the river side....

Truly,

My name is John Smith and I am number IV

SuperAdmin: Misty River Chess Club

www.irvingisd.net/~jsmith/

Misty River Chess Club

Super Admins

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