COM & FOM Competitions - member opinion required on best way forward.

[user 4485]

Hi PA members,
Just after some feedback on the current COM (Coin of the Month) & FOM (Find of the Month) competitions format.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forums/competitions-giveaways.68/Please have your say by voting in the above poll!

Currently we run these each month & where possible offer a monthly prize/s for the winning member/s also.
Over the past few months, despite some good prizes being offered, there hasn't been a great deal of interest in either entering or even voting on the winner/s.

Not sure why this is? Cold, wet weather; waning interest; members unaware of comps etc.?

This poll is being done in an effort to get member opinion on the format of the competitions & to try to increase member interest/participation.

Are we better to:
* Leave it as is with monthly competitions & 2 entries per FOM/COM. Prizes may not be sustainable each month. or;

* Change to a 3 monthly seasonal format i.e. Summer (Jan, Feb, Mar), Autumn (April, May, June), Winter (July, Aug, Sept) & Spring (Oct, Nov, Dec) & 6 entries each for FOM/COM per season. It is more likely prizes can be sustainable for each competition winner & hopefully even 2nd place (if possible 3rd too) + a nice yearly winners prize/award. or;

* Scrap it altogether due to a lack of member interest?

Personally I'd hate to see the competitions scrapped due to a lack of interest. We've seen this year that what's perceived as the "best" or oldest find doesn't always equate to winning. It's all about members opinion via voting on the winner, taking the find + other things about it or finding it into consideration.
While we endeavour to source or purchase good quality prizes each month, this may not always be possible to sustain every month. With a 3 monthly format sourcing quality prizes may be more likely which in turn may keep interest up?

Don't forget to have your say by voting in the above poll!

 

[Dave79]

Three monthly works for me.

 

[silver]

You could try three monthly till the end of 2023 and see how itgoes

 

[WalnLiz]

The way I see it Monthly is too short a time, as many are not able to go out enough times to get a decent detect in, let alone enough sessions to find something of interest worth while showing off. Three monthly would certainly have many more members finding something worth posting.

You could even go as far as saying Bi- Annually might be even better, as that way a prize of some significance could possibly be offered as encouragement. If the finds were accompanied by a story within the threads then that could also add to the interest amongst the members as we all like a good story behind a good find.

 

[stevewilko]

3 month seasonal duration works for me too.

The total 6 entry configuration / limitation rule is not required (?) - only on the basis that most know a worthy find makes a worthy entry...

Wilko.

 

[Jensho]

Hi PA members,
Just after some feedback on the current COM (Coin of the Month) & FOM (Find of the Month) competitions format.
https://www.prospectingaustralia.com/forums/competitions-giveaways.68/
Currently we run these each month & where possible offer a monthly prize/s for the winning member/s also.
Over the past few months, despite some good prizes being offered, there hasn't been a great deal of interest in either entering or even voting on the winner/s.

Not sure why this is? Cold, wet weather; waning interest; members unaware of comps etc.?

This poll is being done in an effort to get member opinion on the format of the competitions & to try to increase member interest/participation.

Are we better to:
* Leave it as is with monthly competitions & 2 entries per FOM/COM. Prizes may not be sustainable each month. or;

* Change to a 3 monthly seasonal format i.e. Summer (Jan, Feb, Mar), Autumn (April, May, June), Winter (July, Aug, Sept) & Spring (Oct, Nov, Dec) & 6 entries each for FOM/COM per season. It is more likely prizes can be sustainable for each competition winner & hopefully even 2nd place (if possible 3rd too) + a nice yearly winners prize/award. or;

* Scrap it altogether due to a lack of member interest?

Please have your say by voting in the above poll!

Personally I'd hate to see the competitions scrapped due to a lack of interest. We've seen this year that what's perceived as the "best" or oldest find doesn't always equate to winning. It's all about members opinion via voting on the winner, taking the find + other things about it or finding it into consideration.
While we endeavour to source or purchase good quality prizes each month, this may not always be possible to sustain every month. With a 3 monthly format sourcing quality prizes may be more likely which in turn may keep interest up?

3 monthly

 

[Danny13]

Perhaps the competition can be split into 3 , COM , FOM , NOM (nugget of the month Quarter)

 

[user 4485]

Perhaps the competition can be split into 3 , COM , FOM , NOM (nugget of the month Quarter)

That's a fair idea.
Maybe Gold/Gem Find? Including single gold nuggets, gold recovery from a single wet prospecting or dry blowing session, single gem/mineral finds.
Definitely worth some more thought/discussion to make the categories a bit more specific & fair.

 

[user 4485]

Have your say on what happens on P.A. by voting in the above poll!

 

[Darren71]

Fairly new here. Didn't know they were actually competitions. Thought people just showed what they found. As a newby i think 3 monthly, it gives people that cant get out often a chance and may inspire a few to get out if they are better prizes on offer.

 

[Mike678]

Better prizes cost money . Perhaps we could have a donate area ? Money donated for 3 months could buy better prizes or given as cash or lotto tickets , to the winners ? Better prizes will give more incentive to enter . JMO ..

 

[Guessologist]

3 monthly sounds good to me, I'm in a situation myself where I'm reluctant to submit a coin find because I've already got the same prize from earlier, feels a bit greedy but also want the comp to be active....