Post by TheSeaWolf on Mar 18, 2015 22:49:50 GMT
Hello to everyone! I wanted to make a thread that, in detail, describes the mission and features of Sierra Spirit Canids; both the group and the ever-important forum. Before we get started, here are the links to SSC!
Group: Sierra-Spirit-Canids
Forum: Sierra Spirit Boards
Mission
The main mission of SSC is simply to help canids, especially endangered canids.
The way we will accomplish this is by spreading awareness and knowledge. We will do this by making artwork of all kinds, with educational content in the descriptions. We can also go to already-existing pieces of art and ask if the artist would put some information in the description. We will also work to utilize zoos as means for education, and spread awareness of organizations that support these animals.
Plans of Action
Here is some information on what we will be doing to spread our message, with some hypothetical and real-life examples!
One of the main things we will be doing is simply putting information in the descriptions of artwork.
Here's the encouraging story of the day; once, SplashKittyArtist (now known as pSarahdactyls here on dA) drew a lovely African Wild Dog. I saw it as an amazing opportunity for education, so I commented; I said that the artwork was incredible, and I informed her that AWDs are endangered. I asked her if she could acknowledge this in the description, as well as maybe some other AWD facts. While I waited for her to reply, I went and wrote a journal with some basic facts about AWD and their plight; then, I put the thumbnail of Splash's piece up at the top. When she got back to me, she asked if she could simply link my journal in the description (she'd seen it because I thumbed her painting). I said yes.
Ever since that day, which was MONTHS ago, that journal has gotten over 300 views and several Favorites. Just today, it was faved again. Here's the journal, if you're interested: African Wild Dogs. I added the stuff about SSC just today.
As my story proves, artwork is an incredibly powerful tool for awareness. Over 300 people have learned a little something about African Wild dogs that they didn't know before; just because my journal is in the description of a wonderful piece of a popular artist. If we spread the word, if we tell people how to help; all of us CAN make a difference. We can work together and make this happen. SSC will work hard to utilize artwork as a tool to spread our conservation message.
We will also be spreading the word through infographics/posters! These will give facts about the animals in a visual way, as well as listing threats; and ways to help, of course! Infographics will include names of organizations where you can learn more and help. These can also be put in the descriptions of artwork. Smaller pamphlets may be created, for members to print out and take to zoos.
Zoos are a great place to educate! While zoos do have signs, SSC members visiting zoos can bring an extra level of education. We can talk about our dogs with the zoo patrons viewing them. As someone who educates zoo patrons all the time, let me tell you; a few juicy facts is all it takes. Form yourself a spiel. A few introductory facts, and then education on their predicament. For example, let's say I went to the Indianapolis Zoo; I'm standing by the AWD exhibit. I see some guests looking at them, and engage them in conversation. "These are African Wild Dogs! They are native to Africa and part of the canid family. They live in huge packs, where the males are more dominant then the females. They can have litters of up to 19 pups!" I would continue, depending on their level of interest. If they were showing any amount of interest, I would keep talking. "But they're also endangered. Poaching of them and their prey, as well as habitat destruction, have crippled their wild populations. If you look at the sign over there, *points to the sign* you'll see that they used to have a really big range; all over Africa! But now, only two small populations are left. These populations are having to inbreed more and more, because they are isolated from one another. African Wild Dogs have become some of the most endangered canids, due to these problems. Some things that are being done to help them is increased research, habitat recovery, and captive breeding in zoos. Everyday people can help by donating to organizations that are working in Africa to save these dogs, and by simply supporting zoos; zoos are dedicated to breeding AWDs, and also fund research and conservation initiatives." Trust me, these kind of speeches CAN get people really interested. Oftentimes, especially at a bigger zoo, additional people will come and listen while you're talking to the original people. While there are guests who don't care, there are also guests that become very interested. It's ALWAYS worth a try, because there is ALWAYS a chance that those people will now care; will now want to help. If you don't like talking that much, SSC will most likely make printable info sheets and infographics to hand out. If you're really just too shy for any of that, it's 100% okay. (:
But if you aren't too shy, this kind of action would be AMAZING.
As you can see, I have quite a lot of ideas on what we can do to spread awareness. More ideas can be discussed, and be acted upon; the more members we have, the more effective we will be.
Features
The Features will most likely come into play on the Forum. Features are simply what we will provide, things that you can do within the group, etc.
Information gathering and sharing is probably the most important feature, and will happen mainly on the forum. Sharing of websites, research, facts, and discussion thereof. As I mentioned earlier, we will have information and links to put in descriptions. We will provide this information for convenience! All you'll have to do is copy/paste it into your art.
SSC Headquarters! We will have a fictional facility where captive OCs will be housed. I already have Jabari and Amara, and will be making more OCs when I have the chance. I strongly encourage members to design/adopt canids and house them here. While the group's main focus is endangered canids, any exotic canids can be housed at SSC. Try to keep it mostly endangered, though! Meaning I do NOT want to see us have 20 Gray Wolves and 3 Singers. Just a few of the super popular animals; if you want heaps of Gray Wolves, regular Red Foxes, etc; that's fine! But this isn't the place to house all of them.
A feature that we will have, primarily here on dA, is Sponsoring. This involves giving a few Points to the group and becoming a Sponsor, which means that you will be mentioned in the descriptions of artwork featuring whatever dog you adopted. The captive SSC dogs are the ones who will be available for Sponsorship.
Adoptables! When we breed our SSC HQ canids, we can sell the offspring! You can use the points for whatever you personally want to, but maybe consider sparing a few for the group?
Points for the group are points that are donated to the group. I'm not sure if donating to the ACTUAL GROUP will work or not; I mainly want donations to go towards commissioning artists to draw endangered canids. I think that when donating to an actual group, it only goes towards making it a Super Group. I may have to make a separate SSC Donations account here on dA, with its sole purpose being a donation pool. If anyone could help me with this question, I'd be grateful. But yes, commissioning artists will help spread our message as the artist will be asked to put or educational stuff in the description!
On the Forum, there will be RolePlay! RP are always fun, so we have boards for endangered canid RP, other canid RP, and other RP. Once SSC HQ is established, RP with our HQ OCs will have its own section.
Membership
I want this group to have more members.
Non-members will be very important as well, but I would LOVE to have more artists, photographers, writers, or simply interested people joining and helping. To make this group as amazing and effective as possible, we need people to work! The more people, the better this group will be.
If you join the group on dA, please go join the Forum as well! The forums will have tons of crucial information that will help us spread our message. We need people to help with the information gathering, so that we can educate others! By joining the group and forum, you can help with information gathering. You can get your artwork featured, and you will be helping to spread the message. You will be able to house OCs at HQ, and participate in RPs. I hope you join!
If you join here on the Forum, I recommend joining us on dA; of you have a dA. If not, just joining the forum is fine!
What can non-members do?
If any non-member decides to draw an endangered canid, but doesn't want to join the group; that person can 100% use our information in their artwork all the same. In fact, we encourage this! If a non-member does this and lets us know, I will still have their art features in the group.
Non-members can buy adoptables that we create/breed! That's absolutely fine.
Non-members can and should drop by the forums and chat with us in the Shoutbox, look through our information, etc. The forum is for EVERYONE, not just members. But members can and should contribute to the forums, while Guests can only browse and chat with us.
Non-members can be Sponsors!
Non-members can print out our stuff/memorize facts and help educate people. Although, if you’re that dedicated, we’d really love to have you in the group!
Conclusion
Sierra Spirit Canids is a group that spreads awareness and knowledge, to help exotic canids. By joining us, you will be able to contribute and make this group great. Members can be artists, photographers, writers, or anyone who is simply interested. You don’t have to contribute tons of art, or heaps of research, but I do ask members to participate in the group somehow! Whether it’s discussing things on the forums, making art, or simply chatting in the Shoutbox; try to do SOMETHING every now and then.
Thank you very much for reading! I hope you decide to join or support us.
Group: Sierra-Spirit-Canids
Forum: Sierra Spirit Boards
Mission
The main mission of SSC is simply to help canids, especially endangered canids.
The way we will accomplish this is by spreading awareness and knowledge. We will do this by making artwork of all kinds, with educational content in the descriptions. We can also go to already-existing pieces of art and ask if the artist would put some information in the description. We will also work to utilize zoos as means for education, and spread awareness of organizations that support these animals.
Plans of Action
Here is some information on what we will be doing to spread our message, with some hypothetical and real-life examples!
One of the main things we will be doing is simply putting information in the descriptions of artwork.
Here's the encouraging story of the day; once, SplashKittyArtist (now known as pSarahdactyls here on dA) drew a lovely African Wild Dog. I saw it as an amazing opportunity for education, so I commented; I said that the artwork was incredible, and I informed her that AWDs are endangered. I asked her if she could acknowledge this in the description, as well as maybe some other AWD facts. While I waited for her to reply, I went and wrote a journal with some basic facts about AWD and their plight; then, I put the thumbnail of Splash's piece up at the top. When she got back to me, she asked if she could simply link my journal in the description (she'd seen it because I thumbed her painting). I said yes.
Ever since that day, which was MONTHS ago, that journal has gotten over 300 views and several Favorites. Just today, it was faved again. Here's the journal, if you're interested: African Wild Dogs. I added the stuff about SSC just today.
As my story proves, artwork is an incredibly powerful tool for awareness. Over 300 people have learned a little something about African Wild dogs that they didn't know before; just because my journal is in the description of a wonderful piece of a popular artist. If we spread the word, if we tell people how to help; all of us CAN make a difference. We can work together and make this happen. SSC will work hard to utilize artwork as a tool to spread our conservation message.
We will also be spreading the word through infographics/posters! These will give facts about the animals in a visual way, as well as listing threats; and ways to help, of course! Infographics will include names of organizations where you can learn more and help. These can also be put in the descriptions of artwork. Smaller pamphlets may be created, for members to print out and take to zoos.
Zoos are a great place to educate! While zoos do have signs, SSC members visiting zoos can bring an extra level of education. We can talk about our dogs with the zoo patrons viewing them. As someone who educates zoo patrons all the time, let me tell you; a few juicy facts is all it takes. Form yourself a spiel. A few introductory facts, and then education on their predicament. For example, let's say I went to the Indianapolis Zoo; I'm standing by the AWD exhibit. I see some guests looking at them, and engage them in conversation. "These are African Wild Dogs! They are native to Africa and part of the canid family. They live in huge packs, where the males are more dominant then the females. They can have litters of up to 19 pups!" I would continue, depending on their level of interest. If they were showing any amount of interest, I would keep talking. "But they're also endangered. Poaching of them and their prey, as well as habitat destruction, have crippled their wild populations. If you look at the sign over there, *points to the sign* you'll see that they used to have a really big range; all over Africa! But now, only two small populations are left. These populations are having to inbreed more and more, because they are isolated from one another. African Wild Dogs have become some of the most endangered canids, due to these problems. Some things that are being done to help them is increased research, habitat recovery, and captive breeding in zoos. Everyday people can help by donating to organizations that are working in Africa to save these dogs, and by simply supporting zoos; zoos are dedicated to breeding AWDs, and also fund research and conservation initiatives." Trust me, these kind of speeches CAN get people really interested. Oftentimes, especially at a bigger zoo, additional people will come and listen while you're talking to the original people. While there are guests who don't care, there are also guests that become very interested. It's ALWAYS worth a try, because there is ALWAYS a chance that those people will now care; will now want to help. If you don't like talking that much, SSC will most likely make printable info sheets and infographics to hand out. If you're really just too shy for any of that, it's 100% okay. (:
But if you aren't too shy, this kind of action would be AMAZING.
As you can see, I have quite a lot of ideas on what we can do to spread awareness. More ideas can be discussed, and be acted upon; the more members we have, the more effective we will be.
Features
The Features will most likely come into play on the Forum. Features are simply what we will provide, things that you can do within the group, etc.
Information gathering and sharing is probably the most important feature, and will happen mainly on the forum. Sharing of websites, research, facts, and discussion thereof. As I mentioned earlier, we will have information and links to put in descriptions. We will provide this information for convenience! All you'll have to do is copy/paste it into your art.
SSC Headquarters! We will have a fictional facility where captive OCs will be housed. I already have Jabari and Amara, and will be making more OCs when I have the chance. I strongly encourage members to design/adopt canids and house them here. While the group's main focus is endangered canids, any exotic canids can be housed at SSC. Try to keep it mostly endangered, though! Meaning I do NOT want to see us have 20 Gray Wolves and 3 Singers. Just a few of the super popular animals; if you want heaps of Gray Wolves, regular Red Foxes, etc; that's fine! But this isn't the place to house all of them.
A feature that we will have, primarily here on dA, is Sponsoring. This involves giving a few Points to the group and becoming a Sponsor, which means that you will be mentioned in the descriptions of artwork featuring whatever dog you adopted. The captive SSC dogs are the ones who will be available for Sponsorship.
Adoptables! When we breed our SSC HQ canids, we can sell the offspring! You can use the points for whatever you personally want to, but maybe consider sparing a few for the group?
Points for the group are points that are donated to the group. I'm not sure if donating to the ACTUAL GROUP will work or not; I mainly want donations to go towards commissioning artists to draw endangered canids. I think that when donating to an actual group, it only goes towards making it a Super Group. I may have to make a separate SSC Donations account here on dA, with its sole purpose being a donation pool. If anyone could help me with this question, I'd be grateful. But yes, commissioning artists will help spread our message as the artist will be asked to put or educational stuff in the description!
On the Forum, there will be RolePlay! RP are always fun, so we have boards for endangered canid RP, other canid RP, and other RP. Once SSC HQ is established, RP with our HQ OCs will have its own section.
Membership
I want this group to have more members.
Non-members will be very important as well, but I would LOVE to have more artists, photographers, writers, or simply interested people joining and helping. To make this group as amazing and effective as possible, we need people to work! The more people, the better this group will be.
If you join the group on dA, please go join the Forum as well! The forums will have tons of crucial information that will help us spread our message. We need people to help with the information gathering, so that we can educate others! By joining the group and forum, you can help with information gathering. You can get your artwork featured, and you will be helping to spread the message. You will be able to house OCs at HQ, and participate in RPs. I hope you join!
If you join here on the Forum, I recommend joining us on dA; of you have a dA. If not, just joining the forum is fine!
What can non-members do?
If any non-member decides to draw an endangered canid, but doesn't want to join the group; that person can 100% use our information in their artwork all the same. In fact, we encourage this! If a non-member does this and lets us know, I will still have their art features in the group.
Non-members can buy adoptables that we create/breed! That's absolutely fine.
Non-members can and should drop by the forums and chat with us in the Shoutbox, look through our information, etc. The forum is for EVERYONE, not just members. But members can and should contribute to the forums, while Guests can only browse and chat with us.
Non-members can be Sponsors!
Non-members can print out our stuff/memorize facts and help educate people. Although, if you’re that dedicated, we’d really love to have you in the group!
Conclusion
Sierra Spirit Canids is a group that spreads awareness and knowledge, to help exotic canids. By joining us, you will be able to contribute and make this group great. Members can be artists, photographers, writers, or anyone who is simply interested. You don’t have to contribute tons of art, or heaps of research, but I do ask members to participate in the group somehow! Whether it’s discussing things on the forums, making art, or simply chatting in the Shoutbox; try to do SOMETHING every now and then.
Thank you very much for reading! I hope you decide to join or support us.