The DCMM Board of Directors is proud to announce that the club has moved to our own, dedicated forums. The new forums are located at:
http://www.dcmetrominis.org/forums/
Please note that the old forum (the DCMM forum on NAM) has been archived and is not open to any new threads or posts.
As is the usual for this type of change, there are likely to be frequently asked questions, so here is an attempt to answer them:
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Q: Why did the club move to new forums?
A: The DCMM Board of Directors decided that it was in the best interest of the club to move to forums that we (the members) have complete control over. This gives us the freedom and flexibility to do things that might not otherwise be possible on NAM. We can then have multiple forums for different purposes, and our own policies for fun things, like avatars, polls and titles. It also shields us against possible changes on NAM that we have no control over, and helps to improve our sense of community.
In addition, the new forums give us a much easier mechanism to manage the membership database. Joining the new forums as a full member is how you join the club.
Q: How different are the new forums?
A: They may look a bit different (we chose a red, white & blue color scheme, for example), but we are using the same vBulletin software that NAM uses, so it shouldn't be too difficult of an adjustment for most people.
Q: Does my NAM login automatically transfer to the new forums?
A: No, you'll have to register for a new account, in much the same way as you did on NAM. Although you don't HAVE to register the same username as you have on NAM, we highly recommend it, so that fellow members will know who you are.
Please note that the Members area of the new forums will only be available to members who are current on their dues.
Q: I have registered on the new forums, but can't see the Members area! What's going on?
A: As noted above, only current club members will have access to the Members area. If you are a current member, please understand that once you complete registration on the new forums, your account will need to be "updated" to reflect your active member status. Our Membership Coordinator, Laura Dunlop (aka GreenCactus) is the person who can help you best, so please contact her via email at
membership@dcmetrominis.org.
Q: What about prospective members or fellow MINI owners from other regions who want to drop by and say hello?
A: The new forums also have a Public area, where non-members only need to register with the forum to post (i.e. 100% free). There they will be able to post their questions or thoughts.
Q: What does it mean that the old NAM-based forum has been "archived"?
A: This means that the forum is effectively "closed" - no new threads or posts. However, it will not be deleted, so it will still be there as a reference for any of us who want to look back on previous topics.
Q: Can the old NAM-based forum threads and posts be moved to the new forums?
A: Unfortunately this is not possible. However, we will work with the members to try to establish the same or similar threads that were in heavy use on the old forum.
In addition, no new events will be posted on the old forum - they will only be posted on the new forums.
Q: There's a thread in the old DCMM forum on NAM that is not related to the club, and I'd like to see it continue... can it be moved out to one of the open forums?
A: Yes, that can easily be done! Please use the "Report Post" function on the first post in the thread, and ask that it be moved out to another forum. One of the NAM Moderators or Administrators will be happy to assist.
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If you're interested in the MINI community for the Greater Washington region, we hope you'll come check us out at our new home. Even if you just want to "stop by" and say hello - we'll be happy to see you!
Onward to an exciting 2009!
