A little clarification

[Ash]

As you may have seen, I withdrew from the SBM. I wasn't going to post this but as Bluezone posted a summary, I feel like I should clear this up with everything. For the SBM, SOME of the votes I received were from ForumCoin where I offered users their virtual currency for helping me out, some of whom have actually started using Forum Promotion as normal members.

This was in no way against the rules but Gio saw my thread and wanted to clear it up with Cameron and myself. Somehow, even after the thread having been open for over a month, some other users from one site mysteriously found out after Gio found out and they weren't happy which I can understand.

So I discussed it with Cameron and the best decision was obviously to withdraw from the competition. I don't think I did anything entirely wrong but I guess this is an important lesson for the future to ensure everything is considered for the rules.

I don't believe I did anything wrong but you may guys disagree which I would totally understand. I never meant for it to end like this and I didn't mean anything malicious.

Unfortunately, it means I can't continue as a moderator here (which is my decision). I'll still be on FP from time to time but obviously not as frequently.

 

[Bluezone777]

People were asking questions so it's best to get in front of those questions with answers to said questions instead of letting people take incomplete information, use their imagination to fill in the blanks and pass it around as the truth which leads to a whole group of conflicting stories being spread about that you really don't want.

My thoughts were that it went against the spirit of what SMB is all about which is the leaders of various communities rallying their people in support of their community to win prizes that could use to better their community. If it is just going to be coming down to who has the most funds(virtual or real) on FP or elsewhere to pay their way to victory than it destroys the entire thing and it honestly ruins it for everyone as people will simply avoid SBM in the future because of what it will eventually become and with it will taint the reputation and character of FP as well.

 

[Deleted member 43584]

I’m not against it. If the contestant wishes to pay then so be it. Also there were no rules to say you cannot do that so why should he pull out of the competition for it. Besides, he's put ForumCoin's to good use. I think he should remain, he earned it and would be a waste after paying. He obviously wants to win, so let him have it.

 

[Ash]

I’m not against it. If the contestant wishes to pay then so be it. Also there were no rules to say you cannot do that so why should he pull out of the competition for it. Besides, he's put ForumCoin's to good use. I think he should remain, he earned it and would be a waste after paying. He obviously wants to win, so let him have it.

Thank you but it's better if I stay out of the competition. It's better for me to leave than for others to leave. I don't mind losing out on the FC

 

[Deleted member 43584]

I’m not against it. If the contestant wishes to pay then so be it. Also there were no rules to say you cannot do that so why should he pull out of the competition for it. Besides, he's put ForumCoin's to good use. I think he should remain, he earned it and would be a waste after paying. He obviously wants to win, so let him have it.

Thank you but it's better if I stay out of the competition. It's better for me to leave than for others to leave. I don't mind losing out on the FC

It's your choice and we are behind you.

 

[Rick Ace]

Well, damn. I didn't think I would be reading a thread about this in Intellectual Talk.

Sadly, it seemed like complaints from members were being thrown around that Ash bought votes. 🙁 It seems like a minor issue between competing forums that got out of hand.

While it's sad to see you leave the team, I respect your decision to leave the competition to resolve the matter in your own way. Good luck with your blog. 🙂

 

[Jon]

You were a great ally to have beside me on this team @Ash, it's very unfortunate that you're leaving, although, I respect your decision to do so. You have contributed greatly to this community and that will always stand. I hope you decide to stick around FP and that we can continue to stay in direct communication. Best of luck in your future endeavors!

 

[Kino]

Gotta love FP drama that doesn't pertain to anything. You'll be a missed asset to the staff here.

 

[Deleted member 7467]

Dude, those FP shirts are worth buying votes.

 

[Deleted member 1609]

It's very sad to see one of the most competent staff members resign over something that seems to have been blown out of proportion by some people. I wish you luck with whatever you wish to do in the future, @Ash!

 

[Deleted member 44219]

I know this is a couple of Weeks old now, but you've left FP?!

That's sad for that to happen to you. I can understand that buying Votes was a bit unfair. But I would like to ask, did you decide to leave by yourself or did Cameron or another Staff Member suggest you leave?

 

[Bluezone777]

Honestly if he just admitted he was wrong and apologized than there would be no need to quit the team or feel like anyone wanted him out. If I heard a admission of wrongdoing and an apology then I would have not been for his firing nor encouraged him to quit over the matter no matter how many feathers that defense would have ruffled over it here or elsewhere. The fact he didn't do that makes firing him the best choice if he didn't volunteer to resign not because he made a mistake but he refuses to hold himself accountable for his actions. As a community team member, he was basically tasked with holding people accountable for their poor choices among other jobs so why should someone be tasked with holding others accountable for their poor choices when he refuses to hold himself accountable for his poor choices?

How can I tell he knew what he was doing was wrong? If he didn't believe he was doing anything wrong then he would not have gone through such effort to hide what he was doing from the people of FP. It's one thing to post a topic on another forum paying people to vote but it's quite another to force people to contact him privately to even know what he was doing as he said nothing in public. This to me shows he knew what he was doing was wrong going in to this.

As to how we found out isn't really all that mysterious as it's likely someone who contacted Ash about his deal found out he was paying for votes and went to Jazzy and perhaps other board owners still in the contest because they either doubted or had reason to believe staff wouldn't do anything without being put under pressure to do the right thing which seeing as staff were aware of it before we spoke up suggests that was the truth as well.

I do get however that friendship can easily blind you from doing the right thing when your friends are involved as some might be compelled to defend them no matter how indefensible their actions are.

The best friend you can have calls you on your mistakes because to this friend of yours, making you a better person is more important then you liking them.