I'll be stepping down as site co-steward in November! 😄

[Nu-and-the-Nus]

Hi all! So, the announcement is finally live: I’ll be stepping down as site co-steward on November 16!

I’ve been working on this transition behind the scenes for a number of months. I wanted it to be as smooth and seamless as can be. But now, come November 16, I will retire from all of my site (and server) responsibilities.

I’m excited to retire. I miss having the time to write stories for the site… I’ve written very little since taking on the site steward role—I’ve had no time! And I really miss being just a regular ‘civilian’ of the site, too.

In March 2024, I took on the role of site steward at Corin’s request. I could tell, too, that Corin needed a much-deserved break from the hard work of running the site. I could see how it was taking its toll on him, and it was one reason I agreed to take over for him. It is a lot of work—and too much work for one person.

So when I agreed to take on the site steward role in 2024, I did so with two goals in mind:

1. I’d do my best to reorganize the work on our backend, so that the work of running the site was more evenly delegated, and not too heavy a burden on any one single person.

2. I’d step down myself as soon as things felt comfortably like they didn’t need me to be there anymore.

And I believe we’re at a point where things do feel comfortable, and are running very smoothly!

Corin’s back on board now. And—with the new structures, and the systems of delegation—he no longer finds things as overwhelming. Meanwhile, Soren’s found his stride as an excellent site steward. And the expanded approvers team has been in absolute top-notch form! (Seriously I am so proud to have worked alongside you all!)

Things feel like they’re in really good shape right now.

So that’s why I’m stepping down.

And just to confirm: I will also be stepping down from my mod role on the GEF Discord server. And I will be stepping down from running the site contests, and from having any sort of approver role too. Like I said earlier: it’s time for me to be a civilian again. In fact, I am rather eager for it!

But let me say, before I do it:

Thank you, all of you, for making this site what it is. Without the community, without the authors, without all you readers—without our volunteer team whose hard work keeps everything running—without Corin, who built the site up into its current wonderful form, and MonsterMash62, who rescued the NCMC from near-erasure in 2016 and resurrected it as the GSS before passing it on to Corin—without all of you, we wouldn’t have this site at all. And the many dear friendships and close connections would never have formed either. I’m so grateful for all of you. And for all of this.

Thank you.

P.S. If you have any questions about anything, please feel free to ask them in this forum thread! I will reply as best I can when I have a moment in between offline responsibilities. We’ll lock the thread on November 16, but you can ask away before then.

[LeatherMarc]

Thanks for your hard work

[screamingmoist]

Huge thanks to you (and everyone on the team) for all the work you do!

[PupVince]

We, and the users, have to thank you.

Thanks fpr your energy you have spend for the site.

Your effort to reorganise the “approval back office”, creating a team and checking for the rules (and and and)

This year I was most time absent, because of job, health and family isssues, but followed all the changes. The result is amazing.

And now, we are looking forward to get new stories you will write….

[PerpetuallyErect]

I just want to thank you for all your hard work and say that we all benefit from your efforts and the results you’ve achieved.

The story competitions have been amazing, but all your labors are seen and appreciated.

Thanks, friend, and I look forward to all the excellent stories you’ll have time to write now.

[SwimJock]

A much deserved break! We love you, Nu!