[B]Good evening, everyone![/B]

Welcome to our first SWC Staff Meeting here on Discord. It is truly an honor and privilege to help lead this forum and guide it to where it needs to go. Tonight, we’ll cover important topics and ideas I’ve outlined, and we’ll collaborate to find common ground and align on the best path forward.

[B]First, a heartfelt thank you.[/B]

As we close out 2024, I find myself reflecting on the incredible progress we’ve made. When I created this forum just two months ago, I never imagined it would grow this quickly. With over [B]2,500 threads[/B] and [B]12,000 posts[/B], we’ve achieved so much in such a short time. This is only possible because of the dedication, hard work, and passion of our staff and members.

[LIST]
[*][B][USER=2]@Nomad[/USER] [/B]: Thank you for your unwavering support in developing and growing SWC. From late-night planning sessions to execution, your hard work has been vital to our success.
[*][B][USER=386]@Aragon Burner[/USER] [/B]: Your dedication and contributions have been outstanding. The impact you’ve made in such a short time has left me in awe, and I’m excited to see you thrive in your role. We deeply appreciate everything you’ve done.
[*][USER=162]@ZachJ[/USER]  When he finally decided it was time to come home and did it has been a blessing as he has stepped up and fit into the role nicely. We do have something in the cards for you. We appreciate you.
[*][B][USER=145]@ArmyWife09[/USER] [/B]: Thank you for always stepping up, whether it’s welcoming new members, flagging spam, or helping with posts. Your efforts are truly appreciated, and we have exciting plans for your future contributions.
[*][B][USER=132]@METALGOD[/USER] [/B]: Having been with us since 2007 and the original SWC, your loyalty and history with this forum are invaluable. Thank you for continuing to be part of this journey.
[*][B][USER=26]@Hulk[/USER] [/B] Your work and support have been essential to our progress. I’m looking forward to achieving even greater things together in the long run.
[*][B][USER=131]@Sully©[/USER] [/B]: I saved the best for last. What can I say that hasn’t been said already? We go way back—to 2009 and the first SWC forum, Sportstalk V1 on ProBoards. Through every iteration, every challenge, and every success, you’ve been by my side. Sharing this journey with you as my co-owner makes this success even more meaningful. Thank you for your incredible dedication and friendship.
[/LIST]
[B]Looking forward to 2025[/B]

This is going to be the year we focus on [B]SEO and monetization.[/B] Every post, every initiative, and every effort must reflect quality as we push SWC to the next level. Here are the key points for tonight’s discussion:

[LIST=1]
[*][B]Staying competitive[/B]: To remain ahead of forums like Off Topic, Discussion Hub, and Chatosour, I propose creating a [B]webmaster and marketplace section[/B] similar to FP. This will attract new audiences and boost activity.
[*][B]Expanding the betting department[/B]: Adding sports like baseball and basketball will help diversify our content and appeal to a broader audience.
[*][B]Live sports ticker[/B]: A live sports ticker is a feature we need to prioritize. I’ve received an offer for a $400 add-on, but if anyone knows a coder or developer who can create this for a better price, let’s explore those options.
[*][B]Clear role distribution[/B]: To improve efficiency and prevent burnout, we need to [B]split roles between moderators and community managers.[/B] Leaders and managers should assign specific tasks to ensure steady progress.
[*][B]Monetization meeting[/B]: I have an exciting meeting scheduled on [B]January 2[/B] with a company that provides monetization tools used by major brands. This could open significant opportunities for SWC.
[*][B]Finalizing events and shop[/B]: We need to close out the ongoing events and finish adding features and items to the shop. These updates are key to improving engagement and giving our members more value.
[*][B]Consistent contests[/B]: Contests like Staff of the Month and Member of the Month must be launched consistently. This will be managed by the [B]Community Manager Leader and their team[/B], ensuring regular engagement and recognition.
[*][B]Acquiring more forums and optimizing roles[/B]: In 2025, I aim to acquire additional forums in our niche to further expand our presence. While I focus on growth and acquisitions, it’s vital that our admins manage top-level operations and ensure that our [B]middle-tier and lower-tier staff[/B] are efficiently organized to handle day-to-day tasks.
[/LIST]
[B]A personal note[/B]

I’m so proud of what we’ve built together. This forum, which was just a dream two months ago, has now become a thriving community. Seeing all of you work so hard and support this vision has been a dream come true for me. Together, we are unstoppable.[B][SIZE=5][COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)] Going Forward We will have Weekly Staff meetings on Sunday as suggested by [USER=2]@Nomad[/USER] [/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

Thank you to all my staff and every single member. Without you, none of this would have been possible. Let’s keep pushing forward and make 2025 an unforgettable year for SWC!