[FlyBoy73]

This doesn't work for everyone, but over time we expanded to have sub-forums for all 50 States, since my largest forum is very regional. While we still have a global introduction forum, each state forum has its own intro forum.. They also have many other state-specific forums under each state and region. Many of the state forums have private staff forums in them and many more..

We have also experimented over the years with Staff Teams for a variety of things such as helping hands to new members, projects and strategies, etc..

Cliques are always going to exist in forums and they can be a real PITA.. You have what I would term "good/helpful cliques" and then you have the "problematic cliques".

If you deal with one of the problematic clique members over a policy or other violation, the rest of the "team" often jumps to their aid, threatens to run off and create their own forum (this has happened a time or two), and cranks up the heat with other members. Dealing with situations with them shouldn't be taken lightly.. Often, they will work in the background against you and the community.. I learned to regret a time or two giving them multiple chances when I know I should have shown them the door.. It came back to bite me when it blew up later and much worse.. My staff and I decided after much discussion to IP ban around 20 of them we knew were involved in making life hell for others, scheme, etc.. There was a bit of an outcry by their friends and others that didn't know all the details (we don't share staff actions relating to banning in most cases).. Some ask for us to close their accounts, and we immediately did.. Despite many people's claims that our community was going to die over it, the exact opposite happened.. It became much better without them.. It also sent a message that we take the policies/rules very seriously...

Ok, that got a bit away from growing intimacy, didn't it..?