>>I think it comes down to what Adhelard was saying about the mindset that doing something to make CF better doesn't strictly equal being an imm. In my opinion, for nearly all of the jobs you need to be an imm for (area writing obviously, but also quests, running a cabal, running a religion, etc.) having been through the whole area process and understanding how all of its pieces go together is a big big help.

People like to be credited for their efforts. It's not so much about whether you can or can't help with cf related things outside the current imm scope as a non imm, but rather how much effort you want to put in. I will give you an example. The Finnish Ski Association is real hard pressed for cash so they don't have big money to pay for assistant coaches. The work is a #### job really, early mornings, lots of bad weather, carrying gates, wrenching them in, preparing skis, having to travel a lot. But still they get young guys working for a very low pay. In fact, they have hardly any trouble finding these guys. I get payed roughly equal coaching kids, and I still have time to study and pursuit various interests. So, what's in it for them? They are in the team, they get to be on tv every once in a while, they are recognized to be in the national team. Now sure, these guys COULD do the same job without the national team jacket, but would they honestly?

If you had staff members who were in fact staff members for the sole reason of being willing to work on customer oriented things, you would be able to expect results. Whether this post as a 'marketing staff member' would include an imm char, imm forum posting tag, or whatever else is just details. Traditionally in volunteer held happenings, like a charity event to sell old stuff for the benefit of sick kids, there's some sort of a small snack involved, mayby a sandwitch and a coffee or whatever. Sure, nobody probably works a full day for a sandwitch and a coffee, but imagine the motivational effect, if the holder of the event said that only salespersons were entitled to a snack, and everyone else can do their work just aswell without.

The obvious problem ofcourse is how to determine who is suitable/qualified for such a position, since the current procedure of qualifying applicants will not handle cases like these. But I am certain that if a marketing management side of cf staff would be created, the system could somehow sustain itself.