As might be expected as I’m a long time SYC member, my page has the coveted Verified check mark indicating that at least three members have said they know me and I am who I represent myself to be. Recently, a newbie misconstrued what verification is supposed to be and was somewhat insistent, albeit polite, that was supposed to verify him because as he saw it, if you’re on the verification list, it’s a duty to verify folks whether you know them or not.

Perhaps it needs to be made clearer that just because one is capable of verifying others; it’s a privilege rather than a duty to verify others. For myself, I have no problem verifying someone if I’ve corresponded with them before and/or can see that they are longtime Forum or Blog correspondents. Otherwise, I can’t, or more accurately won’t, verify someone who I don’t know to be who they say they are.

Verification is a privilege of being a long time member, one who has reached out and made contacts often enough that others know they’re honestly representing themselves as who they are and; that at least three other SYC/D members are willing to vet them.

So, if you’re a newbie and want to be verified by me, communicate with me and when I’m comfortable with you and would recommend that others get to know you, I’ll give you at least one verifying signature.