Update: JWsurvey editorial team meets in London to discuss future plans

Screen Shot 2016-05-19 at 18.54.01Earlier this month I had an opportunity to finally meet Covert Fade and John Redwood in person during a trip to London.

Shortly after shaking hands for the first time, John surprised me with my very own Telly Award in recognition of my recent film about child abuse.

As many of you will know, John put together a brilliant investigative article about Watchtower’s Telly Awards, explaining how they are essentially publicity tools that anyone can pay for – with multiple “winners” of each annual award.

To purchase my award, John only had to call the Telly Awards, ask for a particular code for Watchtower’s account, and use this code to customise a new award to his specifications. As a result, I now have a resplendent trophy adorning my desk, and a constant reminder of the lengths Watchtower will go to in congratulating itself.

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After this initial meet-up, we were able to get down to business. Both Covert Fade and John Redwood have been doing brilliant work on JWsurvey as editor and assistant editor respectively, and finally being together was a great opportunity to revisit their contribution to the website.

When Covert and John initially agreed to get involved, the idea was to give me breathing space to finish my book – a project that continues to take much longer than I anticipated (I am aiming to publish it later this year). But, since both have been given time and space to stamp their individuality on JWsurvey, I have been deeply impressed with their skill and dedication.

Covert is a balanced, considerate, highly-driven activist and an eloquent, gifted writer. John shares those attributes, combining them with considerable experience of the organization and an encyclopedic knowledge of Watchtower history and dogma.

The three of us, together with Jane Redwood, decided to get together for a working lunch at the South Bank Centre by the River Thames to go over our ideas for the future of the website. I approached the meeting knowing that convincing the team to continue on a permanent basis would be a fantastic result. I was relieved to find that neither Covert nor John needed too much persuading!

I am therefore delighted to announce that Covert Fade will be continuing as Editor of JWsurvey on a permanent basis, with John Redwood supporting him as Assistant Editor. I remain Senior Editor and owner, and will chip in with the occasional article, but the day-to-day running of the website, comment moderation and editorial decisions are in Covert and John’s capable hands for the foreseeable future.

In addition to deciding on the above, we also discussed ideas for moving JWsurvey forward. It has not gone unnoticed that a considerable “community” has formed around our website, and we are appreciative of the trust people invest in us as a place to come and share extremely personal stories and experiences.

Our long-term plan is to expand the website to include some kind of forum where people can introduce themselves and find support. Unfortunately, apart from the technical considerations, the main issue is manpower. We need volunteers that are like-minded, fair and capable, but also trustworthy. In fact, trust is a key issue in any form of ex-cult collaborative effort. Everybody needs to be on the same page on a number of issues to make ambitious projects work.

If you feel you are a good fit for this particular aspect of activism, please let us know. I can’t make any promises, and it is unlikely there will be a forum going up any time soon, but if we can at least have people on our radar for when we’re ready to push the button, that would be extremely useful.

Another aspect in which there is a need for more hands to make light work is in the area of writing. But, rather than tread on Covert’s toes, I will leave him to explain in a future article precisely what it is we are looking for in terms of expanding our writing team.

As I’m sure many of you can appreciate, JWsurvey has a unique tone aimed at reaching out to believing Witnesses. We also try to set a high bar in terms of writing standards. Therefore, if you feel you have the requisite skills, please stay tuned for an article from Covert in the near future that will spell out exactly what we’re looking for, and how you can apply to join the JWsurvey family.

We also briefly discussed plans to update the site and give it a much needed facelift – something John Redwood will be giving particular attention to. If you turn on your browser at some point in the coming weeks and JWsurvey looks completely different, please don’t be too surprised!

Included on the agenda for discussion were ways of ironing out the problems we’ve had with the Global Survey. Due to the overwhelming response to the announcement of the 2016 survey earlier this year, we had to take it offline for a few weeks due to the limitations of our account.

The survey is back up now (please take it if you haven’t already done so!) and we will look to upgrade to an improved service with SurveyMonkey so that sudden voter surges can be accommodated and nobody is needlessly dissuaded from adding their voice.

Finally, I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone, from the editorial team, to the writers, to the readers and commenters, for helping to make this website such a remarkable success. Currently we are getting 120,000 unique visits per month, and more comments than we can keep up with.

The dedication that goes into writing compelling, informative articles is one thing, but it would be meaningless if not for those of you who are relentlessly sharing links on social media, emailing links to friends and relatives, and generally spreading the word about JWsurvey in whatever way possible.

I think I speak for the whole team when I say the amount of views for the articles is a huge motivational factor in churning out more content. It is much easier to write when you know you have an audience. Just by opening up JWsurvey in your browser window to check for new posts, you are giving us all a great boost.

Your continued support is deeply appreciated, and as we move forward with some exciting future enhancements, it is fantastic to have you all along for the ride!

 

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32 thoughts on “Update: JWsurvey editorial team meets in London to discuss future plans

  • May 19, 2016 at 10:23 am
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    Gratulations Mr. Lloyd. You can call your friend A. Morris III and tell him the good news of the Award : ). When there is a need for manpower we can assist from the Netherlands.

  • May 19, 2016 at 10:32 am
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    Thank youball at jw survey .it is a lifeline for many of us still trapped in because of family.a welcome experiance every week..

    • August 28, 2016 at 12:26 am
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      Why former JW who left the truth keep on wasting their time trying to dismantle the organization? I don’t understand it. Please conserve your energy and focus your attention to your own personal life. Leave those who want to serve Jehovah alone.

      I have done a survey on YouTube and on Google regarding frustrations of former JW. My conclusion is that the majority were disfellowshiped and now trying to blame the organization. I understand that the elders, circuit overseers and the GB members are human beings and are not perfect. However, even in the world full of scientist you praise, celebrities, politicians you name them are not perfect neither. The worldly people greediness had caused much suffering in the world filled with hunger, poverty and man-made diseases like hiv/AIDS that had affected millions especially in developing world where I leave.

      You guys even go to the extent of discrediting the bible. What do you believe in then? Scientist, archiologist? I’m from Africa and educated in Europe. I’m an engineer by profession and science is my hobby but telling me that there is no God, that’s ridiculous.

      To conclude, if you don’t believe in God, then go on with your life and leave those who want to worship him alone. I have non JW friends, families and co-workers but their lives are not filled with happiness even though they have money and own business.

      Please make your website or blog popular with other staff if you want to earn an income through advertisement based on site visits. I rest my case.

      Thank you.

      • September 15, 2016 at 3:18 pm
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        I would say that you are a bit wrong in your critism of this site and others like it. It’s my understanding that they don’t have a problem with people having a faith or religion….. they have a problem with a specific cult. The watchtower and Bible tract society. I think those in charge of the survey would tell you that their focus is on freeing those trapped in the destructive cult known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. And they hate the abuse that has occurred over the years caused by the false teachings and doctrine put forth by the governing body and other past leaders of the religion.
        I am not a witness and all my friends are not witnesses and we are living happy lives. The biggeat unhappiness I suffer from in this current life is caused 100% by the silly and destructive doctrines of the watchtower. I’m not able to have a healthy and happy relationship with my daughter’s due to the organization known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. I’m not a witness and never have been ….. so why am I and my parents and my brothers shunned and ignored by my daughter’s? I’ll tell you why!!! Because the watchtower is a evil and destructive empire. That’s why. They instill fear in their followers instead of love and kindness. They promote loyalty to the organization over family.
        You are obviously lost and dillusional. And can’t see truth. Instead you follow a lie disguised as “the truth”. It’s a hoax and a shame. And personally I’m so so so happy jwsurvey exist. And other sites like it. It provides me with hope. Hope I can one day reunite with my daughter’s.

  • May 19, 2016 at 10:47 am
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    Thanks Lloyd for all the work you do. The topics written are very well written and cause people to think seriously about the JDubs.

  • May 19, 2016 at 10:50 am
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    Hi,
    I wonder if you have looked at google forms as a way to create a free survey that won’t have limits for submissions. Here is a youtube I found describing it.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEuV9KDekyc

    Thanks for your hard work!
    Evelyn

  • May 19, 2016 at 11:06 am
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    Thanks to all of your for your hard work and dedication! Looking forward to changes – and to more people leaving the watchtower prison.

  • May 19, 2016 at 11:33 am
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    Thanks for the update. It sounds like good things are ahead for JWSurvey.

  • May 19, 2016 at 12:19 pm
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    From Canada…thanx Lloyd…You well deserve an award!!! :))). Actually all of your helpers do to! :)). This is an awesome site that keeps us informed and connected …it is far more valuable than you think…thanx sooo much! Perhaps more folks who are afraid to lose friends if the act on their feelings and suspicions etc., as to Jw.org…can actually feel that they still can have friends thru this site and others…and can enjoy freedom of thought, speech, actions, etc….and break the Jw.org addiction and control. Thanx again and all the best to you, your family, your friends and helpers…Lotsa love from us…:))

  • May 19, 2016 at 1:09 pm
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    Omg ! I spit out my tea laughing when I saw this! ROFL!

  • May 19, 2016 at 4:24 pm
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    Could you order a second trophy for the award, and then ask that it be displayed in Watch Tower’s award display case?

  • May 19, 2016 at 4:33 pm
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    Congratulations to the entire JWsurvey team and anyone else who had a part in making this website a huge success!

    Glad to hear you all had a chance to meet each other and plan for the future of the website. I look forward to all of the wonderful alterations and enhancements the site will take on, as well as being a continued reader and commentator of it.

    I would love to help out in any way I can. I think anyone interested in the writing positions should, in applying for the position, submit a piece of their own writing that they deem to be worthy to have the JWsurvey editorial team review when deciding on who to select for these positions. Just an idea.

    Anyway, thank you, CovertFade, John Redwood, Lloyd Evans, and everyone else on the JWsurvey team for all of your hard work and efforts in keeping us all up to date and informed about what is going on within the Watchtower organization. It is greatly appreciated.

  • May 19, 2016 at 5:52 pm
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    You f#%*ing ROCK, Mr. Evans!!!

    That baby should sit right next to you in every JW video you make. I must now and forever more refer to you as “Award Winning Documentary Maker Lloyd Evans” as in…

    “Have you seen the newest YouTube video by Award Winning Documentary Maker Lloyd Evans? Oh, it’s a must see!”

    or

    “You know, the WatchTower Society really doesn’t care for the way Award Winning Documentary Maker Lloyd Evans exposes some of their deceptive teachings.”

    LOL

  • May 19, 2016 at 6:05 pm
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    I left 8 years ago now, but cannot bring myself to condemn even a cult. Acts 5:38 reads: “So under the present circumstances, I say to you, do not meddle with these men, let them alone. For if this scheme or this work is from men, it will be overthrown;
    39 but if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them.+ Otherwise, you may even be found fighters against God himself.”

    By definition, in Jesus day were not all followers of Jesus Christ not in a cult? hummm, really.

    • May 19, 2016 at 10:33 pm
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      Don Leske,

      “I left 8 years ago now, but cannot bring myself to condemn even a cult.”

      Interesting. You have me wondering what your reason was for leaving the JWs.

      You couldn’t have quoted a more appropriate scripture: “For if this scheme or this work is from (seven) men (in Brooklyn, New York) it will be overthrown”…………when the overlapping generations expire and the world has not come to an end.

    • May 20, 2016 at 3:48 am
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      If it had not been under Roman Empire’s rule that time, a different story would have been written;

      (Deuteronomy 13:6-11) . . .“If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or your cherished wife or your closest companion should try to entice you in secrecy, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ gods that neither you nor your forefathers have known, 7 from the gods of the peoples all around you, whether near you or those far away from you, from one end of the land to the other end of the land, 8 you must not give in to him or listen to him, nor should you show pity or feel compassion or protect him; 9 instead, you should kill him without fail. Your hand should be the first to come upon him to put him to death, and the hand of all the people afterward. 10 And you must stone him to death, because he has sought to turn you away from Jehovah your God, who has brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 11 Then all Israel will hear and become afraid, and they will never again do anything bad like this among you.

  • May 19, 2016 at 6:36 pm
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    Mr. Evans:

    Congrats to you and JWsurvey team, on your success of your web site and your activism. And to your increasing web site awareness of visitors each month.

    Your comment;
    JWsurvey has a unique tone aimed at reaching out to believing Witnesses.
    Then You must include the “Support The Worldwide Work” donation button on each article, this way you make us feel ‘at ease – and comfortable willing to reach for our credit cards’.

    Since The Watchtower Corporation is a Corporation, this method would be called “conforming”. Recently added app feature to JW Library.

    So, we All look forward to the up coming “facelift” on JWsurvey and added feature on each article, “Support The Worldwide Work”.

    Congrats to all,

    JWsurvey + Support The Worldwide Work

    Peace out,

  • May 19, 2016 at 6:39 pm
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    Good stuff as usual, more power to you; sorry i can’t be too much help I am a techno dud… But know your work is much appreciated in Aust…

  • May 19, 2016 at 8:29 pm
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    Congratulation Lloyd, Covert Fade and Jane Redwood. You the trio are doing an amazing great job and a life-saving one for all of us.I cannot wait to purchase your (Cedar’s book) when completed. Please, consider releasing an E-book version via Amazon.com. I will need to get one for my Amazon kind HD. Thanks.

  • May 20, 2016 at 1:42 am
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    OOOOh well done on your telly award I think I will inform the gb myself as they really should honour you!!!!(joking aside) This has been a great experience and to be part of a growing voice is very rewarding in itself. I would like to say thank you all very much for your bravery and sincerity and sometimes painful honesty. May this very needed public service continue for as long as we need it. Ireally am just a middle aged housewife with time to read and think about things but this site has been pivotal in my awakening. If at sometime I can contribute to helping others in just a small way then it was worth it. You team have done this in a large way and I am thankful. So ever forward with this valuable site and we are behind you all the way cheers Ruthlee

  • May 20, 2016 at 5:38 am
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    The light gets brighter!

  • May 20, 2016 at 6:21 am
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    Congratulations on the award! I agree this should be on display with every video that is done. No doubt there are folks at bethel that look at this site and will see it and know that praise can and will be purchased by the gb.

    I’m not much of a wizard on web design but if you need mundane work done I would be happy to volunteer time to this effort. This site has saved me and so many others and I am very grateful.

    One thing I would like to see is where (general location) of fellow ex-jw’s live. When I’m forced to attend meetings, which are fewer every week :) I sit and wonder if there is anyone else that feels the way I do. But as you know we are terrified to inquire. Just a thought.

    Thanks again from Texas to all the writers that contribute to this site!

  • May 20, 2016 at 6:42 am
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    Congratulations on the award Lloyd :)

    I check in at least twice a day. As I have said before, I am more your ‘Penny’, type person but if there is anything I can try and do albeit, undercover, here in BC, please let me know. It’s wonderful that you guys got together. You have a ‘family’ out here.

    Congrats, again….. to everyone.

  • May 20, 2016 at 7:13 am
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    Congratulations Team JWSurvey!

  • May 20, 2016 at 2:10 pm
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    Thank you and your team for your great work!
    Thank you so much!

  • May 21, 2016 at 8:06 am
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    Good to see the Telly Awards in such safe hands, Lloyd. I am also delighted that you have secured an excellent editorial team. Soon there will be enough supporters to have district conventions of our own. Now there’s a thought.

    • November 29, 2016 at 10:16 am
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      @ Jose, once an organization “wins” a Telly they are able to buy additional statuettes for any other crew/cast member. These additional “winners” would not be listed on the site. As mentioned in the article, what John did was find out the Watchtower order code and then use it to buy a statuette with John’s name. It really is that easy. I’ve done it before.

  • May 22, 2016 at 8:56 am
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    Love the Telly!! Hahaha!! Think I’m going to get a few myself.
    Seriously, thanks so much for your dedication and truth! This site has been instrumental in building my strength and courage to face the facts and begin a new life.
    One of many, many…..Yours truly, Ejecting (need a new handle soon..cause I’ve landed now).
    PS..we enjoy the variety of columns and writers.

  • May 25, 2016 at 11:49 am
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    If you ever need any help with anything at all, I’m here to help. I’ve got contacts on the inside and am currently “serving” in my congo.

    Sending TRUE LOVE from NYC!
    -ActigallUr

  • June 4, 2016 at 5:30 am
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    Excellent work all round. Today’s news shows that even the Pope will now take action against child-abuse cover-ups. Does this mean the Catholic Church is God’s channel? So when will the GB claim popular support by openly dealing with child-abuse?
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36451954

  • June 13, 2016 at 3:52 pm
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    Well without WTBTS criminal activity, none of this would be possible or even required.

    Don’t forget to send them an award.

Comments are closed.