Santa Tracker Sign Ups Explode

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Almost without explanation and earlier in the season than ever, Elf Flip of North Pole Flip of North Pole Flight Command’s Accounting Department says the number of sign ups for tracker elves is exploding.

“We are not sure yet why these numbers are increasing,” Elf Flip admitted. “We always see a large increase every year around the fall period but that typically doesn’t happen until early to mid-October. This year it is happening now. We’re not sure why.”

The SantaTrackers.net website has not only experienced large-scale renovation but a change in how memberships are processed has actually kept more people out than have accepted them in.

“We have a longer probationary period now to become a North Pole Elf and to participate in the Elf Community online,” Elf Moe, the tracker elf admissions administrator at SantaTrackers.net said. “To get elevated to that status takes time and work and really we’re early in the process for this year. So what we are seeing is an explosion in Junior Tracker elves — newbies — and they are in their probationary period now. Will it lead to a future explosion of North Pole elves as they learn those elf skills and are elevated by the Elf Supervisors? We hope so. That’s the plan.”

The trend is following a general outburst in fresh activity on all Official North Pole websites.

“The interest in Santa and Christmas is intense so far this year,” said Elf Crash Murphy, the International Director of Santa Trackers. “We’re still trying to understand it. It’s been a good year, Operation Merry Christmas has gone very smooth so far, we haven’t had any huge news events to explain it. We’re just seeing a lot of activity early and we think it is good news.”

Some Elf Supervisors are a little nervous about what it can mean. Elf Pinky Yates, Elf Supervisor for Sector 5 covering Central and North America, which is the largest sector in the world of Santa believers, says that test flights concentrated over Sector 5 for much of the month of August could be influencing interest.

“We rarely know where the test flights are going and this year they told us in advance they would be in our skies and then asked us to look for them,” Elf Pinky said. “That has happened at a great time, especially in North America. It’s still summer, so it’s warm and star gazing is a natural part of the summer experience in North America especially. People are already looking up and since we put the word out that they could see a test flight Santa’s sleigh many of them have said they could get into this whole elf thing.”

Elf Flip says the hard numbers won’t be out until sometime in September but he said he expects them to so growth in every sector. Tracking Santa for Santa is going to be very popular this year.

New Sector Lead Announcement

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Hi Elves!

What a cRAZy week it has been. I have known for over a week about our new sector lead but I haven’t been able to announce it because we were waiting for Santa’s approval.

I talked to Elf Crash right away and he, of course, approved immediately. But the rules are that I cannot announce things like this until Santa signs off and he’s been so doggone hard to get a hold of.

Anyway, I finally got a phone call from Santa this morning – and by the morning I mean at 2:25am in the morning (I tell you, the man NEVER sleeps) — and, of course, he said yes and it was actually a very short conversation.

Our new sector lead is Elf Ulan, who resides, as you know, in Japan. I’m so very excited to have this dedicate elf as our Sector Lead. We will have such a good year in Sector 1 with Ulan in this role.

She’s going to start right away. I know you already know that you can ask anything of Elf Ulan and she will help you. She’s an Elf of the Year winner already and she has been with us for a long, long time championing the cause of Santa. We are SO very lucky to have her.

Now, there are other elf supervisors who have new sector leads coming soon. Santa was taking so long I was afraid I would not be the first. Whew!

This gives us a good foundation for moving forward. Thank you, Elf Ulan,  for being a part of my team!

The Need for Sector Leads

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Hello Elves Everywhere –

Even though I am posting this under Sector 2 I think I am wanting and asking all elves everywhere to read what I am saying.

Each week, at least at this point in the season, the Elf Supervisors hold a video conference call, usually on Thursdays. The call comes at different times for each of us because, of course, we are now in our Regional Tracking Centers, all located in the different time zones. This week’s call had me online at 3am my time – and I didn’t know if I just got up super early or went to bed super late.

But I was soon not sleepy when we started talking about hiring new Sector Leads.

We all need a Sector Lead. Each Elf Supervisor is looking for one. That is because Elf Crash and the other powers that be changed the job of Sector Lead a little bit. So we’re all supposed to hire a new Sector Lead.

I’ve never had one in Sector 2.

On our call this week we talked a bit about some of the candidates that we have and others that we would consider.

For example, finding a Sector lead in my sector has long been a challenge. Santa and Crash both encouraged me to “get creative” in finding one.

The new goal of the Sector Lead is to give them a bigger voice in the sector. That means having them run an outside social media channel to reach out to the world. We want them to bring in new believers and make elves of them.

They want to see more pride in our work in each sector. More team building. Better communication of what we do and why we do it as elves.

I have been have good conversations with an elf in China. He’s a freelance elf because in his country he is not allowed to belong to a website requiring a login. Otherwise, he would be here talking with us on the Elf Wall. He’s really wanting to do it but isn’t allowed to. He sends me one-way messages through the report forms and it has only been recent that I have been able to make contact with him via a social media channel.

I think he would be an excellent Sector Lead. But, he wouldn’t be active here on SantaTrackers.net. I like the idea that he would be using a social media app native to his country and his language. I’m curious how many other elves he could recruit just by trying with others in his same situation.

The other Elf Supervisors suggest I talk to Crash and Santa about him.

Frankly, the other Elf Supervisors were a little envious that I have such a strong and willing candidate. They are all searching for the right kind of elf.

One Elf Supervisor said she got a message from a Junior Tracker Elf wanting to be Sector Lead. That normally wouldn’t be considered but this Junior Elf was here a few years ago and is now just coming back. He knows a lot. The Elf Supervisor would HAVE to promote them to North Pole Tracker Elf to become a Sector Lead and that’s being talked about. Junior Tracker Elves should be looking for any way they can to get promoted.

If you are interested in being an Elf Supervisor, applying in fine. But it wouldn’t hurt for you to just message your Elf Supervisor and plead your case. They are wanting to act soon but they don’t want to put the wrong person in the job.

We’re about halfway through August. Things are starting to get interesting for this season.

Sector 3 Reports in August

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Hello Elves of Sector 3! I send you greetings from Christmas Island in Zimbabwe.

I’m watching with great interest the situation with the test flights in Sector 5. I want to see how they handle it because I think in a month or two those flight could be coming our way. If that happens – and I hope we are lucky enough to be chosen – it could impact what we work on during the months of September or October. So I want to be ready.

So…let’s get to work, shall we?

First, I know this could be a month of change for some of you. The seasons are changing in all areas. So, when you get a chance, please check in via an Elf Status report and give me a good idea of how available you might or might not be at this time. I want to give you enough to do but not too much so that you do not feel overwhelmed.

Second, while the weather remains good in most areas, I say we get to work sending in roof reports and chimney inspections.

As always, be very careful doing these reports. Do not get on rooftops to do these reports. Stay safe!

I usually get questions about how many houses you need to do roof and chimney reports for. The hope is that you will do your house, and if close enough, the homes on either side of you. If you can do more houses in your neighborhood, that’s even better.

What if you live in an area where the homes do not have chimneys? You don’t worry about it. You do not need to send in a report stating there are no chimneys. If there are no chimneys don’t say anything. Flight Command will assume – and pass along to Santa – the info of “no known chimney”.

Some Elf Supervisors think it is too early for these roof and chimney reports. I don’t. In fact, I think it is the best time to do them.

Finally, please try to send in a local weather report every Wednesday. Why Wednesday? I don’t know. Frankly, I love doing weather reports. I even do them myself right here in Christmas Island. I just love reporting on the weather. I think it is fun. I want us to get used to doing them every week so that when the test flights are here we’re strong with weather reporting. It’s pretty critical.

Ok, that’s it for now. Thank you for Elfing.

Submitting Weather Reports

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Greetings Elves of Sector 1!

We are operational here in Christmas Island and we’re ready now for the reporting season. I’ve had a few messages come through all seeming to look for instructions.

At this time, I would like to ask all elves of every type to send in a weather report from their location at least ONCE per week on Sundays. This is what the weather report form looks like:

Your Sector
If you do not know or remember your sector, please see this link
What do you see when you look out your window?
Check all that apply

This requirement will likely change come December, but once a week for now will be good enough for test flight purposes unless something new comes from Flight Command telling us something different.

Some are asking about other reports. We’re not quite yet ready for any other reports at this time. That could change next week.

Thanks!

ps — As a reminder we are looking for a Sector Lead for Sector 1. Please consider applying!

Elf Retirements

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Every month we review activity in the Elf Community and retire elves who have not been active in the past 90 days. I am doing that this weekend.

As part of this process, we also check with the Elf Supervisors about Junior Tracker Elves who can be promoted in to the North Pole Elf Community. This is the first month of eligibility for such promotions. I am uncertain if we have any Junior Trackers who qualify yet, but we’re very excited for this new process.

We make this effort every month to keep the community safe, current and fresh.

Those who have not been active for the past 90-days are put in “retired” status. That means their accounts are locked down but can be returned to active status by communicating via the site support link.

If another 90-day period passes without hearing from those elves it is assumed they are unable or unwilling to continue their elf career and we then delete their accounts and remove their names from the rolls of tracker elves.

Please be aware of the activity requirements to keep your status as an elf current. Please also review our community standards.

Thanks!

Test Flights Over the US West Coast

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Yesterday, Elf Z from North Pole Flight Command posted that the test flights of Santa’s sleigh are headed to the US and Canada Pacific Coast areas over the next week:

Flight plans from North Pole Flight Command show that the test flights of Santa’s sleigh are indeed now over Sector 5 and the plan for the next several takes will take those flights up the Pacific Coast, thru California, Oregon, Washington and then up into Canada.

Major metropolitan areas include Los Angeles, Fresno, Sacramento, the SF Bay Area, Redding, Bend, Portland, Seattle, Vancouver BC. It’s possible flights might be visible in Reno, and maybe Boise.

In my briefing with Elf Buck Sanchez this morning he confirmed the same information.

Remember, the Santa Tracker Map is not going to show you the absolute location of the test flights or the broad areas covered by the fleet of 12 test flight sleighs. So if the map says “Los Angeles” you might see test flights in the skies anywhere in that surrounding area.

We are sure hoping we get a lot of reports. We are expecting a lot of coverage in the northern areas of the sector and, from what I am told, the US and Canada will have a lot of exposure to the test flights all month.

Please use the sleigh sighting report if you think you see one.

 

Hot August Nights Set for Sector 5

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North Pole Flight Command has just informed me of a special operation to be conducted over Sector 5 called Hot August Nights.

The test flights of Santa’s sleigh will be over Sector 5 during the month of August specifically to be seen. That’s right – you read that correctly – they want you to SEE Santa’s sleigh in flight. And they want us to report on it.

The flights will be going day and night. I have been told that I will be updated on flight plans at least once a week, starting tomorrow August 1st.

Flight Command believes that visibility of Santa’s sleigh will be better at night than it will during the day. Commercial air traffic is heavier during the day and given the altitudes that the sleighs will be flying at it is just more difficult to see the sleigh from the ground during the day even with special equipment.

In addition, I’m told that the test flights will be aided by “extra illumination” – they want to be seen! So night time observation during Hot August Nights is strongly encouraged.

They are hoping not only to receive reports – in the form of the sleigh sighting report – but they are hoping trackers will also take photos and videos and send them to Flight Command.

Please be advised that these are all planned flights. There are no plans for landings or on-the-ground sighting opportunities.

This, of course, means a lot more communication with trackers than is normal. Mostly everyday, I’m guessing. So please check in frequently and I will do the best I can to inform you of possible flight plans in your area.

Stand by for further updates.

Delays for Sector 1 Tracking Center

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Hello from Christmas Island. I’m sorry we have not put out much news.

We are having Internet issues at our new Regional Tracking Center in Christmas Island (Australia). In fact, I’m having to send this via my phone and it’s a big pain.

Please be patient with us.

I think we will be open far in advance of Santa’s date of August 1st but the lack of Internet is slowing us down. I think they will have to install Starlink, which they are working on now. This really should have been resolved in advance by the Regional Tracking Center Committee. But we’re having to deal with it now and it is slowing everything else down.

So, I’m NOT ignoring your messages. I’ve just got issues getting to them.

Give us a few days and I’ll let you know when Sector 1 is live.

Tracking Santa on Kringle Radio

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Come tune in to Kringle Radio right here on SantaTrackers.net as the rebroadcast of Santa’s ride last Christmas as heard on Kringle Radio kicks on at 5am EDT on July 23rd.

It’s two full days of tracking Santa with news reports from North Pole Radio News and a lot of elves you already know.

It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas in July!

Tracking Santa

Tracking Center Operational

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The Regional Tracking Center for Sector 5 located in Christmas Island, Nova Scotia is fully operational and ready to receive reports.

I don’t like being last, and we’re not. But we’re third. Not too happy about that, but what can you do with things out of your control, eh?

I’m getting a lot of messages from trackers in our sector. I’d like to publicly answer some of the questions I’m getting:

  1. How long do I have to wait to get promoted? – I’ve answered this in my last post.
  2. I am an experienced tracker with an old account that went dormant. Can I get it back? Sorry, no. That’s an Elf Moe thing and I can’t do anything about it.
  3. Do you have a file on me if I’ve tracked Santa as an elf before? I do. It will be helpful in getting you promoted.
  4. If I let my account go inactive, can I still apply to be Sector Lead? Of course. There are lots of reasons you go inactive, it won’t count against you.
  5. I really need access to certain areas of the site but I’m a Junior Tracker Elf and I can’t see things. Nothing I can do about that. Talk to Elf Moe.
  6. What days do you want us to send in weekly weather reports? We’re not ready for those. I’ll let you know.
  7. Do you have any direction on setting up my home tracking center? Not yet. Looking to Elf Crash for direction on that one.
  8. Is my Elf on the Shelf authorized to track Santa for Santa? They would have to apply like anyone else. I don’t know about those guys really.
  9. Will there be an Elf Chat for Sector 5 trackers this year? Do you want one? I haven’t given it much thought.
  10. I want to visit the tracking center in Jamaica. Can I? I doubt it. But let me know if you’re in the area, I’ll meet you for lunch or something.
  11. Will we know in advance when the test flights are in our sector? We will in the early months. It could always change.

Is this format helpful to you guys? That new message feature is fine but it’s one-way. I cannot answer you directly and I don’t want to answer questions necessarily on the Elf Wall, because then Junior Trackers won’t see them. So does this work?

Feel free to use the comments below.

Test Flights Over Sector 4

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Hola from Christmas Island in Jamaica!

North Pole Flight Command has confirmed that the test flights will be over our sector this week. While much of the time the flights are expected to be over the Atlantic and possible sleigh sightings will only happen for the ships at sea we can expect to see flights over both Greenland and South America. So keep your eyes peeled!

I am actively looking for a new sector lead. We are looking for someone with experience communicating in both English and Spanish. You need to be Internet savvy and active on social media channels as well.

I do not have any required reports of elves yet in our sector. But sit tight. We’re working on a plan and will be putting you to work soon.