Elves Only – SantaTrackers.net

How to Get in Trouble as an Elf

June 6, 2021/14 Comments/in Elves Only, Santa Tracker Herald Star, Sector 1, Sector 2, Sector 3, Sector 4, Sector 5, Tracking News/by Elf Moe

Some have recently sent in the question “Where did Elf So-and-So go?”

Well, I’ll tell ya. You don’t see them on the Elf Chat or the Elf Wall or on the Elf Map because they got busted. They didn’t leave, they got busted. They broke the only real rule we have: BE NICE.

That’s just too hard for some elves.

I don’t know what more we can do to make it clear. You are taught it in learning the Elf Code. You swear to it when you take the Elf Oath. Elf Max has warned about it a couple of times.

Well, you know who the elf executioner is? Me. Elf Moe. Head of the North Pole Complaint Department. It always comes to me and, well, I’m an impatient elf.

This is how you get in trouble or get banned from being an elf:

Boss other elves around.
Assume you are an important elf and try to do jobs that are not yours to do.
Brag you are an elf.
Never take a shower. (Ewwwwww)
Use bad words
Be mean
Lie
Steal
Cheat
Pretend you are Santa
Take the wings off flies
Call other elves names
Speak ill of the reindeer
Use a hair dryer on a snowman
Lick the frosting off of sugar cookies
Set the Christmas tree on fire
Use super glue in the Wrapping Department
Litter from the sleigh
Post bad pictures
Say someone is on the naughty list
Put salt in the sugar shaker
Drink the last of the eggnog
Stuff spiders in stockings
Tell Mrs. Claus that Santa says she is fat
Tease Rudolph

Now, guys, I don’t want to ban you and you don’t want to be banned.

But let’s make one thing perfectly clear: if you get banned you’re never coming back. It’s a one-way ticket. If you can’t act like an elf, you can’t be an elf.

I hope this is the last time this needs to be discussed. We have lost some pretty good elves recently who just could not be nice. It has nothing to do with Santa. In fact, Santa won’t even hear about it if I had my way.

He needs elves. But he needs people who are ready to BE elves.

Okay?

Meetings Galore

May 19, 2021/2 Comments/in Elves Only/by Elf Max

Howdy Elves,

I apologize for my absence. That elf training thing was really intense. Not only did it take me away it has caused me to fall behind on things here.

And all the meetings this week are not helping.

I know many of you have sent notes or posted messages with questions and stuff. Please just bear with me a little longer.

We have a number of projects coming to a head all at the same time. Some of you will be receiving some direction relative to the new jobs you have applied for. You might hear from Elf Resources or me…or maybe even another elf about that work. Trust me, it’s coming. We’re working those things out right now.

That’s why we are having all the meetings.

One little thing I wanted to talk to you about though. It appears while I was away there was a little trouble with a few elves in chat and on the Elf Wall.

I’m not much of a cheerleader or a taskmaster. I’m a big believer in just being nice. I know some of our elves are a little young and a lot inexperienced. But “being nice” is not a difficult thing to do. It’s in our terms of service. It is part of the Elf Oath.

So I’ll just remind you all to “be nice”.

Santa is very intent on keeping the elf community to high standards. He doesn’t think we need to be posting these kinds of reminders. And he believes that being an elf means being able to control yourself at all times. None of us, as elves, really want to be telling other elves what to do or even how to “be nice”.

I guess what I’m saying is that you’re either nice or you’re not. As such, you’re either an elf or you’re not. Our terms of service make it clear that if you cannot be nice you cannot be here. It’s nothing personal. It’s just the way it is.

So, we have seen through sad experience that some elves come and go here quickly.

Real elves are nice. They don’t talk mean. They don’t complain about other elves. They don’t cheat, lie or steal. They don’t blatantly run up points and then brag about it. They don’t falsely accuse other elves of doing things they never did.

We just don’t have time to be dealing with that kind of stuff. We expect elves to be nice. Period. Be nice or…don’t be an elf.

Parents can help with this. We expect parents to be nice too. It’s not hard.

Now, we’re getting ready to head into the month of June. Leon Day is just around the corner. And that means we are going to be seeing lots of new elves.

Let’s be nice to them, ok?

They will learn to be nice too if we show them the way. There is a lot of work ahead and Santa wants as many elves as he can get. Being nice is a good way to get those elves.

News About the News

March 12, 2021/5 Comments/in Elves Only, Santa Tracker Herald Star, Tracking News/by Elf Max

Yesterday’s post from Elf Harold Star about the new news portal known as the Santa Trackers Herald Star has brought a number of questions. My post today is to introduce this new feature to you even though it will not be visible to you for at least a couple of months.

The Santa Trackers Herald Star is a newspaper-like publication for members of our Elf Community. It is NOT for freelance elves or the eyes of the general public. It will be headed up by Elf Harold Star, who will be editor-in-chief. He will have several copy editors and we hope a full staff of at least 25 reporters.

In fact, the Department of Elf Resources today posted for the open positions of Santa Tracker News Reporters.

These jobs will be filled by a mix of veteran and rookie news reporters. Elf Harold wants to make sure the news of Santa Trackers – YOU – comes first. He wants everyone to know that the elf community will be a prominent fixture in this new publication.

It is anticipated that the Herald Star will be available online sometime in May.

Why so long?

Because none of the reporters have actually been hired yet. In order to print news, they need news stories. To get news stories, they need reporters. That’s why the Department of Elf Resources has put out the urgent hiring notice today.

In the next few days the first hires of the news staff will be announced. There will also be formation of a private group in the Elf Community just for news reporters, where ideas and suggestions can be shared among those charged with finding and reporting the news.

We’re very excited about this development and look forward to getting new news published via the Herald Star very soon.

Update on New Elf Jobs

March 11, 2021/4 Comments/in Elves Only, Santa Tracker Herald Star, Tracking News/by Elf Max

I think it is time we update you on the new elf jobs that are coming. Many of you are very anxious to apply and start in those jobs.

First of all, we have time. We have talked about them a little bit on the jobs page and on the Department of Elf Resources Job Board. But many of them are not quite yet ready to fill.

You see, we’re adding some new staff to Santa Trackers. Gosh, remember when there was just me here to keep things going? Now we have a whole team of elves. Check it out at this link.

Now, I know you’re asking, who are these elves? After all, some of these guys haven’t even logged on here yet.

You’ll get a chance to meet them all.

But they haven’t logged on because these are new jobs for them. They are getting some training right now. New desks. New computers. Lectures from all the elf hot shots. You know how it goes.

In any event, they will be introduced in time. Once they are trained, introduced to the community and have spent a little time here THEN you’ll start to see some of these new positions posted. (Especially for the News Department elves).

I know it seems like a long time in coming. But some of these new jobs are paired with new features we will have on the site. And we’re still working on those. We have a newspaper to publish, a teacher’s portal to build and a couple of other big surprises in the works.

So all these pieces need to come together. And they will.

We just need to be patient.

Thanks for the questions. Keep them coming. Just please understand we’re working as fast as we can.

The Elf Knowledge Test

March 2, 2021/11 Comments/in Elves Only, Santa Tracker Herald Star, Tracking News/by Elf Sandy Claus

We are pleased to announce the Elf Knowledge Test.

The EKT is exactly what it sounds like – it a challenge for you to showcase your elfness.

Do you have to take it?

No, of course not.

But you might want to. The Elf Knowledge Test is a way to help you study all the Official North Pole websites. It is a way to gauge how well you know how to be an elf.

And it could be the difference between you getting a new elf job ahead of someone else.

The test is designed to help you grow as an elf. You don’t need to have a perfect score to get the elf job you want. But there is no doubt the better your test score is the better it looks on your elf resume.

The test is open book. And you can take it as many times as you like.

The test was designed by some of the best elf minds in the business – Elf Ernest, Elf Max and Elf Roger Star – just to name a few. We even had Santa take a look at it and he gave us his suggestions.

This is a first edition of the test. It may expand or change as time goes by.

So check in on this now and then and take it again and again. Make sure you know your elf stuff. Click the button below to go to the test:

How to Become a First Class Elf

March 1, 2021/13 Comments/in Elves Only, Santa Tracker Herald Star, Site Support/by Elf Sandy Claus

The Department of Elf Resources has three grades of elves:

Junior Elf, 3rd Class – Elves who are brand new signing up at ElfHQ.com enter the elf ranks in this class. Once they have read the Elf Code and taken the Elf Oath, they become eligible for an upgrade in class as well a new elf job. The vast majority of elves following this path are first assigned or sign up at SantaTrackers.net to become a tracker elf.

Elf, 2nd Class – All new tracker elves are assigned as 2nd Class Elves. This is an entry-level designation. While so classed an elf is expected to go through all the elf training as specified at this link. While in the class elves can move through the Elf Ranks, designated from 1 to 6 stars in their elf profile. Stars are gained in the form of points. Points are gained by activity in the Elf Community, service time as an elf, badges earned, and jobs taken in various capacities. It can take a while to rise from 2nd class to 1st class.

Elf, 1st Class – A first class designation showcases an elf’s experience and knowledge. The following is required to become a first class elf:

You must be a verified elf.
You must have at least 1 year of service as an elf. This requirement can be waived by an Elf Supervisor, Community Manager or the Department of Elf Resources if you apply for and take an elf job that requires 1st class status.
You must pass a comprehensive Elf Knowledge Quiz demonstrating your mastery of Operation Merry Christmas, the Elf Code, and the rules of the Elf Community on SantaTrackers.net.
Having an Elf Rank of 3-stars or greater is advisable.

Badges, Points, Elf Types and Ranks

February 28, 2021/20 Comments/in Elves Only, Santa Tracker Herald Star, Site Support, Tracking News/by Elf Max

Members of the Elf Community on SantaTrackers.net achieve points for their activities in the community. The intent of the system is to encourage participation. The more you participate, the stronger your standing as an elf becomes.

~ About Badges ~

Badges are special designations given to elves for their various roles as an elf. For example, if you apply for the job of City Captain you will be given a badge that shows on your “about” section of your profile. The “About” section also shows your basic profile information, you points balance and your elf rank.

Badges are not limited to just jobs. Sometimes you can be awarded a badge (and points to go with it) for accomplishing something or for completing a special task. For example, becoming a verified elf will earn you a special badge.

To see the badges you have, just click on the Badges page in your profile.

~ About Points ~

Points are a way of tracking your activity in the elf community. There are several kinds of points:

Membership Points
- Registration as an elf gets you 50 points
- Every year you are an elf gets you 500 points
Participation Points
- Site Visit – 5 points
- Viewing Posts – 1 point
- Logging in – 10 points (per day)
- Comments on posts – 5 points
- Elf Wall Posts – 5 points
- Making Profile Verified – 250 points
Promotion Points – Every time you receive an elf promotion for a new job points will be added by the Department of Elf Resources. These are never revealed in advance and are solely up to the discretion of the ER Department.
Merit Points – Any member of the staff can award up to 250 merit points based upon your contributions to the Elf Community

These are just some of the points available to you. There are lots of other point opportunities. To see how points are being credited to you, please visit the “Elf’s History” page in your profile.

~ About Elf Types ~

Elf “types” are different than elf rank. An elf type just designates your standing based upon time or assigned position. Here are the elf types:

2^nd Class Elf or Tracker Elf – All elves begin at this level.
1^st Class Elf – More experienced elves are given this level after at least 1 year of service or when obtaining certain elf jobs
Elf Trainer – Elves who train other elves are given this designation
Elf Supervisor – Elves who moderate members, events and activities in the elf community
Senior Elf Management – Elves who plan or headline events or represent Santa in select elf community activities.

Elf types are generally assigned and not “earned” positions. Points have no bearing on the type of elf you are.

~ About Elf Ranks ~

Elf ranks are all about points. The more points you gain the higher in the ranks you go. Here are the ranks:

Newbie Elf: 0-999 points
Tracker Elf: 1000-1999 points
Veteran Elf: 2000-2999 points
Pro Elf: 3000-3999 points
Elite Elf: 4000-4999 points
Altair Elf: 5000+ points

You can only go up in rank, never back. In the future, it might be possible to exchange gathered points for special elf prizes or products. If you expend points for these purposes you will NOT lose your rank.

Your current rank is listed in the “About” page of your profile.

Becoming a Verified Elf

February 23, 2021/15 Comments/in Elves Only, Site Support/by Elf Max

Becoming a “verified elf” is part of our process of properly setting up our elf profiles on SantaTrackers.net. A verified elf has a check mark next to their name where ever they appear on the site. For example, this is from Elf Sandy Claus’ profile:

This image shows all the elements we want to see in every elf profile:

The Elf Title – Notice that her name is not just Sandy Claus but ELF Sandy Claus. Titles are VERY important to Santa and he wants us to use them. The title “Elf” needs to be in front of your elf name.
The Elf Profile Picture – You should have a unique image for your profile picture. It can be your actual picture, taken with your phone or webcam, or it can be an elf representation, similar to what Elf Sandy is using. You should NOT be using the same image as another elf.
The Elf Cover Image – This is the background image, here it shows as green with a festive Santa and snowflake pattern. It is sized 1350×350. If finding such an image is a challenge for you please let us know and we can help you with it.
The About Me Tagline – this is your elf job position. Most of you can list your job as Santa Tracker Elf, or City Captain if you are one, or any other elf-appropriate title.

Once your elf profile properly reflects these attributes you can apply to receive the check mark next to your name and acquire the Verified Badge, which will show on your “About” page in your profile.

This is the member’s page view of what a proper profile looks like:

Notice that this shows the profile picture, the cover image, the Elf title with the name, the check mark, and the “About Me” tagline.

Also note that below the tagline are small images that represent the badges that you have earned.

Here’s a view of what the check mark looks like on the Elf Wall (from a post I made).

As you can see, the site looks a lot neater when elves have a “Verified” badge. We want to see as many elves get this badge as possible.

Once you have made the necessary adjustments to your profile you just talk to one of our staff about getting the blue check-mark. Or, we will try to mark you as verified once we notice your profile is complete.

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An Update on Changes to SantaTrackers.net

February 22, 2021/7 Comments/in Elves Only, Tracking News/by Elf Max

Over the weekend we introduced a new interactive elf community here on SantaTrackers.net. It is the basis for a lot of new additions and capabilities Santa wants elves and fans alike to enjoy this year.

The new platform is designed to get elves talking and sharing. But it will also serve many useful purposes for the North Pole. We will be rolling out those features in the weeks ahead. Our goal is to have them all in place by Christmas in July. Santa wants to make sure we are ready for what he calls “an explosion” in Santa tracker activity in 2021.

We (the intrepid staff of SantaTrackers.net) are not sure exactly what Santa means by that. But we do know what he wants us and you to be able to do here.

So, in answer to your many questions, here is an overview of what is coming and, frankly, a summary of what I know that I can share with you at this time. I am writing this to answer some of the more anxious questions we have been receiving (which are mostly about new elf jobs that might open — and believe me, there are a TON of them:

Two kinds of elves – Over the years we have struggled with two kinds of elves: those who come here wanting to work for Santa in a private kind of way and those who want to work as part of the overall elf community. We have found a way to meet the needs of both. Going forward, we will have elves who we will call Free Agent Elves and others who will be North Pole Contracted Elves. Free Agent Elves will have access to tracker news and reporting capabilities, so they can help Santa get around the world from wherever they are. These are elves who work alone and report to no one. They are free to contribute as much or as little as they want – they are their own elf boss. North Pole Contracted Elves will work within the Elf Community here at SantaTrackers.net. They will have an elf supervisor, access to the Elf Activity Wall, and the ability to take on special positions within Santa’s Department of Elves. These are elves who are serious about having an elf career, perhaps even working at the North Pole someday as an elf. These are the elves who will take advantage of all the features listed below (and a lot of others). There are millions of Free Agent Elves…and relatively few North Pole Contracted Elves. As always, there is no charge here at SantaTrackers.net for participating in any way.
Activity Points – Elves in the community will be awarded points based on their activity. This system is still under development. It will be a means of recognizing those elves who do good work by being active in elf affairs online. We may even use it now and then to award special elf prizes.
Badges – As elves participate in the work of being elves they will be able grow skills and be awarded badges for their accomplishments and the jobs they hold. The badges are shown in profiles and in “About Me” sections of the community.
Ranks – The more points you acquire, the longer you participate in the elf community, and the more you do to help Santa recruit more elves, the higher you will rank as an elf.
Groups – Groups of Elves of all types will be added to the community over time. These can range from geographical tracker groups to groups dedicated to something in elf culture. You can be in a group and participate in their activities or even run your own group.
Podcasts – A number of tracker elves have expressed the desire to host their own podcast. We will make this happen by certifying elves for podcasts served right here on SantaTrackers.net. That’s right: we’ll host your podcast, help you get it published and share it with the elf community. All you have to do is create the podcast it, record it and upload it.
News Reports – We welcome the written reporting efforts of Santa Trackers all over the world. In fact, we want to share what tracking news you have out there where you are from. We will provide a process for becoming an elf reporter and sharing your news — all right here on SantaTrackers.net.
City Captains – We have several city captains now. And we’re looking for more.
State Representatives – We likewise have open positions for State Elf Representatives to fill this year. Many of them!
Country Ambassadors – We have almost 200 country ambassador positions to fill this year. In a change, you don’t have to live in a country to represent that country (though we would prefer it). Our goal is to get every one of the countries on the globe represented.
Editorial Positions – We have other needs for editorial positions as part of the News Department at the North Pole. As an official writer for the North Pole Public Relations Department your work might be featured here, or at SantaUpdate.com or at NorthPoleFlightCommand.com. We need elves who can share their talents on everything from Christmas movie reviews to recipe sharing.
Media Jobs – Other media jobs include North Pole Radio News reporters, social media managers, and digital media specialists. If you have creative talents in these areas and you’d like to do them as an elf, we’ll make use of your abilities.
Group Managers – We have some groups of our own creation that will need managers.
Community Moderators – We will need moderators to help keep the elf boards moving and safe. We need help meeting the needs of elves who come here from all over.
Social Media Elves – If you are an expert on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, Tik Tok, Snap Chat or other social media platforms we have elf work that needs to be done!

This is just the beginning.

Please do no respond to this post by asking ME for a new job. These things will be rolled out over several months. Please watch the appropriate places in the groups set aside for jobs. Elf Sandy Claus of the Department of Elf Resources will be handling the posting of these jobs and the application process. I’m just your friendly neighborhood web geek with NO IDEA what goes into getting new jobs for anxious elves. Our new community is all about keeping things organized. So please be patient, learn the new platform, and be ready to address your questions to the right elf.

And that’s another thing: you’ll see more elves here online than ever before. Some you’ve never had personal contact with. This is one of Santa’s requests: to get more of our more well known elves here on the boards and interfacing with you. Santa isn’t giving them more time to do this. This is work above and beyond what their usual duties are. So be patient with them. They are learning these things right along side you. They need time to get used to it.

As always, we appreciate your ideas and suggestions. The work between now and Christmas in July will be to get all this stuff in place and working. Those of you who are dedicated enough to being here are appreciated for your loyalty and dedication. You will be the first elves we recognize. Please don’t be shy in sharing what you think we should be doing or where we can improve.

Elf Ernest may be making announcements on the new features briefly discussed above as they roll out. Or, he may ask me to do it. Or maybe Roger Star will have a hand in it. In any event, we’re going to roll them out one-by-one and do our best to answer your questions as we go along.

Thanks.

Watch Your Step!

February 19, 2021/6 Comments/in Elves Only, Site Support/by Elf Max

Hi guys. Yeah, things look a bit different. And the paint is still wet, so to speak.

I know this is a big change to get used to. But I really do think this will make the new website a lot more fun. Plus, it’s only February. So we have time to work the bugs out of this.

So, what to call this?

Well, it’s a whole new way of elves connecting with elves. This new social platform for Santa Trackers will allow us to roll out all kinds of new capabilities. A lot of the new stuff we want to introduce will come in time. But for now, we just need to get used to customizing our profiles and just talking to each other.

Through this new interface we can make friends and share information. We need to play with it. Get used to it. Then lots of new things will happen.

For now, we know it is full of bugs. But it is set up enough where we can start using it. Just make sure you say something when you see something weird or wonky or just not working. We’ll get it figured out.

Thanks for understanding.

Sector 5 Elves Check In!

December 22, 2020/12 Comments/in Elves Only, Sector 5, Tracking News/by Elf Pinky

Hey guys!

Hopefully you are all paying attention. Sector 5 is last on the map, last to check in but never last in anything else!

Checking in tells us that you’re ready to track Santa. You can see the official countdown to Santa’s launch in the upper left hand side of the site. At the time this is posted we have less than 7 hours until Santa launches.

But that doesn’t mean he’s coming to us right away…that means he is beginning his trek through all the other sectors first. So this is just the beginning of a long, long process.

Please check in via the form below and stand by for further instruction. Thank you.

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Trackers in Sector 4 Can Check In

December 22, 2020/0 Comments/in Elves Only, Sector 4, Tracking News/by Elf Tubby Ryder

Hola, Trackers of Sector 4!

North Pole Flight Command has now informed us that we can begin check in for trackers in our Sector. You can do so below. Please standby for further instruction.