Home and Family Report

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It’s time. Let’s see a Home and Family Report from each of you.

This is a special report. It’s about you, and your family.

Santa like to take care of his elves. I can recall the debate several years ago when this report was set up. The argument was that it was TOO personal and that we needed to keep our reporting efforts here focused squarely on things like weather and neighborhood maps and such stuff.

They argued that if someone wanted or needed something special or personal from Santa that the messaging options via the North Pole Post Office at SantaUpdate.com would do the job. They didn’t want to see a special report for tracker elves.

But we fought for this.

You all track Santa for Santa year round. You help with the mission of Operation Merry Christmas. Things have only gotten better for Santa since the help of millions of elves around the world began. He’s been able to be more timely, more accurate and safer in his journey. That’s all thanks to you.

Don’t you think it’s appropriate that you’ve got a way to bypass all the usual process so that Santa can hear your personal concerns?

There are rules we need to follow as Elf Supervisors. One of those rules is to not allow abuse of this report. And we only ask for it when it is appropriate to do so.

It’s appropriate now. We’ve got a couple of weeks to go until Santa flies. Now is the time to let him know what’s on your mind.

Regardless of how you stand, please send in a Home and Family Report as soon as you can. These get handled carefully. Santa will have these reports in front of him as he delivers to where you are. So give it some thought and share with Santa how you feel.

Thank you.

Sector Update

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Hi Gang,

A little Sector Update for you, just in case you’re interested. As we head into December we have some things to both celebrate and to work on.

As of today, we’re sitting at about 36,719 North Pole Elves in the Sector versus 22,457,232 freelance elves.

That’s a huge different, probably the largest our history.

Do we want or need more North Pole elves? Hard for me to say right now. I’m just grateful for the ones we have, especially those who chose to be active in the Elf Community.

As of today, we have roughly 69 million reports submitted so far this year. That number will double in the next 3 weeks. And the reports we get in the next three weeks are the most important for the year.

North Pole Flight Command has developed a system that scores the information we send them. They are trying to give Santa one indicator about the quality of the reporting we have so far. We are rated at 91%, which doesn’t sound great but actually it’s the highest in the world.

To raise that score, and I think it will go up in the next few weeks as reporting increases, we need to be as detailed in our reports as possible.

The idea behind all of our efforts is to help Santa fly safely through each sector to help improve his accuracy in delivery and his efficiency in moving around.

With all the attention on the sleigh you know the expectation and biggest hope of tracking Santa this year will be the setting of an all time speed record. That record is for Santa to complete his mission in under 30 hours. That’s the goal. That’s the record.

The new sleigh is great and it will help Santa’s overall speed.

But honestly it is the information that will win this race. And it will be information that comes from us.

We need to be rock-solid in our reporting, as detailed as we can be. Santa needs to know about every obstacle, every cloud in the sky, every danger and every little thing that might possibly slow him down. He needs to know about people, traffic, weather, and buildings.

That’s all on us. Nobody is going to report that but us. Nobody is going to relay that information but us.

Many of you are wanting to know what to do right now to help. And that’s easy.

As of December first I want you to report when you see something. Use the right report – but persist in sending in reports without waiting for me to ask you.

By all means, if I get something from Flight Command that they want, I’ll relay that request to you. But right now we all need to be smart elves and just report something when we see it.

Is there a problem with a chimney? Report it.

Is the weather taking a bad turn? Report it.

Does a roof look damaged or changed in some way? Report it.

How’s the Christmas spirit where you are? Report it.

How’s the traffic? Report it.

Don’t wait for me to ask you for a report. When you see something, say something.

 

Stocking Mail is NOT for Tracking

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At some point in the upcoming weeks there will be a conversation over at SantaUpdate.com about Stocking Mail. It usually generates confusion.

Unfortunately that confusion starts here in the tracker elf community.

So we wanted to put something out about it now so that mistakes can be avoided in the weeks ahead.

The North Pole Post Office is charged with getting Santa his mail, no matter where he is and no matter what date, time or place it may be.

Most of the time that is best handled online. Yes, many still write hand-written letters. But as time and technology has advanced messaging for Santa comes in many forms: texts, emails, messages, faxes, etc.

Several years ago the North Pole Research and Development Department invented a ground-breaking new messaging system we call Stocking Mail. When implemented the system uses a Christmas stocking as kind of a portal. If a note is put in the stocking at the right time when the system is engaged that message gets transmitted to the North Pole Post Office and thus to Santa.

Pretty cool, right?

Well, here’s what you need to understand about it.

  1. It’s not perfect. It can only handle paper. If things are written on plastic or cloth or something else it doesn’t work. Some have tried to send Santa other things via stocking mail, like cookies or food for the reindeer. That stuff doesn’t work either. In fact it all gums up the system.
  2. It only works when the system is turned on. Turning it on is a complex process that requires special facilities, lots of technical equipment and thousands of elves. For the reason, it only gets turned on for a brief period of time each year. Usually, when Elf Hugo contacts Santa to say that time or other resources are running low to keep other messaging options flowing, that is when Stocking Mail is activated. It does not get activated until and unless Santa approves it.
  3. Stocking Mail is NOT for transmitting any kind of information except messages for Santa. It could be a wish list or some sort of note for Santa – but that’s it. It is NOT for sending tracking information for Flight Command. Don’t do it. They will never see it. You must communicate with North Pole Flight Command as directed at SantaTrackers.net.

We want all tracker elves to know and understand the proper use of Stocking Mail. You should be prepared to explain it to “normies” out there when it is activated come December 23rd and December 24th.

Of course, the News Department at the North Pole will do their part in trying to communicate how it all works. But you know that people don’t read everything we put out. Sometimes you just have to tell them.

Stocking Mail is most useful for the little ones. They will frequently change their minds about what they want for Christmas. Or, they will remember something at the last minute that they just want Santa to know. This is why Stocking Mail was invented.

If properly used and implemented, Stocking Mail will transmit information to Santa from any stocking anywhere in the world directly to him, even while he is on the sleigh. Frequently, Stocking Mail isn’t even utilized until Santa has taken off from the North Pole.

Have questions? As them here, in the comments below or on the Elf Wall. We want everyone to understand this.

Air Traffic Report Requested

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Hi gang!

First of all, thank you for all the kind notes and well wishes. I’m feeling much better. Had just a touch of a weird flu, but doing okay now.

And Happy Operation Merry Christmas! We’re eating a fabulous red cake with white frosting, made by Elf Marky here in the RTC in Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada. Marky loves Operation Merry Christmas and always decorates the office here for this day. It’s fun.

Anyway, I got in today to find a strange request from North Pole Flight Command for our sector. They want us to do an Air Traffic Report sometime this weekend.

Frankly, I thought this was a mistake. My thought was that someone up there was thinking it is December 24th, not November 24th. So I called them and sure enough they put this request in today, November 24th. They really DO want us to do an air traffic report.

I’ve never seen them ask for one of these so early. This report is normally to help warn Santa of weird stuff flying around when he’s out and about on Christmas Eve. But that’s not what this specific request is about.

North Pole Flight Command is testing some new experimental radar system that’s run off of cell towers. Weird stuff. It isn’t a system that is going to be ready soon – a couple of years away is what they told me. But they are testing it this weekend in several areas and they want these reports to see if they can trust the results they are getting in their test.

Basically, if you elves send in observation of what you are seeing in the air space where you are they can compare it to what this new system is reporting.

So, let’s help them out, shall we?

If you have never done an air traffic report before, this will be good practice for you. We usually send out a request for one of these on Christmas Eve when Santa is about ready to enter our sector. So doing it now will get you ready for the real deal next month.

I’m just getting back to the office after being out for a few days. But my plan is to review where we are at and to send out an update to you, likely on Monday. I think we’re in good shape but we have SO MANY new elves and I think we might need to re-organize some things come next week.

Thanks all for your help on this one. The air traffic report can be accessed at this link.

 

Public Observance Report

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North Pole Security has issued a request via North Pole Flight Command for a Public Observance Report in Sector 5.

The Public Observance Report is different than a Local Christmas Report in that it is about people and their behavior.

I honestly do not know what is behind this request. However, I assured them I would ask you to do one.

Please do NOT go out of your way to do anything special in regards to this. As you go about your regular daily business just watch people and make note of anything unusual that you see.

Please note that you are NOT spying on people and you are not “telling on them”. Just make note of anything you feel might be important for North Pole Security to know.

As always, please be safe and keep yourself out of harm’s way.

If you can have this report in by November 20th, it would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

Claim the City Captain Job

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Any elf can be City Captain for the city, town or village where they live. You just need to claim the job. You can do this at the City Captain Job page.

A City Captain Elf is responsible for representing the geographical operations of the North Pole in the city in which they live.

As such, they may be contacted by the North Pole to assist in leading Operation Merry Christmas for Santa Claus and the North Pole in the months, weeks and days leading up to Christmas.

The City Captain assumes responsibility for local recruiting efforts of new elves and in communicating, training and executing elf operations locally.

Santa would like as many city captains as possible.

As City Captains claim the jobs I will post announcements about once a week between now and Christmas. We will also work with Elf Max to see that points and badges are set up in your profile.

If you have questions please post in the comments below or on the Elf Wall.

Thanks!

Personal Tracker Reports

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Personal Tracker Reports are reports about you. The Elf Supervisors use your submitted information.

As I was in Norway this week dealing a little bit with the situation with Sector 3 Elf Rolf showed me a big wall of pictures of tracker elves. That’s what he does with the Elfie Selfies you send him. He puts it up on his wall and labels each picture with your elf name.

In talking with all the Elf Supervisors this week I learned they all use the information you submit differently. But they all use it.

They also all said we don’t ask often enough to have that information update. So that’s what I’m asking for today.

When you get an opportunity, please send in all three of these reports (they are linked below):

1. Elf Status Report – this tells us your availability. You should update this as your situation changes between now and Christmas.

2. Elfie Selfie – this is a picture of you, hopefully in front of your Christmas tree, your Santa tracking map or at your home tracking center. The Elf Supervisors LOVE these pictures. Make sure your parents/guardians/wife/mother/significant other are okay with this.

3. Home and Family Report – this is a report shared with Santa, out of concern for all you live with.

None of these are **required**. But it sure is nice to have them.

Ask any questions you have in the comments below.

Thanks!

Special Instructions for All Trackers

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Hello, Trackers – Crash here.

I wanted to give you an update on some things and to provide some instruction of things we can be doing between now and Thanksgiving.

1. Elf Chat with Santa – the chat with Santa and I will be held Saturday at 11am EST in Elf Chat at SantaTrackers.net. It is important that you remember what this chat is for: it’s for elf business. It’s for tracking Santa for Santa. It’s NOT for asking Santa for things for Christmas or about his favorite cookies or about why you didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas. We need to all be ready to talk about our jobs as elves, what Santa needs for his flight and exactly what is most important about Tracking Santa for Santa this year. That being said, I don’t want you to be shy in asking questions. But ask about stuff in your elf life, not your normal life.

2. Roof Reports – We’ve talked about this before but I just wanted to remind you. One of our most basic tracker reports is the roof report. Elf Roger at North Pole Flight Command tells us the time in getting short and we need to get these in as soon as possible. Report on roofs that you can see all around you. Only do it from the ground. Take pictures if you can. Be as thorough as possible. Be prepared if someone from North Pole Flight Command contacts you to ask questions.

3. Account Activity – Elf Moe and team are doing a great job making sure only North Pole Elves are on SantaTrackers.net community features such as the Elf Wall. They’ve got a mandate from Santa. If you’re new, get your profile and Elf name in line. There are lots of elves around to help you. Inactive accounts are getting deleted all the time. By this point in the year you should be logging in at least once a week, if not more. If you don’t your account could be deleted.

4. City Captains – I am pleased to announce a new process for those wanting to be a City Captain. To be a City Captain all you will need to do going forward is to claim it for the city or town you live in. Elf Sandy will soon be posting a new form that will allow you to do it. Elf Resources will check to make sure nobody else has already claimed it, but this move should more or less clear up the log jam for this elf job.

5. Other Elf Jobs – we want to fill the Country and State/Province Representative positions right away. Please apply if interested.

Between now and Thanksgiving there may not be a lot of instruction coming from me or the Supes. That’s by design. After Thanksgiving is a different story.

Please check in often, elves.

Thank you.

Keep the Weather Reports Coming

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Elves of Sector 5,

I’ve been informed by North Pole Flight Command that the most and the best weather reports are coming in right now from our sector. As such, they plan to begin the next round of test flights for Santa’s sleigh over North America.

We need to keep the reports coming. They are looking for BAD WEATHER to fly the sleigh in.

I’m not sure how long they will stay in our sector but I understand this is where they want to start!

Alert for All Elves in All Sectors

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Attention all Trackers: In a conversation this morning with Elf Roger Star, Director of North Pole Flight Command, he referenced this posted news at North Pole Flight Command.

Flight Command is working to meet Santa’s requests for changes to the sleigh. It will require some assistance from us over the next couple of days. If you can report from your local area to meet this need it would be very helpful.

The sleigh will be made lighter, which will require re-testing it in certain weather conditions. While it is anticipated that the changes Santa wants will not result in performance problems with the sleigh Elf Roger wants to erase any doubts by putting the sleigh through some rigorous testing in adverse weather conditions. To do that, they need to know where severe weather may be in the forecast over the next few weeks.

They are asking all trackers to research weather forecasts for any severe weather events – it can be rain, snow, wind, hail, tornados, blizzards – anything extreme.

Their plan is to put the modified sleighs – some loaded, some not – directly in the path of as much severe weather as they can find.

I have already alerted the Elf Supervisors to this request. They may be posting specifics to their sector over the next 10-days or so. The goal is to get enough flights tests done in these areas over the next three weeks to discover performance issues and make adjustments.

You can help by:

1. Checking your local weather DAILY.

2. IF there is any sign of extreme weather forecast for your area, copy and paste a weather link in the weather report form and send it in.

All staff at the Regional Tracking Centers are working on this too and will be looking for your reports.

Getting Your Elf Profile Right

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Fellow Elves in the Service of Santa,

We’re getting busier. With new elves comes a bit of chaos. There are questions and concerns. I appreciate the help of elves who have been here in years past to help bring the new elves up to speed.

As we work with new elves I’m asking ALL elves to please do the following:

1. Update your profile. To do that, go to “Elf Profile” under the login button at the top.

2. On the submenu bar click on the down arrow on the right and select “Profile Settings”:

Profile Settings

3. On that page select the green icon for “Profile Avatar”. This is the little picture that represents YOU. Every elf needs an avatar. If you can’t find one or don’t have one, please let me or Max or really anyone know, we’ll help you get one.

4. Once that is set up go to the pink icon on the Profile Settings page. This is the “cover” for your profile – the long horizontal picture that serves as the background on your profile header. That image needs to be larger than 1350 px wide and at least 350 px tall. Again, if you don’t have one, let me know and we’ll help you get one.

5. Then go into the Elf Info area and add the word “Elf” in front of your name. For example, my name is Moe so my elf info says “Elf Moe” in the name field. Every elf MUST have the word “Elf” in front of their name.

If your profile is not updated to these specs before Sunday October 22nd your account will default to “retired”, which limits your site access. You don’t want that if you want to be active tracking Santa for Santa in the months ahead.

Retired accounts CAN be restored within 90 days. But to restore it you need to be prepared to get your elf profile in line with the above.

Retired accounts are deleted after 90 days.

This is just elf business. It’s nothing personal. Santa likes a tidy house and this just helps keep things in order.

If you have any questions, please ask. We’re here to help.

Stuff to Be Done

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Sorry gang, I’ve had issues with my account here at SantaTrackers.net. Thanks to Elf Max for getting me going again.

It’s middle of October. You should be seeing more Christmas in your area. If you aren’t you need to let me know. How? Please send in a Local Christmas Report before the end of the month.

Also, if you have not done it, a roof report and a chimney report for your home and the houses on either side of you is needed. Again, by the end of October. If you don’t have a neighbor on either side of you, don’t worry about. Just do your house. But please do it.

Weather reports should continue to come in weekly. Thank you to those being so faithful in this.

Be ready to share an Elfie Selfie soon. I love to do this around Halloween because I like your costumes. If you have an event with you in costume before Halloween don’t forget to send in a selfie to share with me. I love this stuff.

The snow is getting ready to fly, guys. We’re tracking Santa soon!