I'm thinking about hosting events in which I bring in various experts to answer questions for a period of a day or two at a time... maybe as long as a week. I'd probably devote a group to each type of expert that comes in, to make it easier on the visitor to find the questions that are directed to him or her.
I know of a few professionals who have expressed an interest in answering questions, including a holistic doctor. I figure if you guys enjoy it, we can turn it into a regular thing and maybe have a new expert pop in each month or every couple of weeks.
What do you think? Would it be fun and would you participate and ask some questions? Are there any particular professionals you'd like to be highlighted?
The sub-group idea is a good one. I also considered creating a general group category for "Ask an Expert," so it's easier for members to find them to review later and it differentiates them from other general groups. While the "event" is going on, there will be a link on the home page, kind of like there is now for the question diversity thing, so it should be easy for people to tell when we have an expert here and find the active group. These experts will only be here for a limited time, so I'm a little leery of doing anything that makes it look permanent. The expert groups will become dormant after the expert leaves, kind of like our Last Mugger Standing group, but will be revived if/when an expert in that field visits again.
I may do up a general "Ask an Expert Category" and then subgroup out similar professions- like all expert medical groups together, all expert food groups together, etc.
I appreciate the offer to help. If you happen to know anyone who might be a good expert to feature or have suggestions on the types of specialists we should seek out, that would be great.