Hey everyone -
I just got back from visiting my family out of state (I had only been on CC once while I was gone, and only for a few minutes). I received a few PMs about the theme that was chosen by Cake_Princess for June, and I just read the suggestions thread that I started for June in it's entirety.
I wanted to post a response here too, in case anyone else had questions about how the themes are chosen. I can't speak for Cake_Princess, but I can tell you how I usually choose the theme.
If there is a clear theme idea that has the most support, then I choose that one. If there are two or three themes that are all getting a lot of support I try to go with whatever theme is the consensus of the group (I usually give a little more weight to one that is particularly related to that specific month) - I usually list the top few themes and ask for feedback a day or two before the final decision. Then I choose one of those based on the rest of the feedback I get. I do get some pms, but most people state their preferences in the thread.
I just tallied the suggestions/support from the suggestions thread and in that thread only (not counting any PMs received by me or Cake_Princess) and tallying each persons vote only once (several people voted for the same theme several times within the same thread) the tallies for under the sea and weddings were almost exactly the same.
In the first post each month you will see this from the original guidelines when Cake_Princess started the Cookie Club:
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The purpose of choosing a monthly theme is to have a central theme for everyone participating to follow in order to allow us an opportunity to be creative, try new things, and learn from each other. Please try to follow the monthly theme. Everyone who wishes to has an opportunity to suggest a theme in the monthly suggestion thread, and all themes suggested are considered and commented on by interested members of the community. The theme is chosen at the beginning of each month by Bonniebakes or me (the theme is chosen based on what seems to have the most support for that particular month from the group in the suggestions thread and any PMs Bonniebakes or I receive, not necessarily by an actual vote count) and the new theme is posted near the beginning of the month. If your suggestion wasnt chosen in one particular month, please feel free to suggest it again in the future!
I know that when the theme that you hope for doesn't get chosen it can be frustrating, but please keep in mind that we choose a new theme each month and just because it wasn't the one for this month doesn't mean it won't be the theme another time. Keep suggesting it!
If there is a month that I don't particularly like the theme chosen, I just don't contribute to the cookie club that month and instead just watch in awe of the great creations from the other members who are more creative than I am!
I hope this clarifies the process some for you all. If you have any other questions, please feel free to PM me!
Bonnie