Roy Munson said:
Hi Rich.
I re-read that thread, and I think it would be helpful for potential mods and members alike if you gave us your opinions on what went wrong in that thread. I haven't seen any temp-bans issued to the participants (yet), so I'm genuinely interested in how you view the exchange. I definitely see problems in the thread, but I don't know if my view lines up with yours, and I'd like to know.
Some may view the attempts by some members to get the original poster to stop using chat-speak and improve her writing/spelling as antagonistic. While there may be a hint of it, I was more put off by the o.p.'s dismissive and rude replies. I know you didn't author the following, but you must have approved it, or it wouldn't be stickied. How do you feel about members attempting to correct the writing styles that this passage discourages?
Here are a couple of other passages from that stickied document. I'm wondering who you think crossed the line in that thread, and who (if anyone) you think deserved the 3-day ban that these passages describe. In my opinion, there were a small number of posters coming close to the line, but only one crossed it. What do you think?
All things considered, especially recalling a recent event where I posted evidence of a chat room situation I wanted to end, I would prefer to not go down that avenue again. The thread I indicated in the opening post for this thread has a number of issues, which I hope most people who would consider the position of moderator would be readily cognizant of. "Chat speak", while being a bit less than desired from members, is not really something that should be granted a penalty by a member using it. What concerns me is the heckling involved which can only most certainly spiral a thread into a level of discord that I think most of us would not want to see here. Yes there is a spell checker here, but is it really necessary to heckle someone about their not using it (whether through ignorance of that availability, or perhaps haste in posting, or even a desire to not be hampered by such things)? Really none of the original complaints are the realm of a moderator. A moderator's job begins when the discussion becomes "un-moderate". In other words, when a thread first shows signs of heading off into a HEATED argument, THAT is the time for a moderator to step in and try to cool it off before it gets out of control. Stitch in time saves nine, sort of thing.
Certainly a moderator will have to have a LOT of foresight into the sometimes unintended repercussions of their actions (i.e. the chat room fiasco....
), which may be completely impossible to determine without hindsight. I certainly cannot, and will not, fault anyone for being slightly less capable in that department than I am. But certainly any moderator who seems to be causing more conflict then they are quelling, will hopefully throw themselves on the sword before I have to wield it myself.
If there are more than one moderator, which will be likely, I would prefer any disagreements between them about an issue be kept out of public and instead hashed out in private. I will not publicly reprimand any moderator, in keeping with this policy, and hope that this favor is returned in like kind towards me.
I fully recognize that picking a bad moderator can be devastating to a message board system yet otherwise recognize that I just cannot know someone that deeply here to know how they will react when under pressure. I don't want anyone looking for a power trip, and will be quick to nip anything appearing like that as soon as I am convinced that is the case. And yes, it could very easily happen whereby I see the signs before you recognize it yourself.
I expect to get complaints from others who will be moderated. Most people rarely recognize that they are veering over the edge and sometimes resent being told that they are. But I will give the benefit of the doubt to the moderator(s) when cases are subject to multiple interpretations. When there IS no doubt, then my actions will have no alternative but to remove the person from the position. The smooth running of this site and the enjoyment and interest level of the members here will be paramount in those sorts of decisions that need to be made. Someone being overbearing and instead of moderating attempt to use that influence to enforce their own personal opinions about details of information will have no place here. Moderation is not about correcting someone for having a dissenting opinion. It is about keeping the peace when there ARE dissenting opinions. The toughest part of the job will be trying to figure out when you really need to step in and being diplomatic enough to keep the fighting dogs from turning on yourself instead of each other.
I think I have covered that sufficiently I hope. Sorry if I cannot just paint a black and white picture of what is expected, but moderation just is not that way.
Now about the various suggestions about rotating moderators and anonymous moderators. Obviously, I am not interested in something that will be a logistical headache for me, and BOTH of those schemes would certainly turn out that way. There are a number of things that have to be set up for anyone becoming appointed as a moderator, and to do that on a frequent basis with the changing of the guard would be a royal pain in the butt. Same thing for the anonymous moderator plan. I would have to keep track of who is Moderator01 thru Moderator03 at any given time in order to be able to field any complaints that may arise. Again, this is not the sort of work load I would to add onto my plate.
The job of moderator has some significant drawbacks, but also has some not modest benefits as well. At the very least, you WILL become very well known by all who are here. There is no way that can't happen. However, that being said, the way you handle yourself could make you famous, or infamous, depending on you.
I do expect turnover, regardless of who is selected for these positions. Any number of reasons. Workload to great with your own life, loss of interest, or just stress from the conflicts that the position will require of you to become involved in. So there will be the opportunity for others to possible qualify for a moderator position at sometime in the future, as needed.
Anyway, I think I covered the main points so far. Oh there is one other thing... someone brought up the idea of a unique medallion for the moderators. I like that idea, but unfortunately I did not get the PhotoShop template file for the medallion, and have not heard from the guy who made that up for me in ages now. So if some enterprising artist would care to make up a snappy new moderator medallion for me, I would be grateful of the help. Unfortunately, I have learned the hard way that I do not have an artistic bone in my body.....
Thanks.
