Post by Elliot Kane on Jan 21, 2007 9:21:21 GMT
I've had a few conversations lately with various people who don't seem quite sure how I select moderators, and I really don't want the process to be unknown or subject to misunderstanding so I figured I'd create this explanation.
What usually happens is that when there is a vacancy, I'll bat ideas backwards and forwards with Steve ('GreyLensman') for a while and eventually we will settle on who we think the best person for the job is. These are the things we will consider most:
* Contribution to that section of the forum. If we have, say, a Fashion section and you are always posting tons of articles about new fashion trends then you are obviously going to be a strong candidate as you have a clear and displayed interest in the topics under discussion in that section.
* Suitable personality. The ideal moderator has to remain calm even under provocation and stay reasonable at all times. Someone who picks fights or is otherwise disruptive to board harmony will not be considered. It is worth noting that 'suitable' varies by section, as the best personality for some will be different to the best personality for others. 'Fun loving' is great for the General forum, for example, but no use at all in Humanology which is where all the really serious subjects usually end up.
* Involvement with the forum as a whole. The more I can see how you get on with the rest of the boardies, the easier it is to decide whether you will make a good moderator or not. Any moderator could trash their entire section in a very short space of time, making it very much a position of trust. If you obviously love the board and the other boardies, you clearly have an investment and thus are more obviously worthy of trust.
* Every moderator is part of a two-person team. As such, they have to at least not mind each other and preferably get on. If I have one mod already in place then anyone who does not get on with that mod (Providing I know about any tension, of course!) will not be considered.
* Getting on well with either myself or Steve won't hurt, but it won't necessarily help, either. Our policy on the matter is to select the best candidate in all cases; and the best candidate is the one who best benefits the forum as a whole.
* Length of time here is not necessarily a consideration. Your contribution matters far more in our deliberations.
***
If you are selected as a possible moderator, you will be PMed by either Steve or myself and asked if you would like the position. You have the total right to accept or reject the position as you will. An unhappy moderator is bad for everyone, and we absolutely understand if you don't want the post; moderating is not a thing that suits everybody.
Several people have refused moderator positions in the past and doubtless more will do so in the future. It's really not a big thing.
If you do accept, you get the big announcement and you get added to the Mod Squad. If you don't, only yourself, Steve & I will ever know about it.
***
Once a Moderator is appointed, they are permanently there unless they either resign or fail to visit the forum for a significant length of time (3-4 months usually).
Only the General forum has another condition attached: the mods there must be active and involved. This is because General is the main and by far the busiest section of the forum.
***
For anyone wondering, this is what I would consider to be good Moderator procedure:
1. In the event of a minor breach, point it out in a post in the thread, and ask the malefactors to calm down or play nice or whatever.
2. In the event of a flagrant breach (Like starting a forbidden topic) close the thread, and add an explanation at the end to say WHY you closed it.
3. In the event of people using inappropriate language or other nasty comments in an otherwise good thread, edit or delete the posts (Editing is usually best) and once again explain why.
4. Only delete threads as an absolute last resort. remember that a vanished thread leaves uncertain boardies who do not know why their thread has suddenly gone. This is always a bad thing.
The two most important things to remember are not to go power mad and that explaining your decisions results in greater board harmony - you are not only fair, but SEEN to be fair.
Not that this board needs a lot of moderating, but this may still be useful for the future
Anyone reading this will also realise why I rarely if ever close topics: when was the last time you saw a flagrant breach of the rules, here?
***
That should hopefully clear up any questions people have about moderators, how to become one and what they do. If you want to know anything else, just ask
***
Addendum: any Mod visiting the forum but not posting anywhere on the forum for six or more months will be de-Modded.
What usually happens is that when there is a vacancy, I'll bat ideas backwards and forwards with Steve ('GreyLensman') for a while and eventually we will settle on who we think the best person for the job is. These are the things we will consider most:
* Contribution to that section of the forum. If we have, say, a Fashion section and you are always posting tons of articles about new fashion trends then you are obviously going to be a strong candidate as you have a clear and displayed interest in the topics under discussion in that section.
* Suitable personality. The ideal moderator has to remain calm even under provocation and stay reasonable at all times. Someone who picks fights or is otherwise disruptive to board harmony will not be considered. It is worth noting that 'suitable' varies by section, as the best personality for some will be different to the best personality for others. 'Fun loving' is great for the General forum, for example, but no use at all in Humanology which is where all the really serious subjects usually end up.
* Involvement with the forum as a whole. The more I can see how you get on with the rest of the boardies, the easier it is to decide whether you will make a good moderator or not. Any moderator could trash their entire section in a very short space of time, making it very much a position of trust. If you obviously love the board and the other boardies, you clearly have an investment and thus are more obviously worthy of trust.
* Every moderator is part of a two-person team. As such, they have to at least not mind each other and preferably get on. If I have one mod already in place then anyone who does not get on with that mod (Providing I know about any tension, of course!) will not be considered.
* Getting on well with either myself or Steve won't hurt, but it won't necessarily help, either. Our policy on the matter is to select the best candidate in all cases; and the best candidate is the one who best benefits the forum as a whole.
* Length of time here is not necessarily a consideration. Your contribution matters far more in our deliberations.
***
If you are selected as a possible moderator, you will be PMed by either Steve or myself and asked if you would like the position. You have the total right to accept or reject the position as you will. An unhappy moderator is bad for everyone, and we absolutely understand if you don't want the post; moderating is not a thing that suits everybody.
Several people have refused moderator positions in the past and doubtless more will do so in the future. It's really not a big thing.
If you do accept, you get the big announcement and you get added to the Mod Squad. If you don't, only yourself, Steve & I will ever know about it.
***
Once a Moderator is appointed, they are permanently there unless they either resign or fail to visit the forum for a significant length of time (3-4 months usually).
Only the General forum has another condition attached: the mods there must be active and involved. This is because General is the main and by far the busiest section of the forum.
***
For anyone wondering, this is what I would consider to be good Moderator procedure:
1. In the event of a minor breach, point it out in a post in the thread, and ask the malefactors to calm down or play nice or whatever.
2. In the event of a flagrant breach (Like starting a forbidden topic) close the thread, and add an explanation at the end to say WHY you closed it.
3. In the event of people using inappropriate language or other nasty comments in an otherwise good thread, edit or delete the posts (Editing is usually best) and once again explain why.
4. Only delete threads as an absolute last resort. remember that a vanished thread leaves uncertain boardies who do not know why their thread has suddenly gone. This is always a bad thing.
The two most important things to remember are not to go power mad and that explaining your decisions results in greater board harmony - you are not only fair, but SEEN to be fair.
Not that this board needs a lot of moderating, but this may still be useful for the future
Anyone reading this will also realise why I rarely if ever close topics: when was the last time you saw a flagrant breach of the rules, here?
***
That should hopefully clear up any questions people have about moderators, how to become one and what they do. If you want to know anything else, just ask
***
Addendum: any Mod visiting the forum but not posting anywhere on the forum for six or more months will be de-Modded.
.com