- Joined
- Jan 3, 2004
- Messages
- 6,624
Everyone, please welcome the following members to the new MODERATOR TEAM!
Aertyn, bpatters, Char-x, Duffinvt, FoggyCreekCavy, Lissie and suzilovespiggie!
Yes, that's right, a big change at the forum!
Ly, Paula and VJ are Administrators with overall responsibilities and our new Moderators will all be assigned to some specific forums to help out.
Along with the new moderators comes a bit of a shift in our management style of moderating.
We are actually removing some of our 'rules' and insisting that members lighten up in certain areas. The goal? To be a friendlier forum. Of course, we are still firm in our positions on guinea pig welfare, but we want more acceptance of members across the board.
We'll be publishing more specifics about the changes as soon as we get a chance. However, I would like to draw your attention to the Introductions forum. Please note the new announcement at the top of that forum. That will give you an idea of the new direction. We will be updating various 'sticky' threads and policy posts as we have time as well.
Here is the text of the announcement on the Intro forum -- which only Cavy Slaves, Stars and Champions will see. Newbies (new to the forum) will NOT see this notice:
How were the moderators chosen?
Actually from running a report based on my criteria and perusing posts. There may be a few people who feel that they should have been tapped, and if so, please feel free to PM or email me privately and I will discuss my feelings about it. There were a few other folks who were asked that did not have the time available but may join later.
Moving Forward
Below is a list of what I'm looking for in a moderator. I will also be adding a feature soon that will allow anyone to apply for the position of Moderator. So, when we are ready to add some new people to the team, we will post about it and consider any outstanding applications.
Moderator Qualifications
#1. Maturity
No matter what, you must be an adult in age and an adult in mind. I prefer over 22 or 23 or so, but will consider over 18. Business and work experience out there in the real world is essential to having a decent understanding of the pet trade industry.
#2. Longevity
You need to have been around a while on the forum -- preferably at least a couple of years. You need to have seen some of the dramas and ups and downs of the forum and have had time to experience different needs here yourself as well as get to know the members.
#3. Participation
I’m looking for people who are fairly consistent over time in their participation. This doesn’t mean you have to contribute thousands of posts, just that you are here fairly regularly and contribute when you actually have something of value to say. As a moderator, you are needed on a fairly regular basis, although it doesn’t have to be all the time, but enough to provide some coverage and some relief to the other moderators. Generally looking for 500+ quality posts as well. But, it's not a hard number.
#4. Value
When you do contribute, you provide value in a constructive way. It’s one thing to rehash standard positions or repeat the party line, so to speak, but it’s quite a bit better to contribute original thought in well-understood and well-accepted ways.
#5. Logic
It’s important to be able to think critically with reason and logic and not necessarily be drawn into heated debates with more heat.
#6. Respect
Looking for people who are respectful of other people’s views and can communicate our policies and positions in a constructive manner.
#7. Articulate
Looking for people who communicate well with others and set a good example via their posts.
#8. Alignment
I am looking for people who are aligned with the animal welfare objectives and standards that are the hallmark of our forum.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I am NOT looking for in a Moderator
We are still sorting out who will be assigned to what forums and they need a little bit of training on the inner workings, but we should have them up and running within a few days or so.
So, please help me make the forum a great place to be for everyone!! And please make the new mods feel welcome!
Aertyn, bpatters, Char-x, Duffinvt, FoggyCreekCavy, Lissie and suzilovespiggie!
Yes, that's right, a big change at the forum!
Ly, Paula and VJ are Administrators with overall responsibilities and our new Moderators will all be assigned to some specific forums to help out.
Along with the new moderators comes a bit of a shift in our management style of moderating.
We are actually removing some of our 'rules' and insisting that members lighten up in certain areas. The goal? To be a friendlier forum. Of course, we are still firm in our positions on guinea pig welfare, but we want more acceptance of members across the board.
We'll be publishing more specifics about the changes as soon as we get a chance. However, I would like to draw your attention to the Introductions forum. Please note the new announcement at the top of that forum. That will give you an idea of the new direction. We will be updating various 'sticky' threads and policy posts as we have time as well.
Here is the text of the announcement on the Intro forum -- which only Cavy Slaves, Stars and Champions will see. Newbies (new to the forum) will NOT see this notice:
How were the moderators chosen?
Actually from running a report based on my criteria and perusing posts. There may be a few people who feel that they should have been tapped, and if so, please feel free to PM or email me privately and I will discuss my feelings about it. There were a few other folks who were asked that did not have the time available but may join later.
Moving Forward
Below is a list of what I'm looking for in a moderator. I will also be adding a feature soon that will allow anyone to apply for the position of Moderator. So, when we are ready to add some new people to the team, we will post about it and consider any outstanding applications.
Moderator Qualifications
#1. Maturity
No matter what, you must be an adult in age and an adult in mind. I prefer over 22 or 23 or so, but will consider over 18. Business and work experience out there in the real world is essential to having a decent understanding of the pet trade industry.
#2. Longevity
You need to have been around a while on the forum -- preferably at least a couple of years. You need to have seen some of the dramas and ups and downs of the forum and have had time to experience different needs here yourself as well as get to know the members.
#3. Participation
I’m looking for people who are fairly consistent over time in their participation. This doesn’t mean you have to contribute thousands of posts, just that you are here fairly regularly and contribute when you actually have something of value to say. As a moderator, you are needed on a fairly regular basis, although it doesn’t have to be all the time, but enough to provide some coverage and some relief to the other moderators. Generally looking for 500+ quality posts as well. But, it's not a hard number.
#4. Value
When you do contribute, you provide value in a constructive way. It’s one thing to rehash standard positions or repeat the party line, so to speak, but it’s quite a bit better to contribute original thought in well-understood and well-accepted ways.
#5. Logic
It’s important to be able to think critically with reason and logic and not necessarily be drawn into heated debates with more heat.
#6. Respect
Looking for people who are respectful of other people’s views and can communicate our policies and positions in a constructive manner.
#7. Articulate
Looking for people who communicate well with others and set a good example via their posts.
#8. Alignment
I am looking for people who are aligned with the animal welfare objectives and standards that are the hallmark of our forum.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What I am NOT looking for in a Moderator
- While I greatly appreciate the highly opinionated posters, moderators moderate, so I’m looking for someone with balance and even-handedness.
- Not necessarily looking for experts in any particular area, just people who can help keep the forum running smoothly, legibly and according to our policies.
We are still sorting out who will be assigned to what forums and they need a little bit of training on the inner workings, but we should have them up and running within a few days or so.
So, please help me make the forum a great place to be for everyone!! And please make the new mods feel welcome!
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