[DiMarie]

Gee,
I just certainly was not critisizing any moderators here. I think it is wonderful for them to volunteer. I just felt due to a comment in a post; toward a forum friend who is a moderator, the poster make a inuendo that "one" mod was not doing their job. If they did not know the forum member was a moderator the comment never would have been made.

It was a personal attack, I felt was unjustified. I expect this is going to happen again as long as this person is lurking on our forum, not giving support, but seeking out post to attack as per their long time M.O.!
That's all.....

I missed all the hoop-de-do above. But, some times it feels good to vent. I am guilty of that myself. This thread had nothing to do with the past OBT or its mod's.
Di

[Snoopy]

Mister,

If you hang around I'm sure you will find the moderating different here than at some other forums.

As Curious stated in an earlier post....

Originally Posted by Curious

let me assure you that mod-ing here is a group effort. you may only see one name on the edit, but whether a post is editied or deleted...it is discussed.

It's that group effort that will make a difference.

[Rocking4Epilepsy]

Originally Posted by mister

They march to their own drum in many occasions and oftenplay favorites. It often depends on who you are when it comes to how they deal with you

Moderators here at BT2 all discuss any edits or deletes before they are done...

I don't feel any of the mods are playing favorites to anyone and if you ever see this happening please send that mod a PM and try to discuss your feelings..

I feel all mods have been doing an excellent job at keeping BT2 a safe and happy place for all.

Our forum not only takes mods to take part we also need all you wonderful members to share with us.

Hugs

[lady_express_44]

Originally Posted by Snoopy

Mister,

It's that group effort that will make a difference.

I agree this is probably a key factor, Snoopy.

There is a fairly large group of moderators who've volunteered here, with very diverse backgrounds. We have not been "chosen" for this job because we are puppets to some agenda or top-down administration. It is truely a team effort to come up with the best approach to situations.

When DocJohn presented his view on how he wants this board to function, I jumped at the chance to help him make this work. I like what he is trying to do here, and I think it will be both different, and successful.

If the members are generally happy, we all will be too.

Cherie

[Ellie]

I think this is a great example of what many people wonder about when it comes to moderation. I am as human as the next person, and I don't like to take on another persona when it comes to moderation because to be quite honest, I'd feel pretty blue if someone had that 'tone' with me.

I like to speak to people as I'd want them to speak with me and I'd like people to know me. Heck, if you search my posts - you can probably find my life story here. I have a long story, and just like everyone else - I have emotions. I am just as guilty as anyone else of posting or even speaking aloud when I am frustrated, and once it was put to my attention - I knew I had to take some of it back. Even if I felt I was right, I knew what I have said on several occasions weren't appropriate for that particular time or place, or whatever the case was.

I personally believe all members should be given that chance to change their own words. Everyone here has that chance (unless it is some very extreme attack that was posted, or something vulgar, obsene, etc). Your words belong to you, and are yours to change - not ours, and not anyone elses.

I wanted to post more regarding this topic last night but it was pushing around 1:00am or so, and I'd have sounded like a spaz (see: my avatar).

OneMoreTime,

I have done the same thing, trust me. I could tell by your post that you were being honest and you were concerned. It was clear you did not mean to cause anyone any harm. I really do respect your opinion and your honesty. And most of all, I have more respect for you for being so kind and such a great person to 'work with'.

It isn't just moderators and admins here that make decisions, it is every person who is a part of this community who can play a part in molding it into what it is going to be as a finished product. We like to work with not just moderators and admins, we like to work with all of you. And this very thread is the reason why.

Edit: I wanted to add that I meant the honesty regarding moderation concerns, etc. and not any personal opinions of other members. (Didn't want to cause confusion, sorry 'bout that!)

I hope you all have a great day!

[Chemar]

I just want to echo what has been said by the other mods in that we work here as a team and so that makes us accountable to one another and also precludes us being able to show partiality or favoritism. Plus, the fact that we are clearly identified makes us accountable to the entire membership.
And then, for your extra protection, we gotta clear stuff with DocJohn or KimmyDawn before we can edit, delete or anything like that. And they strongly believe in treating the membership with respect, and therefore first giving members the opportunity to edit their own posts should there be a need.
Personal attacks will always be seen as needing member edits or mod action for obvious reasons.
We all get riled sometimes and maybe speak/type before we think, but at least here on the Internet, there is time to reflect on the post before hitting the ole submit button The preview option is my friend

So, hopefully, everyone will see very little of us as moderators and rather just be able to interact with us as fellow members. We would like that as much as you!

And again, I echo the invitation that should you have any disagreement with a mod's posts or actions, please dont hesitate to contact us personally and tell us. We are only human and we can and do make mistakes!
And if you arent satisfied with the way we resolve it with you...contact kd or DocJohn.they will sort us out!!!

Just as an extra note, I really want to thank all of you for making it so easy for us here. Overall, there really hasnt been much for us to do as mods and that's the way we like it

[kimmydawn]

With decisions being made by a team of people, as opposed to one person, there's MUCH less chance for personal feelings and/or preference to play a role in actions taken by a moderator. I've worked this way for a year and a half and it's proven invaluable in different ways...start to finish...when working on potential issues that arise within a community.

Having moderators who are members is key. For instance, I might start a discussion to say that I see a potential issue. I may have already thought within myself the direction that I want to take. HOWEVER, that direction would be based solely on MY experience, MY thoughts, MY preferences, and possibly MY mood of the time. When decisions, issues and actions are discussed by the whole more information in the form of experiences, knowledge of the particular situation, knowledge of the member (i.e. they might have been posting in a joking manner as opposed to an attacking member, etc.), the whole come together for as much understanding as possible to make an INFORMED decision. That's why it works so well. There's much less the chance of someone acting out of mood, personal feelings and thoughts, etc.

That said, it can still appear that way on occasion. Don't ever hesitate to PM myself or Doc John with concerns.

It's also known that concerns, feelings, pain, etc. can reflect our posting in the moment. We always try to look at the bigger picture. We care.

Edits will happen. Moderators will try to involve members in the editing of their own posts as often as possible in an attempt to work with the member for the best possible understanding and, therefore, best possible outcome. That can't always happen, but is a goal.

If there is an edit/action that you don't understand or have any concern about, please PM the moderator involved, another moderator, myself or Doc John in order to aid in maintaining the privacy of the member(s) involved, as well as maintaining the applicable guideline.

I'm so proud to be a part of this wonderful community of caring people.

KD

[kimmydawn]

Lara,

I see what you're saying when you discuss past issues. Yes, that's a hard one at times. It goes back to a post I made a while back about time, consistency and fairness hopefully allowing for healing. It will take time, I think.

As far as the friend/moderator comment. Doc John has posted pretty clear guidelines which pretty much puts the poster's experience literally at their own fingertips. Any action a moderator would make would be one based on those guidelines and the understanding/discussion of the same as opposed to personal feelings, friendships, hard feelings, etc.

It really works out well. There will undoubtedly be mistakes and misunderstandings as we all learn and build this community. It's what we make of those that counts the most.

Also, I think it's very important for members to know that they can always discuss issues with other moderators/administrators if they feel they're not getting what they need/deserve in any certain situation.

This all requires possibly some extra work...a few extra steps, a few extra discussions, a few extra inquiries. I think our members and moderators are more than willing to go that "extra mile" to see a positive outcome. It's so worth it, I think.

Respectfully,

KD

[DiMarie]

What about a Liason, a member as we have, trust, then a moderator makes the action with anonymity.

I am not concerned of the moderator being too close, in this case the moderator was quick to know there was something not right,
All turned out to be fine for the person's health, but their user name was hyjacked. Our moderators are fine, it is the trouble makers perceptions.

Because in the particular post, the poster admitted it was their perception of favortisim...
Di

This was the response the poster made; "NOT ME"
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >> >>>>>
I also made that reference to one mod because of the fact that one of the mods posted a reply to TS and didn't say anything about her post. Most of us know that they know TS and if this is the reason why nothing was said, then maybe your comment about "being to close to the family, one could get upset at them", maybe Mods should not be friends with anyone that posts here, unless they do their jobs without playing favorites?

This is MY OPINION and I have a right to it.

[OneMoreTime]

Hmmmm.. Well, moderators here at BT2 DO make their decisions in private - after they consult on issues and have a chance to comment and cobble out how to handle a particular decisino. Thus, we don't have any conceivable or factual basis to say that any particular decision "belongs" to JUST this mod or that mod.

However, at BT1, ALL of the mods are full members, well known and chosen by JL after knowing them for a considerable time. We have no idea of what cliques they belong to, who they number among their friends and who they may be prejudiced against.

Anonymous mods are not machines, not robots or computers - they are only fallible humans. HOWEVER, being anonymous, having "names" that render them devoid of any personalitzation, no hint of their alternate life as regular members of BT, makes US, the membership at large, see them as being "different than the rest of us"

I think this system works well since I have seen innumberable long-lasting stable communities have the same moderator set-up. I have also seen the shortcomings of the other type of system.

OneMoreTime