[beth]

I screw up from time to time, I'm the first to admit it. We all do, no one's perfect. And if I'm in the wrong, I apologize, usually on forum and privately, and I try hard to let bygones be bygones. But I refuse to be anyone's doormat.

I happen to believe we should all practice a great deal of tolerance and give each other the benefit of the doubt, especially in a support forum for people who have serious conditions, may be emotionally fragile and/or on quite a few meds.

If someone has a problem with another's post, it's possible to pass it by, simply state that it is offensive or inappropriate, or contact a mod. Any of these actions are preferable to making angry or purposely hurtful replies, which are harmful to the forum's health.

Can't we all try a fresh start, here in our shiny new digs? So far it seems to be a wonderfully open, supportive environment. Let's work together to keep it that way, deal?

beth

[loisba]

Beth, I like your suggestions very much. On the OBT, I occasionally got my toes stepped on by a poster who seemed a "know it all" and poorly tolerated comments that differed from the poster's. What I learned to do was to just to ignore the comments. Getting into a verbal fight was not going to help either of us, nor anyone else following the thread.
I try to apply a criteria I heard years ago. Before commenting, I ask myself if what I am about to say is kind, is it upbuilding, is it truthful, and is it necessary. If this accomplishes nothing else, it makes me stop and think before I speak......or post.

[lady_express_44]

Originally Posted by Sparky10

As a former Moderator at another message board, I am lovin' this thread! During my apprx 2 years as a Mod, we went from "named" Moderators to "anonymous". I never liked it, for exactly the reasons mentioned here. Its cold and unfriendly.

I like that we (mods) are transparent here at BT2, but I think a number of other conditions need to be in place for this approach to be ideal too.

I see the most important factor is that we (as people/mods) have no more say or influence over threads/discussions then anyone else on the forum. My PERSONAL opinion/input is offered, but I don't think it deserves any more credibility or respect then anyone else's.

Personally, I believe that my position of 'power' should not influence the direction of discussion on a thread/forum (except on the few occasions where I may need to put on my 'mod hat' because of some board infraction.) Even then, it has been decided that the TEAM objectively reviews the situation, and a decision to step in is made only if there is an agreement that there is a NEED to.

I think this sets the playing field up to be as fair and workable as possible, and that there is far less chance that a person (aka a mod) can totally dominate or abuse their power.

Cherie

[Jomar]

Originally Posted by loisba

Before commenting, I ask myself if what I am about to say is kind, is it upbuilding, is it truthful, and is it necessary. If this accomplishes nothing else, it makes me stop and think before I speak......or post.

A very nice way to approach life.
Well said.

[mister]

I an deal with the fact that mods are human. I have no problem with that concept at all.

I have noticed in the past that members of forums like this one have given themselves time outs to refresh and come back with a clearer view of how they feel and the reason they are in the forum. It can be good and I have dealt with moderators who clearly should have done just that thing but they had no intention of doing so and all the out crowd suffered the consequences for the ill mannered views of the clearly restless mods who felt overwhelmed but insisted on doing their job at all cost. I see no evidence of that in this forum and based on what I have seen and read I suspect that it wont happen because we are all adults here and hopefully can be reasonable and understanding to the plight of the people who are being served by the site.

Regards
Mister