It's come to the attention of the entire moderation/administration team the conflict that is currently active between some of the members here in the RSD forum.

Because this conflict has come public on numerous recent occasions and many are involved, we're addressing the concerns publicly...adding our thoughts, stating guidelines/expectations, and hope for self-care and co-existence.

In a larger-sized group, there will often be times that members disagree with another, disapprove of another's actions/words/comments, to flat-out not liking another. It's just going to happen.

We understand that the dynamics of forums are made up of unique personalities...all with strengths and weaknesses. This is what makes a forum strong or can tear it down. It would be unrealistic to believe that everyone in a group will agree with everyone 100%, *100% of the time*.

We understand that some may not approve of another here, and then there are others that don't approve of the ones showing disapproval, etc. That's OK. It's OK that one might not like another's words/actions. It's OK that one disagrees with their posting. It's *not* OK to publicly attack/confront/flame another member for any reason. As long as the posting is within guidelines, it's permitted and OK. Just as members expect not to read that which is against the guidelines here, all expect to be able to post within those same guidelines.

It's not up to this administrative team or members to judge another member, their life, their pain, their struggles. It's just not. If you find the posting of another member difficult to deal with consistently for whatever reason, and their posting is within guidelines, place them on ignore. It's a good tool to use.

Ignore gives the user better control of his/her own needs, wants, experiences here and, ultimately, that's where responsibility lies in each member's experience of posting within the guidelines.

All posts of support and advice are opinions and should always be taken as such in this, a self-help community. Whether a member is qualified to give medical advice is not an issue. In fact, it's an assumption, as well as a statement in the TOS, that opinions and statements of members' experiences are just that. NT does not endorse such posting.

If you do find any advice given that will cause harm and is presented in a way as to state it's "professional advice", then report the post or notify a moderator/administrator.

We understand that there will be disagreement, concerns, and even dislike. Use the tools available here to make your experience work for you. However, when acknowledging the upset, follow proper procedure by notifying moderators/administrators and please keep posting within the guidelines so as to not disrupt the whole of the forum and others' experiences here. When arguing/flaming is public, it kind of ruins it for all.

If a post feels flaming/attacking to you, or is against guidelines, please don't respond to it, but notify a moderator/administrator, or report the post.

Further flaming or attacking posts, or posts bringing personal intolerance to the public forum, will be responded to by this moderation/administration team with removal and a PM sent. If it continues, warnings could be issued. This is NOT something that any of us wish to see happen. Although we each do what we do because we care so much, we cannot and will not attempt to moderate another's disapproval or dislike.

This team is responsible not only to each other, but to this entire community, to respond in fairness within the guidelines, TOS and mission. We can manage NT in accordance within the same. Outside of that, it's up to the individual member to take what they want and can, then leave the rest or ignore it...responding to that we have something to contribute to in a positive way.

This thread is closed to response because we don't want to leave open an avenue of more upset and potential hurt or anger. If you would like to discuss this with a moderator or administrator, please send them a PM.

Again, please use the tools available to you, your own restraint, and the community guidelines to maintain an experience here that works for you knowing that we CAN all co-exist here if we practice the aforementioned.

We all appreciate your cooperation in advance,

The moderation/administration team of NeuroTalk

*bump* so that all can view.

Thank you,

KD

I just want to add that while we care about all of you, we can't mediate every member dispute that is presented to us. We try to help out where we can, but in the end, if you're having a disagreement with another member, you should empower yourself by using the tools we make available (e.g., "Ignore list") to keep your interactions here healthy and positive. It is not our place to judge others, or their experiences, even when something might seem so "obvious" to others.

We hope and encourage people to use our community in the manner it was intended -- to gain support and information, or offer support and information for their neurological and related health concerns. We also hope and expect that our members will always act honestly and in a manner that is honorable to themselves and to the others they interact with here.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and involvement here!

DocJohn

I think it is very important to understand that only MEDICAL DOCTORS are qualified to give MEDICAL ADVICE

These forums are primarily part of a larger SELF HELP COMMUNITY, where people share experiences and information with one another.

It is always recommended that everyone consult with a qualified medical professional on EVERYTHING related to their health

We all should be aware of the difference between dispensing medical advice without the qualifications to do so and in sharing anecdotal or experiential information about illness and its treatments.


I would also like to remind all members that the way to deal with any post that you feel needs admin/mod attention is to use the REPORT button to the lower left of all posts.That way DocJohn and the rest of the admin/mod team immediately are alerted to the post/thread and can investigate the report and, if necessary, act.
If you prefer not to report that way, please PM us with a link to the post (click number button top right of each post and copy URL to us)

I am truly hoping that we can see this forum return to a place where members seeking advice and support and information can come for open and supportive discussion

thanks
Cheri

To members of the RSD Forum

when the guidelines at NT are violated we have no choice but to act.

Everyone who posts here does so under the understanding that they are free to post within the guidelines, but that posts outside of guidelines will be edited or deleted by mods/admin

here are the guidelines

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/showthread.php?t=1293

and specifically:



DocJohn and Kimmydawn have posted clear directives for this forum, in the sticky thread here
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ad.php?t=24964

PLEASE NOTE:any further discussions on this admin issue here on the boards will be considered to be a blatant violation of the guidelines after an admin directive to please no longer continue these kinds of posts, and will have suspensions following.

We have heard all sides on this and DocJohn and KD have given their directive.

This needs to end now.
We care about all of you but the guidelines and t.o.s will be enforced here.




thank you
Cheri

I would like to backup what Chemar has said here.

We have worked and worked with the ongoing dislikes here. We've consulted, questioned, attempted to understand, even pleaded for members to take that which they can and move around or ignore that which they don't tolerate, or even detest.

The directives were simply standing on the guidelines already in place and agreed to...guidelines accepted and agreed to upon membership.

We have to think of *all* the members of the forum and of this community. Continual backbiting, upset, arguing, complaint certainly doesn't feel appealing to a member considering joining and doesn't feel welcoming for a new member. Further, it can make for a very difficult experience for the members who aren't involved and come here for information and support...caring for others on all sides of the issues. These are just a few of the reasons that this community, and 99% of communities online, have guidelines.

So, when considering the whole, the guidelines will be upheld with a knowing that those who are having difficulty have good tools to work their experience for the best. There have been requests, and even demands, that administration act (actions that would be outside of the guidelines in place), but have any utilized any of the tools available to manage their experience first and foremost in this *self-help community*?

My hope is that members will feel empowered in their experience, knowing that the majority of their experience here rests at their fingertips literally. What doesn't, and is outside of the guidelines, will be addressed and has been.

I will ask again that *all* members remember the guidelines when posting to prevent edit and upset, but to also remember their experience can be well managed if tools available are used.

KD

*** Edited to add: If you have a question regarding an admin action, or lack thereof, please contact the moderator/admin involved via PM as to keep in guidelines with the discussion of administrative issues. I will admit that we're usually not so strict with this guideline, but due to all the upset lately, we will be strictly enforcing it for the time.

I wanted to bump this up for viewing.

In the consideration of all members of the forum, please contact administration with questions regarding specific actions for the benefit of all.

Thank you!

KD

Due to recent events and upsets here, and to avoid misinformation, we would like to clarify that no banning of any RSD forum members has taken place, only temporary suspension of two accounts. Those accounts are still active, and the members welcome to return after the suspension period. In consideration of all members of the forum, please contact admin for further clarification if needed.

thank you