Implementation And Enforcement Of The New Warning System

[Nicolette]

All members were advised of the new warning system by Anthony's announcement [DLMURL="https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/rules-warning-system.21846/"]Rules Warning System[/DLMURL].

Anyone with any concerns had the opportunity to respond.

All members, on registration, agree to abide by the forum rules.

Staff are now being attacked, questioned or queried for the Warnings issued. May I remind you that if you have an issue with a warning then it should be taken up at the [DLMURL="https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/forums/help-desk.28/"]Help Desk[/DLMURL] and not directed back at staff. The warning actually contains this information/instruction.

If you don't understand what you did wrong when receiving a warning I suggest you:

• carefully read the warning;
• carefully read the rules;
• have a look at how other members posts;
• do not attack staff as they are abiding by the rules placed upon them;
• and then, only then, post your question politely in the Help Desk forum.

Abuse will not be tolerated and PTSD is not an excuse for not abiding by rules which the majority of members cope with exceedingly well. The rules have been developed over years with member input. They are not negotiable.

A member has been banned today for being abusive and attacking staff continuously for receiving a warning. A warning is an opportunity to learn and improve and not an attack on you. It enforces a base standard and the new system aides staff who give their time freely for the protection of members and the smooth running of the forum.

 

[Srain]

Thank you for the reminder, Nicolette, as my first reaction would be to contact the Mod and say,"OMG, I'm sorry! What did I do wrong???"

I wouldn't think to attack but I'm terrible at reading when I'm in full panic, however, you are right, I read the rules when I signed up. I have reread them since, I will read them again! :tup:

 

[anthony]

I will not tolerate any member attacking staff. If I happen to be online and hear of staff being attacked, I will ban a person permanently, without further thought. I understand some new members react to being warned for rules violations, run off in a tantrum, then return clearer minded. That is no excuse in my eyes, PTSD or not.

I don't care about excuses when it comes to new members coming onto this forum and trying to dictate how things should or shouldn't be done. This is why the new member page was done, to blatantly state for new members here to pull their head in, read rules and policies, learn, and understand you have no rights on this site. This is not your personal playground, it is a mental health forum which dictates a very strict rule set in order to maintain some order upon the site when putting thousands with mental health problems in one place.

Abuse staff, you may as well send me the abuse directly, as it will have the same effect and outcome. Banned as spam / trolling.

If you get pissed off, the best thing for any member to do is immediately logout, calm down, then come back with sensible, rational attitude and approach staff. Text is not even close to coming across the same as being face to face.

 

[Nicolette]

I just had to ban someone for exactly the above...it's sad members take out their own issues on others.

 

[horizons]

It's so sad to hear you're receiving abuse.I think people forget you guys run this site on a voluntary basis and are doing what's best to accommodate everyone in a fair and just manner. And yes I too have slipped up and received a couple of warnings.

Perhaps the words "warning" and "violation" are a little strong for some.

For those who have an angry reaction about these notifications, it may help to think of it as "reminders" .As with any reminder of rules, you get so many chances to correct mistakes, as is the case with the new warning system.

I found a picture that explains in a simple way why it's so important to take care of how we write on these forums. Hope it helps clarify why Anthony and Nicolette felt the need to set standards with something as seemingly "petty" as grammar.

 

[Nicolette]

Behind the scenes we were already discussing options for the words "warning" and "violation". ;)

We are reasonable and do listen. Sometimes the balance isn't always found first round but we do take notice of members feedback and do take it into consideration. The rules have a purpose structured for a mental health forum and members need to follow them for that reason. It's in the interest of the community that the forum is monitored. If a modification of deliverance can achieve a less reactive and more positive response from members we will try to achieve that.

 

[ms spock]

Yes I asked for help in the help desk and it was explained clearly until I understood. I did read the rules and try and work out what I had done wrong but it was a mystery to me but posting on the help desk was great.

 

[ms spock]

A warning is an opportunity to learn and improve and not an attack on you.

That was how I took the warning as an opportunity to learn to be a tad more better poster and contributor an also to get to know the mods better.

It is great when you are given rules, the goal posts aren't moved and people are willing to explain what it is that the rule means in your particular circumstance.

I am doing my best with the rules as I can. Sometimes me a bit of time to understand it all. But I am getting there.

I am saddened to hear that someone had to be banned for abusive behaviour towards the Mods - they obviously have missed the bus in terms of what the warning system is about. It is, as Nicole, kindly points out an opportunity to learn and improve and not an attack on myself or yourself.

I have been a moderator on some forums and it does take up an immense amount of time, energy, love and care as well as stamina. It is not fair to attack someone either - you can question and debate or say "Oh I am sorry I didn't understand that the rule meant X." Attacking someone who is a mod is counterproductive - for your self and the moderator. It suxs to put all this time and energy for a forum for people and then be attacked - that is not fair. It is most unhelpful. Also if you want to get to the point of self soothing (that one psychiatrist said was a basis of some healing from ptsd) then attacking people is not a good way to communicate with other people.

This is a really good opportunity to work on your social skills and boundary setting and understanding of boundary setting.

This time next year we will all be helping new people with the rules by private messaging or chatting to them in chat (of course only if it appears that they are open to this.)

I have to confess to being a bit of a dill. Until I read this thread I hadn't read [DLMURL="https://www.ptsdforum.org/c/threads/rules-warning-system.21846/"]Rules Warning System. [/DLMURL]I am sorry for being a bit lax in that area. I just thought the Warning was just part of the forums and somehow I missed out on getting any warnings up until now. Ah well. Some of us are slower than others but we get there, (crosses fingers and giggles). Ah there is still hope for me yet.

I hope the attacked mod is feeling a little better by now. That is not a good experience to go through.

ms spock

 

[Nicolette]

It is great when you are given rules, the goal posts aren't moved and people are willing to explain what it is that the rule means in your particular circumstance.

I actually prefer to help someone than be here handing out warnings. All you have to do is ask.

Also, yes the goal posts are fixed for the very reason you understand ms spock - consistency and equality.

I am doing my best with the rules as I can. Sometimes me a bit of time to understand it all. But I am getting there.

You are doing really well ms spock. Attitude is half the battle and your openness and willingness to understand and learn is admirable. :tup:

 

[Sammy]

I appreciate the rules - it makes this a more safe place to be. I appreciate the effort so many make to keep this as safe as possible. Rules give parameters without which this forum could never be helpful. PTSD is difficult enough and we all deal with it in one way or another. We all do well to remember that.

Thanks to Nicolette and Anthony for this very helpful site. Thanks to all the moderators who work so hard. It saddens me to think anyone could be abusive on a site where so many have already suffered so much.

 

[anthony]

The funny thing is, is that people think its abusive to be sent a warning notice to enforce compliance of rules upon this website. Double edged sword.

End of the day... the new member help page clearly states a members stance upon this site.

If people have legitimate issues, then we will and do work with members to find a resolution, though what we normally get is abuse, so that gets a simple ban in response, as staff do not argue with members.

 

[Sandstone]

But the problem is that I expect get it wrong, I expect to fail and be disciplined for it. There was a time when I would have read the rules, been able to understand and recall them and prided myself on getting it right. Part of my job involves understanding Government rules and advising on their application, so this should be straightforward. I read it all before signing up, because I'm programmed never to sign without looking at the small print

But now my brain is scrambled and I'm irrationally afraid. So I'm too scared to look back at The rules and risk seeing that I'm making a mistake. If I did that would just confirm that I'm worthless.

If I received anything containing the words warning, violation or threats of banning I'd feel beaten down by them. I probably wouldn't be one of the people who fought back, I 'd freeze and eventually run.

Maybe it would reduce the anxiety levels if you could use a phrase like "New Members Support" instead?