Editors Removed For Change

[anthony]

So all members are aware, as of today I have removed all existing editors with the exception of Kathy, who is the administrative editor for carers, as I do not myself have access to all carer forums for privacy reasons, so a carer editor is always required.

I have personally thanked all editors privately, and here again, being a huge thank you too all outgoing editors. As part of my statement in [DLMURL]http://www.ptsdforum.org/thread6536.html[/DLMURL], I outlined that I will be shaking the forum up quite a lot this year. This is just a part of that.

I believe all editors become stale after a period, and Bec, Veiled, YA, Splost and Antoinette have all done fantastic jobs... oh, and Kathy offcourse currently. It got to the point where veiled resigned as she was burnt out, and I have had my share of time away when helping people all just become too much.

So this year I plan to ask for new editors, which will be assigned on a per forum basis only, not entire forum or categories (super moderators or adminstrative), just simply a moderator of one forum which brings much less overall commitment when shared around. Add a time limit to this, ie. editor for 6 months on a busy forum, then nothing for a good 6 months to ensure they too do not become burnt out from helping others. And I already see it happening now.... I had time off last year myself as it was affecting me along with other things in my life.

So again, thank you to all outgoing editors who have given their time and contributions here to helping others and building the forum, though I certainly do hope all continue as members and take for themselves for a while before thinking about giving once again.

Regards,

Anthony.

 

[pandora]

What types of qualities are you looking for in these positions??? I don't know how much time in a day is gererally required. I am curious right now but I know my pyhsical symptoms sometimes take over my day but I am going to continue to work diligently because BECAUSE 2008...THIS IS GOING TO BE MY YEAR!!!!!!

I was just being curious. Thank You!

 

[Deleted member 93]

Pandora, as far as time, since it is seriously being broke down, it will be very little time invested. You may be looking at almost zero time to as much as 30 minutes on any given day per forum. When doing the whole forum and when it has a hiccup it can build up pressure where you do not participate as much as you have your fill online but to do just one area it is really nothing. One area is just not that demanding overall, not to mean you will not have an occasional day that is a pain.

Qualities, I hope Anthony does not mind me giving my 2 cents. Common sense and an ability to read the rules he has outlined of how he wants the forum run.

 

[anthony]

Hi Pandora,

As veiled stated, it will only be a forum and that is not demanding. Editors are not guides, they are not the person to necessarily run too, but the problem is.... people will view you as exactly that and they will run too you for help. That is the time consumer right there... people will see you as a person to help them, regardless that is not what an editor is, that is what people will see and will come to you.

 

[Kathy]

I concur with what has already been said. I find the editing aspects of the position quite enjoyable, and rarely is anything very difficult or time consuming. That being said, the sheer number of members who contact me privately is incredible. This is where the time is consumed, and one needs to be very cautious not to become overly involved. I made that mistake before Christmas, of putting pressure on myself to answer each and every message, and in a timely fashion. I became quite burnt out as a result, and I do not even have PTSD!

 

[YoungAndAngry]

Hurt

Anthony, you know what PTSD is like, just how exhausting any day can be.
While I try my best to control my highs and lows.
I felt privileged to help whenever I could.

I hadn't been doing well most of 2007, so I stayed away
knowing that I was in no position to make decisions.
When I was doing better I came back late last year.

I believe all editors become stale after a period

Thank you for the previous compliments... but this single sentence...
was it really needed?
The week that you sent me the message about editor changes,
was a hard week.
And the message that I was no longer needed here,
made me feel as though all those hours (over the course of the site)
I spent moderating were worth nothing.

I understand that you did this for professional reasons,
not personal or attacking in any way.
But it still hurts

Add a time limit to this, ie. editor for 6 months on a busy forum, then nothing for a good 6 months to ensure they too do not become burnt out from helping others. And I already see it happening now.... I had time off last year myself as it was affecting me along with other things in my life.

Hence why I had taken months off last year.

So again, thank you to all outgoing editors who have given their time and contributions here to helping others and building the forum, though I certainly do hope all continue as members and take for themselves for a while before thinking about giving once again.

Thanks for the 'Thank You'...
it helps take the edge off as I'm 'unstaling' myself

This message has not been posted in anger.
It has been sitting in my laptop notepad being edited over 3 days.
As this is a touchy subject for me now.

 

[anthony]

Hi YA.... the point was not a directed point or slant against you or another, it is merely fact, which you even admitted.... it becomes too much for you. You took time off, no issues with that and well done for looking after you. As you had stated to me though, you didn't really do anything here in an editorial capacity, and I cannot have people with such permissions just "hanging around" as such. Again, not a degradation against you or any prior editor, far from it actually.

I am much appreciative of all contributions from past editors, but the facts are, the forum needed change. The forum needs new editors, new perspective, new guidance.... I do the same as you, I take time away from the forum, though obviously cannot do that much as the owner, though I still do it for my own benefit as editing just becomes taxing on one's life, thoughts and creates its own world of frustration at times.

Again YA, it was not against you and please do not feel that way, as that was not the intent. The intent was simply to state that we all become stale when doing one thing for a long period. It is like a job, many do it because they need the money, but they don't enjoy it or even if they do, at times they become stale within it, disgruntled, over-worked, just need a rest, etc. Whilst not the same with the forum as it is not a paid issue, work is, and that is what keeps us often in something stale and we resent, money. I have the ability though here to not be concerned over that... so we can shuffle one another at times.

Please do not feel as though I was having a dig at any past editor YA, as that was not my intent and I apologise if you felt that way. Not my intent, just the use of the word stale is a fact of life when someone does something for long periods, they become stuck in their ways, narrow sighted, not open to new and diverse options, stale basically. It is a fact of life, not a slant.