Looking for additional moderators

[joeylittle]

Thanks to @anthony's hard work on the last upgrade, moderating this site has become even more smooth and straightforward.

Still - moderation happens, and it's time we add some more volunteer staff into the mix.

We consider our moderators to be members first and staff second. Joining staff shouldn't interfere with your ability to use the site as freely as you'd like to. We simply ask that moderators enforce the rules (I'll walk you though how that's done), be able to log in and do some moderating at least once every 24 hours, and generally model good community posting behavior. We do schedule breaks, because we're people living with PTSD, and that means sometimes - we need to take a break.

What moderating isn't: it's not a 'club', it doesn't enable additional features, and if you like the idea of joining Staff because you think it will raise your status on the site - then Moderating is most definitely not for you.

But if you're interested in supporting the site by volunteering some extra time and energy, joining Staff can be extremely rewarding.

Use these links to read more about what being on staff involves, and the purpose we serve.

And if you're interested in being considered, let me know via Contact Us. Please use the tag "staff application".

If you have any general questions (that might be of interest to others)? Ask them on this thread.

Thanks!

 

[Chris-duck]

I'm not applying cos um, I don't want to tbh, but outta curiosity, when do we find out who the new mod is? Cos I'm nosy AF.

 

[joeylittle]

@Chris-duck - in about 3 weeks, I think. I want to leave the notice up long enough for members to see it & have a think on it.

who the new mod is?

Mods, I think - plural. It's a many-hands-make-light-work sort of thing.

 

[siniang]

Could we - privately- nominate someone and they could be approached by you to make them at least have a think on it?

Considering we’re in a PTSD forum where many suffer from low self esteem and imposter syndrome, I think many might not even consider it because they don’t think they’d be up to the task/not their position to ask for a position “in power”/… (can’t word it really but I think you know what I mean)

 

[Chris-duck]

@siniang I wondered that too but couldn't decide if it'd be a good plan or not (not saying it isn't! I totally see what you're saying ). I can think of some potential mods that wouldn't apply cos low self esteem, but also some that wouldn't apply but would feel pressured to accept if they were approached even if they weren't sure. I dunno how to decide for definite who fits in to each side.

Obviously that's not an answer cos I don't have the power, that's just my thoughts.

 

[joeylittle]

Could we - privately- nominate someone and they could be approached by you to make them at least have a think on it?

yeah, sure - if there's someone you've thought might be a good moderator, it's fine to send me a note about that. I may or may not actually approach them, depending on what my thoughts are, and whether enough good candidates have already volunteered themselves...but I'm always happy to know what members think.

also some that wouldn't apply but would feel pressured to accept if they were approached even if they weren't sure.

:). I'm pretty good at the extremely soft ask, b/c I do always have an eye on this concern. I appreciate you bringing it up, though.

 

[littleoc]

I was considering this but am worried I would be overloaded with tasks — I’m starting a new job, living in an unstable environment (as many here do), and am simply worried that I’ll be unsure for a while. Hearing it’s only around an hour a day is promising though.

I’ve been a moderator before on a volunteer basis, it just feels different for this one. Maybe because I’m worried I’ll hurt someone on accident? Or make an unusual mistake?

Anyway, to help me or other people like me out, do you consider modding here to be more high pressure than on other sites? Are there ways to ask other mods for assistance if you’re not sure of a step to take (for example, someone threatening suicide, which is against the rules but high pressure)? I saw you mentioned an internal forum for mods?

If something triggered us, how long of a “vacation” is expected before it becomes too much? Do you just mark yourself as not active?

Do old and new site members treat you differently before versus after being a mod? Will it affect answers we get in the forum posts?

Are there any benefits to being a volunteer? (Ie, chose font color without renewing a subscription, etc)

Can you be banned as a mod (assuming here no trolling was done, just a mistake or something)? For example, if someone got triggered and acted on it? Im thinking of a time when someone made an offensive thread but could not be banned, and wondering what would have happened if a mod had reacted.

If you couldn’t mod for a while to finish a thesis, for example (mine would be done before you find your new mod, looks like, but it still works as an example), would you simply let everyone know in the same way as being unwell?

Thanks for any questions you can answer — it’s okay if you can’t do all of these at once. I don’t know if you’re considering me, but I did mod for about two years on another site and found it enjoyable and am considering it here. Mostly my job there was to check for bad/dangerous advice and delete spam. People aren’t usually rude so never had to deal with that more than once or twice. But maybe these questions will help someone else at the least?

Anyway, thanks again

 

[joeylittle]

Anyway, to help me or other people like me out, do you consider modding here to be more high pressure than on other sites?

For someone who is regularly triggered by site content - yes, modding here would likely be a high-pressure experience.

Are there ways to ask other mods for assistance if you’re not sure of a step to take (for example, someone threatening suicide, which is against the rules but high pressure)? I saw you mentioned an internal forum for mods?

Yes, it's common for staff to seek other opinions in staff forum, or to refer one of the Admins to take a look at whatever the problem is.

If something triggered us, how long of a “vacation” is expected before it becomes too much? Do you just mark yourself as not active?

All staff take breaks, as often as needed. But if you volunteer for consideration, you should be relatively confident in your self-regulation skills. In other words - reading an upsetting post might be cause for stepping away from the board for a half-day. Having stressors in your life that need managing, that could be anywhere from a few days to a few weeks...it's really an individual thing. But overall, I would not recommend that members who would consider themselves easily triggered should volunteer.

Do old and new site members treat you differently before versus after being a mod? Will it affect answers we get in the forum posts?

Yes, sometimes - and yes, sometimes.

Are there any benefits to being a volunteer? (Ie, chose font color without renewing a subscription, etc)

You have access to all the available upgrades, yes.

Can you be banned as a mod (assuming here no trolling was done, just a mistake or something)? For example, if someone got triggered and acted on it? Im thinking of a time when someone made an offensive thread but could not be banned, and wondering what would have happened if a mod had reacted.

I'm not sure what thread you're referring to - but yes, a staff member can be temp- or perma-banned. They'd also (likely) be taken off staff. You'd want to remember, though, that we don't moderate tone - so being blunt or raising difficult issues isn't cause for discipline, here.

If you couldn’t mod for a while to finish a thesis, for example (mine would be done before you find your new mod, looks like, but it still works as an example), would you simply let everyone know in the same way as being unwell?

Yes - mods have periods of time when their work or life schedules become encumbered, and are responsible for keeping track of things like that and letting the rest of staff know.

I don’t know if you’re considering me, but I did mod for about two years on another site and found it enjoyable and am considering it here.

If you decide you want to put your name in for consideration, you can do so using Contact Us.

Hope this was useful!

 

[LuckiLee]

Do we need a computer?

 

[Friday]

Do we need a computer?

I’m entirely on mobile.

The mod-tools are seamless on the site. If a person can use the site as a member? It’s just as easy to use as a mod.

 

[LuckiLee]

Let me discuss it with J over the weekend and maybe I'll give it a whirl. I come here every day anyway. And I know how valuable @Sweetpea76 and Sighs support meant to me when I needed it most.

I let ya know soon.

 

[Chris-duck]

in about 3 weeks, I think

You guys decided? Heh. Nae pressure. Just curious