Moderators Wanted!

The time has come.

I've issued enough warnings, but some people still aren't listening (or don't care).

I'm looking for volunteers to moderate various forums. I have some names from the last time I considered doing this, but I don't know if those people are still interested. (If you are still interested, you will have to let me know again).

Moderated forums will not prevent posts from being posted immediately (unless we continue to have problems).

The Moderator Will:[/b]

• Watch for Offensive Posts
• Watch for Inappropriate Pictures
• Warn Offenders
• Remove Inappropriate Pictures
• Ask the Poster of an Offensive Post to Remove It (or clean it up)
• Remove the Offensive Post Themselves if the Poster Refuses (and copy me on the details)
• Uphold the "Three Strikes and You're Out" Rule (by keeping me informed of the details)
• Try to Help Posters of Legitimate Questions (by pointing them to the answer if it already exists)
• Alert Me If They See a Particularly Helpful Post (so we can add it to one of the FAQ areas)
• Uphold a Code of Ethics

The Moderator Will NOT:[/b]

• Let His/Her Personal Feelings Cloud Their Judgement
• Ban Any Members (although they can suggest that I do)
• Abuse The Privileges of Being a Moderator
• Stifle Legitimate Debates in the Coffee Room (as opposed to blatant abuses)
• Override My Decisions
• Attempt to Steer any Guests/Members Toward a Particular Product, Dealer, Tuner, Etc.

Moderator Qualifications:[/b]
~ Moderators must be willing and able to put personal feelings aside.
~ They must use good judgement and treat all posters equally.
~ Should visit the forum(s)they are responsible for at least once a day when practical.

Moderator Positions[/b]
I would like to have at least two moderators for each of the forums listed below.

It would be great to have moderators from different time zones.

Moderators can only moderate in the forums to which they are assigned. However, if you see something really out of line in another forum, please try to contact that forums moderators immediately.

Forums Needing Moderators[/b] (subject to change)
~ Piano Forum
~ Pianist Corner
~ The Coffee Room
~ Just For The Fun of It

How To Apply:[/b]

Click Here to Email Frank

Include:[/b]
* Your Forums Name
* Your Real Name
* Your Forums Membership Number
* The Forum(s) You Would Like to Moderate (maximum 2)
* The Time Zone You Live In
* Average Time Spent on The Forums
* A brief description of why you think you would make a good moderator.


Please do not be offended if you are not chosen.
If you don't make the first round, I will keep your information as a possible alternate.

Also know that any moderator can be suspended or removed if they are found to be abusing the privilege or being unfair.

I'm still working out the kinks for all of this, but I think it's headed in the right direction.


- How many people think we should vote on any proposed moderators? -

Please DO NOT get off on some useless tangent over this post![/b]

Question: How many people think we should vote on any proposed moderators?

My answer: I do not think we should vote; I'll go with Frank's decision.

I ain't never been afraid to speak my mind, and I'm not about to start now, so Frank, here's my .02 cents, before you kick my butt out of here.

You're part of the problem.

I don't mind following rules, if I know what the rules are. But my idea of civilty, yours, and the next guy's, may be worlds apart.

The obvious stuff is easy. We have someone posting lewd pictures, and we pretty much agree that is beyond the pale. But the CR the last day or two, has been pretty tame.

Could you please point out what you don't like? Give us some specifics to work with. Name names, and point fingers. If it's me, so be it.

As for voting on moderators, that's your perogative. IMO, you'll have better cooperation from the group, if they have some input.

I will provide guidelines to the moderators, and post them on the forums.

Essentially I want to stop the obvious stuff.
Lewd pictures, profanity, and over the top meanness.

Please DO NOT get off on some useless tangent over this post!
...

I'll try Frank...

I'm not sure some folks will self nominate...

I'd really like Larry and Jolly for the Piano Forum

I'd love to see Nina and Jodi for the Coffee Room.

Brendan would be good for the Pianist Corner...

I slither away...

oopsydaisy - - didn't mean to post here - scusy

also agree with twin there

Frank, I vote for you to choose. You know the personalities as well as anyone around here and are more than capable of making the best choices. A vote would only render a skewed result given the various mass exoduses.

PS Another suggestion, picking up on a point made by Kluurs. If you think someone might be good, but they haven't volunteered, why not contact them. The loudest, "Me, Me, Mes!" aren't necesarily gonna be the best bets.

Frank...one last thing...

Thanks!

No. I think you should review the applications you receive and make appointments.

ditto Bernard.

Often the best person suited for a job is the least likely to toot their own horn. So yes, I think drafting someone might be a good idea.

Will moderators be anonymous?

i also do not think we should vote. i think it should be frank's decision alone.

i already don't like some suggestions for moderators, so i hope that the suggestions will not continue publicly.

Frank, one advantage of also "drafting" people is that then no one will know which of the moderators was chosen and which ones applied. Might help ward off suspicions of a power play, resentment . . .

I also agree that there should not be a vote of people for moderators. You (Frank) are best judge of the people who will uphold your standard and idea of what a moderator should be.

My opinion:

No voting
Frank to choose moderators.

Just a thought...

Empowered people tend to support their projects, at least IME. Some type of input in moderator selection would be better than none.

I am strongly opposed to "secret" moderators. That's kind of like putting a cop in street clothes, and asking him to direct traffic.

I think Frank should choose as well. And I would suggest he should choose some of the most even-tempered and least controversial members for the job.

He should take into account that there are many long time, well-valued members who may leave if these forums become moderated by someone who is known for being too aggressive-natured to do the job fairly.

Moderator selection needs to be done with extreme care.

-AKindWord

Careful troll, your agenda is showing......

Please DO NOT get off on some useless tangent over this post!

I think anonymous moderators are a good idea. Posters who receive private rebukes from a moderator wouldn't be able to hold a grudge because they wouldn't know who rebuked them.

Just my $.02.

I like the anonymous moderator idea a lot.

Feel free to consider me for either PC or CR.

Totally agree with you Kathyk. Frank should decide. I applaud his decision and I know, I for one, have nothing to fear from any moderator. I trust that Frank will not choose any extreme personality. Anyone who wants to rant and rave should just go somewhere else. Oh dear... maybe I shouldn't say that!

I'd say no to voting, I trust Frank to decide. I'm neutral on whether moderators should be anon. or not.

anonymity would prevent the type of negative backlash a certain someone recently endured..
Any volunteer position should be as hassle free as possible.

The design of the forums software requires the moderator's name(s) be displayed.

That seems fair to me anyway, it prevents people from hiding behind anonymity.
If you've already applied, and this bothers you, let me know and I'll take your name off the list.

Unless a post or picture is completely out of line (obviously from one of the scumbags we occasionally suffer with), the first step should be to PM the poster.

Point out what is not acceptable, and why.
Not sure what is considered unacceptable?
Review the User Agreement you agreed to when you became a member:
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?/ubb/agree_review.html

If that doesn't cover the situation, use common sense. You've all seen my posts about this subject, but the main point to keep in mind is, This Is A FAMILY FORUM!.

Our membership includes young children, religious leaders (Priests, Ministers, Rabbi's, etc.), and others who could be offended by offcolor posts.

First and foremost, these are the Piano Forums.
While discussions of other subjects are allowed and even encouraged, there is no reason they should be dragged down into the muck.

I get particularly peeved when people are being mean to each other. I'm not saying we should all be sitting around the campfire singing folk songs, but the posts I've seen in some threads just aren't necessary.

Our membership is now equivalent to the population of a small city. There are bound to be people you don't agree with. It's ok to disagree, it's what keeps life interesting.
But there is no need to stoop to name calling and disparaging remarks.
If you can't debate with them civilly, avoid them!

People are entitled to their opinions. The fact that you can't change their minds may just mean they truly believe what they are saying.
Remember... "A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still".

We will not be holding any polls for moderators, I will make the decisions.
Please show some respect for the people chosen as moderators, they have kindly volunteered for a difficult job.

If you see a moderator's name disappear, do not assume they have done anything wrong.
Them may have asked to stop for a while, or I may have decided to rotate them out and try someone else for a while.

If you are chosen to be a moderator, please remember to be fair and tactful.

A number of people have already expressed an interest in becoming moderators, but I'm still accepting applications.
If you have applied and don't get picked for this round please do not feel offended. We will end up with more applications then we need, and will likely rotate assignments as time goes by.

If we do this right, you should see very little change in how the forums operate, except there should be less problem posts.

My thanks to everyone for your input, and for trying to make our community a better place to visit.

Best,

- Frank B.

Frank,

I'm afraid I have to admit I am one who has gotten a bit aggressive lately against the recent profusion of unidentified shills,and probably too much so. I'd like to aplogize to you for using the PF in that manner.

You have my word to be more civil from here on out. I will still express my thoughts on the validity and bias of their posts where appropriate, but will refrain from tit-for-tat posting. It is a waste of the resource you so graciously provide.

Thanks,