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On Moderation


tao

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[Note: This post is dedicated to all the moderators and administrators, past and present and future, who continue to toil in their difficult duties. Please, if you could, do not post any reply, and if you do, please do it only in appreciation and thanking and gratitude.  Thanks.]

 

For governing a country well there is nothing better than moderation.  The mark of moderate persons is freedom from their own ideas.  Tolerant like the sky, all-pervading like sunlight, firm like a mountain, supple like a tree in the wind, they have no destination in view and make use of anything life happens to bring their way.  Nothing is impossible for them.  Because they have let go, they can care for the people's welfare as a mother cares for her child.   ~ Lao Tzu

:flowers:

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From the Forum Moderator's Guide to Life

 

The effective moderation of a successful forum takes a great amount of discipline and ability, but yields great success and respect.

 

If you moderate a community, large or small, or you’re charged with the task of administering one, let this article be a challenge to you. A position does not make you a leader. Influence makes you a leader.

 

The fact is that, as a moderator, you have a unique gift called leadership. This gift has given you the opportunity to work as a moderator on whatever board you’re part of. But leadership is simply a raw force — an energy — that drives us and influences others. It’s like fire, having the potential to both bring reward and cause harm. It depends on the person who wields that leadership, and the maturity with which he or she uses it.

 

The key lies not in controlling the surroundings, but in being able to control your own responses to those surroundings… how you carry yourself, your composure and collectedness, how you ask and respond to questions.

 

As Moderators and Administrators, you will find yourself in tough positions. Should you ban someone, or give them a warning shot? Should you enforce a guideline even though it’s only a small transgression and it probably wasn’t intentional, or should you let it slide so that you don’t appear tough, dictatorial, and uncompromising? For each situation and community, the approach the leaders take will differ.

 

Administrators have some of the hardest decisions to make, because whatever they do will affect the entire community, and indeed, their decisions may alter the future of the community. It’s like trying to engineer a satellite’s orbit. The smallest fraction of a degree off course, and the satellite will plunge to a fiery grave — or hurtle into outer space. As an administrator, the simplest decisions, or off the cuff comments in the heat of the moment can alter the direction, mood and atmosphere of a community.

 

That in itself could scare you, but for the Administrator, there’s often not a lot of room for second-guessing. In fact, when you make a decision as a community’s leader, it can be important not to second guess yourself. Often, it’s all too easy to get caught up in a never ending war of “what ifs”. Instead, have confidence in your ability to make wise choices — with the advice of others, perhaps. You must make the decision and stand by it, never looking back.

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Better to discuss issues with moderating of the forum by direct contact with mods or admins (if the first approach is not working) I think.

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As clearly noted in the post, this thread is only to express appreciation, thankfulness, and gratitude to moderators and administrators.

 

[Please, if you could, don't mar it with mention of issues, and/or any other matters.  Thanks. Regards.]

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Oh yeah, I am fan of imaginary world savers....:tooth:

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