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General Role of a Moderator

Discussion in '2003 Archive' started by Dr. Bob, Nov 15, 2003.

  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    On another thread I voiced my opinion about an issue (as I often do) taking sides with some and opposition to others. Someone mentioned that "Moderators should be neutral". I thought it might be good to open up a discussion on the role of a moderator.

    </font>
    • Moderators keep order, moving posts to proper forums</font>
    • Moderators keep decency, snipping personal attack or profanity</font>
    • Moderators deal with problems like posters spamming the BB, posting in restricted areas, etc</font>
    • Moderators lead by example, trying to be PROactive and not REactive</font>
    • Moderators have the right to post their view/opinion on any subject and are NOT neutral "referees"</font>
    Know this is incomplete. Could others help? Or, if you feel one of the above is NOT valid, let's talk about it.

    And no, if you disagree with me, you will not be banned!!! [​IMG]
     
  2. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    When I was moderator, at first, I tried to be all things to all men and did not post much. I then decided that that was not the purpose of moderating at all. It was in fact to be a referee. To see that ALL posters followed the rules, including myself. It is as simple as that, and nothing more.

    When I wanted to get more heatedly involved in a certain subject, I stepped down as moderator. I knew that I could not always obey the rules.

    I don't have any bones to pick with the performance of any moderator here. I think all have been in line. The only time anything is put in neutral is when one doesn't want to go anywhere and he can't find park. I wouldn't want that, frankly. Everyone should feel free to express opinion within the guidlines laid down by the Webmaster. Sometimes we will disagree, and that is OK with me.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  3. Walls

    Walls New Member

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    Since I have been on the board, I have seen some very good moderators...and then I have seen some who single out members, who are only trying to defend themselves, while others go unleashed. This is what I would consider to be biased.

    Yes moderators have an opinion and are entitled to them, but not to the point where they side up with members against other members. Which is what I have seen happen since the time I came to Baptist Board.
     
  4. David Mark

    David Mark New Member

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    I always like it when I see moderators post.

    A while back I was sort of challenged with one of my posts. I actually had to go into an in-depth explanation of why I said what I said.

    It wasn't until many replies later that I realized that I was conversing with a moderator.

    The end result was an extensive dialog, an understanding on both sides and and exchange of private messages.

    First of all I considered him a fair and reasonable member, then I considered him a fair and reasonable moderator. I was actually pleased that I seemed to say something worth having a dialog about.

    For the most part, I could not tell anyone who the moderators are on this site. I don't really care, but they are needed. Maybe that is a sign of a healthy board.

    Dave.
     
  5. Artimaeus

    Artimaeus Active Member

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    "Neutral"...NO. They should all be required to agree with ME!!! [​IMG] Seriously, why would you want those most interested in the board and most active in its expression to be neutral? So what if, on a rare occasion, one of them gets out of hand and crosses the line (present moderator excepted, of course). There are enough folks on here who aren't the least bit shy about letting them know.
     
  6. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Moderators have a very hard job in some instances because personal beliefs are perceived as taking sides when we would have the same beliefs and stances even if we were NOT moderators.

    I stay out of a lot of discussions I generally would have been very involved in just so I don't appear to be pushing my agenda. I shouldn't feel that's necessary.

    Well, at least the pay and retirement benefits are... What? No pay? No retirement? What about Health Insurance? None? Well I'll be! You mean we do this for FREE?

    Diane
     
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    Mods are just as human as the reest of us, we should cut them some slack. I think ours mods do a great job. I've been on boards where mods although there, just seem not to exsist. It was pure caos. Mods are christians like the rest of us and they have opinions too. I see no reason they shouldn't be able to voice their opinions. If their opinion is different then someoen elses it may look like they are taking sides, but I trust our mods not to be wishy washy and change what they say they believe based on who it might agree or disagree with. I expect them to be honest with what they beleive no matter who it agrees with. I beleive for the most part I've seen our mods be fair. They do not base what they say on who else on the board is saying it(biblical opinion), this would produce an inconsistancy, which we usually do not see.
     
  8. Ben W

    Ben W Active Member
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    As I have know it there has only really been one bad egg as a moderator in here and that was pretty early on, As I see it we have an excellent crew in here. [​IMG]
     
  9. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Well Ben, that's a fine indictment on all of us who gave up being moderator this past year!!! Thanks, I needed that.

    By the way, I chose to step down for personal reasons. I wanted to be bad and decided I couldn't do it and be a moderator. Of course, I haven't been invited back either, so I guess they agree that I am one bad dude. Oh well, I guess I'll have to live with that shadow over my head...

    Cheers,

    Jim

    PS, When you don't name names and make that kind of statement you essentially INDICT everyone.
     
  10. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    Cute, Jim. [​IMG] Been taking a big dose of martyr pills lately? [​IMG]

    Methinks another bloke is probably the butt of the comment.

    And no, I don't think it was ME, either! [​IMG]
     
  11. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    Martyr pills?? Are they the pink ones or the blue ones? [​IMG]

    Naw, I know why I chose to step down and so do the authorities. I have no problem with what I did. I think I was offhandedly having the Aussie on.

    And it wasn't you? My goodness....I think I know who it was......

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  12. Xingyi Warrior

    Xingyi Warrior New Member

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    Honestly Dr Bob I've always known you to have an opinion and express it on the boards. You've also always conducted yourself in a civil manner in my opionion. With respect to our shared views in Christ, you have never been out of line in the statements that you've made. I have, however, tangled with another of the moderators in these forums and the situation got of hand. In such situations it is the moderator's resonsibility to set the example by either terminating the thread, or politely excusing themselves from the discussion before they are tempted to engage in any behavior toward other posters that is considered unacceptable by the standards set forth. Most of what I speak of involves directing personal attacks toward an individual which eventually happens on any forum between posters. What seperates the moderator, however, is their designated responsibility. How can a moderator expect posters to adopt an etiquette if they themselves are unable to abide by those same rules.
     
  13. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Well, you know it IS tempting! Power to delete the posts of anyone who disagrees with you? OH YEAH! [​IMG]
    I may be guilty of being tempted to do so, but usually I enjoy hearing different opinions or I wouldn't be hear listening and reading different opinions, and don't think I'm guilty of being unfair to anyone as far as moderating goes. If I was I'd hope someone would tell me.
    This is where it's nice to be a girl AND a baptist. There's a male moderator on both of the forums I moderate, and I can just say anything too controverial is too much for my more feeble mind to process and then just let THEM deal with it. [​IMG]
    (that was meant jokingly)
    Gina
     
  14. Glory Bound

    Glory Bound New Member

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    Moderators in business meetings need to be neutral. This is not a business meeting, but rather a forum for the sharing and debating of ideas. Moderators here are responsible to keep the rules of the board. There is no problem with a moderator sharing his or her opinion.
     
  15. Wisdom Seeker

    Wisdom Seeker New Member

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    I think a moderator should be fair minded and not biased when acting as a moderator.

    I think a moderators primary purpose is to remind people when they are posting outside the rules they agreed to when they joined. And to take more aggressive action when that member does not heed their admonisions to cease and desist their current course of action.

    I don't think that a moderator has to be neutral in their opinions just in their actions while acting in the capacity as a moderator.

    I for instance do not have a problem disagreeing with a moderator or administrator on a thread anymore than I would any other member. Nor do many of them with me. It doesn't mean that I disrespect their service. Certainly not. Quite the opposite actually. If I did not respect them, I wouldn't take the time to talk to them at all.

    I do however find it perplexing when a moderator/administrator will tell me on a thread (not in private) , not to disagree with "the administration" in a thread (when I wasn't disagreeing with the administration, but with them). Or, that it would be more appropriate if I addressed them in P.M. When I'm merely discussing a topic with them as I would any other member on the board. The only reason I would ever address a moderator/administrator in private is if I needed their intervention as a moderator/administrator. If I disagree with a moderator/administrator and do it within the membership rules, I don't see where I am in error.
     
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