Moderating Responsibilites

Nick · Posted: 5/6/2006, 1:55 pm Post subject: Moderating Responsibilites

What are your moderators' responsibilities? I've seen many times people offering a moderator position but requiring whoever takes them up to post __ threads a day about ___ topic and also to bring more members in. I personally just want my moderators to moderate the community to which they are assigned (i.e. answer members' questions, deal with spam, ban those who need to be gotten rid of, etc.). What do you need out of your moderators?
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Yeah, mainly that's what I require, as well. They are encouraged to post and reply to topics, etc. but mainly they are to make sure that our User Guidelines are being respected. However, there are exceptions, like on a support community then my Support Team is required to help people as they are able. Smile

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User Guidelines

Teknomancer · Posted: 5/8/2006, 12:58 am Post subject:

My mods are encouraged to participate in posting like they did before becoming a mod and also do all the moderator duties like cut out spam, etc.

The reason I encourage them to continue posting is so that they don't feel that moderating means just they must oversee everything and no to take part in conversations... But I don't ever require things like how often they should visit the site, how many topics they should post etc... that's just too strict and not professional IMO Smile

But I do tell them to frequent the site because to keep track of all the spam and such and that if they are going to be away for a long time they should definitely inform US about it..
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Mercury · Posted: 5/8/2006, 1:32 am Post subject:

I believe moderators should be role models and help lead the way by providing decent content of their own and making contributive responses on a regular basis (though it doesn't have to be notably more than non-mods who're contributive). This is because the staff have great weight in setting the tone for the type of culture they want to maintain. However, I wouldn't mind having members who do not do that so much as they simply remain a decent member who mostly oversees if he's good at that.

The only requirements for my administration really is that the member considered for the moderator position is active and is someone who we can work with and who doesn't irritate us notably enough (that, of course, is our own subjective case-by-case basis). Experience isn't very important because the controls are very easy to get the hang of. Also, my forum is small so responsibilities aren't that great, hence there's not very much in the way of the selection process.
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Psyched · Posted: 5/14/2006, 8:40 pm Post subject:

first I have to say .. yeah yeah .. its long .. lol ... my staff and community tend to tease me about the length of my more serious posts ... if I say "I'll try to be brief" you should generally get yourself a cup of coffee before starting to read .. rofl .. at any rate, here is the post for my moderator responsibilities, this is the forum for a rpg game site (I've edited out user names):

Moderator Responsibilities

Welcome to the LoL Moderator Team
Nothing is always black and white, rational personal judgment is often needed more than "rules." Hence, the mod hideout, where you can get help and guidance when a question arises.

However, there are a few "rules" which all moderators and administrators must follow.

Your responsibility is first and foremost to [the owner] and this site. You were chosen for moderator status because it was believed that you had the maturity and responsibility to follow the rules of the site. NO MODERATOR IS ABOVE THE SITE RULES - EVER.
As a moderator you are a representitive of the LoL community as well as a representitive of [site owner], myself and our site (including the game).

Your responsibility is to your moderator account. NEVER give out your password!!! Be warned, any actions that another player takes using your account in forum, chat, or any other area within LoL, you will be held responsible for. "It wasn't me" will not be a satisfactory defense because it was your decision to allow that person to have access to your account. The vacation mode has eliminated all need for sharing your pass if you have to be away. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time then please post in this board to let us know so your section can get extra coverage while you are gone.

be warned: I do ask [site owner] to do extensive cheat checks on Moderator accounts and you will be demodded if a cheat attempt is discovered. You will have the opportunity to explain and may be returned to mod status should the explination be deemed valid.

Your responsibility as moderator extends beyond the forum. You are expected to read the game and forum rules frequently to keep up with updates. As a moderator you are looked upon as an example of what is expected and allowed here. Like it or not, you must uphold all of the rules of all areas of this site. Moderators must not misuse their abilities. It is the duty of any mod who sees another abuse their position to report it to a Global Mod or Administration.
If you believe a rule requires adjustments please feel free to speak out and discuss your reasons. However, Administrations final decision will stand and you will be expected to comply with the rule.

Your responsibility is to the members of LoL. Never engage in public arguments with moderators or other LoL members. If you feel a private message to a moderator or player is in order because of an infraction of the rules, please be specific. Give the individual the name location and number of the post, as well as the specific statement you are referring to, so there will be no misunderstandings. If you feel you are being harassed by a particular mod or LoL member, bring the issue to me and we will work it out together. If we can not work it out, then the issue will be brought to [site owner].

Your responsibility is to your particular board(s). Make sure you are covering your board(s) sufficiently. It should be one of the first places you go when you enter the forum and one of the last places you check before you leave. Moderator is a job, it is not a bonus; remember you are a mod first then a player. Professional conduct is expected at all times. Inappropriate postings, excessive spam or posts which may discourage others from playing or posting messages may result in suspension of moderator responsibilities. Mods are expected to be 'on duty' all the time they are online, this does not mean you can't play the game or have fun in the forums, just that you should not expect to be number one.

Never delete an entire thread without sufficient reason and feedback from the other moderators, unless it is a gross violation of the rules. If a thread or post needs to be deleted immediately, delete it and post a link to the thread in the "Purgatory" sticky thread so that an admin or global mod can review its contents (for example information about a hack or a cheat, is in gross violation of the rules, or is of a threatening nature). One of us will then move it to the appropriate file in the Purgatory Board. Don't lock or delete threads you don't agree with. Rather than censoring an unpopular view or one you don't agree with, reply with your own constructive and respectful counter-argument / criticism.

For first time minor offenses such as overuse of caps, masking, use of non-English languages or minor insults it is expected but not required that the rule breaker be warned at least once before being muted. Providing a "courtesy call" is always desired especially when the offense is minor. Send a private message and respectfully request that the infraction be modified by the member. If the member is not online at the time you send the message give him or her time to return online before adjusting the post (12 hours is usually enough time with this game).

"Hate mail" is unlikely but may happen. If you receive any abusive messages or LoL mails please forward them to me with the name of the original sender included. If you know the circumstances that prompted the mail inform me of this as well. If you are especially sensitive to personal attacks, please let us know ahead of time

Whenever possible, moderators should attempt to answer questions on the board and welcome new members. Take part! Just because you are a moderator doesn't mean you can't take part in a discussion or have fun in the forums.

Your Responsibility is to the moderating and administrating team. Help each other work through issues. Provide advice and guidance when it is requested. Ask questions, participate in discussions, exercises, and even games posted withing the hideout. This is your base of operation. This is where everyone gets together as a team and works out the how's and why's of moderating. Be a team player and utilize the Mod Hideout, there is no reason why a moderator would have nothing to contribute here and your participation is expected.

Use your team effectively, remain in touch with both your Section Leader (the section mod) and the Global mods. Keep them and the mod team informed regarding problems on your board, as these problems often filter off onto other boards for other team members to deal with. Keeping communication open helps us all to learn together and work more effectively.

Don't whine Smile

Please don't come to me with every little problem. As a moderator you are given free reign in the board(s) you moderate, enlist the advice of other moderators and provide advice to them when it is requested. We are all here to help each other, if you need assistance, please speak up, bring it to the Mod Hideout and wait for help to arrive.

Global Moderators have all of the same responsibilities, as well as covering the whole forum and to providing feedback to the Board Moderators when needed. I will be relying upon GMs to keep me informed of the particular mod and/or forum issues.

As Forum Administrators this forum and its contents, including the moderators, are the responsibility of [co-administrator] and myself. [site owner] does not take the time to deal with mod and forum issues unless they become extreme. When there are issues that need to be addressed by [site owner], he will be notified immediately, otherwise, on moderator and forum issues my decisions are the final decision and the one that will stand.

Being a mod is a privilege, not a right and no mod is permanent. All mods are reviewed frequently, moderators found slacking, abusing their powers or being inactive for long periods of time without giving notice will be removed. If you are removed for inactivity message me with a reason for your inactivity and it is likely you will be reinstated.

Please be aware all that goes on in the Mod Hideout is confidential information. Discussion on players should not leave this board. Discussions between and among mods should not leave this board. Protect the personal rights of players and mods alike. Respect the privacy of this board, it is hidden from the public eye for a reason.

Finally, I would just like to add that you are all very appreciated by [site owner], [co-administrator] and myself. Your help in keeping this site a pleasant experience for everyone who visits it does not go unnoticed. Thank you all for the work you do here.

Psyched
Forum Administration

Nick · Posted: 5/14/2006, 8:43 pm Post subject:

Well, you've laid it out pretty plain. I think that must help since your board is pretty active.
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