A few thoughts on moderation

[Gene]

Seems like there has been a lot of discussion - to me directly and on the site - on the recent removal of a certain member.  Wanted to provide some context:

 - This member was warned multiple times and had multiple complaints from multiple members over several weeks.  They will not be invited back.  There are no plans to invite any previously removed members back, either.

- I really don't care how knowledgeable someone is (there are tons of knowledgeable members still here).  If they are a rude to other members, they are gone, like a cancer that needs removal.  Not sure this is a lot different than any other Internet site.  I frequent several discussion forums and when people post things that are inappropriate or rude or vulgar, the content and/or member are removed.  Seems pretty simple to me.

- Moderation is tough, especially on a site I no longer use because people were rude to me when it started. If we don't moderate, trolls run off members.  If we 'over moderate', then people leave because they can't have passionate discussion.  People are going to leave either way.  It's like death and taxes.

 - With a site of this size, there is no earthly way you can please everyone.  I remember being in a leadership position in college and noticed with a group of just 30 people, every single decision I made disappointed or upset someone...without fail.  This site has almost 2,200 members.  Whenever a choice is made to leave or remove someone, people will be upset.

 - People who 'threaten' to leave like the site like they are some critical contributor whose departure will crater the site...please let me know if you have any problems doing so and I would be more than happy to help you!  :-)

David McIlveen Wright had a great suggestion a while back that I think we need to consider - a Code of Conduct.  Here's the example David provided.  This is NOT an official Ning or Exclusively Setters Code of Conduct, but it has a lot of positives:

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By using this Forum you agree to the following terms:

• No hostility. All discussions must be friendly and civil.

• No posts or pm's attacking other members. Teasing or jesting between forum friends is fine, but it must be in an obviously friendly manner with a smiley to make it clear you are joking. If it is clearly hostile or between people who clearly dislike each other then it will be considered an attack. If someone complains about being teased then both sides must stop immediately.

• No sectarianism. This means not posting anything that praises or criticises any prominent group (or person) on either side of the sectarian divide.

• No threats of physical violence.

• No inflammatory posts. No controversial, offensive or otherwise disruptive posts which are likely to provoke others into a hostile argument.

• No racism.

• No lying.

• No posts of an 'adult' nature.

• No swearing. Don't 'hide' swearing by replacing certain letters with others or inserting spaces.

• No spamming. Do not post or send unsolicited pm's advertising something or promoting another website without the permission of the administrator.

• No defamatory posts.

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• No more than one membership per person. Do not register or use more than one username per user. People from the same household sharing the same internet connection will need to disclose their relationship to the forum.

• No mod-bashing. Do not question, mock, criticise or complain about moderators or their decisions on the boards. The moderators will happily discuss individual decisions at length by PM only and if there has been misunderstanding then posts can be undeleted and restored to the forum.

• Do not publish any personal information about another member (eg real name, address, email address) unless they have stated they are happy for it to be posted. Please respect the privacy of other members. Do not publish an email or pm that someone has sent you privately.

 

Posts that break the above rules will be deleted. For blatant or persistent offences a number of warnings will be given before issuing a ban. The number of warnings issued will depend on the seriousness of the incident(s) as deemed by the moderators. In some cases no warnings may be issued at all before banning.

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To me, a lot of the above is common sense, but you know the old adage about common sense.  Open to suggestions on improving the moderation process so it optimizes the communities enjoyment of this site.

Gene

[Torie Lancaster]

You shouldn't be shocked Mel........it's probably just that for once you have actually read and digested what was written rather than drawing up your own conclusions.

One thing I really would like my attention brought to are comments from me which suggest I am a 'anti-breeder'.

Could you please tell me where these comments are or quote them to me so this silly nonsense can be cleared up once and for all.

[Pat Aldridge]

This reply probably won't end up where it should be!

The manner in which this thread has regressed in its latter part has simply re-confirmed the feelings of some breeders (who are first & foremost "owners") that their experience in Setters was not welcome.

[Torie Lancaster]

As some on here seem hell bent on stirring up trouble, I have decided not to reply to any more of this rubbish. 

Im sure you will come back with some pathetic excuse to have a dig as always.

Bye the way Pat....I thought after your behaviour in a previous discussion you were leaving any way.

[Rhonda Fisher]

Good idea Torie , When people start to yell accusations it is time to turn your back on a good post gone bad. Thanks Gene still got the print out handy.

[Pat Aldridge]

Torie, it is the prerogative of Woman to change her mind - occasionally.  My "apologies" for doing so...!

[Rhonda Fisher]

Pat on June 28 my first reply to this post was to thank Gene and David and comment that I had printed their great code of conduct. Just to clarify :-))