Also, the less need for power the better, but I think it might be a little naive to expect to return the feeling from the first days of Wordforge. Cass started with a small staff, and had posters like Jeriko as mods. The feeling back then was as much because the mods represented the overall makeup and feel of the board as a whole as it was because of the smaller number.
I believe that in this very thread alone I've said that I wanted to diversify the staff, no? I desperately wanted to increase the representation of our more liberal European contingent on the staff. Sadly, all of those whom I've asked have declined. You of all people should know what I meant by that post. While it's true that we try to listen to everyone, the mod staff gives up the most and has a ton of say in the way the board is run. I've always seen that as their primary function. It's people that have stepped up to advise me on issues to promote the good and to keep the bad from every seeing the light of day. Hence the very reason for a mod forum. To talk things over without the membership resorting to torches and pitchforks.
That's something some of you never consider... Do you have any idea how many people decline? How many say no...and do you know why? Because they don't want to endure the crap that you sign up for when you accept the position. And believe me...not matter who you are and what you do, some form or crap or another will come your way.
This is just my input -- feel free to ignore -- but IMHO you need to work out the role of each mod before you decide who to pick. Just like any organisation, get a job/person spec and try to fill as best as you can. If you take for example 5 mods/supermods/admins, three are apparent straight away: 1 x chief = obviously Elwood 2 x technical = obviously Nick and O2C The other two, I would say you need someone who is balanced and has kept their noses clean. You can't afford bias and you can't afford someone who gets insulted easily. Lanz and Clyde come to mind straight away, but I would say you also need to possibly have a female on board for incase you get any more cases like the Jenna situation. So, Mrs A and Lurker out of the current mods would fit that. Simply because Lurker is in a different time zone I think she would be the most sensible option. So, in conclusion, I would say Lanz/Clyde + Lurker. ETA: In addition, if you have 4 board-nominated observers that rotate every 3/4 months, you'd have more than enough staff to keep things honest, plus a solution that appeases everyone. Plus I think the onus needs to go back onto posters to act like grown-ups and either flag up situations with mods sensibly or roll back their own behaviour.
There is perhaps merit in this idea. There might still be whining about "EliteForge" from those who can't get elected, but at least it would put an end to accusations that the "staff" does not listen to the "members." It could even be stipulated that the staff does not vote, especially if the staff was reduced to just a few people. To make sure it rotates, it might be wise to say that after being an observeer for a term, a poster is then ineligible for the next two terms. Though anyone who ever betrays the trust of the position should never be eligible again, no matter how many posters vote for them. (And should be booted out immediately.)
Darn. I was working up a nice, big suggestion, that, well, would change things quite a bit, but it'd be more staff-heavy. In fact, it was somewhat similar to an old A51 suggestion that I actually didn't like at the time, but have come around to. 'Tis OK. A lot of folk probably wouldn't have liked it anyway.
Sorry, it wasn't clear you were talking about just Mod stuff. It seemed like you wanted to restrict all of their talking.
I think it's a good idea too. Although I think 3/4 months is too short. They are just getting used to how to do the job for some of that time at least. I would think 6 months to maybe as long as a year would work better. I think it would be more stable.
Observer is not a job you need to learn. Unless you have problems with literacy, in which case I doubt you'd be on the board long anyway. It's just reading and bringing a different perspective to the table during discussions. It's just like posting anywhere else, really, except there aren't as many people around to drown out your voice.
Ah, we have a new poster. Welcome! Did you know the name "Tamar" was already in use by a long-standing member?
OMG!!! I've been cut off????? Where will I get my fix? Come on Elwood Baby. Just give me a little bit. Just a taste Baby. I been good to you haven't I?
El, I've got to say - that seems like a good way to "lock people in" to staff and further the cries of "a favored few." Still, I wish you luck with this endeavor.
It seemed to make more sense than having one mod cover 1/3 of the board. Also, Bailey, Clyde, and Paladin are by far the newest moderators. I don't know the exact dates, but I know all of them have been mods for less than six months.
Two Browning Hi-Powers, two original (not repros) Colt Navy 1861s, a reloading press, one Sykes-Fairbarne original 1942, one HK MP-5 with suppressor, $2,500 in Krugerands, and five pics of Lady Storm. That's my final offer.
This rearrangement might be a good time to give us a complete list of staff in one place -- I was never quite clear on everyone who modded before, and so I'm not sure whether the announcement lists everyone or just the changes. So, a list of credits?
