Since the vote seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of including some private moderation in the process, here is my proposed language for the new rules. Let me know what you think:
Thanks to Cat Herder for the bulk of the language of this post. In the effort to remain fair and impartial when emotions, tempers, or opinions become volatile, the Bountiful Forum makes public notice of the following policies and practices that are intended for the benefit of the individual as well as the community at large. On Forum Moderation 1. Forum Moderation is a delegated authority from both the Forum Administrator / Owner as well as all individuals who participate in the Forum. Where an authority is not expressly delegated to Forum Moderation, it will not be assumed to belong to Forum Moderation until due process has occurred within the Forum. In the absence of an express delegated authority, all registered Forum Participants (hereafter referred to as Participant or Participants) agree to behave in a civil, mature fashion, and to avoid contention. 2. The primary function of Forum Moderation is to maintain discussion and forum integrity. Moderators acknowledge they are human and are prone to mistakes, and it shall not lessen their credibility or delegated authority if they need to apologize from time to time. 3. The secondary function of Forum Moderation is to act as an official Mediator in conflict resolution. Moderators will first attempt to resolve any difficulties in private. If someone feels that they have been unfairly treated by a moderator, they may make public or private complaint, as they choose. 4. The tertiary function of Forum Moderation is to propose policy and rule changes, but these proposals must be presented to the body of Participants for input, discussion, and if necessary vote, prior to adoption or implementation. This function does not preclude, rather actually accommodates, Participants inherent right to make suggestions or proposals in the operation of the Forum. 5. The function of Forum Moderation shall not be vested in a single individual. A Panel of Forum Moderators (hereafter referred to as Panel) shall be created, numbering no less than three individuals at any given time. The number of moderators may be increased and new moderators selected based on one or more of the following criteria: a. Need due to volume of posting and discussion activity in Bountiful; b. Requests by Participants to add more moderators; c. Fill vacancy on the Panel. Note: The number of moderators may be decreased should the need based on volume also decrease. As long as Bountiful Forum is sufficiently active to remain viable, a Panel shall be in effect. 6. With the exception of removal of spam or material that is not in keeping with LDS standards in assigned Forum areas, forum moderators shall excuse themselves from moderating a discussion that has turned caustic if the assigned moderator has taken part in said discussion as a Participant and the contribution(s) to said discussion could reasonably be inferred as part of the fuel for the fire. In such situations the backup moderator for that area, if one exists, will moderate. If no such backup moderator exists, the Forum Owner will moderate. Wearing The Forum Moderator Hat 1. A list of current individuals who make up the Panel shall be posted publicly within the forum. Where applicable, the list shall also include any administrative hierarchy or responsibilities each member of the panel is entrusted with. 2. A public log shall be kept and posted listing administrative activities that have been performed by those on the panel. This shall include the moderator, the action taken and impacted party or parties, the reason, and the time / date stamp (if available). If technology prevents a public log, the Panel shall ensure that any log generated by the forum software that fills this role shall be made available in a reasonable format upon request of Participants or the Mediation process. 3. All individuals who make up the Panel shall clearly state in a discussion when they are acting in the role of moderator. This shall be indicated by use of a universal TBD comment heading or emoticon reserved for said purpose. These posts shall be included in the public log mentioned above. 4. As concerns, conflicts with, or complaints about individual moderators is an expected risk in the Forum, individual participants may make these without fear of retribution in the TBD designated discussion thread. 5. A moderator can elect to resign for any reason or asked to step down as needed or requested by the Panel. Mediation and Conflict Resolution We talk about things in our Church Meetings and come away feeling great and enthusiastic because of The Holy Ghosts influence and presence. Everyday life, though, is the grand laboratory of how we will actually live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We all make mistakes, and from time to time say or do things that are trespasses against another Saint. We can not build up Zion in our hearts if we ignore that reality and fail to apply effective measures to ensure we are not hindering another Saints progression. The Forum intention is that we work through any offenses that may be experienced in the Forum together. A Forum like this, even in the inherent anonymity of participants, is nothing more than a microcosm of the grand laboratory we call life. As any good athletic coach will tell you, how you practice is how youll play in the real thing. The goal of Mediation is that regardless of offense, all still feel like brothers and sisters and fellow Saints, and with the end result of the process, we all will come out better than we were before; strengthened, edified, and loving one to another. That is the goal, and the hope is it works the vast majority of the time. It will require every individuals effort. We do not ignore the reality that it will not always be pleasant or work properly or to the stated goal or that some individuals will be less than happy. The process isnt meant to please all the people all the time. Mediation will operate essentially as follows: 1. Any individual can avail himself or herself of the mediation process, without fear of repercussion from others. Use of or inclusion in the mediation process shall not be considered an insult or attack by anyone. 2. The actual process will occur in public (allowing for exceptions in extreme situations), and will occur in a specially designated portion of the Forum, away from the thread and discussion. 3. A committee made up of members of the Panel (and others as need presents) shall be convened. 4. Both parties may present a summary of their case or concern and what is wanted before the committee. 5. The committee shall designate a minimum required cooling down period for the issue. 6. After the cooling down period, additional detail may be given or requested. 7. The committee and both parties involved will present and discuss possible resolutions. 8. The committee and parties involved will agree to a suitable resolution, and then implement it. 9. A summary of the proceedings shall be posted in a public log on the Forum. The detailed proceedings shall be archived, but available for review upon request. 10. The process is provided so that there can be a method to resolve complaints about moderation. Therefore, it is hoped that all parties will honor the process, even if it is not resolved in their favor.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
Ok, looking at it the formatting is pretty bad. When I get an opportunity, I'll fix it.
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If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen! - Samuel Adams
It appears you have created rules along the lines of what I've been hoping to see created.
I think these rules are a lot more explicit as to the nature of the panel of moderators, etc, and the process of private resolutions prior to public discussion... I also like the part about explaining the thread closing.
If only they could be applied retroactively, so that we could see if they will work or not... :(
--Ray
PS> In addition to Bountiful Moderators, we may soon need Bountiful Lawyers too... :)
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I'm not slow; I'm special. (Don't take it personally, everyone finds me offensive. Yet somehow I manage to live with myself.)
Well, since a) No system is perfect, b) I really don't care one way or the other, c) I ain't about to read all that jargle, and d) you guys are one in six boards I frequent, I'm happy with rayb's endorsement.
rayb wrote:It appears you have created rules along the lines of what I've been hoping to see created.
No sane individual should permit me to vote, but if anyone cares, I vote "hey, why not?".
LM
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And I'd discuss the holy books with the learned men, seven hours every day. That would be the sweetest thing of all.
