Deputy Mods on VJ: Moderation Structure

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

In an attempt to improve the way we moderate on VJ I would like to role out a trial program where we will have several "Deputy" moderators on VJ. Their duties will be very similar to regular mods except they will focus on specific parts of the site. Their moderation abilities will allow them to deal with most daily moderation tasks with the exception that they may not suspend or ban other members. If this is required, the Deputy can escalate a known issue to a Global Moderator to address.

Deputy and Other Member Mod Roles defined:

http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/Forums_Moderation

The reasons I think this will be useful are:

--o Lowers the work load on the Global Moderators so they can focus on more serious systemic issues on the site

--o Allows for a person more familiar with a set of forums to watch out and hopefully resolve problems before they get bigger

--o Improves the response time for moderation on the whole

--o Is a good "middle ground" position that can address most issues that pop up on the site on a day to day basis

Reasons it may be bad:

--o Confuses members with too many mods

--o Deputies may find it frustrating to solve certain problems if they can not suspend members without calling in a Global Moderator (although this was intentional and not designed to "take away" from the Deputy title)

At this time "Charles!" has stepped in to be the first deputy moderator of the Regional Forums. I would like to staff people in the following remaining areas:

#1

> Family & Marriage Based Immigration (K1, K3, IR1, etc) to the USA

#2

> Immigration Discussion for US Visa Holders and Permanent Residents

> USCIS and Dept of State Offices

#3

> General Discussion Area

#4

> Regional Discussion already filled

Thoughts?

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Are you going to pull the regional section out of the general section? I don't see how there could be too many mods unless people start stepping on each others toes.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Are you going to pull the regional section out of the general section? I don't see how there could be too many mods unless people start stepping on each others toes.

I would have done this in the past however it does fit in the category above it and I am concerned with making the main forums screen "too long" to scroll down.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Are you going to pull the regional section out of the general section? I don't see how there could be too many mods unless people start stepping on each others toes.

I would have done this in the past however it does fit in the category above it and I am concerned with making the main forums screen "too long" to scroll down.

I wouldn't worry about the UI issue. The mods will know who is regoinal and who is general, if the mods get that confused then maybe they shouldn't be mods

May I suggest madame cleo for deputy mod of the general? I remember your "guidelines" and she meets them to a tee. I'd probably end up hating her but that's ok.

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

Are you going to pull the regional section out of the general section? I don't see how there could be too many mods unless people start stepping on each others toes.

I would have done this in the past however it does fit in the category above it and I am concerned with making the main forums screen "too long" to scroll down.

I wouldn't worry about the UI issue. The mods will know who is regoinal and who is general, if the mods get that confused then maybe they shouldn't be mods

May I suggest madame cleo for deputy mod of the general? I remember your "guidelines" and she meets them to a tee. I'd probably end up hating her but that's ok.

Which "guidelines"? In any case, I would like to pick good people. Having a "title" or "role" is not really what this is about. All these roles take work and time that people graciously donate to the site. I hope we can give mods a chance to "do good". If they feel like they are unable to fulfill the role for any reason then like many times in the past (and future) we rotate in new folks to help out.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

What kind of health and dental coverage do you offer?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Sounds like a good idea. I don't think there will be too many mods if you only hire one or two deputies for each section, and most members will rarely encounter a mod in his/ her duties anyway. And I don't think the deputy mods will be frustrated; I am a mod on a couple of other sites and only deal with the day-to-day stuff there, if something is so serious that a member needs suspended, it is common to talk to a supervisor/ owner of the site first anyway, as this is not a step to be taken lightly (other than in the case of spammer-only accounts).

If you are still looking for Family/Marriage based immigration deputy mods, I'd be happy to help out.

[TracyTN 237]

I think this has been needed for a long time. Are you and the other moderators currently discussing candidates for the remaining positions?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

May I suggest madame cleo for deputy mod of the general? I remember your "guidelines" and she meets them to a tee. I'd probably end up hating her but that's ok.

Which "guidelines"?

These guidelines.

Members that have been here a long time and have shown respect for other people (on an ongoing basis) and are level headed are critical skills for a moderator.

She's shown people respect on an ongoing basis and she is nothing if not infuriatingly level headed

I would like to pick good people. Having a "title" or "role" is not really what this is about. All these roles take work and time that people graciously donate to the site.

I had not implied otherwise, so I'm not sure what the point of that was

[almaty 19]

bother bishop is a good man

and sister purple (cleo) is ideal

[chri'stina 190]

I nominate booyah! since he also is always respectful of others.

j/k....

[almaty 19]

i thinsk sister stina..excellent values and a good person...jut saying

[*julez* 124]

These guidelines.

Members that have been here a long time and have shown respect for other people (on an ongoing basis) and are level headed are critical skills for a moderator.

And yet Charles was made a deputy moderator.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Christina is a good choice.

I think Cleo has said elsewhere that she's not interested in moderation.

[chri'stina 190]

aww, thanks guys but I am also not interested hehe.