This thread is a really good idea. I think that a thread like this once a month even would be a lot of help, sort of a "group conscience".

I had two ideas, one is about "iffy" posts or threads. Say Billybob starts a thread about a topic and a mod or admin reads it and sees how this thread could be very triggering or possibly cause problems due to the subject matter. Instead of locking it, what about a little warning at the beginning of the topic? Such as, "This thread has been flagged due to topics A, B and C. Members sensitive to these issues should use caution in reading." Because I might come a long and be totally triggered because topic B happened in my childhood, but January might come a long and go, oh topic B, yeah, I relate to that, I can help. This might help in those times where a member is just really upset and needs to talk about an issue that is harmful to others.

As for mods being online, when I've needed them, I've looked in "who's online". What frustrates me is when i can see the member status as "mod" but that person has set their status to invisible. What's the point in knowing a mod is online if I don't know who it is and can't ask for help? Now I totally understand that the mods would like days where they can browse the forums without being seen. I've had my "invisible days" too. Perhaps when they select "invisible", their mod status gets turned off, so we have no clue they're even there and don't get frustrated? That way they can have their breaks too. I agree also that maybe more mods are needed. That way there are more to share the work load. Can't have one waitress with 50 tables, right?

Thanks for the opportunity to share ideas. This is really great, and I think it will make us feel like more of a community, which will ease tension also.

Rayna