[Ididitmyway]

I would feel safer on the forum where moderators and administrators don't participate in discussions and don't express their personal opinions that side with one particular point of you more than the other.

Mods are in the more powerful position on the forum than everybody else, and, in order not to take a risk of exploiting their power, I feel they should just stick to their job, which is moderating. Just like therapists aren't supposed to exploit their position in sessions by engaging in the casual chat with clients and telling their personal stories.

DocJohn, I am perfectly ok with any input from you about the process of discussing things on the forum and how to make discussions constructive. I am not ok with you offering your opinion on the subject discussed because I don't believe it is appropriate for you, as a moderator or an administrator, to engage in equal exchanges with forum users while at the same time maintaining your power and authority to moderate threads, posts and memberships. Your role as a mod has certain boundaries attached to it that I hope you will respect.

When I hear a mod or admin say they are frustrated about some repetitive themes on the forum, I don't understand why they took on the job of moderating the forum in the first place. If the mods start sending signals that they are not ok with some topics for whatever reason and with some specific views what's the purpose of the forum then?

By all means, close the thread if you are offended by this post or kick me out of PC all together. I don't care.

Well, Ididitmyway, I disagree with you. DocJohn was asked a specific question and answered it on the forum because it was coming up as a problem on the forum. He has stayed off of the thread, even when he was specifically being discussed but it seems perfectly okay that he comes back and clarifies his position.

Thank you, DocJohn for taking an active part in this website that you are so committed to providing for people to use. You presence does help maintain the safety and support for members.

[DocJohn]

You're welcomed to offer your feedback, and I thank you for doing so. I am sorry to hear that by participating in discussions with members of our volunteer community support team, you feel less safe.

However, we've had a very long history of running this community in a way that seems to work for most of our members here. Since all of us are volunteers in our role as moderators or administrators, it would be highly unthoughtful and inappropriate for me to ask them to stop being a regular member and only do things on an administrative basis.

As for me, yup, I will continue to offer my thoughts and opinions here, as I do throughout the site, and have been doing for 20+ years. I'm a human being too, in addition to running the place, and don't think that disqualifies me from offering my two cents or to chime in when I'd like.

DocJohn

[Ididitmyway]

It's not my problem that all the mods are volunteers. Not being paid while performing specific duties doesn't make them entitled to brake the boundaries of their roles. Many therapists in training aren't being paid. That doesn't give them the right to air their personal problems with clients using the excuse that they are "just human beings"

I know that you will do what you will no matter what I say, so no need to assert your power. You have it. You have the power to close this thread any time and you have the power to kick me out of the forum any time. As I said, I don't care.

But, as long as I am here, I also will say what I will and, at this point, I am saying that you are abusing your power by continuing to engage in this discussion.

[DocJohn]

I'm not sure what you've defined as the "boundaries of their roles" -- you seem to have made up your own idea of what those boundaries and roles are. Since when is it not okay for moderators of a community to participate in the community they're moderating? That goes against the 24+ years of experience I've had in working with online communities of all different sorts (not just in the mental health field). And it goes against what we've defined our moderators' roles as being here.

This is all of our's community. Nobody is "abusing power" by participating in the community we've all built and shared together since 2001. Your suggesting otherwise is really offensive to all those members, moderators, volunteers, and yes, even I, who've spent countless hours helping others through this place.

I'm saddened by your point of view, but to each their own I guess.

DocJohn

[Artchic528]

Originally Posted by Ididitmyway

It's not my problem that all the mods are volunteers. Not being paid while performing specific duties doesn't make them entitled to brake the boundaries of their roles. Many therapists in training aren't being paid. That doesn't give them the right to air their personal problems with clients using the excuse that they are "just human beings"

I know that you will do what you will no matter what I say, so no need to assert your power. You have it. You have the power to close this thread any time and you have the power to kick me out of the forum any time. As I said, I don't care.

But, as long as I am here, I also will say what I will and, at this point, I am saying that you are abusing your power by continuing to engage in this discussion.

It's abusing power for a mentally ill person to seek help and guidance for their issues because they have administrative duties? Wow.

I believe DocJohn, administrators and moderators have the same right to express their opinion as any member does. There is no nexus between their roles on this website and the stating of their opinions. Thus no member should give added weight to their opinion.

Threads are not closed due to a difference of opinions; threads are closed due to a violation of this website's Community Guidelines (which applies to everyone--DocJohn, administrators and moderators not withstanding).

[lizardlady]

I, respectfully, disagree with the OP. The folks who are moderators came here for the same reason the rest of us did. They were looking for help and support. At some point they felt they were in a position to help look after the site. Having been a mod at another site years ago, I applaud the mods for the work they do. I'm not saying it never happened, but I've never seen a mod or admin abuse their power here. Why should they be restricted from benefiting from this site the same as the rest of us?

[Ididitmyway]

I am not the OP. My post was a reply on the other thread that I did not post originally. Therefore, I refuse to discuss it here. This is not my thread.

[DocJohn]

Your post was moved to the feedback forum from the psychotherapy forum because it is a piece of community feedback and has nothing to do with psychotherapy. Another poster's comment to that same thread was also moved here for the same reason.

[amandalouise]

my views on any of these posts in this thread...

any post becomes an original post (OP) when it is separated from other threads because its a good topic but is off topic of where that post was posted..

or when someone starts a new thread on their own that first post is known as the original post (OP)

also I consider any member to be designated OP when they have a post located as the first post in a thread..

just something so people will understand what I mean when I write the letters OP.

I disagree with the OP (original post in ...this....thread)

heres why...

its my understanding that the moderator\administrator positions of authority are filled with people from the pool of members... that means anyone that is a member in good standing here on psych central can become a moderator\administrator as the need arrives for those positions to be filled. ie more moderators needed or someone already in those positions takes a break or resigns their position.

that in itself says to...me... its ok for members who have been promoted to moderator\administrator positions to post...I mean thats what they always have been able to do why demote their posting status just because they got a promotion. they are still members of the site other wise they would not be in the position to be promoted to moderator\administrator status.

as for doc John...well my opinion is I would not even begin to tell the creator of this website that he can not do something on his own website that he provides for the world free of charge.. with out doc John there would be no psych central.

now as a whole doc john and the moderators ...well my opinion is they have no choice but to post simply because sometimes they have to step in to post \remind us all of the rules, and where the teams opinions and each member of the teams opinions and experience with said topics are.

that doesnt mean they are swaying members to their own beliefs, each member can hold their own beliefs, and opinions they just uphold the rules and keep the boards neat, clean and orderly and theres usually a good reason behind what they do and say\post.

I love it when those in the administrative positions continue to participate like they did before their promotions. it shows that though they have been promoted they are still like us. sometimes I even send a post in to them using the report icon when i feel their points of view would be interesting or needed.

[highnrg1]

I think this PC site and the forums contained here would suffer greatly if moderators and administrators could not feel free to offer their opinions and ideas in these discussions. I am guessing all of these people have volunteered for their positions clearly because they believe strongly in the importance of maintaining a safe and effective environment for everyone in this community.

Also, though, sometimes we make mistakes. If ever we post something that violates the rules or goes against the safeguards set up for this site, and a thread needs to be deleted or moved, I don't think that immediately disqualifies someone from still participating in the site, am I correct on that?

Part of the original post asked for feedback about why the thread was removed. I know moderators/admins. are likely very busy and probably at least a couple of them consult before electing to remove a thread. Could it also be a possibility to make a brief note when the thread is closed to share briefly why that decision was made, like the person requested (even if just a few 'general' responses were created as a "bank" for moderators and administrators to choose from) and the reason could be indicated by comments such as: "this thread was closed on ___ (date) due to…" and then share the reason, something like :"posted in the incorrect forum, thread has been moved to…" or "inappropriate content according to forum guidelines, see…" (and include a link to the guidelines for posting so we can review and see where we might have gone wrong)?

I understand that this may be too time consuming for moderators/administrators, but perhaps it could help people to not continue to make the same errors (which I am guessing and hoping are often inadvertent).

Overall, I REALLY WANT moderators and administrators to participate in discussions, chats and also the ability monitor these threads, because they are often people that give really valuable and helpful feedback to us and I know they work tirelessly to make this site run in a safe and effective manner, while still making it very easy to navigate. Keep up the great work!

For some reason Don Quixote & Tilting At Windmills comes to mind ...

[~Christina]

I like when Mods and Admins either make a post or reply .. I love there insight just as much as anyone else.

I am honestly amazed at what a wonderful insightful place to find help and support. DocJohn and everyone helps to keep this a safe place for all of us.

[IrisBloom]

To the OP, you know this is just an online forum and not therapy, right? Users of this forum have no obligation (or ability) to be your therapist. The owner of this forum and site have full authority to make and enforce rules as they see fit. The owner also has the right to post on HIS OWN FORUM and site as he wants to. I, for one, love to see Doc John participate in discussions. And the other mods too. It makes me feel like they are part of us, not just here to regulate the forums.

[dillpickle1983]

I really have no opinion on this. I feel perfectly safe posting on this site. Also Mods or Admins have the right to post also. I don't understand how you feel less safe. Its not like you are personally getting crawled by Google.

I think the moderators do a really great job here.

Because the post was moved, the context of the post is missing. The original post moved here was in a thread about a reoccurring conflict on the psychotherapy forum. It's been ongoing and people can get upset.

If DocJohn or a moderator (unknowingly) injects an opinion about one side of the conflict, it can change the dynamics of the conflict. People might feel that this proves they are right and that their opinion now has a stronger voice than the other side. It can even lead to bullying. It seems reasonable that one could have a concern about that.

The other issue is that the moderator may not read or follow all of the threads in that forum, so they would not have an understanding of the personal dynamics, and their judgment could be misaligned, or even completely off.

I don't worry about that here, as the moderation here is good. I think it would be cause for concern of moderators were reactive and non-objective, or sided with their friends, treating them differently than others. But that doesn't happen here (or I am just not aware of it).

[Gus1234U]

i would really like to see Mods be able to UNBOLD their names and participate as regular members, when they so choose. of course there are bound to be conflicts and misunderstandings when so many members have issues with authority figures. just because a mod has a long history of not engaging in conflicts, does not mean they should loose access.

[LadyShadow]

I personally see no harm in moderators or even DocJohn participating in threads. I have been a member of PC for a long time, and even I have had one of my threads removed recently because I violated the rules of the forum. I understood why and was not upset at all by it. I am sorry you have had problems here, but like another poster said this is not YOUR therapy. This is therapy for EVERYONE who needs a place to come to in order to feel safe.

Try not to take things too personal, we are all here trying to do right by each other and help each other out because having good mental health and support is why we come here.

[HALLIEBETH87]

I think it's wonderful all member, mods or not, can participate in the conversations we have on this forum.

I appreciate all feedback! Thanks!

moderators and admins have a job to keep the forums safe but they also deserve support and want to help others here. it isn't about power, it's about protection and i never have seen them do anything unreasonable. if no one is breaking any rules they have nothing to worry about.

[divine1966]

In every online forum I ever belonged to moderators and administrators ( volunteers) participated in forums the same as everyone else. This is the first time i see someone requesting moderators not to participate. I am not sure what's going on and why anyone would feel unsafe.

I am also confused on why someone who started a thread states that they aren't Original Poster. Typically people refer to whoever started the thread as OP for abbreviation purposes.

I might be missing something. Hopefully moderators and administrators will continue doing great job and participate along the way.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Wild Coyote]

I feel it's critically important for moderators and admin. to participate in the forum.

I have been a moderator and admin. on several large forums over the past 20 years. Any forum in which mods and/or admin did not participate failed. The site died.

Not only do mods and admin have the right to participate, their participation adds to the health of the site, from which we all benefit greatly.

Some forums handle this a little differently, giving mods and admin each 2 identities. A mod might have a mod name of "Moderator 1," as well as a regular account with a screen name as a community member. I prefer the more personable method of mods having/using just one name for all functions.

I realize the amount of personal sacrifice given by those volunteering to assist the community and am deeply grateful to each of you, including Doc John, of course!

With Respect and Gratitude,
WC

Originally Posted by divine1966

In every online forum I ever belonged to moderators and administrators ( volunteers) participated in forums the same as everyone else. This is the first time i see someone requesting moderators not to participate. I am not sure what's going on and why anyone would feel unsafe.

I am also confused on why someone who started a thread states that they aren't Original Poster. Typically people refer to whoever started the thread as OP for abbreviation purposes.

I might be missing something. Hopefully moderators and administrators will continue doing great job and participate along the way.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think - I might be wrong - this thread was once part of another thread and was "separated" into a thread of its own. So the person who is now the OP was once just someone responding to a thread.

[Turtleboy]

Originally Posted by Breadfish

I think - I might be wrong - this thread was once part of another thread and was "separated" into a thread of its own. So the person who is now the OP was once just someone responding to a thread.

yup Breadfish i believe you are correct, i think the first post in this thread was not actually the op but a separated thread.

just as my own input, it warms my heart to see so many lovely responses regarding mods posting for support, we are all diagnosed with mental health conditions and we all came from the average membership,
on a side note (this may surprise some of you guys) it's actually quite intimidating trying to balance being a member/getting support with being unbiased and performing out duties,
many moderators have commented that once becoming a community team member they find it a little more difficult to get a lot of support.

but of course every situation is different, we are all in this together