So what does it take to become a mod or admin?

Thanks for the questions!

First, nobody is using this site to "practice" psychology on people. This is first and foremost a self-help support site. By definition, that means it was put online for people to help one another, without professional intervention.

Second, I, too, was once a psychology graduate student not so long ago when I first began doing stuff online (back in 1992, to be exact... okay, so maybe that was a *while* ago...! lol). If it weren't for someone taking an interest in what I was doing in 1995, I probably wouldn't be here today doing what I'm doing.

Which is to say, all administrators have come and will likely continue to come from the membership itself. But that's not going to stop me from 'thinking outside the box' from time to time and look to ensure we're providing the best free online support community we can here. Remember that if I trust someone, then it's not out of blind faith -- it's by getting to know the person and seeing if he or she is right for the position.

So, to answer your question... Moderators are picked largely by suggestions and general agreement amongst the moderation team when we feel we need more help. Administrators are picked by me.

I appreciate your comments and feedback, thank you.

DocJohn

--

Although I can understand how it can be unsettling to have someone who is not that well known to be an admin, I do trust that Doc will 'take care' of us, so I trust his judgement. If that's not enough, there are 2 co-admin - Ben and Kimmy, not just Ben.

I have spoken with Ben a few times. It is not easy for me to trust people, but I do trust him, so, in my view, he would be a good admin.

I'm wondering, I've been here for a while, how much about me do people really know - what I've been through; my past?

I'm looking at the admin decision as just bringing in a new member to the team. Companies don't always hire from within, often they bring in a new perspective. Just because Ben hasn't been here for 10,000 posts doesn't mean he's incapable of doing a bang up job. Maybe, just maybe, he'll be better at it because he doesn't have his favorites and not-so-favorites picked out and he'll be a bit more impartial.

your judgment is under scrutiny here doc, this we both know, why did you not trust the community with your descision before you made it? why did you advertise in your blog and not in the forums for admin? why bring in someone noone knows as admin when there are plenty of other members out there who deserve a chance?

I feel a bit like Mellors and DSF in a way. BUT I will say that I have kept quiet about it cause for

1. He seems supportive.
2You cant judge the book by the cover. Even if you dont trust what may
be inside.
3. I know that I hate when people dont/wont give me a chance when I
really want/need to do something. This comes from issues I have
with rejection though.
4 And LOL I like the name Ben hehehehehe

I know and understand the decision was quick . But wouldnt we want to
be given a chance?

Thanks,
Beth7

i am not saying you should always "hire from within" wi even i know that doesnt make good business sense, i am saying if you do "employ" a virtual unknown there should be a period of time where they are not in the top spot, moderator for example for a period of time to see how they adjust, and see if they are right for the job, i know there is a 1 year "expiry" on the possition of admin, but is this a business or personal thing?

Hi folks,

I would like to add something here, although I'm usually very wary about any kind of politics - not my thing.

My feeling is that having two people jobshare the admin is a good idea. This shows us just what a responsibility it was for Ozzie to be the sole admin on such a big site as PC, I noted how much reading she had to do, and how many welcome posts she put up to new members. Well done Ozzie, and welcome back to you!

Also I would like to say that I find value in all the posts, and the most helpful posts don't necessarily come form a mod or from admin, they come from the people who are prepared to open up and share the stuff we have to deal with. There is so much experience and wisdom here at PC, and it is made up by the members, every last one of us. That's my view. We are all volunteer workers here, and long may we continue IMHO.

Cheers, M

Umm, I've never preannounced such decisions. So this time is no different. I will always choose administrators privately.

I didn't advertise in the blog for administrators; you'll have to go read the entry yourself to see that. Since it's all a part of the same site, it's incumbent for you -- if you're so interested and inclined -- to read the blog regularly. The entry was a far more general entry about seeking volunteers for help on the site.

These positions aren't about "giving members a chance," and perhaps that's the biggest misnomer here. Becoming a moderator or administrator isn't just a "title" for people here. It involves a daily effort, increased responsibility, and a lot more time on the site. You don't earn a chance to become one, and it's not about people being more "deserving" than another.

If you'd like to nominate yourself or another member to become a moderator, drop me or any moderator a PM and we'll discuss it on the team. But be forewarned, not everyone we hear from is appropriate for the position. And, no, at this time, there are no guidelines for how to become a moderator.

DocJohn

Sorry Doc , I was just trying to show fairness.

Graduate Students in Psychology Wanted
If you are, or know of, a graduate student in psychology or clinical social work and have a passion for psychoeducation and helping consumers better understand mental health issues, I’m interested in talking to you.

I’m looking for students with both an enthusiasm and an interest in helping others via online resources. These are part-time, non-paying positions at present, but if it works out, they could turn into something more. You should either enjoy writing or helping others in a discussion forum setting and have between 5-10 hours a week to provide. This is a resume-enhancing position and you will receive a recommendation letter from me if you stick with it for at least 6 months.

Follow this link and scroll down to ‘write to me’ to send me an email about your interests. Thank you.

This entry was posted on Friday, September 23rd, 2005 at 7:51 am and is filed under General, Technology, Psychology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

this is the post in question from your blog doc, who in here fits that criteria? and if they dont fit the criteria were they considered?, you say it has nowt to do with your position on picking the current admin, i think it had everything to do with your decision, you asked for qualified medically trained or training people, not non medical open to all, and what is a referal from you going to do for a layperson?

what qualifications do you need to become a admin within a week of being a mod?, post 100 + times in a week?

Like you stated you make the decisions and are accountable to noone so no need to answer, let the other members read what I have read and let them make there own mind up.

</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
This shows us just what a responsibility it was for Ozzie to be the sole admin on such a big site as PC, I noted how much reading she had to do, and how many welcome posts she put up to new members. Well done Ozzie, and welcome back to you!


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Thank you ((((((((((Myzen)))))))))))) I resigned my position as admin. because I no longer felt I could work with the "team". When I left rather quickly it placed a huge burden on John to find people in a hurry to fill the position.

In my opinion, it is very important for members to choose carefully who they are going to trust. I agree with your statement Myzen that members frequently make the posts that are most beneficial to us.

I also believe that threads of this nature are extremely helpful to the membership. JustBen, the only team member that I haven't worked with is imo most deserving of the opportunity to be a leader here. I look forward to getting to know him. He shines like a light among the clouds.

drunksunflower, are you confusing the role of moderators and administrators?

i think administrators are more technical jobs. they judge the overall content of the site, ensuring the site remains cohesive. i don't believe administrators need to post numerous posts to dominate every forum here. i think admins oversee moderators (admins don't do the moderating).

i think moderators should have more of a presence on whichever forum he/she is responsible for. the moderators are responsible for maintaining the continuity of each individual forum.

i don't know how anyone could handle being either a moderator or admin. MUCH RESPECT TO YOU ALL!!!!!

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mellors said:
Like you stated you make the decisions and are accountable to noone so no need to answer, let the other members read what I have read and let them make there own mind up.

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Reading what you have posted, I had a couple of thoughts...I see nothing in Doc John's blog advertisement that suggests he was looking for an administrator. Nor does it say anything about medical training, from what I read in what you posted. Finally, I don't see anything in it that suggests that Doc John wouldn't also consider members volunteering to help with site tasks, as some already do by contributing to the newsletter, for example.

I can hear that you are upset with this decision and/or the way it was made, but I'm not sure I understand why.

gg

I’m looking for students with both an enthusiasm and an interest in helping others via online resources. These are part-time, non-paying positions at present, but if it works out, they could turn into something more. You should either enjoy writing or helping others in a discussion forum setting and have between 5-10 hours a week to provide. This is a resume-enhancing position and you will receive a recommendation letter from me if you stick with it for at least 6 months.

funny how after posting this a member went from mod to admin within a week, dont get me wrong i think ben is doing great, 100 posts in a week must be exhausting, qudos to ben for stepping up.

i just dont understand the reasoning for the docs actions, if he was not "recruiting" (sp) mods or admin, then why post this in is blog, and if he was why didnt he post it in the forums where everyone would see it?

I would like to say that however JustBen came to be in his new role (and I neither know nor care), that his prompt and thoughtful responses here have earned my respect. He has taken the time to address everyone's emotional and practical concerns.

It seems to me that what's under scrutiny right now is NOT JustBen, but rather DocJohn. And honestly, this is DocJohn's board -- he funds and maintains it -- so while it's fine that we share our opinions about how he runs, it, I hope this isn't turning into a lynching thread because he, out of courtesy, only needs to LISTEN to our opinions but has absolutely no obligation to act on or even respond to them.

Those are my thoughts,
LMo

that is all i am asking Lmo "that he listens to our opinons" next time, something he did not do or consider this time.

To clarify, Mellors, do you mean that you wanted him to solicit opinions before he made a decision, or to take into consideration our opinions NOW?

When choosing an administrator, I really don't think it's up to the nuts to run the nut house. DocJ made his decision. It's a good one.