[pegasus]

Would it be possible to have a moderator online most of the time?

I know that moderators are volunteers and we really appreciate the work that they do.

Moderators make us feel safer.

Please could Admin/Mods consider whether this could be possible.

[pegasus]

I'm sorry to have to say this but it's been nearly three hours without any moderators around, at the busiest time of the day.

Where are you moderators?

[Direction]

maybe a better question is how do people actually become moderators in order to fulfil your request...it definately will take more people...more people to commit....that is a big committment....

[Raynaadi]

Present!

We're not scheduled as far as when we're online. I know for me, when I'm home, I'm here. Sometimes I'll be here but not at my desk, but I check in every few minutes, like if I'm doing laundry or chores and what not.

3 hours is a long time to not see a mod online. With work schedules, school schedules, family life, things that happen in our personal lives, it definitely is hard to say for sure when one or more of us will be here.

It would be nice if we were scheduled....so all "shifts" were covered, but I know for me, that would be very stressful. It's hard enough to make the transition from member to mod without it feeling like I have to report at a certain time. I do however, feel its my duty to check in daily, usually more than once a day.

I totally know how you feel about feeling safer when you see mod/admins online. I feel the same way when I check who's online and I'm the only mod! Thats kinda scary lol.

Anyway.....not sure if we can even answer your question, because I'm not sure it would be possible to create "shifts" for us. That would probably be an admin issue.

Just wanted to chime in and say hey.....I'll only be here for another 20 minutes or so. Got a meeting.

~Rayna

[Danialla]

Where are the mods supposed to be? In chat? Just hanging out?

I guess I really don't see the need for a mod to be around at all times. But then again I have never needed one.......

[lenjan]

Most of the mods have day jobs, and most if not all are in North American time zones. Add in family responsibilities, school, etc, and you're asking a lot of volunteers to agree to be here around the clock.

You can find them if you check the "who's online" feature. They don't "have" to be anywhere, such as in chat, and all are PC members themselves -- you might find them posting about their own issues! And you can always PM one or all.

[Raynaadi]

Hehe, I like your post candybear

FYI too, on the who's online screen, we appear in red or green.

[Direction]

Raynaadi...just out of curiosity - how are moderators chosen...

[kimmydawn]

(((((((( pegasus ))))))))

I know I've not been showing as much as I almost always do but I've had many appts with my boy and daughter this week. Tomorrow afternoon it slows down and you'll see more of me than you probably like.

The best thing to do if upset, or concerned is to PM a mod/admin so they can see it first thing, or if it's about a post, report it. If you're ever feeling "unsafe", PM me, k?

Direction, moderators usually apply or are nominated. If there's a need for additional moderation, we bring 1 or 2 on at a time. Our most recent additions were Rayna and BipolarBear just a couple, three months ago.

Thanks,

KD

[pegasus]

No moderators for nearly three hours and then when one does appear they are an 'Invisible Member', what good is that?

[Direction]

Is there something that happened? All of us at PC are here to help? Anyway I'm just concerned...as I think there tends to be pretty good coverage and two added to help out...gaps I think will happen and I think the above explains this fairly well...

Was there something going on during the three hours that upset you so?

[sabby]

hehehe....Thanks for mentioning being invisible, I accidently hit that button but now it's changed and I'm not invisible anymore.

(((((((((((((((((((pegasus))))))))))))))))))))

Just remember pegasus, even if we are invisible, we still get pm's or you can use the "Send PM to All Moderators" and we'll receive it and be able to respond if you have an issue.

I know it's hard with all the daily/nightly responsibilities we all have. We try to be here as much as possible and cover as many hours as we can.

May I suggest that if you feel unsafe and there is no one around at that time, why not leave the forums for awhile until you feel better, come back and check if anyone is here. I know it's not the easiest of things to do, but if it helps you feel safer, then it's important for you to do what you have to do.

Hugssss
J

[nothemama8]

I too wonder how Mods are chosen, I have asked twice about this, first time I asked to be a Mod, the second I was never replied too, heck what does it take to get an answer?
Angie

[Raynaadi]

We're not supposed to be invisible.....just wanted to say that, and Sab said it was an error. Don't ever do it again Saby tee heee heeeeeee.

As for how mods are selected, I think that's an admin issue. I understand your frustration in not getting an answer, maybe an admin will respond.

[Raynaadi]

Oh I just looked at page one of the thread and Kimmy said that mods "usually apply or are nominated."

[sabby]

I promise,,,to never ever ever be invisible again!

Hugssssss
J

[Raynaadi]

And I promise to do my best to be here whenever possible.

[(JD)]

It can feel pretty stressful being here in a situation when no mods are on, though, I agree (((pegasus)))

Though I'm neither, I can't go invisible LOL I'm greeting people

[Rapunzel]

I wish that I could do this as my full-time job, because I enjoy what I do here. Sometimes I'll sneak in and check on things when I'm at work, but then I feel guilty about it. I've even logged in here when I was in class sometimes. I think I'm a little bit addicted to this place - my husband complains that I spend more time online than I do with him. We're volunteers though, and sometimes other responsibilities do get heavy. Usually if I'm online I'm here, at least off and on.

If you notify us about posts, we get those in our email, so that is a way to reach a moderator when we aren't on PC at the moment. I think we see PMs pretty quickly too. I promise to do the best that I can. Anyone is welcome to PM me any time, whether I'm here at the moment or not.

Rap

[kimmydawn]

I'm still unsure as to what the upset is here?

I'll state again that mods/admins are here regularly. Where there is not one here, there are great tools for self-care if something happens.

If something happens with a post, click report post and an email is sent immediately. If there's a problem and it's not with a post, notify all mods and/or PM one or some and it's seen as soon as a logon happens.

We're on and off throughout the day and night, allowing for the forums to be monitored regularly as stated in the TOU.

Is there something you're having a problem with in particular, pegasus? If it's that you feel unsafe when there's no mod here, maybe you can check the online screen before signing in?

Our mods and admins work hard to give this community good coverage for an overall protection of the guidelines for the members. The coverage here at the forums is a primary concern for the moderation/administration team, and has proven to be a good coverage.

All moderators and administrators are volunteers. They don't receive pay to be here specific times, but work very well at coverage.

Thank you moderators and fellow administrators.

I think the issue with being invisible was addressed as a mistake and is a rare happening. In fact, it's the first I'm aware of.

KD

[kimmydawn]

I'd like to follow up with...

If a member finds they're online with no mods/admins present and there's something upsetting occurring, please report it if you can. If you find it too triggering or upsetting to be here despite the tools available (ignore, viewing specific forums, etc.), it might be a good idea to sign off for an hour or two and check back?

If you have a special need, you can certainly PM mods/admins to see when they might be online to give you a comfort level you might need in when not doing well.

There are many ways to manage our experiences here...mods/admins online or not...that give us the opportunity for the best experience we can have.

That said, I'll say too that I don't think there's been an issue with any triggering, upsetting, or otherwise posting that hasn't been handled in a timely manner for the benefit of the members.

Thanks!

KD

[pegasus]

Good coverage! My ***! I'm here more than the moderaters are!

[tranquility]

Wow pegasus that's rough. Sorry you're having a tough time there is something obviously eating at you. If you want to talk you can PM me. I personally find that there is a moderator on almost everytime I come on?

Tranquility

[kimmydawn]

Pegasus, if you have a personal issue going on, please bring it to me or another admin in PM.

Thanks everyone.

KD