A message to all members
Moms View Message Board: The Kitchen Table (Debating Board): A message to all members
Ladies, I think everyone needs to stop typing and think for a moment. Before I have my say, I just want to tell you all, that I sincerely try to give everyone the respect they are due. I like the interaction with all of you and getting to know you all, even though we all don't agree on many things. If *I* have personally offended any of you, either as an individual, or in my capacity as a moderator, then please accept my apologies, for it was certainly NOT intentional. I'm just doing my job.
There have been a lot of heated topics of late, a lot of heated opinions, a lot said, and accusations made that the moderators are a clique, that only one side of a story is allowed, things of that nature. How many messageboards do any of you belong to? Do you have any idea how they are moderated, or *if* they even ARE moderated? Have you, yourself, ever moderated a messageboard?
Let me tell you something, if you think this board is too tightly moderated, then maybe it isn't the place for you. The rules are in place for a reason, and it's a GOOD reason, so if you don't agree with them, you don't need to be here. I belong to a health messageboard where people get banned for practically breathing. Do I agree with it? No. Do I know the whole story behind the bannnigs? Not even close. Do I even ASK on the board about it? No way, because on that particular board, ASKING about it will get you banned. Do I agree with it? Absolutely not, but I don't have to, it's not my place to agree or disagree, it's the way they run that board. I go there for information. I play by their rules. Plain and simple.
For years we have heard the horror stories about Mommytimes, as an UNmoderated board. We have many members who were with Mommytimes from the very beginning and left BECAUSE it was unmoderated, and nasty and catty and hurtful. This board will NOT be run or mismanaged like that one. If you don't like it, then this isn't the board for you.
Someone said there were posts made that offended her, and she didn't have the option to have them removed. Well guess what? Some of you have posted threads that offend *ME* - but I don't remove them just because I don't happen to agree with you. That's life - everyone has opinions, everyone disagrees from time to time. Know what I do if there's a thread on the board that bothers me that much? Rather than post something that will insult or hurt someone, I stay away from it! I do not read anymore of it and I do not post to it. I leave it to another of the moderators to keep tabs on that thread. And you DO have options - any of you can contact one of the Staff if you have a problem with something posted on the board. It's been done by a few members in the past, and the issues have been dealt with.
Read the posting guidelines for this board.
"Because of the potential to easily offend other message board members, we ask that YOU be especially sensitive to the feelings of members who do not share your beliefs BEFORE posting. Guidelines for posts are listed below. Members with a pattern of intentionally ignoring the guidelines set forth by the administration will have their posting privileges revoked.
The guidelines are:
(a) Posts that could be interpreted as being judgmental, critical or disrespectful of other members' spiritual beliefs, spiritual practices or political view;
(b) Posts that could be interpreted as trying to influence or change, other members' spiritual or political beliefs; and
(c) Posts that present your spiritual beliefs and practices or your political beliefs as superior or the only "correct" way. What you choose to believe privately is, of course, your own concern.
(d) Posts judged to be discriminatory to race, ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability are unacceptable.
Members posting to generate debate or to continue debate on the topics of religion or politics, except in The Kitchen Table, will be warned once, and if it happens again their posting privileges will be revoked. This does not apply to The Kitchen Table, which is set aside specifically for the debate of sensitive topics. However, the guidelines in paragraph (d) above will apply to The Kitchen Table and will be strictly enforced.
On the "faceless" Internet, it's easy to forget that behind every message is a person with feelings. Be respectful and you'll earn more respect.
IMPORTANT: Decisions as to whether a post violates these guidelines will be made by the board administration and are FINAL.
If you believe that a post violates these guidelines, email the administration. DO NOT start a discussion on the board.
If your post is removed, DO NOT post on the board to ask why. Any such posts will be deleted. You may, however, email the board administration to ask."
These rules have not been followed. Should we ban the members who haven't followed them??? I'm not going to do that. Instead I'm posting this as a reminder and hope that everyone will calm down.
Do you think it's always easy and *fun* to moderate a board? No, it certainly is not. We have to walk a fine line. Many times there are threads we'd like to post replies to but don't, simply because of our position here as moderators.
In moderating this board to make sure everyone is abiding by the rules, we are constantly at risk for offending someone. In our efforts to try and protect the feelings of the members, we constantly run the risk of upsetting another member. So I guess you could say we don't have the luxury of being here to make friends like the rest of you do.
Would it interest you to know that we have disagreements on the Staff board also? A number of times we have been divided right down the middle as to what to do about a particular post or situation. We don't all have the same opinions, or beliefs, and are not all *on the same side*. It's definitely not a clique. This isn't high school where the cheerleaders or sorority or sports types all hang out with only each other, and wear the same color on Friday, or the same shirt on Wednesday. The moderators are all as different as all of you are. We are all mature individuals, but none of us is perfect, and we make mistakes too. Sometimes it takes Administration to make a decision for US when we can't agree. Plain and simple.
However, when posts are made on ANY of the Momsview boards that are considered to be flaming, or attacks on an individual, they WILL be removed. Period. Sometimes that means removing the entire thread. If you see a post that you feel is doing just that and the moderators have not yet intervened, please - follow the rules, email one of us, and it will be taken care of.
I hold no hard feelings against ANY of you for disagreeing with me. I can only hope you will show me the same respect and courtesy.
Thank you, Karen. I have not belonged to any other message boards and part of the reason for that is that I feel like Moms View satisfies me on so many different levels. I can find support, a laugh, a shoulder to cry on, a healthy mental challenge, and a wonderful sense of community. I feel that this is due to the moderators and the job that they do and do so well. Thank you for a wonderful explanation of what isn't allowed and why it isn't. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what you and the other moderators do for all of us on Moms View. Thanks.
I agree that this is a well moderated place. I've been on other forums where I've been offended by the rudeness and foul language, and that's not easy to do in my case!!! I know how hard the moderators work, from knowing Amy pretty well, so I realize your job is not an easy one!!!
I don't know and don't want to know what happened to bring on this thread. But I personally think you guys do a great job. Keep it up.
I've been to a few message boards and this one is GREATLY moderated. For that reason, its the only one i've stuck around to enjoy.
Karen and the rest of the moderators, you all do the best job *i've* ever seen in making this board a great place to come to. Keep up the good work and who cares if someone doesn't like it... there are millions of other boards they can go to.
Karen thank you for the reminder.
I may not always agree with the decisions made, maybe because I don't know the whole story, but I do respect & like ALL of the moderators. I certainly would not want your job.
I love having a place that I can come & voice my opinion & concerns. I know that I may not always be right or agreed with, but that is life & it is nice to hear other peoples opinions.
I am sorry if I have offended anyone with my opinions, that is NEVER my intention. I have learned a lot off this board & I really enjoy it.
Thank you.
BTW something else occurred to me after the responses that I got from the moderators and owner regarding Moms View history questions. We don't spend one red cent on any of this. This wonderful forum has been given to us to use freely with a few simple rules/requests that shouldn't be too difficult to follow. Why do people gripe about something they get for free? Nobody makes a person stay here if they are offended. I for one can disagree with your opinion without being mad at you.
And the couple of times that I have seen a moderator step in and basically say 'Calm down' I was glad it was done. Those couple of times were getting pretty heated. Like I said before, keep it up, you're doing a great job. I wouldn't even want to try for pay much less on a volunteer basis. I enjoy reading every ones stories, but I'm a weeny when it comes to confrontation.
After having my questions answered, I have even more respect for what you do.
Thank you all for the support.
I just want to make sure everyone understands the reason behind this post and that I HONESTLY did NOT make this post to get *thanks* for doing what I (and the other mods as well) truly enjoy doing. I was trying to make what I thought was an important point, and I don't want you all to miss the point of this - which is basically, the rules are in place for a reason, we try to protect ALL of you/your feelings, and we realize everyone won't agree with us, but we're doing what we need to do at the time.
Well said, Karen. I would also like to confirm that we are definitely not a clique. The moderators are SO different regarding personalities and opinions - but this is actually beneficial! We get to consider different ways of looking at a problem, and are thus better able to make a good decision when a problem arises. Please know that we are *always* looking out for the good of Momsview as a whole.
I don't always have time to post (although I still do want to learn how to use those cute graphics so I can say 'Happy Bday', etc, ), but I want you to know that I come here at least once a day and read to my heart's content.
I have laughed, cried, been dismayed, and felt honored - especially honored that you all share your lives with me.
The horror of Mommytimes almost made me give up on message boards entirely, and how glad I am that a mention was made of the 'tamer' site. Finding a home to share the joys and sorrow of motherhood is a special thing.
Thank you ladies, for running a 'tight ship'...I'll be happy to stay 'aboard' for quite some time.
Thank you, Kay. That really means so much, especially during this time.
UGH...........another thread that was spammed - no need for anyone to reply to this one. LOL
As an original member to Mommytimes, I love that this board is moderated; with constant diligence.
Years ago I offended a member and another member let me have it. I was only seeing black and white. So not every hot topic gets deleted just the spamming ones or the ones way over the top.
I can see that lately older threads are being pulled up. I always check the dates.
Thanks, moderators!!!!
|
Members
