More Staff? (new)

[TickleTheater]

I have honestly made a mistake while doing a mass edit on the old More Staff poll thread. Instead of removing the bad posts I accidentally removed the good posts so all that remained on the thread was the nasty stuff.

I do apologize for this as I have been not feeling well the past week so perhaps the medication is rotting my brain. Perhaps it was for the best however to start a new poll with guidelines this time. I do honestly want to hear from the community on this issue, but do not want flame wars. Take it to the AMT if you like that stuff...

Rules of this thread
- You may only nominate one person
- You may not argue with another persons nomination
- You may not nominate yourself

Please also provide a reason with why the person you've nominated would make a good choice, and please also keep off-topic comments to a minimum.

Thank you

 

[MRV112]

I personally think that staff are ok and enough, but I'm not sure !

 

[Iluv2Btickled]

I nominate Missy Val. Cuz no one deserves it more than her! WHOO HOO! Go VAL!

 

[His Divine Shadow]

Up until a few weeks ago, there wasn't been much to do for us mods but move the occasional thread and delete the occasional forbidden request. However, in these past few weeks, activity has shot up dramatrically, and quite a bit of, for lack of a better word, 'action' has popped up. If that is to be the new norm, then by all means, we need new staff. If this is merely a temporary situation, then I believe the new staff will quickly find themselves rarely having to use their abilities after things simmer down. That said, chalk me up under not sure.

As for nominations....I've rethought it over and decided I don't know anyone well enough to nominate them with confidence.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

After what happened last time it's my opinion that we don't need a change and that more staff is not necessary at this point in time.

I do however want to stress the very real importance that the current moderators will then need to step up their level of commitment to settling issues, settling them faster, and if possible, re-arranging their free time so they can be online at peak hours where coincidentally most of these dispicable incidents take place.

As a user I do not expect them to be on all the time, which is why I voted differently last time and voted for more staff. But IF they can make themselves more of a mod presense alot of the issues we have will be settled before they turn as ugly as they do, and there will be more containment of these issue which are becoming more and more frequent and more and more volital and petty.

If this can somehow be accomplished, the bar can be raised, and their level of commitment to their duties increased, then its my opinion that new moderators are unnecessary at this point and time.

 

[Camel26]

I nominate Mistress Valerie--she's a mod on other sites and is quite successful in those ventures, she has proven her ability to put out small fires around this site without being a moderator, she's compassionate, and will have the ability to stay neutral. Plus, poor Ness can't keep the female end of things up all by her lonesome now, can she? If, according to HDS, the recent action is a mere trend, then I say keep the mods they way they are...but if the action continues, and a new mod is called for, I can think of no one more worthy than the lovely Mistress Valerie...and Val, my offer of being your intern and laying on the floor under your computer desk is still wide open...regardless of whether or not you're a mod!!! 😛 😉 🙂

 

[naveltkltr1350]

id vote for myself..lol..just kidding TT! 😛 Missy Val for sure! SHE'd make a great mod.

Mods are doing good right now by the way. But they could probably use a little help! Go Missy Val for new Mod.

I would also like to apologize to TT for some of the posts i did contribute to on the old thread. My fault..caught up in the moment of "fighting". Just keep up the good work you are doing brah! much appreciated. Sorry again!

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I think it is also important to note that two of the current moderators are inactive. I think they either need to be more active in their mod duties (we sure could use them) or they need to be removed and the positions go to two other people who can make the commitment of being online on a regular basis.

People need to start pulling their own weight around here. And for those that do, they need to do better job all round if these problems are going to be reduced or counteracted. I know for a fact some of the troubles could be completely elliminated if the job of a moderator itself was taken more seriously. Its not a novalty, it is a job, and I think in these trying times some mods could benefit from becoming more agressive when it is necessary.

Some users are not so forgiving, and try the mods to their wits ends, so our moderators, those already with the position and those yet to have it need to be especially aware of what's going on in a universal sense, on this website and be ready to act accordingly.

Things are not as favorable as others make them out to be. Pleasantries are nice, but its important we realize when we are lacking something, and as a faculty of minds, work to correct it. You can be as kind or as funny or laid about about the job as you want, and thats fine, so long as all things have their place and appropriate action is taken when it is needed.

I honestly see the moderators failing us in this capacity in several instances, and its becoming more consistant as the situations become more consistant. And I won't cover this up just because I like Nessonite and HDS is cool and I consider them my friends. As for the other two mods, they're not even here often enough that their being a mod is necessary.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Yes, that thread and several others before that. Its becoming a trend and no single person is completely to blame, athough some are more agressive than others and so need to be handled at that level.

I know we need more staff, and I still agree with that my dear, wholeheartedly. I've changed my mind in the sense that IF, and I say IF the current moderators can raise the bar, work harder, and be online more often, and respond faster to situations instead of just watching them, then by all means I will agree that we do not need any more moderators at this point in time.

However, that is an IF, now isn't it? Personally, the two mods that are not active need to be dropped, and I personally think you and I should take those positions. But its against the new rules of this thread to nominate one's self, so I won't go into detail about that again, but I will say that together our collective personalities, yours, mine, Ness's, and HDS's form a well-rounded, respectable presense here, each with it's own distinct independant thought, but agreebleness with the other personalities which make up the staff. From my experience, the four of us get along just right. Its the perfect mix.

I think it would be silly to hire only moderators who are just more of the same, not that you are that by any means. I want you to be a moderator, my friend. But if that would mean we'd be getting the same types of people who think the same exact way and deal with things the same exact way, then it is really degenerative of the process, and we're just clones of one another.

We need the diversity you and I would bring and I would sooner support that than saying we do not need mods at all. I bring this up not for my own benefit, but because from a strictly moderator perspective, its good business. And I'm sure you'll agree with this logic in some manner.


Is it really coincidence that there just so happens to be TWO positions that could be made available? Together, the four of us could do great things here for the members and the site overall, while keeping eachother in line and in check.

 

[MistressValerie1]

After what happened last time it's my opinion that we don't need a change and that more staff is not necessary at this point in time.
....

What? In thread http://www.tickletheater.com/showthread.php?t=13563&page=3&pp=10
you said only about 20 hours ago: "If I was a mod, I wouldn't be posting here, but I will have done something. Once again, I'm right. We need more mods. Where is a moderator when we need one?"

I find this change of heart curious.

I, however, believe that we desperately need additional staff. I gratefully accept my nominations; I am able and willing to help out any way I can. This forum is only going to grow, and clearly, we need extra helpers, preferably sooner than later.

Respectfully,

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

What happened to Val's post? My last one was in reply to her's by the way, but it appears her's has been deleted.

 

[MistressValerie1]

Sorry, I was trying to edit it slightly and ended up deleting it and starting over.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

Ah, ok, well please read my response to it and tell me what you have to say afterwards. I'm interested to see your perspective on the situation. ^^

 

[MistressValerie1]

Ok, my post becomes less relevant in view of your response, but I personally think we need about 6 staff positions here, rather than just 4.

That being as it may, I think that TT wants someone who has popular support, someone who has the credibility and legitimacy to get things done by persuasion and leadership-by-example. I am sure that I could work with you on a moderation team, but only you can earn the trust and support of the community and the legitimacy it confers. In view of what happened, are you sure that the community supports you?

I don't think we can delay in adding staff. In my own experience, a moderator absentee rate of 50% is typical, which is why I prefer to fill more positions than I expect to need. Vacations, family obligations, work, illness, and computer troubles seem to happen at the very worst times.

While we wait to see if absentee mods suddenly become dedicated there's a 20,000+ member forum that is showing signs of strain. I can't handle everything by sending PMs and reporting posts. Sometimes more-direct action is necessary, and sometimes it can't wait.

Respectfully,

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

First off, allow me to completely agree with you, not because I'm working some angle or something, but because its just common sense and I'm glad to see someone is willing to tackle these issues head on like myself. 🙂

Its as if you're speaking my language! LOL ^__^

Everything you said deserves an Amen!

But as far as I'm concerned, I honestly think people want to LEARN to trust me, but are afraid and apprehensive to because of the way I act as a user, which isn't all that bad at all outside of arguments. What alot of people fail to realize however is that as a moderator, one cannot afford to act like that, its not permissible, act as a user that is. They need to be above the situation, not in it to such a degree that they get tangled in it and lose their perspective.

I am fully trustworthy and have all the experience necessary, as you do, but because of the past, a portion of the people do not believe I can do this, which is sad because I can. I say I can, and I can prove it. If theres any solice for them in voting for me its that if they really don't trust me but realize my abilities, which I've stated as a fact, its not an opinion if I've done it before, then its no matter because as I said, we would be here to keep eachother in line, and if I was out of bounds or wrong about something, you or one of the others could easily correct me, and vice-versa. Ultimately we all have to answer to TT, so why would I go renegade and blow what could be my only chance?

As an individual I don't think enough people trust me, but as a team player, people would. I know they would, over time. But, people are bias, and quite literally, some have it out against me for nothing that has anything to do with being a moderator, but just personal views about my character, which is different as a user and as a moderator.

I think that if anyone truely listens to reason, and considers these two available positions, which could be taken up, that you and I fit the bill perfectly.

I see you and I see me. You are me reflected to the users as well as yourself. Through you they see what they cannot see in me. What they see in you is what they would see in me if they got past the static. I'm just as admirable as you, and I'm just as willing to accept this responsibility and everything it entails just as much as you are.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

And yes, we would definitely need more than four in the longterm. We might as well kill several birds with one stone right now.

 

[MayDay1]

The funny thing is if they add one, four, or sixteen new mods, Vlad's still not getting in! Judging by the last thread, nobody trusts this guy with week old butter let alone a forum with 20,000 members.

Val has my support 100%.

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

We shouldn't be doing any "judging by" anyways. Don't you see that thats the problem?

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I say give people chances. If they don't work out then they don't work. TT can always fire them if he wants to. What are you afraid of? If I or anyone screws up too many times, we're canned. I never screwed up to begin with. Its a group of people, but not everyone mind you, that decided not to trust me back then. If they had, the decision that was made would not have been made and you wouldn't be complaining now.

 

[MayDay1]

We shouldn't be doing any "judging by" anyways. Don't you see that thats the problem?

Why not? You do it all the time. Besides, nobody has nominated you in the first place so shaddup.

SORRY, TT! I'LL STOP NOW!

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

No I do not. Theres a difference between stating an opinion and saying "you are" and defining people by things I disgust or something, which is totally different. You're just angry. Didn't you make a truce to leave me alone and walk away? I guess your word is worthless.

Well, mine is not.

 

[Bomber1]

New Mods

Hello,
I can't really speak about whether or not new mods are needed since I just joined. But I can tell you that Missy Val, is one of the hardest working, honest, forthright people that you are going to meet. I've known her for over 2.5 years and she is giving, resourceful, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to know. And she loves tickling. So, when the need becomes obvious she would be a great choice. She's even getting me into tickling quite a bit too but I still need to find someone who likes it or that can actually tickle me. I'm ticklish but you have to know the spot, and I don't tell, lol. She will be a great addition to your mod team.

Bomber

 

[SheDevil1]

Ahhhh Mayday, follow your own advice man! We gotta let this stuff die. Vlad won't change his opinios, I won't change mine, you won't change yours. Let's all agree on that and be on our way....

 

[Celtic_Emperor]

I may be stubborn, but I'm not stupid. My vote also goes to Mistress Valerie. She speaks my language, thinks as I do, and if I do not become a moderator, I have complete faith that she will do what I wanted to do and make the difference I wanted to make, in my place.

 

[nessonite1]

Up until a week or so ago I would have been firmly against adding any moderators. However with the increase in member ship the tone of this forum has gone rather rapidly into depths of ugliness I would have said weren't possible a year ago.
I see a need for an extra pair of hands. There are a lot of people that would be good for the job and would do it well.
When it boils down to choosing one person who I know is willing and able I have to hand it also to Missy Val. Her experience is a given but she is also one of the coolest, most collected and sane people I know. I've never seen her raise her electronic voice to anyone nor has anyone had a problem with her that I have been witness to.
From my experience back when my Yahoo Messenger worked she's online a LOT and, being in Guam, her hours are a good compliment to those of us in the states.
Also I don't doubt her ability to be a serious mod. She certainly doesn't lack support.
Anyway...it's clear that some action needs to be taken. If there isn't then this forum will sink rapidly into something that I wouldn't want to me a mod, or even a member of.