Moderation of MDC - A New Approach

[Cynthia Mosher]

From the poll and the posts as well as some PMs and emails we've received, we find that most of you like the more hands-off moderation that we put into place a couple of months ago. However, we also understand that many of you feel we've stepped back too much and a bit more moderation is needed. So, something between where we were and where we are now. There are a few other things raised that we want to address too. So, here's our plan:

MODERATION

• We will identify and make known what the core values of Mothering are and we will work to protect those values in discussions. We will make room for people new to AP  - meeting moms where they are - but they must come to our community with a desire to examine, discuss, and learn, and not defend or validate their beliefs and practices that are contrary to our core values.  
• We will be more active in reviewing discussions for posting behavior that is deterring from the comfortable, respectful, and courteous atmosphere we wish to uphold. 
• We will moderate directly within the discussion. This might be done in one of several ways:
   

• A post to the discussion to remind everyone of the rules and ask them to post appropriately.
• A post to explain Mothering's focus and purpose to make new members aware of what our community is about
• A post to the discussion to point out inappropriate posting behavior and where necessary ask the member(s) to edit.
• Removing posts that are extremely inappropriate and posting to the thread to explain what and why.
• Removing the membership of those whose activity proves to be for the purpose of disruption or drama. Notification and explanation will be sent via email.

Any of these approaches might also be followed up by a PM to the member to clarify violations and issue a reminder, alert or warning. But where possible we want to moderate directly in the thread rather than via PM and post or thread removal. We will reserve removals for the very severe situations. However, sometimes we need to close a thread to read through and see what's going on and address issues without it continuing to be posted to.  Likewise, when threads that have gone beyond the point of salvage and where the conversation has run it's course we may decide it best to close with a note explaining why and leave the discussion in place for reading.

GUIDELINES

We will review specific forum guidelines and make changes or clarifications where needed. Those guidelines will serve as forum policies and especially for our core forums where we need very clear rules to uphold the integrity of the forum.

THE KITCHEN TABLE

There have been some complaints about "abuse of power" or of policy enforcement being unfair. To make things more transparent and give members an option to have their issue reviewed we are opening up a grievance process. The Kitchen Table will allow you to present what you feel was unjust judgment and policy enforcement against you as a member. It can be a public or private "hearing" where you can air your grievance to a panel of members from the community for judgment. We are working out the procedures and guidelines and will launch this soon.

If you have any questions about anything feel free to ask.

[journeymom]

Identify and uphold MDC core values, work with transparency, moderation of conversations between members and an appeals process.   Sounds good to me. Thank you. 

Edited to add, we should celebrate with a block party and fireworks.

[Mom2M]

Originally Posted by journeymom 

Identify and uphold MDC core values, work with transparency, moderation of conversations between members and an appeals process.   Sounds good to me. Thank you. 

Edited to add, we should celebrate with a block party and fireworks.

I agree!!

Thank you

[Drummer's Wife]

Sounds perfect, to me. Thanks for all your hard work, CM.

[MusicianDad]

Sounds good, though you might want to edit the second "1." in the OP. 

[Adaline'sMama]

Great!

[ShadowMoon]

Sounds like a fair plan to me! 

Much thanks to you guys!

[Arduinna]

I thought the Kitchen Table had been around for at least a few years now? 

[Yuba_River]

Sounds great. Thanks to all the admins and mods for how hard you work to meet everyone's needs. I know it must be incredibly hard.

[Cynthia Mosher]

You're all very welcome!  

The Kitchen Table has been around for a long time but we're going to offer it as a forum so that members have the option to have their complaint publicly reviewed.  There will still be the private option. 

[PuppyFluffer]

As I expressed and expected, you all have listened and responded!  That is what community is really about!  Thank you so much!!!

[P.J.]

Thanks so much for asking and listening to us! It all sounds good to me

[tinybutterfly]

Originally Posted by Cynthia Mosher 

From the poll and the posts as well as some PMs and emails we've received, we find that most of you like the more hands-off moderation that we put into place a couple of months ago. However, we also understand that many of you feel we've stepped back too much and a bit more moderation is needed. So, something between where we were and where we are now. There are a few other things raised that we want to address too. So, here's our plan:

MODERATION

• We will identify and make known what the core values of Mothering are and we will work to protect those values in discussions. We will make room for people new to AP  - meeting moms where they are - but they must come to our community with a desire to examine, discuss, and learn, and not defend or validate their beliefs and practices that are contrary to our core values.  
• We will be more active in reviewing discussions for posting behavior that is deterring from the comfortable, respectful, and courteous atmosphere we wish to uphold. 
• We will moderate directly within the discussion. This might be done in one of several ways:
   

• A post to the discussion to remind everyone of the rules and ask them to post appropriately.
• A post to explain Mothering's focus and purpose to make new members aware of what our community is about
• A post to the discussion to point out inappropriate posting behavior and where necessary ask the member(s) to edit.
• Removing posts that are extremely inappropriate and posting to the thread to explain what and why.
• Removing the membership of those whose activity proves to be for the purpose of disruption or drama. Notification and explanation will be sent via email.

Any of these approaches might also be followed up by a PM to the member to clarify violations and issue a reminder, alert or warning. But where possible we want to moderate directly in the thread rather than via PM and post or thread removal. We will reserve removals for the very severe situations. However, sometimes we need to close a thread to read through and see what's going on and address issues without it continuing to be posted to.  Likewise, when threads that have gone beyond the point of salvage and where the conversation has run it's course we may decide it best to close with a note explaining why and leave the discussion in place for reading.

GUIDELINES

We will review specific forum guidelines and make changes or clarifications where needed. Those guidelines will serve as forum policies and especially for our core forums where we need very clear rules to uphold the integrity of the forum.

THE KITCHEN TABLE

There have been some complaints about "abuse of power" or of policy enforcement being unfair. To make things more transparent and give members an option to have their issue reviewed we are opening up a grievance process. The Kitchen Table will allow you to present what you feel was unjust judgment and policy enforcement against you as a member. It can be a public or private "hearing" where you can air your grievance to a panel of members from the community for judgment. We are working out the procedures and guidelines and will launch this soon.

If you have any questions about anything feel free to ask.

Sounds good. :)

Is there anyway the bolded could be a Statement of Beliefs or whatever you want to call it that new and old members to read and agree to before posting? Meaning it is not okay to post against the core values ( no cio, no spanking, no circ, etc.) so that is OBVIOUS what the core values are and that EVERYONE has gotten to read them and can't say "Oh, I had no idea I couldn't promote cio here." 

That also might eliminate the need to take step 2 over and over and over again with new members.