Forum Moderator Job Description
The Role of a Moderator
The CTARS forum is an important area for information and presents a window both for professional discussion and the hobby in general. The forums are available 24/7 for members and non-members, beginners and longtime hardcore reef keepers alike.
Use of the forums is controlled by the Forum rules by Reef2Reef – Reef 2 Reef - User Agreement – which every user agrees to when they register to use the general forums. These are part of the overall Terms of Use of Reef2Reef.
However, CTARS has been given it’s own forum on Reef2Reef and we have our own rules - https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/connecticut-area-reef-society/149149-posting-ctars-forums.html - as well which we expect our members and guests alike to agree to and follow.
Being a Moderator
To ensure the integrity and standards of the moderating service are maintained, CTARS shall always use the voluntary services of members who share the wish to achieve these standards. Forum Moderators will be expected to help answer questions as well as escalate issues and problem threads to other forum Moderators. Additionally, Forum Moderators will have the ability to move, close, and edit forum posts and threads that are deemed to be in violation of the CTARS Posting Rules or Reef2Reef User Agreement. They normally do this as a team, using email, sometimes telephone, to discuss moderating decisions with at least one other team member before carrying out the action agreed eg, contacting a forum user by their email. At times, very straightforward or emergency action(s) may be taken by a Moderator on their own initiative however, follow up emails must always be made to other Moderators to ensure that everyone is on the same page with the action(s) taken.
Forum Moderator Requirements
- A statement by the applicant indicating their reasons for wanting to become a Moderator
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must have been a member of CTARS for at least two years
- Must be an active member of the forums
- Must be in good standing within CTARS and forum - Not currently or previously banned
- A minimum commitment of four hours a week to reading threads and working with the moderating team and staff, mainly by email, sometimes by telephone
- Agreement to maintain the confidentiality of discussions between the moderating team and between CTARS members
- Access to a telephone and PC with internet connection
There are three distinct responsibilities in applying the Forum rules:
- The Forum rules set the parameters within which users of the forums can operate. However it is the skill of the Moderators that allows flexibility while maintaining the integrity of the forum.
- It is important that the Forums reflect CTARS standards as a professional club. The Moderators help CTARS to ensure the Forum rules are observed.
- Users, whether members or other interested parties, are entitled to a professional level of dialogue that prompts mutual respect among those visiting and using the forums. By skillfully applying the Forum rules, the Moderators can guard users.
Moderator Performance
The performance of all Forum Moderators will be reviewed if any complaints are received.
- Moderators that are found to be underperforming will be put on probation and provided two weeks to improve their performance. If their performance does not improve they will be removed from acting as a forum Moderator.
- Moderators that are found to be abusing power, breaking CTARS Terms of Service, or the Forum Code of Conduct, will be immediately removed from the program. Additionally, depending on the transgression they could be permanently banned from CTARS.
Please note that CTARS reserves the right to make changes and updates to this information and moderation program, without notice, at any time.
For How Long Do I Commit To Being a Moderator?
Currently on a rolling yearly basis. Every year the Board of Directors will ask each Moderator to indicate if they wish to continue for another year or if they wish to stand down.
Forum Moderator Application
Personal
Application Date:
Full Name:
Active CTARS Member Since:
Handle:
1. Have you read and understood the CTARS Rules on Posting on the Forum & the Reef2Reef User Agreement?
2.Why do you want to be a Forum Moderator and what makes you a good fit for this role?
3. Do you have any previous experience as a Forum Moderator? If yes, please explain.
4. Please provide an example of when you have had to demonstrate integrity and maintain confidentiality.
5. Please give an example of an occasion where you’ve had to implement a majority decision with which you haven’t agreed and how you handled it?
6. What conflict of interest might you expect personally as a moderator and how would you handle it?
7. How much time per week can you commit to being a forum moderator?
Communication Skills and Knowledge About Moderating
8. We regularly have complaints from members who think moderators are being too strict in applying the Forum rules but equally regularly, we have complaints from those who think moderators are not being strict enough and the forums are bringing CTARS into disrepute. What is your view of the Forum rules and how they are applied?
9. Do you agree to implement Moderator decisions when delegated eg, email a forum user using your email address?
10. Are you comfortable moderating the entire CTARS forums or only for certain areas?
11. How do you tell the difference between constructive criticism and blatant bad mouthing?
12. What would you do if a user made a post that attacked you personally, how would you handle it?
13. Is there anything else you would like to share with us?
Application & Acceptance Process
Please submit your fully completed application answers to the CTARS Board of Directors by email. All applications will be considered only when spots are available. Once offered a position, member will have one week to respond and accept/decline the offer. If the offer is not accepted/declined within one week, the offer will go to the person next in line.
