Site is a graveyard - How can boards save itself? [Threadbanned users in 1st post]

When there is a mod vacancy for a forum, the Cmods assigned to the category where the forum is located conduct a search.

This mod search is to be conducted confidentially per policy. Cmods cannot advertise vacancies to members for mods in the forum. Hurt feelings can result.

Typically Cmods will look at the most frequent posters of the forum for possible candidates. Before Vanilla a simple request to Admin was made for the top 10 or 20 most prolific posters. Admin was quite quick to respond historically. Now with Vanilla the Admin dashboard lacks the quick push button most prolific posters function. A cumbersome Cmod search remains.

Cmods with few forums in their categories may already have some knowledge of possible candidates, as well as those with a history of trouble making that may affect their ability to mod fairly.

If the forum already has an existing co-mod or more, they can be asked to recommend mod candidates from the forum members. Once again, these co-mods must insure that this search is confidential per policy, and cannot contact members to see if they may be interested in modding. Although a forum mod with “boots on the ground” recommendations are taken seriously, there are no guarantees that their candidates will be ultimately selected for proposed mod to Admin.

Then again, it is wise for Cmods to consult with the existing forum co-mods about a candidate before proposing to Admin. Cmods can also consult with their fellow category Cmod, as well as chatting about a potential candidate in the private and confidential Cmods forum where all categories Cmods can contribute. Furthermore, it’s common for Administrators to view and participate in the private Cmods forum.

If no qualified candidates emerge from this process, Cmods are allowed to post the vacancy in the private and confidential moderators forum to see if existing mods may be interested. To increase confidentiality, interested mods generally PM the Cmod rather than reply by posting in the mod forum. Obviously it’s easy for Cmods to evaluate existing mods.

Once one or more possible candidates have been discovered, a close examination of their records are conducted, including the reading of several of their posts in both the forum with the vacancy and in other forums on the site. Members who exhibit forum topics knowledge, and grand thread contributions, while not violating the forum or site charters and guidelines bubble to the top. Occasionally members with problems exhibited early after joining, but later clean up their act are also considered as candidates.

When a Cmod feels confident that their candidate may be an excellent choice, they then propose them to Admin. In a few days Admin decides. If no, the Cmod may look at other candidates that emerged from the above process and propose them.

If Admin approves, only then may the Cmod contact the candidate to see if they may be interested. If yes, Admin is contacted by Cmod and asked to push the magic buttons.

Apologies if I missed something. It’s Easter and my turn to cook.

Sorry for making your eyes bleed with this long post, but Cmods typically take this mod search very seriously, because if the mod fails, they can hurt the forum and site, while giving the Cmod a colossal headache, as well as raise questions as to their competency.

Cmods are selected by Admin, so best to have one of them address that part of your question.

Cheers and happy Easter!

Fathom