Posted by Kim on July 2, 2018, 3:20pm
It's July 2nd, and that means it's Moderator Appreciation Day! Being a moderator is a massively difficult and essential job, and most moderators receive more furious "how dare you enforce the rules" type letters than they do thank-yous. Remember to take some time today to write a thank you note to the moderators you know, whether they're on the RPR or another site!Being a moderator is a difficult, complicated and often publicly invisible job. It's not just cleaning up after the occasional spambot or reminding members to try not to drop f-bombs in the public forums; it can be hugely complicated situations with no clear right answer. It can be playing mediator when there's a falling out between formerly close friends. It can mean untangling misunderstandings caused by the cultural differences that crop up in international communities. It can mean trying to be a mental health resource even though you're really just a moderator of a gaming forum. It can mean struggling to overcome personal biases, or even confront when you yourself have made a mistake as a moderator and need to find a way to fix it.
Recently the RPR had an open call for moderators. The application process asked would-be moderators to decide how they might handle a series of situations with no clear "right" answer. (And yes, all of those scenarios were loosely based on real events that had happened in the last 8 years on the RPR!) As a result, people sent me messages saying they never realized how difficult being a moderator could be, or the range of situations that moderators might have to deal with. There were a lot of people who decided midway through their application that moderating wasn't for them after all; and I viewed that decision as an honest and honorable one. Being a moderator of a site this large requires a great deal of physical and emotional energy, a willingness to frequently endure uncomfortable or even heart-rending situations, to be aware of real life situations you want desperately to help with and instead to feel helpless about, and to lay down firm boundaries and enforce punishments equally, even when the rule breaker is a friend of yours. These things are definitely not for everyone!
The best moderators don't experience their position as one of power or privilege. Instead, they think of it as a serious responsibility. They periodically question their own decisions and their own opinions. They do things for the good of the community rather than for their own personal enjoyment or comfort.
So if being a good moderator is really so hard, why would anyone do it? Almost always because they love the communities that they moderate. They do what they do so that dozens, maybe hundreds, maybe even thousands of people have a place to grow and thrive and experience support. They do it to keep the toxic-creep of internet anonymity at bay and create and protect something beautiful and important, no matter how ephemeral. An online community is a garden that needs constant tending.Great communities don't happen by accident. Behind every glowing online community that you love is at least one hard-working moderator, toiling on a daily basis.
So my profound thanks to the RPR's moderators: Ben, Cass, Copper_Dragon, Darth_Angelus, Heimdall, Loki and SeraphicStar.Remember to write to any moderators you know today to let them know that you appreciate the work they do; it's likely there's vastly more they do on a daily basis than you're ever aware of!
Official RPR Mods? Thank them!
Moderators of RPR groups? Say thanks!
Mods elsewhere? Let them know you care!
Know any retired moderators? Thank them too, as they likely worked themselves to the bone until they simply couldn't work anymore during their time as a community moderator!
Moderators everywhere: we love and appreciate you!
Post tags: Moderator Appreciation Day
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Comments
Bit late but thanks for your work, it's not easy to do so thanks 
I am late to this, but I see no reason to not spread the love to our moderators; old and new 
I cannot imagine the level of burden you guys have on you. I will be honest, a good insight into it was with the application and now this article. You guys deal with a large degree of issues, and this place has stayed strong and a hub of positivity through it all. It is truly amazing. I really love how grateful we all tend to be, and this only exemplifies this community.
What you all do on a regular basis is without a doubt commendable. You should all be proud. We would not be here if it wasn't without your dedication and hard work. You guys make sure that RPR is safe day and night and we are so grateful.<3<3
I cannot imagine the level of burden you guys have on you. I will be honest, a good insight into it was with the application and now this article. You guys deal with a large degree of issues, and this place has stayed strong and a hub of positivity through it all. It is truly amazing. I really love how grateful we all tend to be, and this only exemplifies this community.
What you all do on a regular basis is without a doubt commendable. You should all be proud. We would not be here if it wasn't without your dedication and hard work. You guys make sure that RPR is safe day and night and we are so grateful.
<3<3
SeraphicStar
July 3, 2018
6:48am
I'm, as always, very thankful for everyone's kindness. I guess it's only fair if I join in on the fun!
Other mods of RPR:
It's been a long journey since a bunch of members got together and decided to take on the challenge of moderating this place. It was strange at first, and we certainly stumbled around for a while as we learned how to properly handle such a large, if wonderful, community. We've had to be adaptable while knowing that every decision set a precedent. It's a difficult path to walk, but we did it damn well. We lost some members along the way, but we also reached out to some wonderful, incredible people. We created a competent team composed of some of the nicest and most admirable individuals I've ever had the honor of calling my fellows.
Moderating is an extremely rewarding experience, but it's also rough on all of us. However, through all these years, you've been absolute heroes about it. You've shouldered the weight of being an example, and you were always humble about it. You've been there for me on both a personal and professional level, every time, and I can only hope I've done the same.
To the "old guard": thank you for being such great people for such a long time.
To the "new blood": we've only worked together for a little while, but you are already impressing me with your diligence, your sense of ethics, and your supportiveness.
Every report brings a new challenge to tackle. I look forward to seeing what the future has to bring with you guys by my side. You're not just great mods, you're also great friends.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, in the undying words of DJ Khaled: "You smart, you loyal, you grateful. I appreciate that."
Other mods of RPR:
It's been a long journey since a bunch of members got together and decided to take on the challenge of moderating this place. It was strange at first, and we certainly stumbled around for a while as we learned how to properly handle such a large, if wonderful, community. We've had to be adaptable while knowing that every decision set a precedent. It's a difficult path to walk, but we did it damn well. We lost some members along the way, but we also reached out to some wonderful, incredible people. We created a competent team composed of some of the nicest and most admirable individuals I've ever had the honor of calling my fellows.
Moderating is an extremely rewarding experience, but it's also rough on all of us. However, through all these years, you've been absolute heroes about it. You've shouldered the weight of being an example, and you were always humble about it. You've been there for me on both a personal and professional level, every time, and I can only hope I've done the same.
To the "old guard": thank you for being such great people for such a long time.
To the "new blood": we've only worked together for a little while, but you are already impressing me with your diligence, your sense of ethics, and your supportiveness.
Every report brings a new challenge to tackle. I look forward to seeing what the future has to bring with you guys by my side. You're not just great mods, you're also great friends.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, in the undying words of DJ Khaled: "You smart, you loyal, you grateful. I appreciate that."
Thank you so much for all the time, dedication and emotional labor you've put into RPR. You're all wonderful people with beautiful souls.
You're all wonderful people with beautiful souls.
Oh my gosh what lovely messages, thank you everyone!
Many thanks, mods! You are all appreciated for your hard work to help make RPR what it is today!
Yuka
July 2, 2018
10:39pm
Thank you Mods for all of your hard work!
LakotaSiouxWarrior
July 2, 2018
6:07pm
Thank you to all mods and all the work that they do.
Raspberry_Beret
July 2, 2018
6:02pm
Awww, Kim, this is beautiful. Thank you to all the RPR mods here, and my love to anyone who has ever dawned the mantle anywhere.
Thanks fellas!
Thank you to all the mods for all that you do.
I think all of you are absolutely amazing! All that you do and all that you try to do to benefit RPR and the people within it is absolutely wonderful. This site has been in my life for a long time, often under different usernames that are no longer existent; I can most definitely say that this is the only site for me.
Thank you all for aiding in the sprucing and cleaning, untangling and unwinding everything that RPR is and may go through. Happy moderators day and let everyday be as good as the last in this fantastic community. 💙
Thank you all for aiding in the sprucing and cleaning, untangling and unwinding everything that RPR is and may go through. Happy moderators day and let everyday be as good as the last in this fantastic community. 💙
Thank you to all the moderators that take the time our of their days to assist and help RPR in the best ways that they can! This site has been a haven for many kinds of RPers thanks to not only Kim's hard work, but yours as well!
I've gotten to know several of you in passing, and some through being able to talk more, and I appreciate all of those interactions with you guys and appreciate your patience with all of us as well! Every single one of you that I have talked to have offered a pleasurable experience for me, and it speaks volumes for how the site stands on this foundation of passionate and friendly admins and moderators.
Much love to you all, and thank you for the four years that I have been active here. ♥♥
Here's to many more enjoyable years to come. :>
I've gotten to know several of you in passing, and some through being able to talk more, and I appreciate all of those interactions with you guys and appreciate your patience with all of us as well! Every single one of you that I have talked to have offered a pleasurable experience for me, and it speaks volumes for how the site stands on this foundation of passionate and friendly admins and moderators.
Much love to you all, and thank you for the four years that I have been active here. ♥♥
Here's to many more enjoyable years to come. :>
This is awesome to read about. It is so eye opening too with how truthful it really is.
The internet is a crazy place, yet here in RPR I love to say there is a true, loving community. This is a place where the toxicity of the internet has not been able to spoil it. A place where great people, from all over, can let their minds run free!
That is because of the Mods!
Thank you for the great work you all do! The blessing that is RPR exists because of you!
The internet is a crazy place, yet here in RPR I love to say there is a true, loving community. This is a place where the toxicity of the internet has not been able to spoil it. A place where great people, from all over, can let their minds run free!
That is because of the Mods!
Thank you for the great work you all do! The blessing that is RPR exists because of you!
Mythik
July 7, 2018
2:19pm
I am sure you guys work hard from behind the scenes so with that being said see ya and enjoy your day(s)