Posted by Kim on July 1, 2013, 1:43pm
I'm still struck by how many people tell me that it took them a year or more to get involved in our community after joining the site. They stuck to just using the profile-builders and never dip their toe into the forums, for fear of flames. Trolls. Nit picky grammar-bashing responses that don't add anything to the conversation. Unasked for criticism. Homophobic or racist comments out of the blue.
And why shouldn't they be concerned about those things? The internet is a rough place. The lack of body language and verbal inflection causes friction between perfectly reasonable people over misunderstandings on a daily basis, and the anonymity of being behind a computer screen allows people to say things they would be mortified to say to a "real person."
But you know all this. If you've been on the internet for more than five minutes, you've experienced it.
But here's what you might not know: There are people who specialize in making the internet better. In insisting people be decent to each other. In smoothing over misunderstandings and rescuing friendships that don't need to die over a mis-read sentence.
We call these people moderators, and a good moderator is one of the most selfless, hardest working net-denizen out there. If you are a member of any online community of more than five people and it seems pleasant and as if it has no such problems to you, it is probably because there is at least one moderator in that group that is pouring their hearts into keeping that community on the rails.
I am extremely proud of our forums. They are so friendly, polite and welcoming that there's almost something "un-internet" about it. And this is very much thanks to our stupendous team of moderators: Copper_Dragon, Darth_Angelus, Loki, Sanne and Seraphicstar.
Moderators often work behind the scenes, almost in secret, dealing with the nastiest issues quietly so that they don't violate privacy or poison the atmosphere with feelings of negativity. When this process goes well, the user returns to the community friendly and ready to participate postively again - and it's often the case that no one knows that the moderators had to step in but the handful of people that were directly involved. When this process fails, it can result in the moderator being flamed as the user vents their anger at being asked to obey the rules.
Yes, enforcing community standards can be an utterly thankless job, so much so that it frequently burns out good people.
That's why July 1st is Moderator Appreciation Day. If you love the environment that we have here, please take a moment to tell the moderators that you appreciate their hard work. And if you're part of another community that you love, tell the mods there, too!
As for me, I'm celebrating by sending the mods gifts and notes of thanks, and I'm about to go to the bakery to pick up a Moderator Appreciation Day cake baked by a warrior princess.
No seriously, the baker's name is Xena. Honest to goodness.
Happy Moderator Appreciation day to all -- because with great moderators come great communities!
And by the by, happy Canada day to all our Canadian members as well!
Post tags: Moderator Appreciation Day
Comments
I just hope Kim eats the rest of it like that 
LMAO!! Just saw the video, that ending is AMAAAAAZING. I wouldn't have it any other way!
TheLily
July 1, 2013
3:41pm
As much as I love the moderators (::wiggles brows), I think that the video just made me fall completely 100% head-over-heels in love with Kim. That is such a graceful cake-eating skill you got there, love.
Aye! Sanne put that perfectly, I think. It's fantastic to moderate around here, 'cause you guys 99% of the time respond excellently to us! It just goes to show how great and warm and capable the RPR community is!
This really has been one of the best moderating experiences I've ever been involved in, both with the team itself and with the community as a whole, so I'd like to give a hearty thanks to the members in turn for being so great, whether we're working with y'all on something or not!
This really has been one of the best moderating experiences I've ever been involved in, both with the team itself and with the community as a whole, so I'd like to give a hearty thanks to the members in turn for being so great, whether we're working with y'all on something or not!
Thank YOU, members, for being so awesome!
I don't know about the other mods, but I feel part of the reason it's pretty neat to moderate this site is because you all respond so well to it. Yes, sometimes people get upset with us, but this is more the exception to the rule. 9 out of 10 times we get an "Oops, sorry!" and that person sticks to the rules from there on.
I also feel that Kim's idea of suspending/banning being a last resort rather than a quick fix has given people the chance to improve themselves. Not everyone is malicious. In fact, most often people aren't realizing they're doing something wrong! So rather than instantly banning like on most other sites, we talk about it and give people multiple chances to correct themselves before we do something drastic.
And it works! Being a moderator is a super awesome experience rather than a total drag that burns us out after a month or two. So don't forget to thank yourselves for being awesome too!
I don't know about the other mods, but I feel part of the reason it's pretty neat to moderate this site is because you all respond so well to it. Yes, sometimes people get upset with us, but this is more the exception to the rule. 9 out of 10 times we get an "Oops, sorry!" and that person sticks to the rules from there on.
I also feel that Kim's idea of suspending/banning being a last resort rather than a quick fix has given people the chance to improve themselves. Not everyone is malicious. In fact, most often people aren't realizing they're doing something wrong! So rather than instantly banning like on most other sites, we talk about it and give people multiple chances to correct themselves before we do something drastic.
And it works! Being a moderator is a super awesome experience rather than a total drag that burns us out after a month or two. So don't forget to thank yourselves for being awesome too!
You guys are seriously working your hearts out and I appreciate your effort- the last website and forums I were on were horrendous (awkward grammar... 
hmm). I was constantly being stuck in flame wars because I was known as a kit-stealer (yes, I was on the Warriors website) an generally being spammed and hated on. There were a few instances where the words were so hateful and hurtful I cried. The 'mods' did nothing to stop it all. Needless to say I left that website and I don't think I'm ever going back. I was a little wary when I first came here, expecting to be barraged by trolls and flamers, but I'm happy to say I have not get encountered one mean person on this website. I thank you mods for that, and for actually doing your jobs. We don't thank you often enough.
Enjoy your cake from Xena (tell her hello from me, will ya? I'm one of her biggest fans xD)
hmm). I was constantly being stuck in flame wars because I was known as a kit-stealer (yes, I was on the Warriors website) an generally being spammed and hated on. There were a few instances where the words were so hateful and hurtful I cried. The 'mods' did nothing to stop it all. Needless to say I left that website and I don't think I'm ever going back. I was a little wary when I first came here, expecting to be barraged by trolls and flamers, but I'm happy to say I have not get encountered one mean person on this website. I thank you mods for that, and for actually doing your jobs. We don't thank you often enough.Enjoy your cake from Xena (tell her hello from me, will ya? I'm one of her biggest fans xD)
ALL HAIL THE MODERATORS!
THE GREATNESS OF OUR MODERATORS CANNOT BE DENIED
Thank you guys so much for making RPR a place to go to get away from all the silliness that ensues on the internet!
Thanks to all the Mods!! For being awesome, and effective, and quick to help!! Your hard work is noticed, and appreciated!!
You guys are all righteous. I've said it before, but I'll say it again: RPR is pretty much the most positive, welcoming community I've come across, out here in internet-land.
Thank you mods!!!
Hey, moderators, I appreciate you. Especially your silky hair. Making RPR an even better place is pretty cool too.
Seriously, though. Thank you for keeping the peace here. I don't think I'd be able to deal with everything that goes on around here. Your rock! Stay awesome, all of you!
Seriously, though. Thank you for keeping the peace here. I don't think I'd be able to deal with everything that goes on around here. Your rock! Stay awesome, all of you!
Thank you so much, mods! Being a voice of reason and decency on the internet is hard work.
SeraphicStarJuly 1, 2013
3:50pm
I just want to thank everyone for being so awesome. This goes both to the rest of the staff and to the community. Moderating the RPR isn't always easy, but it's always worth it!