Here is something you may like. I prefer using a “self moderation” model. The ToS are a base line. Along with the FAQ. A team needs to extend that say with a
Code Of Conduct
-Draft-
Topic Threads:
Op Responsabilities
1) Put care into creating Topics. ie no Trainwrecks or Topics designed to conduct attacks against individuals or organisations.
2) As the owner your topic; help keep your topic on track. If a member(s) goes off topic be polite and remind them of your topic’s purpose. If the member(s) continues to disrespect your topic request moderator involvement. ie Flag Post &/or direct message a moderator @heliosurge with link to off topic post(s) & name(s) of offenders. Now be fair & try to give them 2 chances to “get on topic”.
Topic Participants Responsibilities:
1) Respect the Op’s Topic & each other. Help the Op by offering a polite reminder to others when off topic.
2) Debate issues not people or organisations. Avoid accusations, insults, personal attacks. Debates can get heated which is fine but know your limits and take a break when needed.
Our forum has 4 tiers of Leadership:
XRtropolis.one
- Site Admin (Top Level)
- Site Full Moderator
- Category Moderator Leader (TL4)
- Category Moderator
Site Admin & Full Moderators
Can perform Sitewide Silences & Bans.
Category Moderator Leader
Are divided into 2 main groups. XRtropolis.one and Sponsors. Leaders are often Head Category Mod group Owners. They manage there mod group and if a Sponsor Category Mod may also be owner of a Sponsor’s community group and can kick a member out of their community temporarily or permanently(Pocket Comnunity’s discretion). Category Mods primarily manage flags in their respected categories. They can request Admin & Full Moderator for support if needed.
Category Moderator
Are divided into 2 main groups. XRtropolis.one and Pocket Communities(Category Mods). Category Mods primarily manage flags in their respected(owned) categories. They can request Admin &/or Full site Moderator for support.
Admin, Moderators & Category Mods
- Give members a friendly reminder for those off topic
- Admin, Full Moderators and Category Mod(Leader) Edit/Delete Posts that contain accusations, insults, personal attacks & offer a friendly reminder to respect one another. Take a screenshot of offence in case of dispute.
- Category Mods if you need support check Who’s Online and use Chat/DM to Admin\Full Moderator.
Respect a Pocket Communities’’ Categories
- You must respect XRtropolis.one Rules as well as the Pocket Communities’ rules. If you break their rules they can kick you from their community.
The above is my current revision to modifying a “Self Moderation” model. In the forum I assist a company with as an admin/mod. I drafted the original as “Community Guidelines”.
Please feel free to provide feedback. If you feel this should be in a DM to keep things focused here maybe best.
As for maybe being off topic. It could indeed be considered as such or an evolution of the topic on how to achieve transparency in a positive way utilizing existing tools and implement administrative policies & procedures.
Not too long ago a Plugin Author has created a pretty cool option to give a topic Author greater control in a given category.
Categories for the most part should have a scope of what is considered the intended purpose.
A “Free for all” category can be a good place to send things that don’t fit with a more relaxed moderation with fairly standard site wide rules being followed.