Book Club forum

[cnredd]

There have been recent discussions about creating a forum where books are analized, but also a strict policy of leaving the "rabblerousers" out of it...

Personally, I adhere to a policy of keeping the level of debate above rabble-rousing to begin with, so I think it should be an open forum and let things flow where the tide takes it...

But the software also has the ability to have certain members (Single Forum Moderators) to pre-approve posts before they are made public...

OR...if you REALLY want to be strict...The software also has the ability to create a new usergroup (I guess "Book Club Member") that ONLY allows them to post inside that forum...

Even MORE strict...I can set it up to where only members of that usergroup can even SEE that forum...

So what are we doing?...

[cnredd]

I'd like to point something out here...

I'm not going the full Pontius Pilate route here, but Single Forum Moderators are different than the Moderators of the forum as a whole...

If there is consensus that certain members want there to be a forum where there are Single Forum Moderators checking posts before they are made public in order to keep the level of debate high, have at it...

But it would be the Single Forum Moderators' obligation and NOT the forum's Moderators...

What I'm saying is this...I'll have the ability to clear posts, but I want that left up to the people who are willing to accept that responsibility...

I wouldn't want it coming back to me or the forum mods that we're not doing OUR job when it's not our job to begin with...

If I'm going to entrust a little power to individuals, they'd BETTER be willing to use it in the right manner and be up-to-date with their obligations...

[AlicornsPrayer]

Why not create a special forum for those interested to join, and it be a special group set up? I belong to another board (it's pagan/wiccan related) and we have a special forum set up for a special group called 'Elders'.

It's a forum created for 18 and over members who have had x-number of years following their beliefs. Basically, members applied to join and had to be approved before joining the group. Or were invited to join by site administration. The forum itself isn't viewable to other members, just those with the 'Elder' attachment to thier membership.

What could be done is set up a new forum, have those interested in participate 'join' the special forum, yet keep the forum itself viewable to all members who then can join if they want to.

As to the moderation of it? Normal moderation would be the best. Assign one or perhaps a moderator could volunteer to watch over that particular section.

[cnredd]

Originally Posted by AlicornsPrayer

Why not create a special forum for those interested to join, and it be a special group set up? I belong to another board (it's pagan/wiccan related) and we have a special forum set up for a special group called 'Elders'.

It's a forum created for 18 and over members who have had x-number of years following their beliefs. Basically, members applied to join and had to be approved before joining the group. Or were invited to join by site administration. The forum itself isn't viewable to other members, just those with the 'Elder' attachment to thier membership.

What could be done is set up a new forum, have those interested in participate 'join' the special forum, yet keep the forum itself viewable to all members who then can join if they want to.

As to the moderation of it? Normal moderation would be the best. Assign one or perhaps a moderator could volunteer to watch over that particular section.

That sounds pretty good...

NOTE: I don't know if there's a maximum, but I can make any number of people a Moderator of that forum...In fact, I can even make it to where each member that is good enough to considered someone who can join immediately becomes someone who can moderate it...

[AlicornsPrayer]

Originally Posted by cnredd

That sounds pretty good...

NOTE: I don't know if there's a maximum, but I can make any number of people a Moderator of that forum...In fact, I can even make it to where each member that is good enough to considered someone who can join immediately becomes someone who can moderate it...

Ewww, but what about those of us that don't want to moderate, even in a limited forum? And too many chefs can spoil the soup....

1 moderator, 2 max, would work out best...And I'll happily nominate IP, since it was his suggestion...

[cnredd]

Originally Posted by AlicornsPrayer

Ewww, but what about those of us that don't want to moderate, even in a limited forum? And too many chefs can spoil the soup....

1 moderator, 2 max, would work out best...And I'll happily nominate IP, since it was his suggestion...

But 1 or 2 may eventually make a line form when they aren't available...

That's when the forum Mods and myself have to intervene...And I'd like to play "hands-off" with this...

I'd LOVE to have someone take charge of this...But I don't want to have to jump in and fix things if whomever takes charge doesn't live up to the expectations...

[AlicornsPrayer]

Originally Posted by cnredd

But 1 or 2 may eventually make a line form when they aren't available...

That's when the forum Mods and myself have to intervene...And I'd like to play "hands-off" with this...

I'd LOVE to have someone take charge of this...But I don't want to have to jump in and fix things if whomever takes charge doesn't live up to the expectations...

Well, as it's intended to be a discussion about specific books, there really shouldn't be any problems. It won't be like debating religion or politics, but trying to interpret what you believe the author is saying.

It won't be a Klingon war kinda thing. More like an English literature class kinda participation. So unlike in regular discussion forums, you'll find that the problems that sneak up in them on occassion wouldn't/shouldn't pop up in this kinda forum.

What you may want to do is try it out temporarily. A test trial. And IF everyone thinks that it's having member interplay problems, THEN try out your suggestion of an in-group moderator setting.

[cnredd]

Originally Posted by AlicornsPrayer

Well, as it's intended to be a discussion about specific books, there really shouldn't be any problems. It won't be like debating religion or politics, but trying to interpret what you believe the author is saying.

It won't be a Klingon war kinda thing. More like an English literature class kinda participation. So unlike in regular discussion forums, you'll find that the problems that sneak up in them on occassion wouldn't/shouldn't pop up in this kinda forum.

What you may want to do is try it out temporarily. A test trial. And IF everyone thinks that it's having member interplay problems, THEN try out your suggestion of an in-group moderator setting.

OK...

I'll set it up as a joe-schmo forum and let it play out...

[AlicornsPrayer]

Originally Posted by cnredd

OK...

I'll set it up as a joe-schmo forum and let it play out...

Have some faith...From the people I've seen that are your members, you have a great group. I think you'll be surprised with the results.

[cnredd]

Originally Posted by AlicornsPrayer

Have some faith...From the people I've seen that are your members, you have a great group. I think you'll be surprised with the results.

I won't be surprised at it...

Here's what I wrote in the original post...

Originally Posted by cnredd

Personally, I adhere to a policy of keeping the level of debate above rabble-rousing to begin with, so I think it should be an open forum and let things flow where the tide takes it...

So if I think ALL the members are quality enough to be here in the first place, then they should also bve quality enough for this Book Club forum...

BTW - It's up...The Political Wrinkles Book Club is open for business...