What do you all require of a moderator? Such as, do they need to log on daily, start threads and answer threads, moderate the board? We have a good team of moderators but it seems we only have 1 or 2 who actually work at it. What do you all do to keep them motivated?
Well, my moderators are active. They watch the forums for spam, and also post new threads, make replies, and actually contribute to the community. Some mods are more active than the others though. For motivation? We usually talk about things and motivate one another.
I am probably to laid back for a new forum, I ask them to post a few times a week and post new threads relating to careers etc.
They aren't required to posts. They're already a member, so they can post when they wish. I'm not forcing 'em to post more because of the staff privileges, ( I'm not sure if some forum owners threaten their staff, saying if they don't post, then take the boot ) Although, they are required to log-in and look over the forums, check for spam and clean it up when/if necessary. That's why they have the moderation privileges, right? I also expect 'em to communicate with the other team members in the private staff board about some secret, juicy stuff concerning the forum,
Yes this is the purpose of them but we also do ask them to contribute and respond to threads. Our mod/admin team help also to keep the board moving.
Well, well, all staff members should be required to post - its up to them to mod the boards, and also; keep the content flowing. If nobody put in work, how do you expect a forum to grow? You can't expect one person[the admin] to post content and not expect the same from the rest of the staff. Forum administrators should lead the example for forum moderators, ya know? @baby1 You're right. It's the same motto that I follow.
You see, they're already a member and if they're really interested in the forum, they'll post when they can, Obviously if they're active, they will post eventually. I'm just against the idea of administrators forcing their moderators to post or it's the boot. eg. AdminKay - "Mod Joe! Why the hell aren't you posting anymore? You want me to take away all of your staff privileges like what I did to Kate?"
Yes forcing is wrong. On my forums, it is just part of the mod position, although noone is repremanded for not doing so. The mods on our boards are also chosen because they have much knowledge on the subject at hand. We need there input especially when other members ask for advice.
I think requriing a minimum amount of time spent on the forum per week is a good start. If they want to be staff then they have to put in some time. If they can't then it's probably time for them to go elsewhere.
Moderators should be people with strong communication skills, especially interpersonal social skills, in the event that difficult and complex situations come up. They need to be people who have strong personalities and really need a lot of patience. Time availability is important because you never know when situations occur and questions need to be answered promptly. It's basically like a job. If you're going to agree to do the job, you must follow through and uphold the site you have joined.