Post by Trublu on Jan 31, 2009 12:09:30 GMT -5
How do you pick your staff? What do you take into account in terms of post count, how long the member has been around, how many positions are open?
For me, I only make a member staff when I absolutely need the help. I like to keep the powers close and concentrated, so that there is less room for rogue members and mishaps. Also, I have yet to ever make someone an admin. I don't see the need, unless there is a huge member base, to have more than one admin. There shouldn't be too many cooks in the proverbial kitchen; ie. using the crucial functions of the admin panel. This policy eliminates having a disgruntled admin with too many powers delete boards, posts, and the forum.
When I'm searching for staff, I take one of two approaches. Usually, I'll try to have someone in mind, and just ask them if they'd like to join the team. I outline what their responsibilities would be, what the expectations are, and then see what's doing. For some smaller jobs, like a chat host or if I'm really having trouble finding a mod, I might post a general announcement to members, and ask them to reply. The reason I don't do this first, is that if I get all applicants that I really don't want to have as staff, is that it is uncomfortable to pick nobody after that. No matter how badly a mod is needed, I won't pick people I don't trust just to fill the position.
In terms of post count, that doesn't matter, nor do I have a minimum 'joined date' requirement. I do wait for a while to see how the member behaves, see if they have the right personal and technical skills for the job, but I don't have any qualms over making a 1 year member mod over a 3 year member. However, I rarely make anyone a global mod without having them on as a mod first.
I have to say, one of my pet peeves are admins who make staff willie nillie, especially if they then complain that the member "was not like they expected" and had gone and deleted all their hard work. I have a hard time feeling sympathy for someone who doesn't take the time to check out the member, see if they are qualified and like minded enough to not cause major controversy. And, a person does not need staff the first day they are open. After the first 50 members, then start asking if needed.
For me, I only make a member staff when I absolutely need the help. I like to keep the powers close and concentrated, so that there is less room for rogue members and mishaps. Also, I have yet to ever make someone an admin. I don't see the need, unless there is a huge member base, to have more than one admin. There shouldn't be too many cooks in the proverbial kitchen; ie. using the crucial functions of the admin panel. This policy eliminates having a disgruntled admin with too many powers delete boards, posts, and the forum.
When I'm searching for staff, I take one of two approaches. Usually, I'll try to have someone in mind, and just ask them if they'd like to join the team. I outline what their responsibilities would be, what the expectations are, and then see what's doing. For some smaller jobs, like a chat host or if I'm really having trouble finding a mod, I might post a general announcement to members, and ask them to reply. The reason I don't do this first, is that if I get all applicants that I really don't want to have as staff, is that it is uncomfortable to pick nobody after that. No matter how badly a mod is needed, I won't pick people I don't trust just to fill the position.
In terms of post count, that doesn't matter, nor do I have a minimum 'joined date' requirement. I do wait for a while to see how the member behaves, see if they have the right personal and technical skills for the job, but I don't have any qualms over making a 1 year member mod over a 3 year member. However, I rarely make anyone a global mod without having them on as a mod first.
I have to say, one of my pet peeves are admins who make staff willie nillie, especially if they then complain that the member "was not like they expected" and had gone and deleted all their hard work. I have a hard time feeling sympathy for someone who doesn't take the time to check out the member, see if they are qualified and like minded enough to not cause major controversy. And, a person does not need staff the first day they are open. After the first 50 members, then start asking if needed.
