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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 6:08pm | IP Logged
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Would someone, a moderator I guess, please explain why certain threads are closed?
And, along the same lines, why we, as mature and responsible women, need to moderated at all? I understand a certain amount of oversight would be necessary, especially if it involved misunderstandings or misteachings of our Catholic faith, but for a moderator to have the power to close a thread.....I am not sure I understand......
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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Maryan
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 6:17pm | IP Logged
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Erica -- I'm not a moderator -- but just adding my two cents since I have an opposite view. I'm glad some threads get closed.
I've read some conversations get heated and personal (instead of just staying discussions on ideas)... and to be honest, I'm always a little scandalized by the tone since this is a Catholic board. And it always make me a little sad when that happens. So I for one am grateful when the door "gets locked" if that happens... or if there is the potential for that happening.
I TOTALLY think that misunderstandings can get hashed out but not if it gets that tone... KWIM? I think that is the purpose of a moderator. IMO Charity rules all things and we don't ever want to cross that line.
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Maryan
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 6:27pm | IP Logged
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What about the threads that don't get personal or heated - just plain good discussion. I've read some crazy, inappropriate comments where the moderator steps in, but that is NOT at all what I'm referring to.
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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Bridget
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 6:35pm | IP Logged
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We are the first to admit that we make mistakes in moderating. 
Our main concerns are generally an accurate representation of Church teaching and to make sure everyone 'plays nice in the sandbox'. 
In this case tonight, there is hardly anyone here to moderate and it's been a difficult subject.
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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Patty LeVasseur
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 6:43pm | IP Logged
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Erica,
I am also not a moderator but I do know that these wonderful women spend a lot of time making sure that things stay on topic, that people get their questions answered, and that if we do criticize something we do it charitable and without offending anyone .
They do try to stop discussions if they feel that it has turned to a topic that wouldn't be appropriate for this board. They also try to make sure that people don't get their feelings hurt or feel that they are not welcome here. It is always sad when someone feels so hurt that they leave and I really think that would happen more often if things weren't stopped before they get out of hand.
The moderators also do wonderful things like trying to make sure questions get answered if no one else is jumping in to answer it and it really is an important question.
The moderators do such a wonderful job that sometimes I think it is difficult to see all that they do and to think that many things that they do would just take care of themselves if they weren't here, but I really think that they wouldn't.
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Patty
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Patty LeVasseur
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 6:44pm | IP Logged
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Sorry Bridget you posted while I was still writing.
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Patty
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
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Good question, Erica. The simplest answer is that we are a moderated board. Moderators have to make judgement calls based on a variety of factors, not just the content and tone of discussion but the reality of the moderator's situation. For example, if a discussion has gone on for some time and points are being repeated and it is a heated discussion, then a moderator may choose to lock it as a preventive measure. The moderators try to work here as a team, yet recently we have been a bit short-handed which will also affect judgement calls as will the tremendous and rapid growth of this board. I'm very happy to say that, thanks to the hard work of the volunteer moderators here, very few topics are locked and when they are, a reason and opportunity to redirect the conversation are given.
There are good arguments to be made for not having moderation at all, and there are certainly examples of online communication that goes this route. But this message board has been moderated since the beginning with the hopes of sharing good information as well as providing a safe place for folks to come and discuss issues that concern home schoolers. I can certainly understand that there will be folks who prefer a non-moderated environment yet there are many who appreciate moderating. We are all fortunate to have different options in this matter.
Thanks for giving all the moderators here the benefit of the doubt as we learn on the job how to best provide a message board to "help parent educators to promote a new paradigm for home education which focuses upon developing the whole personality of the child--the heart, soul, and mind--to pursue a happy, wholehearted, academically excellent, spiritually complete childhood."
I hope I answered your question, Erica. If not, let me know here or in a PM.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 7:05pm | IP Logged
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Patty LeVasseur wrote:
| Sorry Bridget you posted while I was still writing. |
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I was posting at the same time, too  .
Have a great weekend, all.
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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chicken lady
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Because sometimes a crazy bird starts clucking to loud  Got to get those loose hens back in the coop
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MicheleQ
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 7:19pm | IP Logged
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I'm not a moderator here but I do know what it takes to moderate a large group discussion. I am VERY thankful for the work of the moderators here but I didn't get the sense from Erica's question that she was unappreciative of that work so much as that she was sincerely wondering why we can't seem to get into a lively conversation without things suddenly being closed down. In all honesty I must say I have wondered the same thing. I find it even more curious as I read the Atmosphere of Respect post in the "About Us' section. It says:
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| Our committed online community has a positive history of respectful communication. Because we have this positive history, we are able to tackle topics head-on. So, while we make every effort to be kind to each other, we can be very tough on topics. This "tender on the people, tough on the topic" balance is one that we meet most of the time. Members have come to trust that they will be treated well. They especially appreciate the "toughness on topics" aspect because many have learned so much from the charitable back and forth. |
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I have to say this doesn't seem to be holding true. I understand wanting to "play nice" but lively conversation doesn't automatically mean someone is being unkind. As the post further reads:
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| "Tone" is a difficult thing to discern through online communication as most know from experience. The good news is that this board has a history of assuming good intent and a reputation for charitable dialogue. We ask all members to honor and continue this tradition. |
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Are we being too sensitive perhaps? If a sister in Christ says something out of a sincere concern and fraternal charity is that wrong? Certainly not and yet more often then not it is censored.
I'm sorry I don't mean to cause a stir and I haven't even been over here much lately, but I have a lot of friends here and I keep hearing the same thing. I do hope it will be considered.
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Michele Quigley
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Erica Sanchez
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 7:20pm | IP Logged
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I love the moderators! Some are IRL friends, even! I know the job is hard and time-consuming and I appreciate the work all of the moderators do! I didn't mean to imply that I didn't. Not at all! And, of course, Angie, it's a moderated board. Why would I question that after two plus years of being here?
It's just that the recent closing of the Waldorf thread is not sitting very well with me today. Not very well at all. And, I'm not even a Waldorf person. :) And, I'm normally a veryy easy going person. :) Something just doesn't feel right about it.
I'm sorry!
And, I'm actually going to turn off the computer now because Cash is home and I hate being on the computer when he is home! Maybe I'll check back in tomorrow, but maybe not until Monday. :)
God bless you all, especially the moderators!! 
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Have a beautiful and fun day!
Erica in San Diego
(dh)Cash, Emily, Grace, Nicholas, Isabella, Annie, Luke, Max, Peter, 2 little souls ++, and sweet Rose who is legally ours!
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 7:43pm | IP Logged
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It is true, we can't meet everyone's needs. We can't even try.
MicheleQ wrote:
Are we being too sensitive perhaps? If a sister in Christ says something out of a sincere concern and fraternal charity is that wrong? Certainly not and yet more often then not it is censored.
I'm sorry I don't mean to cause a stir and I haven't even been over here much lately, but I have a lot of friends here and I keep hearing the same thing. I do hope it will be considered. |
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Well, I do think that there are some very sensitive moderators here which isn't a bad thing. They watch out for the sensitive members of this board. I fall into the insensitive camp  yet can understand the need for sensitivity, especially when we are here to serve the needs of a wide variety of members to include the new to homeschooling or new to the faith. Yet, it isn't a true statement to say that we censor. We give reasons for threads being locked. We redirect the conversation. We set some limits too because we are limited in the scope we can cover here. There is no censoring...no cover-up...no misrepresenting...no unstated agenda. I have been as honest as I can be about our limitations and can assure you that we are always looking at ways to not only improve the board, but to make it doable and enjoyable for moderators.
Erica Sanchez wrote:
It's just that the recent closing of the Waldorf thread is not sitting very well with me today. Not very well at all. And, I'm not even a Waldorf person. :) And, I'm normally a veryy easy going person. :) Something just doesn't feel right about it.
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Well...Lissa did offer to take on that conversation so the conversation can continue at her place. That seems like a practical solution to me. We're swamped here, she has the time and interest there. Win-win!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Martha
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 7:57pm | IP Logged
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Okay. Well I'll chime in...
I'm on both sides. I'm NOT a moderator here, but I am on 3 other areas and, personally, I wouldn't be on a board that wasn't moderated.
Should we need to be moderated? Well of course not. But sadly, we all have our less than stellar moments and sadder still, sometimes we actually post during those moments! Obviously, the more active the board - the more likely for those moments.
Moderators help things run smoothly and in an understandable manner. In a good board, the posters don't even notice the mods too much. They are toiling away in the background and everyone just thinks, "wow they sure are on here a lot." 
Now, from the other side I'll say 2 things.
1. 4 real is one of the best moderated boards, imho. I have noticed what appears to be a bit of a crackdown recently on threads that I normally would not have expected to see a mod comment/close on? But over all, this community seems to be very good about giving each other the benefit of the doubt about the tone and intent as well as respectfully disagreeing on heated subjects. And they also seem to be very willing to let us struggle to explain and share thoughts on our own for the most part. In fact, this is one of the few boards I've seen that have been able to have some conversations that I know are actually forbidden to even post about on other forums because they are notorious for not being dealt with in charity. 
2. The way they have handled your post is a very loud statement to the kindness of the mods here. I can't think of a single other board where the mods would accept with such quiet charity the public rebuke of a poster. The normal S.O.P. when you question the actions of a moderator(s) is to pm them with your concern, not to publicly do so. It's a curtesy that should, and to my knowledge does, go both ways on these forums?
All that said, I hope that the 4 real boards don't go the route of so many other boards of being so afraid of hurt feelings that it's nearly impossible to have an honest sincere discussion about anything other than the weather, kwim?
So far, I don't see that here. And hope I never do.
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MicheleQ
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Angie Mc wrote:
| It is true, we can't meet everyone's needs. We can't even try. |
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No and I don't think that's expected but people will make their needs/wants known nonetheless.
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| Yet, it isn't a true statement to say that we censor. We give reasons for threads being locked. We redirect the conversation. We set some limits too because we are limited in the scope we can cover here. There is no censoring...no cover-up...no misrepresenting...no unstated agenda. |
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My apologies - censored was the wrong word to use - moderated was what I meant.
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| I have been as honest as I can be about our limitations and can assure you that we are always looking at ways to not only improve the board, but to make it doable and enjoyable for moderators. |
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I'm sure this is true. God bless you Angie. FWIW, I cannot imagine you as being insensitive!
God bless!
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Michele Quigley
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LisaR
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just popping in here to say I was sad to see the Waldorf discussion closed but totally understand. Thanks and  to ALL of the moderators and all you do. I can't even imagine how difficult it must be at times to need to be "present" here while IRL, "life" is happening and your family needs you!!
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Lisa
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Leonie
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I think Angie has described the moderator's position well - thank you!
I think there is a need for moderation simply because this is such a public board - the larger a board gets, the more public it becomes, the more we all feel a certain responsibility for forum posts and discussions.
I know I tend to moderate with a very light touch and, as Angie said, reasons are given if and when any moderation is required.
Good discussion, ladies - discussions like this help me to look at reasons for moderating!
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Leonie in Sydney
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cornomama4
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Being a newbie(ish) here, my opinion is probably worth $.01, but here it is:
I found myself reading the thread more for the drama between the pro/con Waldorf camps and less for the info about Waldorf, though I did Google Steiner and found myself not interested enough to read beyond the most basic.
In the thread, I could see both sides of the discussion about the underlying formation of the Waldorf origins. However, I sensed a certain loss of the general, and a turn toward the specific and personal as far as the criticism of Waldorf endorsement went.
I think the moderators have specific red flags that go down when the posts seem to morph into a mano-e-mano venue, and that they also are on point about when a discussion in a thread become futile and beyond the scope of the forum. I'm sure when a decision is made to close a thread it is made with much prayer, discernment, angst and probably some tears.
For me, I'm glad there is not the ongoing drama of the pro/con Waldorf discussion, partially because I think what was discussed alerted anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear of the "problems" with the Waldorf raison de etre, but also because I was avoided from the near occasion of sin (of I guess voyerism), by the moderators. Gossip and social drama is one of my biggest stumbling blocks, so thanks Mary G!
And thanks to everyone here for trying to maintain the best of what we are, in our daily joyous struggle to imitate the perfect that is Christ.
cm4
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Jane Ramsey
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| Posted: Sept 28 2007 at 10:52pm | IP Logged
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I, too, see the need for moderation and respect the work of the moderators.
But I also question the closing of the Waldorf thread. There were no personal attacks. There was nothing uncharitable said. And I don't think it was getting off-topic. Why can't we discuss the sprirtuality of an educational method?
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Angie Mc
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| Posted: Sept 29 2007 at 12:55am | IP Logged
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Jane Ramsey wrote:
But I also question the closing of the Waldorf thread. There were no personal attacks. There was nothing uncharitable said. And I don't think it was getting off-topic. Why can't we discuss the sprirtuality of an educational method?
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Well, Jane, maybe we'll just need to disagree on this. From my perspective, the topic got personal, circular, and heated. We did discuss the spirtual foundation of the Waldorf method to the best of this group of moderators abilities at this time. I'm sorry that you were disappointed. I'm also happy that you can continue the discussion with Lissa.
On a brighter note for me...it made my day to read here that I'm loved and sensitive! Thanks, friends .
Love,
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Angie Mc
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chicken lady
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I (after my failed attempt to lighten this up) wanted to add that I think it VERY prudent to moderate the boards. I was recently attacked here, thanks to moderation it was closed up. I have seen others subtly attacked, and for all the mature Catholic women we all claim to be, I see enough slams to warrant moderation.
I sometimes disagree with a moderator to close a topic. I have been shut down(thinking the smoking thread here) and just let it go. Why do I think I need my opinion heard? Who cares if you all agree with me? My ego????
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Why are threads closed? (
Topic Closed)
