Community Moderators

Moderators help maintain healthy community spaces and ensure adherence to community guidelines. This document outlines moderator roles, responsibilities, and selection processes.

Moderator Role

Core Responsibilities

  • Community Guidelines: Enforce code of conduct and community policies
  • Conflict Resolution: Mediate disputes and facilitate healthy discussions
  • Content Moderation: Review and moderate content across platforms
  • Member Support: Provide assistance and guidance to community members

Platform-Specific Moderation

  • Matrix Chat: Monitor channels, moderate discussions, manage spam
  • Forums (Lemmy): Review posts, moderate comments, maintain topic organization
  • WordPress: Content review, user management, spam prevention
  • General: Cross-platform coordination and policy enforcement

Moderator Selection

Eligibility Requirements

  • Community Standing: Active member in good standing for 6+ months
  • Platform Knowledge: Familiarity with community services and culture
  • Conflict Resolution: Demonstrated ability to handle disputes fairly
  • Time Commitment: Available for regular moderation duties

Selection Process

  • Nominations: Self-nomination or community nomination
  • Application: Detailed application including experience and philosophy
  • Community Input: Open feedback period for community assessment
  • Selection: Chosen by existing moderators and administrators

Terms of Service

  • Term Length: 1-year renewable terms
  • Performance Review: Quarterly evaluation of moderation effectiveness
  • Removal Process: Clear procedures for addressing moderator issues
  • Rotation: Opportunity for new moderators to join regularly

Moderation Philosophy

Principles

  • Fair and Consistent: Apply rules equally to all community members
  • Transparent: Clear communication about moderation decisions
  • Educational: Focus on learning and improvement rather than punishment
  • Restorative: Emphasize repair and community healing

Approach

  • De-escalation: Calm tensions before they escalate
  • Context Awareness: Consider circumstances and intent
  • Community Benefit: Prioritize overall community wellbeing
  • Progressive Response: Graduated responses based on severity

Moderation Powers

Content Moderation

  • Edit/Remove: Edit or remove inappropriate content
  • Pin/Unpin: Highlight important community information
  • Lock Threads: Prevent further discussion when necessary
  • Content Labeling: Add warnings or context to content

Member Management

  • Temporary Mute: Short-term restrictions on posting
  • Channel Restrictions: Limit access to specific areas
  • Warning System: Issue formal warnings for policy violations
  • Escalation: Refer serious issues to administrators

Platform Management

  • Channel Creation: Create new discussion spaces as needed
  • Topic Organization: Maintain organized, accessible content
  • Spam Prevention: Implement and maintain anti-spam measures
  • Bot Management: Configure and maintain moderation bots

Moderation Guidelines

Response Levels

  1. Informal Warning: Private message addressing minor issues
  2. Formal Warning: Official warning with documentation
  3. Temporary Restriction: Limited access to specific services
  4. Escalation: Refer to administrators for serious violations

Common Scenarios

  • Spam: Immediate removal, possible account restriction
  • Harassment: Swift intervention, support for affected members
  • Misinformation: Correction, context addition, possible removal
  • Off-topic: Gentle redirection, topic organization

Documentation

  • Incident Reports: Document all moderation actions
  • Pattern Recognition: Track repeat offenses and escalation
  • Appeals Process: Fair review of moderation decisions
  • Transparency: Regular reports to community on moderation activity

Moderator Tools

Platform Tools

  • Matrix: Room management, user permissions, bot integration
  • Lemmy: Post moderation, user management, community settings
  • WordPress: Content moderation, user roles, comment management
  • Cross-Platform: Coordination tools and communication channels

Automated Assistance

  • Spam Detection: Automated spam filtering and removal
  • Content Scanning: Automated flagging of potentially problematic content
  • User Monitoring: Tracking of user behavior patterns
  • Reporting System: Streamlined reporting and response workflows

Moderator Support

Training and Resources

  • Onboarding: Comprehensive training for new moderators
  • Ongoing Education: Regular updates on policies and best practices
  • Conflict Resolution: Training in mediation and de-escalation
  • Platform Expertise: Deep knowledge of community services

Moderator Community

  • Private Channels: Secure communication for moderator coordination
  • Regular Meetings: Weekly check-ins and strategy sessions
  • Peer Support: Mutual assistance and consultation
  • Burnout Prevention: Support for moderator wellbeing

Accountability

Oversight

  • Administrator Review: Regular review of moderator actions
  • Community Feedback: Open channels for community input
  • Peer Review: Moderator evaluation of each other's actions
  • Self-Assessment: Regular self-evaluation and improvement

Appeals Process

  • Member Appeals: Clear process for challenging moderation decisions
  • Review Committee: Independent review of appealed decisions
  • Transparency: Open communication about appeal outcomes
  • Policy Adjustment: Use appeals to improve moderation guidelines

Specialized Moderation

Technical Moderation

  • Service Abuse: Monitor and prevent service misuse
  • Security Issues: Respond to security threats and vulnerabilities
  • Performance: Ensure services remain accessible and functional
  • Integration: Coordinate moderation across multiple platforms

Content Specialization

  • Legal Compliance: Ensure content meets legal requirements
  • Cultural Sensitivity: Navigate cultural differences respectfully
  • Educational Content: Moderate educational and informational content
  • Creative Content: Support and moderate creative community contributions

Volunteer Recognition

Recognition Programs

  • Service Awards: Acknowledge outstanding moderation service
  • Community Recognition: Public appreciation for moderator contributions
  • Skill Development: Opportunities for training and growth
  • Leadership Pathways: Progression to administrative roles

Burnout Prevention

  • Workload Management: Reasonable expectations and time limits
  • Break Policies: Mandatory breaks and vacation time
  • Support Systems: Mental health and stress management resources
  • Rotation Options: Ability to change platforms or take breaks

Community Feedback

Transparency Reports

  • Monthly Reports: Summary of moderation activity and trends
  • Policy Updates: Communication about changes to moderation approach
  • Community Input: Regular solicitation of community feedback
  • Improvement Process: Continuous refinement of moderation practices

Community Engagement

  • Office Hours: Regular availability for community questions
  • Feedback Sessions: Structured opportunities for community input
  • Policy Discussions: Open discussion about moderation philosophy
  • Education: Help community understand moderation rationale

Moderation is a service to the community. Our moderators work to create spaces where all members can participate safely and constructively in our digital town square.