Forum moderator nominations 2024

[Administrator]

Forum moderator nominations 2024 are open!

We're pleased to open up nominations for members to become a forum moderator for 2024-2025.

Moderators play a significant role in ensuring the diabetes forum is a safe, compassionate and inclusive place for all. We welcome lively discussion but are always mindful we are in this together. I'd like to thank the moderators for their time and effort over the last year (and more!).

HOW TO NOMINATE:

Please tag a forum member to nominate them (you can say why too if you like, but please keep this post about nominations). All forum members must confirm their nomination (unless self-nominating) before they will be added to the nominations list.

Anonymous nominations: people can nominate by sending a PM to any moderator on the forum, if you prefer to remain anonymous.

Nominations will close on 17th June 2024.

KEY DATES:

29th May - 17th June 2024 (midnight): nominations open for moderators
23rd June - 30th June: voting open.
1st July: Results announced ASAP.

An Induction Period for new and existing moderators will follow.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER NOMINATIONS ARE CONFIRMED:

After nominations are confirmed, there will be an election where members can vote for their forum moderators! A panel of 8-12 moderators is desired to maintain diversity within the moderator team.

Once the date has passed, votes will be collected and the moderator team announced. We look forward to this year's nominations, elections and welcoming new community forum moderators.

LAST UPDATE EDIT 18 June 11.57 am UK time:
Current mods remaining with another year before needing to be elected:
@EllieM
@ianf0ster
@lovinglife
@VashtiB


Nominations accepted:
@KennyA
@Pipp
@TheSecretCarbAddict
@Grant_Vicat
@Nicola M
@Melgar
@HSSS
@Rachox
@Ryhia
@eventhorizon
@Chris24Main
@LittleGreyCat

Nominations awaiting decision:
@becca59
@Zhnyaka
@catinahat ,
@Fairygodmother ,
@jjraak ,
@Marie 2 ,




Nominations declined
@AndBreathe
@shelley262
@MrsA2
@LivingLightly
@IanBish
@Jasmin2000
@JoKalsbeek
@jpscloud
@Ushthetaff
@Margarettt ,
@Outlier
@Paul_
@Hopeful34
@Juicyj


edit 16:43 15 June and 22 June as we waited for confirmation of wanting to stand

Voting is now open - see this thread to cast your vote: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/forum/threads/forum-moderator-elections-2024.204713/

 

[Lamont D]

It only seems like last month we did this!
And no thanks!

 

[Antje77]

Wonderful news!

If anyone wants to know more about what it means to be a moderator, please ask away.
Current and former mods will be happy to answer any questions.

I loved being a moderator for 4 years.
Sometimes it's frustrating, sometimes it's hard work, but one of the most wonderful things you get back from it is being part of a very close team working together on making this forum a safe and better place.

It only seems like last month we did this!
And no thanks!

Aw, I was just about to nominate you @Lamont D .

 

[Lainie71]

Gosh has it really come around that quickly, time just flys

 

[Lamont D]

Wonderful news!

If anyone wants to know more about what it means to be a moderator, please ask away.
Current and former mods will be happy to answer any questions.

I loved being a moderator for 4 years.
Sometimes it's frustrating, sometimes it's hard work, but one of the most wonderful things you get back from it is being part of a very close team working together on making this forum a safe and better place.


Aw, I was just about to nominate you @Lamont D .

Been refusing for quite a few years, getting my oar in early.
I just don't want to disappoint my fanbase.
Which is why, I think you also need to put out a disclaimer of your intentions!
Ha!

 

[Antje77]

I just don't want to disappoint my fanbase.
Which is why, I think you also need to put out a disclaimer of your intentions!

Don't worry, there is a mandatory two year gap after 4 years of having been a mod.
So my intentions are to keep this thread lively and to find the people who'd be interested in the job!

What about we kick off nominating some people to stay on topic, @Lamont D ? We don't want to create extra work for the current mods by having to moderate us for derailing...

I'll nominate a couple of easy ones, all competent former mods I loved to work with:
@Rachox , @AndBreathe , @Juicyj , any of you up for a second round?

So who do you nominate, @Lamont D ?

 

[Lamont D]

Don't worry, there is a mandatory two year gap after 4 years of having been a mod.
So my intentions are to keep this thread lively and to find the people who'd be interested in the job!

What about we kick off nominating some people to stay on topic, @Lamont D ? We don't want to create extra work for the current mods by having to moderate us for derailing...

I'll nominate a couple of easy ones, all competent former mods I loved to work with:
@Rachox , @AndBreathe , @Juicyj , any of you up for a second round?

So who do you nominate, @Lamont D ?

The time spent on here I have never nominated anyone, recommended maybe, so I will have a think.
I wish @Brunneria was still around.
a former mod and a bit of a mentor of mine.
a friend who kept me on the straight and narrow.
And so knowledgeable!

 

[VashtiB]

I'm another who would like to encourage nominations. Aa it said in the post feel free to PM any of the mods to make an anonymous nomination.

I heartily agree with @Antje77 while being a mod can be challenging it is very rewarding. It is awesome to be part of a team all working towards the same goal. I accepted a nomination because I feel passionately about the forum. I was a real mess when I joined and the wonderful people here changed my life. I have always been impressed by the kindness and generosity of members of this forum.

We need mods to ensure it remains the safe wonderful place it is.

Please consider nominating and accepting nominations

Any questions feel free to ask here or you can ask any of the mods

 

[lovinglife]

As a new mod last year who stuck my head above the parapet and nominated myself! - why? Because I’d been here since the early days of 2009 when it was a lot smaller forum, and had the most amazing advice & support from others, I wanted to give back to the forum that helped me so much.

I was nervous of putting my hand up looking like the “class swot” or people thinking who does she think she is? but I did it & so glad I did! I’m part of a great team who work well to keep the forum a safe place and somewhere that feels like a community. It’s challenging like others have said and it’s also frustrating at times but it’s also very rewarding and satisfying to know your part of the team that keeps this place of safety ticking over.

So if you fancy it then put yourself forward then don’t be shy - put your hand up!

And as this thread is about nominating I would like to nominate @Paul_

 

[Pipp]

So if you fancy it then put yourself forward then don’t be shy - put your hand up!

You could even do this in confidence by PM to any current mod or @Administrator.

 

[jpscloud]

Would @shelley262 be interested? Knowledgeable, kind, helpful -hope you don't mind me nominating you!

 

[ianf0ster]

I would just like to encourage people to think about nominating others or themselves. We are currently a small team of 6 (for a 24hr Forum) we only have 2 mods in the Southern Hemisphere and only one Type 1 (who happens to be in NZ).

 

[AndBreathe]

Thanks for the nomination, @Antje77 , but I've done my stint. I enjoyed it, but I don't believe in going back.

I will still try to behave, most of the time, and will make unhelpful suggestions from the sidelines.

Thanks again.

 

[shelley262]

Would @shelley262 be interested? Knowledgeable, kind, helpful -hope you don't mind me nominating you!

Thank you so much for the nomination @jpscloud very thoughtful but it's not possible for me at this time.
Wonder if the knowledgeable and regular forum contributors @MrsA2 and @LivingLightly would be interested?

 

[TheSecretCarbAddict]

What's involved in being a moderator, and what is the expected time involvement?

While I'm a total newbie, this forum has given me an instant community and superb support when I needed the most, and I definitely want to give back to the community. I do check in regularly, multiple times a day, but I guess being moderator is not quite the same as skipping posts that might not be relevant to me right now and commenting on things that peak my interest without always having to think if I might say something too controversial in the context of specific conversation.

Are there any other qualifications that apply apart from the member vote?

 

[lovinglife]

What's involved in being a moderator, and what is the expected time involvement?

While I'm a total newbie, this forum has given me an instant community and superb support when I needed the most, and I definitely want to give back to the community. I do check in regularly, multiple times a day, but I guess being moderator is not quite the same as skipping posts that might not be relevant to me right now and commenting on things that peak my interest without always having to think if I might say something too controversial in the context of specific conversation.

Are there any other qualifications that apply apart from the member vote?

It’s basically keeping the forum safe & making sure any posts/members don’t break the forum rules, I’ve always said it’s not about knowledge of diabetes though it helps , moderating is more about being able to be objective & fair with an open mind and a tiny little bit of tough skin - why don’t you put yourself forward and see? I think you would enjoy it, you only commit the time you can. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a member

 

[Rachox]

I'll nominate a couple of easy ones, all competent former mods I loved to work with:
@Rachox , @AndBreathe , @Juicyj , any of you up for a second round?

Thanks for the nomination @Antje77 , I am seriously considering taking up moderation again if the forum will have me. I will decide for sure in due course.

 

[Pipp]

Thanks for asking, @TheSecretCarbAddict . I am not sure what some people think about the moderator role, or the personalities of the moderators. Before I took on the role, I somewhat childishly saw moderators as the ’school swots’ ‘prefects’ who delighted in chastising the masses. Maybe I was a bit of a miscreant before.

Since taking on the role, I see things very differently. There is very little need to remind regular members to follow the rules. The role is more about safeguarding. We do get spammers and scammers, and have to sort that. We chuck them out, which is very satisfying. We also step in if a member needs help to post in the most appropriate sub thread. We check out any reports that are made. We actually encourage people to report anything that is amiss. That really helps, as we cannot always pick up on things that are wrong without that cooperation.

There have been so few mods this past year, which has made it quite intense, and has meant we have had less time to be more sociable and post without our mod hats on. So really would appreciate more nominations, and for people to consider accepting a nomination, or even stepping up themselves.

Anyone logging in regularly could be suitable for the role. The amount of time given over to mod duties varies depending on other responsibilities one has. We all have other priorities. Some have full time jobs, caring responsibilities, health problems, hobbies, families etc. Of course a full team would mean the mod responsibilities are spread giving all of the team more time to interact in non-mod ways in the forums.

I am sure some of the other mods will have something to add to what they consider to be important in the role, but for me, I think it important to be able to understand the forum rules and apply them without fear or favour. It can be difficult if a ‘forum friend’ has breached a forum rule. Be considerate, willing to accept a different point of view, as sometimes mods have differing opinions. Own up to mistakes (and be prepared to apologise) . -We all make them. Keep an open mind. Be able to adhere to the forum rules yourself. Even if you have been a bit naughty in the past, as a mod you have to set a good example. Don’t take it personally if a member doesn’t like one of your mod actions. Have a sense of humour. Some things are really funny in the mod forum, but members only get to know that if they become a mod. Be able to maintain confidentiality. Even after retiring as a mod.
Like the rest of the team, I have gained so much from the forum, and feel very protective of the ethos, and the members, former, current, and those yet to find us. Which is why I have served.
Hope my insights help some more of you good forumites to join our merry band.

edit typo

 

[lovinglife]

Ok two of my fellow mods are at the end of their 2 year stint but are eligible for another 2 years so I’m going to nominate them
@Pipp & @KennyA consider yourselves nominated

 

[Lamont D]

I nominate @Rachox .
It is my pleasure.
And because we have a winner in her.
she is what this forum is all about.
And very knowledgeable to boot!