Posted by paxvox on August 21, 2003, at 13:29:59
Dr. Bob,
I mentioned in another post on PSB how I would like to offer my services in helping you keep this a "civil" board, where we all can co-exist nicely. I didn't see any response yet, perhaps you are pondering it,or didn't take it seriously.
However, I have been giving this a great deal of thought over the past year or so (especially after my first "blocking") and I think I have some good suggestions, if you will consider them.
First, there are no absolutes when it comes to people's emotions when they post. On occasion, we *may* post something that we wish later we had NOT. Solution: allow a "poster editing feature" for your boards, where one can change/delete a post when they realize it was, perhaps, not the best thing to have written. Then, you would have to allow maybe a 4-hour window where posts could be edited. After that........well, then they would have to answer for their posts. Don't you think that might work? Afterall, we DO have mental issues that can cause temporary loss of the *best* judgment.
Second, I believe that it would make it a whole lot better for everyone to put some sort of "barrier" between you and the posters. By this I mean that a group of board members could serve as the initial level for considering "corrective action" for other posters who have crossed the line. This board could be elected by plurality from other board members, and serve a limited term, say, 3-6 months. No one could blame them for unfair treatment any more than one can blame a jury for a verdict. The term limit would allow many to participate, serving to further diversify the makeup of the group, and avoid the impression of a cabal.
Third, you then, would become sort of the "legislative branch" of the board to which appeals could be made, or unclear matters interpreted (and clarified). In this capacity, you would lose no control of YOUR board, as you would still have the final say in all matters. I do believe, however, that this would actually empower you above the status you hold now. Too many people have to blame YOU because there is no one else to blame. If you defered these complaints to the "Board", then (again) the members who post on the board would have to understand that it is their peer group, not YOU, who are correcting them. I have found during 18 years of managing people in the Federal government, that people respond better to this sort of structure.
Well, Dr. Bob, I hope you DO consider this as a serious offer, and not as a flippant attempt at humor on my part. I really think the people here would respond well to this sort of thing, and what, ultimately, do you have to lose? Here's hoping that you at least consider this proposal. You may feel free to email me to discuss this further, if you would like.
Thanks for your time
PAX
poster:paxvox
thread:252797
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20030808/msgs/252797.html