Warning given for ancient post...

[vlmitchell]

Okay, so, I'm starting to think that some of the global moderators (or someone else) might be using the warning system as a way to shut people up or perhaps punish them for opinions or approaches that they disagree with. Either it's that or they're so busy chatting and using the forums for personal reasons that they just don't get around to all their duties before doing personal things.

Either way, I got a warning today (a 20% warning, no less) for spamming. Problem one is that the warning had no reference to the offense in question. Problem two is that, as far as I can tell, this was something done *months* ago and either my new approach to feedback in a certain area irked someone and so they decided to find <something> to slap me with or someone complained months ago and they just never got around to their own inbox.

The description of the violation was terse, untimely, and feels like it was so arbitrary that it just smacks of unprofessionalism and lack of any sort of rules other than the whim of the mod/admin/whatever that put the warning in place.

The work I do here is for others. I try to help. I do not NEED this place (at all, in any way) but I *am* a well spoken, educated, moderate, patient, and generally well received member who tries to help new girls work through all the confusion and turmoil that comes from transitioning. The admin and mod staff that I have encountered has generally been entitled, dismissive, unengaged, and generally just treat this place like their own little playground where they can enforce things however they see fit with whatever engagement or lack thereof.

This has got to stop. The ToS are there for a reason but if your staff here doesn't set a list of rules about procedures, then the system is ripe for abuse and distrust. I love the work that I do here. I pretty much despise the staff. That's not a situation that you all should be happy about.

P.S. - I'd have handled this with the mod/admin in question but there was no discussion, no link to the originator of the warning, and no evidence of any sort about the issue. The anonymity of that action is yet another problem. If you're going to discipline someone, you should probably do it out in the open rather than pulling out something quite old and smacking a penalty from the shadows. If nothing else here were true, this fact alone would enrage me.

[alabamagirl]

I've had nothing but amazing experiences with the staff here, even the times I was probably acting dumb and didn't deserve it. They were still patient and understanding.

Also, complaining about the staff in-forum is against the ToS, I'm pretty sure... If you have a problem with them, wouldn't the polite and considerate thing be to PM either the ones you have issue with, or their 'higher-up' to try to get it resolved? I can't see what use posting this in the forum is going to do other than rile people up.

[Susan]

Either way, I got a warning today (a 20% warning, no less) for spamming. Problem one is that the warning had no reference to the offense in question. Problem two is that, as far as I can tell, this was something done *months* ago and either my new approach to feedback in a certain area irked someone and so they decided to find <something> to slap me with or someone complained months ago and they just never got around to their own inbox.

You have received 3 warnings.



The latest by Mod1 Today at 03:13:26 pm for Posting against Mod decisions in the public forum +20 points for this very post which violates rule 2.  - Valid, you could have been banned



By Mod2 Today at 11:50:26 am for Spamming with 6 reported post, and admitting it is spamming +20 points. - Valid

"I will spam this topic until we move on from the political wankage."

The mod posted

This is what the 20% is for (it made me mad):

"I will spam this topic until we move on from the political wankage."

Forum Admin posted "Yeah, that's worth 20%," and I agree.

Tos 7 states

7. Leave moderation to the moderators! Susan and her staff are the only people who are authorized to deny anyone access to this web site including telling someone to leave, or to stop discussing a topic.  If someone wishes to discuss a subject that you are not interested in,  suggest a new subject; go to another of the many areas on this site; or ignore that person, topic, or discussion. If you feel a person's post violates the rules of this site use the report this post function.

By Mod3 on October 17, 2013, 04:40:03 pm for a ToS 11 violation +10 points. - Valid

Moderation Report

Also edited Victoria Mitchell's follow up post

10% warning level issued

Notification Message: Please tone down the language

Please review the Terms of Service and rules to live by

Each action by a mod including a warning requires that they post detailed information on the moderator abilities forum. No one is abusing the system.

[Danielle Emmalee]

I think what the issue seems to be is communication between staff and members.  The staff may not think that it's important to let people know exactly why they are being punished because it's a relatively small offense or it may seem obvious to the staff member.  This is not always the case.  People have different viewpoints and may not understand how something they have said was taken.  I really think that there should be a little more communication between the staff and members when actions are being taken, if even just a small PM to the member.  I know that personally, I would greatly appreciate this and I don't think it is too much to ask.  Just my opinion, not saying that any particular staff member is doing anything wrong, just that maybe they don't realize that things might not be so obvious, especially when we can't see those nice comments that the staff get to see in their hidden sections.

[Susan]

Then you follow TOS #2 and 20

2. Any attempts to stage protests, dispute the site policies, the TOS/rules, or actions of the staff; in the public areas of this site will not be tolerated and will result in your removal. If you have any issues contact Susan by email, or forum private message, and not bring these types of issues into the public spaces on this website. For the proper way to handle problems of this nature see item #20 below.

and

20. The staff of this web site are here to provide peer support to our members and visitors and to provide a safe environment by enforcing the TOS and rules of this web site and chat server. If you disagree with their actions, or in regards to a specific situation you may contact Susan or any of the other administrators by email or forum private message, with the details of the situation. They will review your complaint and take any corrective action that may be required by the situation. All user complaints and issues are taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly.

Valid complaints could include a lack of communication on an issue. I will generally be happy to look at the raw information on the (posts or chat logs) and then the moderation report, staff comments on the issue,  make my own decision on the issue, and send you a report back. FA will do the same. If the moderator was in the wrong they will be counseled on that fact and encouraged to do better in the future.