Question for Moderators and Admin,
I know that at less than a week of membership, I'm still very new to the site. I also realize that I have yet to subscribe/donate, as there isn't yet the budget to do so. However those of you that have followed/read my posts know that I tend to be fairly insightful and supportive to our members here. I have also made posts politely correcting false information, or providing it where there was a vacuum of information, as well as deferring to others with more expertise, (such as Moderators.) I am thinking about whether or not I would like the opportunity to prove myself to you as a moderator candidate, but with this debate comes questions that I would greatly appreciate answers to:
1. Is there a post level category or time as member requirement to become a Moderator? Do I need to attain family status, or a certain length of time since joining first? Or is it all based on individual evaluation of merit and commitment?
2. What specifically are the Moderators responsibilities? Do you all have to read every post when you are online to see if it needs staff attention, or just within your areas of expertise? When do you move something up the chain of command and refer to an Admin or Susan?
3. Is there a specific time requirement? Is there a minimum number of hours, either daily, weekly, etc, that must be spent to fulfill Moderator duties?
4. Is there a financial contribution requirement? Do I need to subscribe, and if so, at what level of subscriber? Are one time donations sufficient, (such as a larger one at tax time, when budgets are usually more open?) Or, is there no requirement, merely strongly suggested to contribute?
5. Is it even currently possible to become one? Is there room for more, or a position currently or soon to be open? Or do you feel that you are fully staffed as it is, and that another Moderator might just add drama and/or chaos into the mix?
I appreciate any or all of you that take the time to read this and give me feedback. I know your time is precious. Hopefully one day I can join you and help reduce your workload, or at the very least, provide a different set of eyes, ears, and thoughts to helping when and where it's needed. This inquiry comes not from a place of ego or narcissism, but one of nurturing, a basic desire to be helpful and useful, and most importantly, a place of love. I don't just feel that I am more qualified or better than anyone else here. I love the site and the much needed (and occasionally life-saving) support it provides those in our community. I would love an opportunity to give back to others, especially since I have been so blessed in the support that I myself have received, including from this site. Thanks for your time and thoughts.
HUGS!