Alternates Options

[pandora]

maybe come time the next hiring session, you should consider assigning Alternates.

in case people step down, you can just default to the alternates. catch my drift?

[Insurmountable]

Hmm, that would be neat. Like we have specific number of who we want to hire and then have the second best for each person. I don't think its a bad idea Probably would come in hand later instead of getting really low on staff numbers and then having to do all new hirings.

[pandora]

yeeessss

[Sandraaa]

Replacements ...

After selecting the new moderators, we also select the qlternates. Will they be informed?

[Djlunatix]

Good idea, kind of like a understudy type job. This would also keep hiring process to a minimum and also say one of the staff wanted to go on vacation, there alternates could fill in for them, and send any forum reports to an official staff via PM.

[Sandraaa]

^ When the moderators get back from getting tanned, the alternates get demodded.
Should they get a special title or should they remain OMs?

[Insurmountable]

Well I was taking a shower and thinking, what if when the new mods are appointed theres a topic backstage thats made and they choose who they think is best fit for their replacement and they give valid reason and everyone discusses it and if they think that person if fit then thats their replacement if they ever step down?

The only thing that I can see being a problem with this idea is that by the time the first person steps down, the replacement could be no where to be found or just plan out not interested anymore (they would be contacted being asked if they would like to be so and so replacement). Or if the person doesn't seem fit for the shoes to fill anymore.

[annalucky]

I think it'd be better if you appoint people rather than hold hiring sessions. I think someone mentioned this idea before.

Also, the alternative thing is a good idea. If they don't show anymore interest, then you can't do anything about it. You can leave the spot vacant or find someone who is capable/willing.

[IVIike]

Well I was taking a shower and thinking, what if when the new mods are appointed theres a topic backstage thats made and they choose who they think is best fit for their replacement and they give valid reason and everyone discusses it and if they think that person if fit then thats their replacement if they ever step down?

The only thing that I can see being a problem with this idea is that by the time the first person steps down, the replacement could be no where to be found or just plan out not interested anymore (they would be contacted being asked if they would like to be so and so replacement). Or if the person doesn't seem fit for the shoes to fill anymore.

I agree thats a better idea, because if someone is an "alternate" they won't really feel that great about themselves, but if they get promoted that will just make it more of a positive situation

[pandora]

another approach is we could just have former staff members (that still have good standing with the staff) volunteer to be backup mods until an actual replacement is found.

[Insurmountable]

^That's not bad I guess, we would have to make a list of former mods that would be fine taking others places in time of need.

I mean it seems like a good idea, but theres a lot of gray areas that need to be figured out.

[pandora]

i guess they would just be temp mods until the next hiring process (if you are still going to do the hiring the same way you have been). if they wanted to stay on staff, they would have to apply with everyone else. i guess they would have a leg up on everyone though because the rest of the staff has seen them in action, so to speak.

yeah there are a lot of grey areas, but i dont think we need to make this more complicated than it should be. i think we keep asking questions and asking questions, and then nothing is ever done.

in the past there has been a lot of success in just playing by ear, and then perfecting the concept as we go along.

[Insurmountable]

Yea, I would like keeping it simple.

I think more or less trust is going to be the bigger deal. Considering all the things that have happened recently its a matter if were all with open arms to let this idea in. If you know what I mean.

[pandora]

at first, maybe the temps would have limited abilities. maybe they cant warn people themselves, but rather post something backstage suggesting someone else to warn them.

[Insurmountable]

Alright that sounds good Just have the ability to close&merge topics and simple things.

[pandora]

but there should also be a level of authority. maybe they DO have the ability to verbally warn someone, just not officially warn them/suspend them/whatever.

[Mulder]

I really like this idea. Most new mods have to go through an adjustment period, and this way, hopefully by the time they were "full" mods they would be fully ..indoctrinated.

plus, some people who are great candidates for mods but perhaps are lacking other requirements can fill these positions?

[Insurmountable]

^Well, for example...what would they be lacking? o_O

But other than that I agree with you Michelle

[Mulder]

haha, i don't know.

Maybe someone is amazing coding wise and is pretty helpful in the support center but hasn't submitted anything to cB?

[pandora]

post counts, the "right attitude" etc.

[Insurmountable]

or someone that has submitted a ton of stuff and only helps very little in the forums but is exceptionally qualified besides that?
Thats how Ricky was when he was first hired and well second time too..



lol the "right attitude" ?

[Sandraaa]

While waiting for an opening, what would their status read? Alternates? Members? OM?

[Mulder]

yeah, attitude too I guess.

but yes, being an alternate would give the higher ups a great opportunity to see if people would fix whatever area they were lacking in after they were semi-hired.

Like for instance, I didn't.
Twice.
haha.

[pandora]

While waiting for an opening, what would their status read? Alternates? Members? OM?

THE COMEBACKS.

[Insurmountable]

hah thats so cute.

[Sandraaa]

And we have to pick a color too. Tee hee. Purple!!!

[Tung]

Imo, these alternates, are very comparable to rebounds. Girl breaks up with guy. Guy is sad and lonely, goes for the another girl as a rebound.

[pandora]

okay..

[misoshiru]

IMO, there should be a few "alternate" or backup staff always on standby, who can step in when there are major shortages of staff. and, when it's time to apply for staff, they can either apply, or just step back down.


or..what i'm saying is, that the few "alternate" staff should be kept the same.

[digitalfragrance]

Maybe we could just keep this simple and do a temp hire of temp jobs - no permament alternative staff... when people leave, we'd constantly be replacing them.

[freeflow]

I think its a good idea overall. Yes there are details we would have to figure out but it would be a good idea. I think when staff is as low as it is now you can use the help you can get. Allowing them to verbally warn but not officially warn someone sounds good to me.

And if 'the comebacks" is really the name... I'm about to step down and be an alternate for a few days so I can be a "comeback".

[pandora]

hahhhaa.

[Tung]

Verbally Warn? LOL. Whats the point of verbally warning someone, if you can't even warn them officially. It's not like they will listen to you if you got no powaaaahhh.

[pandora]

the idea here is that the staff works as a team.

[digitalfragrance]

^ Yes - TEAM. And that is happening very well at the moment, so most likely this could be a great success.

[*Steven*]

Verbally Warn? LOL. Whats the point of verbally warning someone, if you can't even warn them officially. It's not like they will listen to you if you got no powaaaahhh.

Actually it sets up for a legitimate warning. Staff wants people to be verbally warned first, so they know that what they're doing is warnable. It's because people are so naive and don't know that cussing at people and fighting isn't desired amongst the community. I love verbal warnings! So practical!

[karmakiller]

I really like this idea. Like what's already been said, there's a few things that need to be worked out. I think that the staff member should have some say in who would step up and do their job.

[1angel3]

I really like this idea. Most new mods have to go through an adjustment period, and this way, hopefully by the time they were "full" mods they would be fully ..indoctrinated.

plus, some people who are great candidates for mods but perhaps are lacking other requirements can fill these positions?

Oh yeah I agree, it would be good practice. I like this idea I rather be a temp mode. Like mode in training.

[missnh]

Sounds like a good idea, but there are so many ways in which this could fail.

I think a mentor's position should be somewhat similar to an alternative. If the staff is lacking and cannot hire some one right away, there are a few mentors that obviously know what they're doing and would be able to take over for maybe a month or so... until the next official or unofficial hiring.

[clarity]

Alright that sounds good Just have the ability to close&merge topics and simple things.

Back on this subject, What about previous mods that have been hired before? Would they have to go through this training (whatever you want to call it) period?

[pandora]

what?

[shadowfax]

Sounds like a good idea, but there are so many ways in which this could fail.

I think a mentor's position should be somewhat similar to an alternative. If the staff is lacking and cannot hire some one right away, there are a few mentors that obviously know what they're doing and would be able to take over for maybe a month or so... until the next official or unofficial hiring.

I was thinking this too. Mentors are also capable of doing the job as a "temp" mod. If they're not willing, I'd look for someone else from the community.

I think this idea will come in handy if someone goes on an extended leave. If the staff is low on numbers, I don't see the point in having alternates or temps. Might as well hire a few more people that will commit.

Lucy, it's not a training period per se. It's just so people can fill in positions when it's really needed not when a new group of people are hired and need to learn the ropes.

[clarity]

Lol yeah, I think I somehow misinterpreted what was being said... Then again I did pull an all nighter last night and am still up. :) Lol.

[Insurmountable]

Yea also I think someone watches over or kind of just looks over the others shoulders so to speak when they first get on staff, if they see any little problems they contact them about it and tell them what they should do instead or something.

I never had anyone do that but uh I heard it was going on from the last hiring?

[pandora]

yeah there should be some kind of buddy-system. or every new staff member should have a "mentor." not necessarily from the mentor group, just another staff mentor that will kind of "train" them or keep an eye on their mod activities.

[arcanum]

^ Thats usually how it goes down (sorta), though.. idk if anyone 'mentored' the last group to be hired.

Anyway, the Alternates idea sound good. I think it would work out pretty well.

[shadowfax]

Haha, that's what sort of happens. Each new staff member picks a "mentor" and when in need, the newbie asks the mentor for help. I don't think it went as far as mentors observing their mentees and their mod activities but that would be good.

[clarity]

i remember that :) but...
nobody wanted to be my mentor :(...










JK. If I can remember clearly, Kara was mine! :P

Although those were more to seek advice to, but now also for them to watch over the new staff members would be swell.

[FoxLucky]

I like the Alternate/Understudy idea :)
I hope it works out

[Insurmountable]

i remember that :) but...
nobody wanted to be my mentor :(...
JK. If I can remember clearly, Kara was mine! :P

Although those were more to seek advice to, but now also for them to watch over the new staff members would be swell.

haha *thinks* I was Ricky's mentor! :D

[misoshiru]

we never did the whole mentor thing when i was on staff

[shadowfax]

:P The idea was brought up afterwards. I didn't have a mentor either.