Please note: Due to the development and implementation of the following guidelines as approved by the ALA Board of Directors (ALA BOD), we have released all current Moderators from service. We welcome you to reapply if you are in compliance with the following guidelines, and thank you for your assistance thus far.

MODERATOR GUIDELINES

Moderators are viewed as representatives of the American Livebearer Association. Therefore, our moderator requirements and responsibilities may differ from those in an average forum/community. It also necessitates strict enforcement of the ALA Moderator Guidelines.

QUALIFICATIONS & CONDITIONS

This position requires the following:

- Your full name, street address, and e-mail address must be provided.

- A current membership to the American Livebearer Association in good standing.

- Two or more references in the form of links to forums that you are presently active in. If you are active in the ALA forum, we will consider that to be one reference. If you have a well-established, solid reputation through volunteering for other activities within the American Livebearer Association, we may consider ALA member references to be a substitute for forum references. The purpose here is to determine community and social skills.

- You must not have been banned from any online forum or community.

- Previous moderator experience is an asset.

DUTIES

- Basic moderator activities (spam removal, etc.)

- Keep threads calm, positive, and focused.

- Move posts in violation of the rules to the Moderator's Area, and send a standard message to the poster notifying him/her that his post is under review by the moderator team. There will be virtually no public enforcement performed by individuals.

- The moderation of the ALA community is orchestrated as a team and decisions are made as a team. This prevents bias and provides consistency.

PARTICIPATION

- You are expected to visit the forum regularly (several times/week unless you are unavailable due to travel, etc.). Your input is needed both in the community and for effective administration (moderation decisions, etc).

- You are expected to participate in threads, commenting, assisting and encouraging conversation. You will be more than a Moderator, you will be recognized as a host and community leader.

- You must act in a professional manner, which includes the ability to control your own reactions, temper your own opinions, and sometimes bite your tongue until it bleeds.

- Be your club's biggest fan, both within the ALA online community and in other online communities. This is your club and your community - helping it thrive benefits everyone!


We appreciate your interest in becoming a Host Moderator for the American Livebearer Association online community. If you meet all requirements, contact Melody McKinnon, ALA Community Manager: MelodyM{at}AllNaturalPetCare.com. Please include all information as stated in the Moderator Guidelines and tell us why you'd like to be an ALA Moderator. You will receive confirmation that your e-mail was received, and you will be contacted when/if we require your service.

With your assistance, we look forward to developing a pleasant, informative environment.

The ALA Moderator Guidelines may be changed (upon ALA Board approval) at any time, and implemented without notice.

I sent in a application yesterday. I really hope I am made a moderator!