Posted by Forum Director 1 [ForumDirector1] on April 07, 1999 at 11:09:36 {HTWDI6pmYgxdH8gSUjLYVpjcwnfdqw}:
Recently Rick introduced H2O�s Forum Director Program within which individuals are recruited to assist in maintaining this site. In order for participants to better understand this new role I am providing details of H2O�s guidelines for this role along with some personal comments.
First of all participants should know how to contact me. In order to expedite matters I have chosen an email address that is most easily assessable for me and provides a direct line of communication for you. My email address is [email protected]. My availability will be determined by personal circumstances. In the future other Forum Directors will likewise advise H2O participants of their email preference and availability.
Forum Director responsibilities are mainly to direct the day to day affairs of moderators, �referee� disputes related to moderator activity (including issuance of clarification, advice and warnings to moderators and termination of detrimental moderation) and application of H2O�s Forum Participation Policy (FPP), recruit new moderators, and other duties at the request of H2O administrators. H2O participants should be particularly interested in the Forum Directors responsibility of refereeing what is either acceptable, in a gray area, absolutely disallowed, or off-topic for H2O.
Many have cited the need to revamp H2O�s FPP. Undertaking the task of defining acceptable participation on a forum such as this is daunting, to say the least. Considering the diversity of participants and sensitivities unique to this site�s intended audience together with the intentions of H2O�s founders and benefactors, putting a participation policy only into writing is perhaps inadequate. What H2O needs is a living and breathing FPP. Basically H2O benefactors believe the current FPP is fine as long as its intent is understood. Most occasions where H2O�s FPP causes disruption result when an intention understood by moderators or participants is not shared. On those occasions those who are assigned as Forum Directors will essentially arbitrate the issue at hand. One duty of Forum Directors is that of identifying the middle and outside ground of H2O�s FPP with the middle ground being the spirit of that document and the outside ground the absolute limits of acceptability, and interpreting how those two ideas interrelate for acceptability. Obviously the �outside ground� is precarious depending upon an infinite combination of factors. It is the area of �outside ground� that I suspect will create the real challenges.
For many and diverse reasons it is imperative that all participants realize and respect H2O�s need for a participation policy. When moderators or participants have disputes over FPP violations or moderator activity we ask that you email those concerns to a Forum Director. Presently there is only one Forum Director, me, Forum Director 1. In time, and with participant�s cooperation, H2O�s administrators will add new Forum Directors as the need arises. If you feel qualified for this responsibility and are in a position to assist, I encourage that you volunteer as either Moderators or Forum Directors. Together we can accomplish a great deal, perhaps more than you realize.
Notwithstanding that already said, from time to time it could be that some written change is needed in H2O�s FPP in order to better serve the intentions of this site. On those occasions H2O administrators have requested that I make the change. I assure you that that action will not be taken hastily.
You should know in advance that H2O is not about promoting atheism. H2O�s benefactors believe in and have faith in God, our Creator, and want to encourage thinking positively about Him. However, we believe that that faith is useless unless it can withstand tests. To that end we desire to steer this board toward thinking positively about belief in God while simultaneously allowing board participants to respectfully debate with those who might not believe in God.
I have no intention of overdoing anything as an H2O Forum Director. Like most, I have a life and associated responsibilities, including a personal responsibility to take care of myself. Lately we have all seen results from what some like to call burnout; it can happen to anyone. If I feel that I am approaching such an end I will unreservedly and immediately resign this volunteer work. Please, understand that I have accepted this role to further the purpose of H2O�s existence. If you understand and appreciate the H2O environment then you should likewise understand that everyone�s cooperation is needed in order to maintain this confidential forum for Jehovah�s Witnesses and other interested ones to meet and discuss matters.
On a personal note, some participants may feel they know who I am. I ask that you refrain from speculating about my identity on this forum because presently this could inhibit my work. I do not want my workings as an H2O Forum Director to deteriorate to personal issues. My volunteering for this work is for you, not for me. Plus, the H2O forum is not about me. If you find something particularly disturbing about my actions I request that you first email me for an explanation before causing what might be an unnecessary stir on one of H2O�s bulletin boards. When deciding issues as an H2O Forum Director, I have been asked to exercise my own judgment. However, in that capacity, I will be focusing on H2O�s needs rather than my own views while keeping with H2O�s stated purpose. The intent is that of furthering H2O�s helpfulness to its intended audience and those in need. Up front I yield that my decisions may not always be the best so, that being said, I will always feel compelled to hear dissenting views. One goal for Forum Directors is that of keeping needless distraction away from H2O�s main board. Hopefully most work of Forum Directors will happen behind the scenes, but not in the dark. Forum Directors should seek input but will not shrink back from expressing the needs of this forum.
�The stated purpose of this site is for positive discussion among Jehovah's Witnesses and other interested persons. All such ones are encouraged to express thoughts, ideas, and concerns related to any aspect of worship of our heavenly Father, Jehovah God. As part of the effort to create an environment that promotes a strong relationship with Jehovah as well as a thirst for deeper, relevant understanding of his word��
Hopefully the work of Forum Directors will provide more stability for the above-restated purpose of H2O.
Current participants may have reservations about H2O�s addition of Forum Directors. Just as with anything else new, there will be a learning curve to be overcome. We request that everyone give this new role time for develop.
At this time I wish to express my appreciation to all those volunteers who serve as moderators and to reassure you that H2O administrators have in no way compromised your identities. Likewise, I wish to thank H2O contributors (economic and documentary); without you the H2O environment would not exist. It takes all of us.
Forum Director 1 (FD1)