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General Discussion => Forum Issues and User Help => Chat with Moderators => : DaveW Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 14:07:37

: Appeals process.
: DaveW Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 14:07:37
: BondServantBefore posting on this forum all members should read Da Rules.  Seriously, if you haven't yet, go read them.

When moderators notice the rules being broken, they have many tools at their disposal.  They can lock the thread until tempers cool, remove a thread that is in violation, issue a gentle (or a stern) reminder or they can increase the warning level for the offending user(s).  A user's warning level affects how he or she can participate in this forum.  At different levels, certain restrictions are put into place.

First, the user is placed on a watch list.  Next, the user's posts are moderated.  That is, they will not appear on the forum for all to see until a moderator approves the post.  After that, a user will be muted.  He or she will not be able to post at all.  Finally, as a last resort, and after many, many chances (this is a grace-centered forum after all), the use will be completed banned.

While most of you will spend your entire time here without ever receiving one, if you do receive a warning, and you believe it to be unfair, here are some do's and don'ts:

DO:  PM a moderator and privately ask for clarification about the warning.
DON'T:  Make a post on this forum about how the moderators are being unfair to you.

DO:  Show the moderator in a polite and respectful manner why you feel the warning is not warranted.
DON'T:  Tell the moderators that they are not being fair because other people were violating the rules as well.

DO:  Follow the rules and show the moderation team that you warrant having your warning level lowered through your actions.
DON'T:  Publicly call out a moderator and claim you are being warned due to your beliefs instead of your actions.

I have read the rules and these specifics of "Do" and "Don't " are not in there in this specific terms.

They should be.  They are good and should be that clearly stated.  2.6 is not as clear as this is.

But that is actually not an appeals process.

An appeal is where you take something to the next higher authority and both (or all if more than 2) present a case.  These rules only apply to the first level of disagreement.

IS there an appeals process where an issue can be taken to someone ABOVE the moderators?  I see nothing in the rules concerning that.
: Re: Appeals process.
: DaveW Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 14:19:57
LOL - In refreshing myself on the rules, I noticed that it is against TOS to claim someone is not saved if they claim salvation in Jesus/Yeshua. I have been told that and worse because I am a Messianic by several here on this board - including someone a year or 2 ago telling everyone how to evangelize messianics.

I have always kinda laughed it off.  Is that something that you guys want me to report?
: Re: Appeals process.
: Texas Conservative Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 15:10:25
send a PM to Admin to go beyond the first level of mods.  Mods can and do err, although most do their best to balance posting and moderation.
: Re: Appeals process.
: Nevertheless Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 18:36:49
: DaveW  Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 14:19:57
LOL - In refreshing myself on the rules, I noticed that it is against TOS to claim someone is not saved if they claim salvation in Jesus/Yeshua. I have been told that and worse because I am a Messianic by several here on this board - including someone a year or 2 ago telling everyone how to evangelize messianics.

I have always kinda laughed it off.  Is that something that you guys want me to report?

That's entirely up to you.  It apparently doesn't offend you too much. But if one person repeatedly makes such statements I'd recommend that you report it.

We do act without a report when we see violations, but we don't see everything.

TC is correct. If you do not get a satisfactory answer from the mods, you can send a PM to Admin. He generally leaves the site moderation up to us, but does step in when he disagrees with our actions. He is the owner of the site, so there is no appeal beyond him.
: Re: Appeals process.
: DaveW Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 18:47:33
OK that is great.  Thanks!
: Re: Appeals process.
: trifecta Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 18:49:01
 ::smile::
: DaveW  Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 14:19:57
LOL - In refreshing myself on the rules, I noticed that it is against TOS to claim someone is not saved if they claim salvation in Jesus/Yeshua. I have been told that and worse because I am a Messianic by several here on this board - including someone a year or 2 ago telling everyone how to evangelize messianics.

I have always kinda laughed it off.  Is that something that you guys want me to report?

Hey, DaveW. What's a Messianic?     

Yeah, it would be nice if people followed the rules, but it is more important to agree with me  ::smile::
: Re: Appeals process.
: DaveW Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 19:10:20
: trifecta  Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 18:49:01
Hey, DaveW. What's a Messianic?     

Jews who stay Jews but believe that Jesus / Yeshua is the Messiah and Son of God.

Do a web search on Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations or Messianic Jewish Alliance and read their statement of beliefs.

Yeah, it would be nice if people followed the rules, but it is more important to agree with me  ::smile::
Wouldn't it now?  ::smile::
: Re: Appeals process.
: k-pappy Sun Oct 27, 2013 - 21:34:59
Dave,

The first step is to take the issue to the moderator in question.

If that does not get the result you desire, than you can take it to another moderator.

Finally, if you still do not get the result you desire, you can send a PM to admin with the issue.

Please be sure to follow the do's and don'ts above in all steps.

Bond
: Re: Appeals process.
: DaveW Mon Oct 28, 2013 - 05:43:32
Thanks.

At this point I have made no accusation against anyone.  Hopefully I will not have to.
I am just familiarizing myself with the proper process in case it comes up.
: Re: Appeals process.
: notreligus Tue Oct 29, 2013 - 11:32:22
I have written to the Amin and copied two moderators with an appeal.   Weeks ago.  Never have received a reply.
: Re: Appeals process.
: JohnDB Tue Oct 29, 2013 - 14:49:06
Admin is an extremely busy Christian businessman. He allows us, the all volunteer moderators, to treat others and this site well. We are personally interested in seeing fair moderation applied to everyone except trolls and spammers. (they get no grace or reprieve)

We mods wish to see this site do well as this is a forum we have long enjoyed being a part of.

We enjoy as many membets participating in this forum as possible. Moderated posts are and have been a "last ditch effort" to save a member's membership with us in hopes they will conform to this sites rules.
: Re: Appeals process.
: FireSword Tue Oct 29, 2013 - 16:49:30
: notreligus  Tue Oct 29, 2013 - 11:32:22
I have written to the Amin and copied two moderators with an appeal.   Weeks ago.  Never have received a reply.

Same here
: Re: Appeals process.
: notreligus Thu Oct 31, 2013 - 22:01:11
: JohnDB  Tue Oct 29, 2013 - 14:49:06
Admin is an extremely busy Christian businessman. He allows us, the all volunteer moderators, to treat others and this site well. We are personally interested in seeing fair moderation applied to everyone except trolls and spammers. (they get no grace or reprieve)

We mods wish to see this site do well as this is a forum we have long enjoyed being a part of.

We enjoy as many membets participating in this forum as possible. Moderated posts are and have been a "last ditch effort" to save a member's membership with us in hopes they will conform to this sites rules.

Thanks.  I know you are trying to be fair, and I don't want special attention.

I have contacted the Admin twice about making donations without using PayPal.   I have concluded that he does not want my money or perhaps he just wants me to leave the forum (at least one person has made his best effort to get rid of me).  One can't know when he is gets no answers.   I copied two moderators with my last message to the Admin and neither of them has answered.   I don't think this is the right place to discuss this and I would not say as much as I have said if someone would answer.

As far as being busy, everyone I know is busy and has a lot going on in their lives.   
: Re: Appeals process.
: Mere Nick Fri Nov 01, 2013 - 21:19:41
: notreligus  Thu Oct 31, 2013 - 22:01:11
I have contacted the Admin twice about making donations without using PayPal.   I have concluded that he does not want my money

Logic therefore dictates you should send it to me instead, mmm hmm.