Thoughts on current state of things?

Return to a more section oriented staffing structure

 

Sythe should make someone his spokesperson as he seem to have no time.

 

Lately I've realised @Sythe doesn't seem to have much time, or isn't as focused again on site.

When there's staff changes it would be nice if we could be aware of it.
Like if there's demotions and maybe a reason why.

I definitely feel staff are heavily report and dispute orientated, rather than focusing on sections, but I guess it depends what type of staff we have.

If we're planning to expand the base of Sythe then the staff need to incorporate that into how they work on site.

 

AFAIK that's never been the case (a news post for a single resignation/demotion), where would you suggest that we post those changes?

 

Doesn't necessarily have to be a news post. Com General ..Introductions/Farewells possibly? Just when there's small updates to the staffing team like an addition of a section.

 

We currently have this thread About Sythe.org Staff, Ranks and Titles

I've been trying to update it once a month but have been slacking personally, perhaps staff should just keep a closer eye on that thread?

 

Confused as to why a member was promoted who hasn't posted in almost 2 weeks (Oct 6, and before that it hasn't been since the beginning of September) and hasn't been on in 4 days.

Not trying to criticize just trying to get reasoning why someone with such little activity was promoted. Not only that, but he was promoted to 2 sections instead of the regular one?

 

We have moderator applications now (here: Moderator Applications)

Once a moderator app is submitted, and the requirements are met, Upper Staff automatically gets to vote on them.
Each new sectional is on a probationary period. If they mess up or something goes wrong, they will be demoted back to their prior position very quickly. (We're fairly strict on probationary sectionals)

As for your second question, new staff usually gets 1 section + market by default. Sometimes more for returning staff members.

 

I don't mind seeing ex-staff returning to a position since they're most likely going to be active and know what they're doing but I don't like how they're being given a position when they've done nothing to re-integrate with the community.

DarkSpark hasn't been active (other than short bursts of activity a few days a month recently) for 4 and a half years. I think recent activity should be considered for all applicants, not just new ones. If I only barely recognise his avatar from back when I bought membership on Sythe in 2011/2012 then I doubt many people active today know who he is.

That said I agree with the vast majority of staff decisions and it's nice to see that everyone (from an outside perspective) is being open to change.

 

Promoting someone who has been inactive for 4+ years and that only recently started posting again (1-2 posts every other day in the last few weeks) is definitely a step in the right direction

Edit: It's a total slap in the face for those of whom are active on a daily basis, particiapate in the community, and are dedicated to revive this site again, js

 

Same shit, different day. Stale.

 

So the staff automatically gets market moderator on top of another section? I'm just confused as to why two sections were dedicated to him (regardless of having the voting process). I don't see why activity wasn't taken into consideration. I understand there is the "probationary period", but really, there are other members, even ex-staff like SuF for instance (whether the staff dislike him or whatever, he is an intelligent member who can bring a lot to the table), who are more actively willing to help Sythe grow. Really, all this promotion does, and no offense to the member who was just promoted, but all it does is make members unsatisfied and causes moral to go down.

I'm not trying to be negative, but activity should play a requiring role in the voting process, such as certain guidelines on how active they are.

But I guess a lot has changed since I last was on. I trust the staff's judgement and I don't want to make an ordeal, just some unanswered questions I guess..

 

I stopped caring honestly.

I find myself writing rants and praise then just constantly backspacing it now adays.

Perhaps its how busy I am, I don't know anymore, I just don't feel like its worth while to bother writing anything supportive or constructive anymore, all it does is cause me problems.

I guess my only short feedback is that we were going uphill there for a while, the site had a sense of life and a lot of activity, this seems to be decreasing due to a variety of factors, I do believe staff is one of them, although the situation improved a lot, it seems like were going backwards again.

 

What about the staff do you think is making us go backwards as a site?

 

Not going to answer that.

I gave my opinion as detailed as it's going to get now adays, sorry.

Not ending up like SuF.

 

The only way the moderators can improve, is if you give them something to improve on. Even then, you're giving constructive feedback on the situation, or suppose to. The whole point of even making feedback posts is to give them your opinion on something and give some examples on how it could possibly be improved. Telling the staff "you guys suck" and not giving any explanation isn't the way to go.

If you've posted before on why you feel this way, my apologies I have not seen it, so if you could refer me to it that would be great.

 

Ultimately, the staff run this site, but without the members there would really be no point to the staff. With that being said, it works both ways -- without the staff, there would be no moderation happening. So, we both depend on each other. The reason why I am saying this is because I have seen a lot of unconstruction feedback which doesn't really help anybodies situation. If you think some members of the staff suck, then great, you can tell them but you need to give them a reason why they suck and an example how they can improve. I'm here to tell you that both, the staff members and members here aren't the highest quality they can be -- they can improve.

This mostly pertains to giving/receiving negative feedback.

Staff - I understand that a lot of feedback may not pertain to how you feel about yourself, or if you think someones feedback is "wrong" or unjust, but don't go on defending yourselves. Even if you have a grudge with members (in cases with SuF), allow yourself to listen to what they have to say and really think about it. You guys don't get paid, so really, you don't have to listen to any of what I am saying, but you are staff members because you care and support this site (hopefully that's the reason, and not because you're narcissistic and enjoy the power). Go in with peoples feedback and listen to what they say. Instead of getting defensive, allow yourself to see it as an opportunity to grow. I just see a lot of people, not just staff, get called out on something and not take ownership and just get completely defensive. With that being said, take feedback in without being defensive and be thankful that people want to see this site to grow, so they're working with you to help that happen.

Members - When giving feedback, don't point out personal flaws or attack the staff personally. Obtain a situation, and address it accordingly. Don't give vague feedback saying "you suck at moderating". Be more respectful and go into detail. An example of this would be, instead of saying "you suck at scam reports", you could go into detail about where they could have went wrong and give them ways that the situation could have been addressed differently.

Basically what I am trying to get at is: we need to work together to help this site grow. I like coming on, and I am sure you do too. The staff have been chosen for a reason (for the most part) and that's to help keep the site up and running, while having every section of the forums smoothy moderated coming together as a whole. For us to keep this site running, we need to have an attraction to new members and an incentive for older members to stay. We need to work together to keep this site up, and it all starts with having our forum leaders given proper feedback so they can improve themselves and address it professionally.

I hope this makes a little sense to everyone. It's only my opinion.

 

I'd like to see that change. There's no reason why an ex-staff member can't take a little bit of time our of their day for a few weeks to meet the newer members and get to know people if they're going to be active enough to hold a staff position.