I just found out that being a moderator here in RR is not a paid job but rather a volunteer position. I had no idea; i just assumed those of ya'all who hold administrative positions here got a paycheck. Well, i wish i had known before. No way would i be someone who would want to be a mod or administrator here. It's a lot of work and i'm guessing a lot of hassles. and i imagine ya'all probably end up taking a lot of heat...goes along with the territory. Well, volunteers needed special recognition and special treatment. I've been a volunteer in one capacity or another most of my life (last 8 years i've been lazy in that regard though). When you spend your valuable time trying to make a contribution to society and don't get paid for it, well, you should be acknowledged. So i just would like to take this opportunity to thank our moderators and administrators, past and present, for the fantastic job ya'all do and have done! I can't imagine how difficult and frustrating it must be. So I just wanna say thank you for what you do to keep things running smoothly. hugz and salute

A lot of People give their "time"....unselfishly...I think You will discover Administration is Paid, same with Moderators....and Members make the Forum...lots of Members give their time freely...when there is Debate...not all runs smoothly...but...without Debate....what use is a Forum? Perhaps even to Write this will be deemed.....disrespectful.

I have been a moderator (we were called forum editors) on a forum that was UK based and it is not all roses it is hard work, and things sometimes get heated, controlling that is all part of the job, we were instructed never to delete an entire thread unless it had potential legal implications, our role was to locked a suspect threads, and remove posts that were slanderous or libellous, whilst it was investigated by the administrators, that way opinions were still there to be viewed. If after investigation it was decided it was to be removed, admin would remove it and leave a statement as to why it was removed in its place. Having said that RR is a little different that it is more of a 24/7 concern than the UK based form that I worked on, and therefore IMO needs more people to look over it 4 is not enough and 3 certainly isnt. I have great respect for all the mods/coords that work on the forum for what they do and the help they give, but at the same time we the members to a lot too and offer our advice and opinions, and IMO simply having it wiped away at the click of a mousse is not acceptable without explanation. Yes I accept I may not be received with kind thoughts but it IS my opinion and I am entitled to it.

I respect, admire & believe in every one of you... you know I'm with you guys... Ya'll are what makes this place great!! nothing wrong with voicing your opinions & disagreeing, would be a very sad day when we couldn't do that, let yourselves be heard!...
like the Whos down in Whoville...
we're here, we're here, WE'RE HERE! :]

(hey Sheila... what about us coords? hehe)

Yep....My Personal Opinion....a Thumbs Down...regarding the Removal of a Thread without Explanation...nothing wrong with agreeing and disagreeing....however...I believe it is Dictator like when the Thread is removed as was the Thread in Question. Why? Because it didn't suit someone in Power? Tsk Tsk...so...I believe the Sad Day has come and gone....leaving Me for one, in the dark...and shaking My Head at this new trend :[

I for one will not leave because the arrogant actions of one person. I love this site it is one of the best of its kind on the web, its UK counterpart doesnt ever scratch the surface, I really like the forum too. Would be good if recently commented subject went back to the top but you cant have everything! Still I could get suspended! You never know, but for me freedom of opinion is very important, if I spat my dummy out every time someone said something I didnt like I would sulk 24/7 lol

OK, all together, hip, hip, hurrah! And once again, hip, hip, hurrah! And... Oh, sorry, to small corps. Trying again, 3 times ok?

1. hip, hip, hurrah!
2. hip, hip, hurrah!
3. hip, hip, hurrah!

Indeed, it's a wonderful task you perform, many things behind the curtains but therefore making RR what it is with the crowdy mob of all those members here!

FYI -

For the past half hour I have been in the process of returning the thread in question to the Photo Forum - the process took that long due to the server problems that the Rosity site is currently undergoing.

Needless to say, I am very crushed by the posts referring to me as a dictator, sigh.

This has been a hell of a month for me so far - not only did my service dog die, after 3 weeks of round the clock nursing, but one of my best friends and fellow Rosity artist chucksiebuhr also lost a battle with cancer. Wed. night was my first full day back to work on the Rosity site.

After being online Wed. and spending all of that night and most of yesterday taking care of Rosity business, and especially to make sure that all the Challenge images were uploaded in the Photo Forum Gallery.

I admit that I was taken aback by the thread that was removed - I made a judgement call - as I felt that the thread was quickly becoming a Rosity Bashing Session.

I also admit that I was too hasty [due in part to emotional exhaustion, and lack of sleep] to remove the thread and have returned it to the forum. I apologize for any inconvience and/or angst that removal the thread may have caused.

I can promise you that I love the Rosity Community and its artist, and to call me a dictator, well - shrug. What can I say, but I had already been in the process of returning the removed thread, before I read the above commentary.

I'm human, and I admit I make mistakes. Again, I apologize for any feelings that were hurt in the removal of the thread.

Dee I think that most of us if not all of us are aware that you have had a tough time, and I appreciate that people can make decisions that are in retrospect a bad call. IMO returning the thread was a good move, making a statement as to why was an even better one. It takes a bigger person to apologise than it does to make a mistake. If you feel I have been harsh then sorry but I will stand by my comments and opinions. Simon

For a start....I used the Word "Dictator"...You have taken it upon Yourself to suggest....the Title refers to You Personally. Yesterday....I considered that I must have done something disrespectful...as I "Posted" a comment to Your Link....in the Thread.....which....is no longer in the Thread You have Re-Posted...then it was removed....both My Comment and Image....which was NOT dispespectful.....now...You imply that I am calling You a Dictator...well...shrug...back at ya....regardless of who removed the Thread or Image....I just expressed that I find it a "Dictator" like Method to remove such Thread without explaination.....to toss this back at Me...and State that I call You a Dictator...is....IMHO...unbelivebable. I am sorry you have had a rough time....but....if You expect an apology for calling You a Dictator....which I haven't...You are barking up the wrong Tree...habve a nice Day ;]

Dee... the stress you've been under & the workload you took on was too much to deal with all at once, we don't expect you to be superwoman... we've always been pretty open here in the photo forum, different people with different opinions & quirks... & sometimes we get totally OT... having the thread deleted like those people didn't matter just didn't sit well after some were still reeling from the news of Misha stepping down was announced... I realize you see this & appreciate you putting it back... no one means any disrespect, we know you have a heart & sorry you were hurt too... now can we please get on with making arty photos & having some fun around here... :]

Message edited on: 02/11/2005 14:03

hi. i just got home from work. i have exactly 2 minutes before i leave for my next job. let me say first of cindy, i certainly WAS including you and Doug as "moderators and administrators." It was my mistake that i used the word administrators when i meant "coordinators." I did not make this thread to acknowledge the real administrators of RR. i meant to say mods and coordinators. Oops. hugggggzzzzz please forgive my lapses!!! Secondly, i don't have time to read all this before work. i just skimmed, so i will come back later and write more. i might be wrong about mods and coordinators being volunteer positions. well, it's not my business whether you get paid or not and you don't need to tell me. that's you're private business. but my intention here was to acknowledge the following people for their hard work and dedication: Michelle, Misha, Dee-Marie, Cindy, and Doug. I'm confused about who gets paid here and who doesn't, but truly it doesn't matter. I wouldn't do your job for the world. That's all i have time to say for now except i luv and respect you guys. we will have conflicts. it happens. gotta go now. Hugz to all of you!!!! luv, sheila

I think a group huddle is called for?

Thank you Sheila Your gentle soul and kind words are very appreciated. Sincerely, Dee-Marie

nevermind... i didn't mean to suggest it was meant that those people didn't matter or anything else... i'm not being very professional... just being me... my apologies to all... later

Yes I appreciate the mods too. But all of these references to locked threads. Makes me think what happened THIS TIME!! Bsteph

Thanks Sheila... So far it is a good opportunity. Sometimes though, when you think you can just come on to comment and view all the photos,things start happening,so you have to leave the comments for the time being and take care of buisness. Everyones images are important to me for my learning and want to see them all.

-Peace :-)

I'm glad things have settled down. sigh of relief who wants cookies and milk now? I think this is one helluva a bunch of people. i really do. you mods and coordinators have such a tough job, and i should thank you guys more often. you guys should stick some gold stars all over your face or something!!! cindy, hope you have a bunch extra!!!! hugz Lick and Stick!!! You guys really do need pats on the back!!!!!! you do an awesome job!!! and as for the rest of us non-titled people (LOL!), well, i think we're all a great bunch of people too! more hugz!!! there's a lot of bonding and cohesiveness in here...a lot of friendship and closeness. that nice. well, we're also kinda like family, and sometimes we may have a spat or two. and sometimes we might say and do something that we might later feel sorry about. we ALL do. that's life. and all of us here are just being ourselves. i luv that! we're a diverse bunch and i love that we can be who we are here and let our hair down. ya know? all of us...mods, coords., members. dee-marie, i understand about emotional exhaustion and lack of sleep. been there, done that. it's not easy to deal with all that. just be gentle with yourself and try to get as much rest as you can. hugz anyway, like anngus said, let have group huddles (and huggles), and like cyn said, get back to the bizness of making photos and having fun! okay...i'm ready for those cookies and milk!!! group hugz sheila

group-hug

Now back to posting those images that make RR what it is!!! :):):)