[Michael]

We can admit that it doesnt exist but like as predictable as the sun rises in the morning, its predictable that the divide between members and staff becomes more apparant not only with every contriversal decision, but with every slightly abrupt or overpowering staff comment; so how do you try and soften this divide? I tend to allow members more power when it comes to making forum wide decisions making them feel as though their voice isnt insignificant at all and that we actually value their feedback and input. Any other ideas or suggestions you implement?

[SnaKKer]

I regularily ask for member input on stuff, and I have a thread as an "office" for people to bring in problems and issues they want my opinion on. The mods hold higher impact on my decisions, but the final say usually comes down to myself and the other admins. The owner Howie does very little on the forum, he trusts us to make the decisions in the best interest of the forum.

[+ Ryan]

Demote the staff members to members. Find new staff. One good thing about staff is that it is replacable. The cold reality is that your staff is technically just there to serve you and your board. So if they get defective, they they're out.

[KingSpade]

Easily done for quite a few private boards I participate with. Drop the staff titles and drop the viewing of such. Make it appear as if even staff are just normal members.

The same question, although of different format, was asked at a few of those boards. This seemed to fix things real quick and now most do not even notice.

[Lord-Adriel]

machiavelli XD


Actually, though. Approach it as you would politics. Don't let staff trample all over your members. It's important for staff to have control, but more important for them to know how to use that control wisely.

Putting everything up to polls, however, makes your staff look indecisive and weak. Make decisions. Present them solidly but always be ready to fall back to the old ways.

[SnaKKer]

Give your mods a chance to prove themselves too... give them special projects and stuff to work on, keeps the boring lock/delete job interesting.

[Rik]

I regularly post up polls, do Member Poll Of The Week kinda jazz. See what they want in polls only. But other than that nothing really, I feel they need to work to get into staff to really make an influence.

[n3x]

Member of the week, month etc. is ok to do, but doesn't tell you if there staff material. First I ask if they'd like to be staff before I make them it.

Second, I always keep about 2 staff for 6 months or more, because if they do good then they should get something... I also, when we have a money system, pay them about 100 posts worth of the currency each day.

I'm the nicest admin - ever! lol! * Gets kicked in the shin by mike*... Sorry m8. Second

[Michael]

Originally Posted By: SnaKKer Give your mods a chance to prove themselves too... give them special projects and stuff to work on, keeps the boring lock/delete job interesting.

Hmm i like this idea, would keep Staff members energy and excitement consistant throughout. Any feedback for us as to what sort of Special Projects you have set your staff as of yet?

[+ Ryan]

Special Projects.. Hmm.

Well, how about a new skin/images plan or layout that all the mods could work on? Or a new policy on the forum that they could all approve of? Things like that would keep the staff busy, and probably more likely to stay active and ... staff-worthy, I suppose.