TalkBoard Topics - Do TB member get any undisclosed perks from IB or travel companies?

I heard that IB sponsored a mod-Do in Boston recently and gave mods a stipend to pay for travel.

More interestingly, I heard that some major hotel chains are comping FT mods top tier status.

I am not asking about the mods activities since this is not the place for that, but in light of what I heard, I would like to know if TB members get travel stipends from IB and/or if they get status from travel product providers for their service.

This might make a run for the TB far more attractive!!!

Thanks.

My TB salary remains unchanged since I began serving on TalkBoard and is the same as yours when you retired.

That's too bad. A token of appreciation might make the thankless task of TB memberhip less thankless!

Although I suppose it might raise some questions about impartiality.

I think as long as the spiff was disclosed it would be acceptable. Trying to keeping it secret would be more likely to raise concerns. @:-)

Although I suppose it might raise some questions about impartiality.

I think as long as the spiff was disclosed it would be acceptable. Trying to keeping it secret would be more likely to raise concerns. @:-)

The impartiality issue would be huge for me. Even more so for a mod, if he/she was granted status just for their FT position.

I believe full disclosure would be prudent, for both TB and the mods.

The impartiality issue would be huge for me. Even more so for a mod, if he/she was granted status just for their FT position.

I believe full disclosure would be prudent, for both TB and the mods.

The answer has been given for TalkBoard.

As for the moderators, that's irrelevant and off-topic in this forum.

The answer has been given for TalkBoard.

As for the moderators, that's irrelevant and off-topic in this forum.

Not necessary off-topic, IMO. You have some TB members who are also moderators.

If a TB member who is also a moderator takes in some sort of "benefit" (whether monetary, status, or something else) as a result of his/her moderator position, does that not give even a slight impression of impropriety in terms of being impartial in his/her TB duties?

Not necessary off-topic, IMO. You have some TB members who are also moderators.

If a TB member who is also a moderator takes in some sort of "benefit" (whether monetary, status, or something else) as a result of his/her moderator position, does that not give even a slight impression of impropriety in terms of being impartial in his/her TB duties?

It is irrelevant as to whether a TalkBoard member serves in any other capacity. There is no prohibition against such service.

Questions about moderators or moderation should be directed to the Community Director. The TalkBoard has no purview over moderators or moderation. @:-)

My TB salary remains unchanged since I began serving on TalkBoard and is the same as yours when you retired.
A salary is different than a stipend toward travel expenses. Therefore, it's a non-answer ;)

A salary is different than a stipend toward travel expenses. Therefore, it's a non-answer ;)

I received the same or fewer perqs for serving on TalkBoard that the OP did when he was on TalkBoard. :p

It is irrelevant as to whether a TalkBoard member serves in any other capacity.

while there are not a lot of TB votes, i think the question was about things impacting those votes.

If UA or AA would grant me top-tier status for being on TalkBoard, would I be less likely to vote to close their forum? This is of course a purely hypothetical question, although I suppose I can dream. The answer is No: 0-0=0.

TB members, moderator, and FT members alike are not for sale. We are opinionated SOBs. While we normally state our opinions politely, those opinions are honest and based on what the company offers to the public.

Anyone who has followed the Southwest forum over the past two years will tell you that regulars have become disenchanted with that company. We would remain so even if Southwest tried to buy us off without offering the same deal to all customers.

I have attended one in-person TB meeting, and I don't recall receiving anything other than hearty thanks from IB. I was happy to have had the opportunity, and I know it benefited the membership. I presented an outline of the forum creation guidelines at that meeting, and now we have a process that is making it simpler than ever to create a new forum when needed.

Should IB pay expenses for meetings of TB? Maybe, but that's their call. Should they then make that information public? I would, but again, it's their call. Should IB pay for people's time to attend? Not in my opinion, as if that would ever happen. FTers love to talk and we'll do it for free. In short, this thread is much ado about nothing.

while there are not a lot of TB votes, i think the question was about things impacting those votes.

The question as to TalkBoard members being compensated has been answered.

Any questions regarding TalkBoard members wearing other hats on FlyerTalk is beyond the purview of the TalkBoard and should be directed to the Community Director, regardless of the motive for asking the question(s).

We are opinionated SOBs.

I agree completely. :p

Speaking only for myself I would be disappointed if there were perks given to TB members that weren't publicly disclosed.

I received the same or fewer perqs for serving on TalkBoard that the OP did when he was on TalkBoard. :p
But a stipend isn't a perquisite :)

You do realize that by not answering the question being asked, you're answering it, right? :D

Any questions regarding TalkBoard members wearing other hats on FlyerTalk is beyond the purview of the TalkBoard and should be directed to the Community Director, regardless of the motive for asking the question(s).

In other words, it is SSI, right?

Gee, Ma, that is just like the TSA. :D

But a stipend isn't a perquisite :)

You do realize that by not answering the question being asked, you're answering it, right? :D

Actually, I'm letting the OP answer it, since he brought it up.

I don't think there's much more to read into this.

In other words, it is SSI, right?


No, it's respecting the wishes of the Community Director, as we've been asked to do. It's unfortunate that some are either unable or unwilling to do so.

Then again, it seems like the same small group that had trouble respecting Randy's wishes on this subject has chronic difficulty with it.

Actually
No, it's respecting the wishes of the Community Director, as we've been asked to do.

The Community Director has asked you not to reveal whether or not mods are getting pay or perks?

Or do you mean that the Community Director has asked you not to reveal anything at all about how the mods operate, which would, indeed, be the equivalent of the TSA's SSI.

The Community Director has asked you not to reveal whether or not mods are getting pay or perks?


This is the TalkBoard forum, not the moderator forum.

Not only is such a question off-topic here, it should be directed to the Community Director, as she's requested regarding questions about moderators and moderator action.

I trust you know how to use PM and/or email.

I trust you know how to use PM and/or email.

The problem with PM or e-mail is that if I should get a reply, I would still be the only one who knew the answer. As demonstrated by other posts in this thread, I am not the only member who would like to know.

Frankly, I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind the secrecy vis-a-vis moderation and its policies. (Yes, I can understand not wanting personal attacks made on moderators, but that is a different matter completely.)

The problem with PM or e-mail is that if I should get a reply, I would still be the only one who knew the answer. As demonstrated by other posts in this thread, I am not the only member who would like to know.

Others who wish to ask this or similar question are able to do the same thing if they so choose. In fact, it's the same venue that Randy and now Carol have been pretty clear about asking people to use. It's pretty clear that a small group of people just can't seem to follow directions no matter how clearly stated those directions are.

Frankly, I have never been able to understand the reasoning behind the secrecy vis-a-vis moderation and its policies.

Yeah. We know. Pity you need to continually bring it up, especially in a forum that has been very clearly identified as the wrong place to bring it up.

For the sake of clarification, I would very much hope that moderaters are being paid -- but by Internet Brands, not by any businesses which are being discussed in the forums they moderate.

If they are receiving any pay or perks from any business discussed on FT (even if that is not on a forum which they moderate) that should be announced when and if they run for TalkBoard. It might well place them in a conflict-of-interest situation.

It's pretty clear that a small group of people just can't seem to follow directions no matter how clearly stated those directions are.


Yup, I have seen TSA screeners say the exact same thing on the TSS Forum.

Let me speak to the issue as regards the moderators. Much to do is being made about very little.

The moderators recently held their 13th workshop in Boston. They now occur once per year. The moderators who are able to attend give up a weekend to gather together for a workshop where they share forum best practices, learn about board moderation tools, work through case studies, and receive updates and assistance from Internet Brands. Moderators themselves provide the labor to prepare presentations, to be on panels, and to run the workshop. In other words, it's a full on work day. It's run as well as any corporate meeting in which I've participated.

Randy provided a stipend when he ran the meetings. Internet Brands now does this. This helps offset part of the out-of-pocket expenses associated with attending. It’s never come close to covering the total expenses – but that’s indicative of the commitment of our volunteer corps of moderators. They give up a weekend to travel and attend (some from as far as Europe and Asia), and bear the majority of the costs themselves. They do that to develop their skills so they can better help each one of you.

On some occasions, airline and hotel programs have donated ‘door prizes’ that are given away to attending moderators via drawing. Over the years these have included a small number of miles, free hotel nights and hotel elite status. They are fairly nominal, but it's always fun to have your name drawn. It adds a little energy to the day. Last year, Randy pitched in a trip to the House of Miles, covering air fare and hotel. This year, mods themselves brought small gifts from their home city for a raffle.

That’s all there is to it. Anyone who signs up to be a moderator for the perqs of the once-a-year moderator workshop will quickly be disappointed. The workload far exceeds the perqs.

Since this is now asked and answered, I will close the thread.