Originally Posted by magic111

Having been a referee for almost 3 decades I have always seen being a moderator somewhat similar although there is a lot more being a librarian involved than athletic prowness.

Besides disagreeing with the sticky part the only thing I believe it is missing is some teeth for those that for whatever reason desire to have repeated Eric Cartman moments. Post deletion IME is not enough and I would hate to send somebody off for continued infractions in a thread they believed would only lead to a post deletion due to the TOS writing.

I would suggest inserting something that would cover those very few who would desire to ruin something that "potentially" might assist FT going forward (emphasis on potentially.) It probably should surprise nobody but actions that a moderator may have taken have led to multiple cussing emails, having their email address registered to porn sites and/or even physical threats.

Since SanDiego1K has already stated in this thread that she is committed to being more responsive than Randy might have been (and I will agree although have read somewhere that someone did not receive a response) there really isn't a worry IME that a moderator would "potentially" overstep their bounds. If the individual did it is simple enough to send an appeal.

Back to being a referee. You can complain about the referee but not publicly, especially right after they blew the whistle. The complaint must be done in private with the league authorities. If done publicly in a professional league one would have to pay a fine sanctioned by the league governing authority. Amateur leagues have sanctions that do not involve money for a violation.

If referees are found to be overstepping their bounds or not properly applying the "Laws of the game"they are removed from any further assignments. As long as I have been a volunteer moderator Randy and now SanDiegoIK have done the same for moderators. (Note this is not implying in anyway that every moderator who has had that title removed from under their name was forcibly removed. Many left for other reasons just as referees quit officiating.)

Footnote -- Moderators advise for TOS input. The final decision has always rested at the top. IIRC the first TOS was written before there were moderators.