beaubo: I know nothing of this 'Best Moderator Practices' document of which you speak. But the idea behind this initiative is that if we identify and encourage the type of behavior that you yourself (and nearly all moderators) exemplify then that will make your job that much easier. Really it says nothing at all about you or any other moderator or the job you do/have done. Do you take it that way? Are you insulted that the TB might want to identify, encourage and 'reward' helpful and positive posters????

nsx: same to you. I know you do an incredible job being welcoming and positive. So what's wrong with identifying other posters who do the same and giving them a shiny gold star so others can see and hopefully even want to emulate them!? I disagree with you about the differences between moderators and ambassadors. All it takes to be an ambassador is a kind and giving attitude. As spelled out in the 'Best Moderator Practices' document about which I know nothing it takes a heck of a larger commitment to be a moderator. So try not to think of ambassadors as "jr. moderators." They are not meant to be. Think of it as a shiny gold star that one gets to wear on their shirt identifying them as a welcoming, helpful poster. The sort of star that all moderators and TB members are supposed to be wearing in addition to our other duties as assigned as well in any case.

And as I noted above,nsx, I certainly do appreciate your thoughtful suggestion about allowing local forums to nominate ambassadors. But I simply don't think Randy would allow a thread such as that when it would create such a huge potential for personal attacks. One of Randy's goals, whether it is stated in the best practices or not, is to try prevent situations where people are going to be tempted to get themselves suspended. And I fear that the sort of process that you are suggesting (and that, as I say, I would otherwise wholeheartedly support) would be viewed as just that.

That said, I do not reject the suggestion...or any other constructive suggestion. To the contrary, keep them coming!