Happy New Year(s), Holidays and salutations, Randy.
Could you please update us 'volunteer applicants' and interested FTers with your thoughts on forums without an official moderator?

With the growth of FT (the page views etc) and new users, I figure it might be a good time to update us on how you come to decide that there is a need for a 'new' applicant to fill an existing or new volunteer position.

Perhaps an explanation that some forums have 'no moderator' by choice or good management / good forum ambassadors in the old info you've given to applicants in the TalkModerator applicant information/application page.

I'd guess (but could be quite wrong) that you're alerted to, or become aware, of forums that might need someone to be there to help/welcome newbies, help to restructure/organise/simplify information in a forum, or just be there to oversee some aspect of the forum, due to lots of PMs and RBP messages.

I would also guess that this is done on a case by case basis - but could be wrong again.
Maybe it's an agenda item for catch-ups/ meetings / private forum?

I'm just asking because there were a couple of queries recently.

My question is just to raise the issue in case it's worthwhile posting a link on the volunteer page link, which explains why some forums are self-policing (i.e. under the purview of yourself and Senior Mods) - even if they are popular, while others either need volunteers or have them anyway.

Apologies if this info already exists.
[The form letter reply to applicants, vis. having no formal shedule, and the quarterly review of need for more volunteers still stands, I suppose. Hopefully applications are kept on file and the process continues per the letter's explanation]

Recent questions:
Why there is no moderators by NYC Forums?
No moderator on the Avis board

In addition, there was a thread (now closed) announcement of new mods to the Intercontinental forum.
There were a few issues raised there, later answered.

Thanks Randy, welcome back and I (albeit realistically) live in hope I (and other applicants) will be tapped one day, as required (or told not to bother!).

We have closed it pending his review and response

thanks

squeakr and cblaisd
co mods ORP