Mentor Program - Writers Forum

Chrispian · 10-19-2004, 10:17 PM

You may notice a new rank floating under some peoples names lately: Mentor.

We are in the process of launching a Mentor program. We have selected several users to help us start the program, which has been designed to help welcome new members and guide existing members here on the forums.

We are finishing up the official duties of Mentors and fleshing out the program specifics, which we will be posting later this week.

In the mean time, these will be our first batch of Mentors. Congrats to them!

daniela
eleutheromaniac
Pawn
kryar
Selorian72
Aeryn
Kimberly Bird
Dark Aevin
Penelope

**Penelope** · 10-20-2004, 02:19 AM

Just out of curiousity, how far does the mentoring extend? Is it simply as an introduction on how to navigate the forums? Does it include advice on how to write effectively as well? If new members contact me via PM with questions may I still provide guidance or should I now direct them to the above individuals? I certainly don't want to trod on any toes by continuing in the manner with which I already respond to queries sent my way.

Chrispian · 10-20-2004, 09:07 AM

Pen,

We are still writing up all the duties, but Mentors are mainly here to provide help with the site and help focus our effeorts in certain areas. You are welcome to help people and I hope every writer puts in as much work as you do helping other members. You posting your work and giving back by helping is exactly what this site is about - writers helping writers. The Mentors are here to help guide members regarding site issues, welcome new users, help focus threads when they go off topic.. that sort of thing.

I'll be posting the details as soon as we are done polishing them up.

-Chris

**Penelope** · 10-20-2004, 07:43 PM

Quote:

help focus threads when they go off topic..

Forgive me for saying so but that sounds ominous. I've posted some threads that have gone off topic and it's never bothered me sometimes I've been the one doing the veering in fact. Is this really an issue that needs addressing? I do believe everyone should feel welcome and comfortable but as most sites there is an ebb and flow of members. Of course I can exercise my options like anyone else but I'd rather not be concerned about breaching rules which might be better left never imposed. hmm .. I wonder how this comment might be taken. Oh to hell with it, I'm going to make it anyhow.

thelatemitchellwarren · 10-20-2004, 08:18 PM

I think I understood the implication right away.

And I understand why an administrator/moderator has to take action sometimes to keep the forum guys or the topic itself from becoming too contentious.

But a politically correct forum has never been my cup of tea. Been fun guys.

Farror · 10-20-2004, 08:28 PM

Heh, poor suckers, you're just being robbed of your little green squares.

**Penelope** · 10-20-2004, 08:32 PM

Are you referring to me with your post Farror? If so, take a hike! I never said I was going anywhere and yet you insist on using the plural instead of singular. You also make mention of something I've specifically highlighted during my time at the forums. I take exception to your comment.

Is this the way it has to be? Anyone who voices a concern is mocked by you? Great!

Farror · 10-20-2004, 08:39 PM

Actually Pen, I was refering to those made into mentors. I was saying they where losing their green boxes.

I know you expected the entire forum to flair up because you dared to challenge the "mentor program" but you don't have to lash out at anyone who comments.

Chrispian · 10-20-2004, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Penelope

Quote:

help focus threads when they go off topic..

Forgive me for saying so but that sounds ominous. I've posted some threads that have gone off topic and it's never bothered me sometimes I've been the one doing the veering in fact. Is this really an issue that needs addressing? I do believe everyone should feel welcome and comfortable but as most sites there is an ebb and flow of members. Of course I can exercise my options like anyone else but I'd rather not be concerned about breaching rules which might be better left never imposed. hmm .. I wonder how this comment might be taken. Oh to hell with it, I'm going to make it anyhow.

Lol. I think your reading too much into this. We totally encourage people to go off topic in most places on this forum. It's fine, totally. I don't want to spill all the beans yet because we are still cooking them up

But as to keeping things on topic, I mean helping spark conversations, answering questions, and that sort of thing. Also, when a thread does get out of hand, which they do from time to time, if it's a minor thing they can help by posting and pointing the conversation back in the right direction. If its major they'll send the thread to the moderators to have a look. In that capacity, they are an extra set of eyes to help watch out for any trouble, but we don't get too much trouble around here, thank goodness.

The goal of Mentors is help grow the content of this site, not to police it. Moderators are here for that and luckily our biggest pain is spam (like most forums). They will focus on growing the community side of things. They don't have the ability to delete or edit anything, though once they prove themselves they will be given the ability to move topics. That's the only other real problem we have is when someone posts, say, an introduction in the news & announcements forums. They'll just move it where it belongs.

I'm a mentor at Sitepoint.com and it's where the idea came from.

I'm extremly excited about the Mentor program. It's not a moderation program so don't fret over that. I'm sure we'll have to tweak our moderation scheme as the site gets bigger, but I like it the way it is and I think everyone else does too.

-Chris

**Penelope** · 10-20-2004, 09:23 PM

To Farror - I apologize for my comments. Of course I'd be touchy about your comment regarding little green squares. However, they aren't all that makes my presence at the forums so frequent. It's the people and the freedom.

To Chrispian - You know how much I value the freedom of the forums. I am going to defend that vociferously because, to my mind, it's what fosters inspiration. The more interaction is moderated, the more stifled people become.

bobothegoat · 10-20-2004, 09:32 PM

Well, now we don't have an ink slinger anymore, though I guess we can still consider you an unofficial ink slinger. You have the signiture for it.

edit: I must admit, the purple bars make me green with envy... I wish mine were purple...

**Penelope** · 10-20-2004, 09:47 PM

Comrade Bobo - You know, I was so hoping I could claim some connection with you by adopting the purple bars. Please tell me that I'm worthy of the colour.

bobothegoat · 10-20-2004, 09:50 PM

well, seeing as how it's a lighter shade of purple, I guess that's okay

.

daniela · 10-20-2004, 10:57 PM

Chrispian: I cannot thank you enough for making me a part of the Mentor program; in fact, I probably will thank you several more times before the week is out. It is great to have a chance to give something back to the forums.

Farror: I gladly gave up the little green squares under my name to have a chance at helping WritingForums.com grow. Unfortunately, I now have to deal with the problem of the tattoo on my forehead. Maybe I can have those squares changed to purple too.

Penelope: Welcome to the team! It just would not be the same if you had declined your invitation. I look forward to working with you and the rest of the Mentors.

--DM--

eleutheromaniac · 10-20-2004, 11:37 PM

Quote:

But a politically correct forum has never been my cup of tea. Been fun guys.

Mitch, I'm insulted that you would think I would be a part of a PC gestopo; if that's what the mentor program winds up becoming, I'll have to bid ado, too.

From what I understand, the mentor program will just be about trying to maintain a higher standard and keep more focus on helping writers.