Credit where credit is due.

[SoftWareRevue]

I'm for rewarding members that have proven to be an asset to the community. However, I'm not sold much on an automated system based on post count and/or join date.

I've been thinking about moderators selecting members that they feel deserve a promotion of privliges.

My question is; do you think other members would feel resentment or harbor other ill feelings towards the promoted members or the staff that promoted them?

[B33R]

I'm definitely in favour of moderators picking their favourites for a promotion rather than a post count or join date based promotion.

To answer your question: It depends on the size of the forum - if it's WHT sized I don't think many people would even realise.
If it's FU sized, I don't think there would be much of a problem unless the promoted member had very few posts or was disliked for spamming, stirring or just generally being aggressive.

It's possible some of the oldest productive members may feel hurt because someone was promoted before them, but I'm sure they'll get over it (with a bit of TLC ;))

[writespeak]

I'm not sold much on an automated system based on post count and/or join date.

I agree with you there. Quality and quantity are not the same. Of course some members have both, but one doesn't necessarily go with the other.

I've been thinking about moderators selecting members that they feel deserve a promotion of privliges.

What kind of privileges would they get? If it were a bigger PM box, for example, other members wouldn't have to know about it.

Lois

[writespeak]

It's possible some of the oldest productive members may feel hurt because someone was promoted before them.

That was my concern too. If the privileges are visible, you could help make it easier to see why some members got them by posting the criteria you used to select those members. For example, if reporting a lot of problem posts is one of them, most members don't know who's doing that. And if one is posting lots of helpful posts where the member has nothing to gain, having that on the list might encourage more members to do the same. :)

Lois

[Scott]

If the reward was for something which all members could see, I don't think you need to worry about resentment. Most people will appreciate the effort that person has put in and will tend to be in agreement with the promotion.

As long as the system is balanced - those who deserve credit it get it - there shouldn't be any problems.

If some people wonder what they could do to get the same recognition, you could ask them to PM you. Not everyone will, but it proves that the system is transparent.

[Webdude]

Although I have never used it, the automated system could be good if corrected. I think by default, poster rewards are higher than seniority rewards.

As an example, at the few forums I go to I am very much a senior at them as for when I registered. Yet, I dont really post much (ie: fws, wht, etc). There's been people who registered six months ago that already have more posts than I do. I call them Smack Talkers. They talk and talk and talk, but never really say anything.

I think if the automated ones were equaled out a bit, they would be worthwhile. Keep in mind that if you "really" think a particular member should get more because of his "valuable" posts *ahem* then you can always adjust them manually via the admin controls.

[Doug]

Like Lois said, it depends on the reward. It also depends on the average maturity of the members at the forum (generally older, more mature members won't resent it as much as younger, less mature ones).

[Brandon]

My question is; do you think other members would feel resentment or harbor other ill feelings towards the promoted members or the staff that promoted them?

I wouldn't feel bad.. I've done the same thing on my board..

congrats to those helping out, :)

[Aussie Bob]

I've been thinking about moderators selecting members that they feel deserve a promotion of privliges.
Like what?
My question is; do you think other members would feel resentment or harbor other ill feelings towards the promoted members or the staff that promoted them?
I don't think you could offer anything of real benefit, with these "privliges", that shouldn't be made available to all members in the first place. :think:

[John D]

It's possible some of the oldest productive members may feel hurt because someone was promoted before them.

I had this problem on one of my forums a few times and it has caused a lot of upset within the community (Which is large enough).

I think it really depends on what they get and why you say they get it. If your going to say something that makes it look like they are a lot more valuable to the community than the older members (Which it probably would look like) then I think its a very bad idea.

You can reward members in private though

[Jan]

I seem to recall a special group that was setup from very carefully selected members, to discuss (hash out)forum issues before unleashing it to the general public for discussion. There were a lot of members up in arms over that! No forums mentioned :whistle:

[SoftWareRevue]

congrats to those helping outThat's the plan.

Like what?I don't know. :iunno:

I don't think you could offer anything of real benefit, with these "privliges", that shouldn't be made available to all members in the first place.But, wouldn't they be available for all members since any member receiving them (whatever them is) would be drawn from the pool of members?

I had this problem on one of my forums a few times and it has caused a lot of upset within the communityThat's the concern.

Which it probably would look likeRight. It wouldn't matter what it was.

You can reward members in private thoughI'd be more afraid of something done in private becoming public and creating a bigger mess.

I seem to recall :smash: :smash: :smash:
Jan's recollection.

[A_Jelly_Doughnut]

A lot of communities get up in arms about special ranks. Even communities aimed at 30-somethings. Often, the kids on those forums are more mature...

Not a fan of special treatment except for people who really are special -- i.e staff.

[Aussie Bob]

I seem to recall a special group that was setup from very carefully selected members, to discuss (hash out)forum issues before unleashing it to the general public for discussion. There were a lot of members up in arms over that! No forums mentioned :whistle:
LOL, how's that special little group going? :ghug:

Still actively providing insight and wisdom into all things WHT? :bananad:

[Aussie Bob]

But, wouldn't they be available for all members since any member receiving them (whatever them is) would be drawn from the pool of members?
We'd need to see the benefits on offer first, before deciding if they're suitable to be bonuses for the "special" members. :think: