The Forum Moderator is perhaps the most important position in the Forum. The Moderator is tasked with preparing the agenda, running each meeting, facilitating productive discussions among members, and serving as a fair and trusted go-to when there’s a concern, issue, or conflict.
For these reasons and more, it’s important that the Moderator be a tenured member of the Forum instead of someone who’s brand new to the group. Incorporating a new Forum member takes time and planning, and putting a new person into the Moderator role can be detrimental to their Forum experience and to the group as a whole.
Why New Members Sometimes Become the Forum Moderator
There’s a lot of responsibility involved in being the Forum Moderator, and the role isn’t one that every member wants to take on. It’s all too common for long-tenured members to place a newcomer into the Moderator role simply because no one else wants the extra burden.
Oftentimes, new members are eager to take on the Forum Moderator role. Because it’s such an important position, they might feel flattered by the empowerment and excited to showcase their leadership skills. However, it’s crucial that the new member has time to acclimate to the group and establish relationships before they begin to steer the proverbial ship.
Reasons the Forum Moderator Should Be a Tenured Member
When a new member joins a Forum, they have a lot to learn—and it goes well beyond needing to schedule and attend formal Moderator Training.
“New members need time to adjust to all of the norms and nuances of the Forum,” says experienced Forum member and trainer Ellie Byrd. “Every Forum is unique in their structure, personality, and adherence to protocol, and it takes time for a new member to not only understand but to become comfortable with those parameters.”
Getting to know the Forum’s rules is only part of the new member’s process. “The new person also needs time to get to know their fellow Forum members,” Ellie continues. “Developing deep and meaningful relationships grounded in trust and vulnerability doesn’t happen overnight. Understanding the people is as important to being an effective Moderator as understanding the Forum’s rules, and building healthy relationships with the rest of the group takes time.”
Ideally, the new member will be in the Forum for at least two years before taking on the Moderator role. Because most Forums change their Moderator every year (though some Forums change more or less frequently), a minimum of two years of experience allows newer members to observe and learn from at least two different Moderators.
Put simply, a tenured member knows the Forum as individuals and as a group. They understand the protocols and personalities and are better equipped to effectively lead the Forum than a new member will be. Choosing the right Moderator to guide your Forum through the next year is vital to your Forum’s health and each member’s takeaway value.
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Written by Britt Spread