This place seems to be going down hill

You know, I don't mind saying that it seems like this place has been going down hill as of late.

We already lost a good mod, another is resigning, and yet another was demoted. Mods seem to be dropping like flies, but it's worse than that.

I've been noticing for some time lately, that while mods are still posting in the forums and providing support, they seem to be far less active than they used to be. I remember when I first joined and was going through a lot, several mods descended on me and surrounded me with support (of which I am still very grateful for), and they seemed to be far more active in the boards and posting in threads and offering support than they are today.

Is it now the policy of the board that this be more of a peer support board, and the mods are to take a less active role?

Also so many of the old members that I got to know and got used to are now no longer here. This board just isn't the same and it is depressing.

I'm not saying this to be disparaging in any way to the board or any of its members, just expressing my own observations and feelings about it. I guess I've never been one that has liked change. I miss the old board!

And I will add, that I like having the mods around. I wish they were more active in the boards, as their presence makes me feel more safe and comfortable in the boards. I wish the mods would take a more active role in the boards again.

We got into an argument once and a lot of drama ensued, but even then I still miss having Little Archer around, too. She was a good mod.

That is one thing that I've always liked about this place, is that the mods and staff largely suffer from various disorders themselves, and I believe that gives them unique insight into mental health, and has been beneficial into providing support for others that are going through the same things.

The whole thing sucks. I miss some of the old members too that are no longer around and it just isn't the same here any more. It depresses me.

I would not say the website is going downhill, but I will say things seem to be going slower lately. I love the moderators here, there so helpful, you got me thinking I should send them each a thank you PM to let them know I appreciate them all.

Thing is...the mods are working hard to keep the forum alive and going, so maybe sometimes they cant always be there for the forumites?
Some people come some people leave...this is always happening in any kind of forum

I'm just averse to change I guess.

I can understand that. Its nice we have this forum, though. Even when there is small changes, what would we do without this place? lol
I know for me its very helpful overall

I never said the forum wasn't very helpful, it would just be nice to have the mods around more. It makes me feel more comfortable.

blank identity wrote:We already lost a good mod, another is resigning, and yet another was demoted.

No no no! No-one's been demoted. When mods step down from an active role. They can choose whether they move to the former moderator status [purple name.] Or back to regular member status [orange name.] It's up to them which they prefer. [If you meant something different, please correct me. ]

Is it now the policy of the board that this be more of a peer support board, and the mods are to take a less active role?

I don't think there's any change in policy there. The board has ALWAYS been a peer support board. That's the most wonderful thing about it IMO. That people know how things are around different disorders. It's not some academic, book learning thing. People come here to share practical experience and thoughts.

I also wonder if there isn't a little confusion about what a moderator is. We're not super human or anything. We're just regular members with different coloured names and more ability to "do things" to posts. [Like popping in trigger warnings or editing out email addresses.] We're not experts or professionals. Becoming a moderator is [as I see it.] A question of being a supportive, diplomatic, patient member. Moderators are part of the community, not a separate feature.

I miss the old board!

The board has always been in flux though. Look back to some of the oldest threads. Almost 12 years ago. The tone and discussion and so on was very different again. It changes depending on who's here and what / how they write.

With apologies for getting all Gandhi on your ass. I'd suggest-

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Anyone posting in this thread. [Or lurking through and reading.] Could be just as helpful as any moderator. More so in many cases! I've read some incredible threads where people in super tough situations have still been able to reach out to help others. Or come back when things are less intense to "pay back / pay forward." And the support back and forth. The sharing and constructive positivity. Are awe inspiring sometimes. That's not the special province of moderators. That's just what PF members are like.

Sorry about the soap box. I'm done now.

Im-pure wrote:I can understand that. Its nice we have this forum, though. Even when there is small changes, what would we do without this place? lol
I know for me its very helpful overall

For me too. Very much so.

Thank you for the reply Ada. If I weren't so pressed for time, I'd give a more detailed reply. But I just remember the mods being more active, and as I said, it makes me feel more comfortable and safe posting in the boards. That is not taking away the value of other members in the least. I know it is the community as a whole that makes the board what it is.

I feel better. I guess I was feeling down, and I don't like change.