Moderating the Welcome & Support Room

Hey Mods!

This post is specifically for mods on the adult side. I understand that Welcome & Support has been a tough place to moderate and firstly, I want to let you all know that it's not personal. It is a difficult room for everyone. I've been thinking it would be helpful to make sure we're all on the same page and being as consistent as possible in W&S. That is the only way we're going to be able to get this room under control. This is our only room for guests on the adult side, so it's really important that we ensure it's a safe, supportive, welcoming environment at all times. Moving forward, I expect all moderators to follow the steps below.

So, here's how we can do it...

1) Be aware of this super important rule:
"16. The Welcome & Support room is a space for guests to receive support. If you are a member, please use one of the member rooms to seek support or chat with friends. Members may only participate in the W&S room if helping to welcome and support guests."

2) Give a verbal warning to the room when you first enter.
This can be as simple as copy and pasting rule #16. This reminds everyone of the purpose of the room and gives them a heads up that a moderator is present.

3) Suggest that members go and check out the other member rooms.
Specifically, you can share the link to the Member Hangout forum post. (They just need to post in this forum thread to get the MH Key that unlocks the room.) Member Hangout is often empty. That room is a free space for any members who want to hangout and chat. There are frequent complaints that the room is empty - let's keep directing members to that space. If they all go, it will not be empty.

4) Use the #16 warning!!!
This room has a very specific purpose, which is why it has it's own special warning. If a member insists on sticking around and chatting after you've reminded them of the rule for W&S and offered another place to go, you can warn them with #16. That's absolutely okay. That is what the rule is for. Please use it.

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COMMON PROTESTS & HOW TO RESPOND

Member: But I am welcoming and supporting guests!
Mod: Thank you for helping. Please note, warnings will be sent for any messages that are not primarily welcoming or supporting guests.

Member: Member Hangout is empty!
Mod: That's okay. If we all go over there to chat, it will no longer be empty :) You're also welcome to check out other member rooms that are more active.

Member: You're abusing your power!
Mod: I'm sorry you feel that way. My job right now is to ensure this room is being used for its purpose of welcoming and supporting guests. Please check out the rules, in particular rule #16. If you still have concerns that power is being abused, please use the Mod Review Form. You can also PM our Community Manager Heather directly. Thank you.

*You can also warn for rule #1 if anyone is being abusive towards you in the support room. Rule #1 reminds members to show respect to everyone, including moderators.

Member: There are no guests here right now, so we can chat until they come.
Mod: It's absolutely okay for the room to be quiet if there are no guests present. There are many other places you can chat more freely.

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I want to say a huge thank you to the mods who have been working hard in W&S. I know it's hard work and you're doing so well. Please know that I've got your back. If you receive negative reviews while moderating W&S, I will take into account the situation in that room. If you have a hard time moderating, please feel free to PM me to talk through what happened. We're all on the same team.

I expect all moderators to follow the steps above. If you feel unable to enforce rule #16 for any reason, please select another room to moderate. Thank you!