Room Supporter Role Idea - Feedback Needed!
We know that there are many Listeners who regularly participate in group support rooms, are passionate about their room, but are not necessarily ready to apply as a group mod yet. Keeping this in mind, we have an exciting new idea for a role that we would like your feedback on!
Role: Room Supporter
A listener (adult or teen!) who is dedicated to specific group support rooms, spending time supporting members in that room, building a community bond, steering conversation toward topics relevant to the room and verbally de-escalating conflict when needed.
This role would serve as a stepping stone for listeners who want to work toward becoming a community centerred moderator. Room Supporters will receive specific training on de-escalation and verbal conflict resolution from the Support Team Leaders of each team but will not have access to the moderation tools that a moderator has. The role of the Room Supporter is not to moderate the room. It is to provide quality listening and build community within the room, but also be trained in active listening and be able to verbally de-escalate a conflict.
What do we aim to achieve through the Room Supporter role?
- Integrate listeners spending a lot of time in group support into sub-communities and support teams.
-Allow new listeners to have more guidance when venturing out as a listener into group support.
- Help with community building between listeners and members.
- Create a stepping stone role to group support moderator, similar to forum supporter role before forum mentor.
- Increase quality of listening in group support.
- Allowing listeners to become acquainted with a specific room and its dynamics before venturing into higher leadership positions within the team.
The role would work similarly to Community Centered Moderation. A listener would be listed in the Subcommunity Leaderboard as 'Room Supporter' and appear similarly to how the Mod Badge shows up in rooms for Community Centered Moderators.
Ideas about this idea for a role? What are some pros and cons you can see?
Special shout-out to @sweetLily41 and @SupportiveMonkey46 for putting in a ton of work into drafting up this role!!
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@Kate
I think this is a great idea!
As a GSQM, I very much like this idea and I'm totally down for it. It's been very concerning that there are lots of applicants who want to support a room so they apply for mod but I don't think they're prepared yet for such role. At least, this new role would serve as a stepping stone for them to familiarize themselves in handling conflicts, promote active listening, and proactively participating and interacting with other regulars in the room before becoming an official moderator of the room. I'm looking forward to seeing more applicants of this role! This shouldn't make a way for listeners to build cliques and favoritism but rather a "preparation" for them in becoming a mod in the support rooms they wanna mod for.
@Kate
I think it sounds like a great analogue to forum supporter.
I wonder about the implications with subcom leader lists though? Also does this turn the group mod into more a mentor type position? It is a listener only role that acts as a group support analogue to the forum team roles, so I think it is worth discussing.
This sounds like a great idea, and one I'd be interested in. It allows people who are great at resolving conflict but aren't very adventurous to be able to put their skill to use. It will also help the mods as well because sometimes conflicts occur and there is not a mod present in the room. Although I can also see people not taking the role as seriously too.
I really like that idea! It sounds like just what Im looking for too
Part of moderating a group chat is learning how to guide conversation to safer waters. I think the room supporter role could help potential moderators learn some of the best tools in their kit before becoming a mod. That being said, I also wonder if mod powers couldn't be temporarily assigned by a higher ranked moderator. Learning how and when to use mod powers is something best learned earlier on as well. The mod training doesn't really prepare a person for it all that well.
@DaveMcGrath very insightful ideas. I agree that the best Group Mods are those that buddy up with an accomplished Group Mod.
@DaveMcGrath definetly im super happy this role will be about
I agree with your suggestions@DaveMcGrath
Sounds like a great stepping stone for those that are Listeners that would like to become Mods one day as long as it is working with the actual room Mod and the Listener . The thing I love about this site is that you have so many options as to what you would like to do on here. I am still new and learning and I dont know what all the badges are for that I see under some peoples names which can be alot but I saiy BRAVO for doing all you are to earn the badges and helping out so much.
I agree as well i love all the discussion groups that are available. As well as the different trainings and information. @Tyedyedbutterfly65
@Kate I love it.
Honestly, this would be great. I know heaps of people who want to be mods but dont know if their ready yet, and also, I know some people who I know would be a great mod in the future but requires a bit more of this or that. Getting this role would teach them how to learn different required skills that us mods utilise over the time we get to experience it.
Modding isn't only about just thinking about the rules and keepin up the rules and regulations, but knowing how to calm a room down, how to listen to everyone, and be a friend. And that seems exactly what Room Supporters will be.
Yup, love this idea.
@Kate
Would like see this plan in action.I would also like to be a Room Supporter.😎😄🤩
@Kate - the room supporter role is just excellent! Something I have seen myself doing, but in addition if official, Room Supporters can also work side-by-side Mods to ensure better quality of the rooms. Even though Mods may not be on call, the Room Supporters would still be keeping the room efficient.
@SoulfullyAButterfly Great idea
