Your Ideas needed! What would a verified member acct look like!?

Re previous posts:

I say all this, even though I might be someone who would qualify to be a VM.

I'm also very torn on this.

The only thing that makes sense to me that I don't h ink would cause further harm is the email validation. But I think that should maybe be part of the process anyway? I don't know. Charlie brought up a food point about requiring email at all being a turn away to members, but while we are requiring emails, shouldn't thor emails be verified?

However as far as a Verified member, I must agree with a few others here that likely a significant portion of members are going to be intimidated or down on themselves or feel different or lesser if they see someone with the verified member badge. I already overhear members disparaging the "badge race" in general.

Ultimately, let us remember that any and all changes to the site must support our number one goal of supporting people who need help. I don't know how a Verified member status would accomplish that, but I can think of ways where it would orevent that goal from being accomolished.

Obviously we cannot please everyone, and also I am accomplish but of a cynic at heart, but these are my thoughts. Thank you.

Ok, I love this idea. LOVE.

I've had this account for almost 3 years and I was a verified listener at one point, but I would appreciate a similar opportunity for members!

I find the growth path really important because it shows that the member is actively working on themselves, so I think it would be a good criteria. Thank you for this idea!!

I get muted all the time by listeners and mods and stuff deleted. Why even have this if we can't say how we are feeling? Those people need help not to be shut down and ignored. Why even have 7cups if this is how members are going to be treated?

@Laura

Hey laura! I like this idea, first a member would have to verify their email address, and yes, have more participation in the forums, feed, and with listeners. Perhaps a certain level on their growth path.

I don't think warnings and mutes should count, because even I've been muted because of mod abuse. I reported of course, but I know many members get warnings simply because a mod doesn't like them or doesnt do their job correctly (like not giving a verbal warning previously or explaining how that breaks a rule).

I also don't think we should consider heart count because in the chats hearts are used as upvotes, and not for their purpose of celebrating helpful comments. A funny joke could get 8 hearts.

Would a badge show under their names?

Perhaps the verified member criteria could be used when considering member forum supporters etc. Good Idea!

@Laura I like this idea and am all for it. It's nice to see members more active and not just listeners. I think a certain number of group chats would be good, too, if you are going to include forum (maybe like an either or) because not every member is active in the forum, some are more active in the rooms. I'm just not a fan of having to have a perfect record for behavior because we do all make mistakes, especially as members. We are here seeking help and if one person misunderstands us, we could end up with negative marks. That's just my two cents.

The idea of allowing other members to determine whether someone is eligible for verification worries me. A member could be muted for illegitimate reasons as well as legitimate ones; just like members reporting each other could be for illegitimate or legitimate reasons. At least with reports, one now must input a reason for the report. With muting, one doesn't need to. No one would be able to tell who had legit mutes against them for their poor behaviour and who had mutes against them for reasons unrelated to the member's behaviour.
A member doesn't have to be breaking the rules or behaving poorly for someone to decide to mute them. Having the number of mutes reaching a certain high threshold before being used as a disqualifier for verification, I could understand perhaps. But a member could just mute a person because they were having a bad day. So I'm not sure about mutes being used as qualification for a verified member status, if this ends up being a thing.

I want them to be themselves, be my friend and just be who they are, if I need more of a therapist I

I don't really agree with this, sorry.The reason we could talk about our problems this freely is because we're anonymous. For example, what if your friend was in 7 cups, and noticed from the mail adress, that it's their friend? And in your post, there may be suicidal stuff written, and that person could tell it to anyone!! I haven't even told my parents about all my problems!!!!

What I'm saying is, 7 cups is, and always should be a place to say all your problems with no fear. If your friends find out about your secrets, that's a great step to giving them another reason to bully you!!!! Sorry for the last part. I got a bit emotional.