2021 Moderator Election

nomination began
Sep 27, 2021 at 20:00
election began
Oct 11, 2021 at 20:00
election ended
Oct 19, 2021 at 20:00
candidates
5
positions
3

On Stack Exchange, we believe the core moderators should come from the community, and be elected by the community itself through popular vote. We hold regular elections to determine who these community moderators will be.

Community moderators are accorded the highest level of privilege on our community, and should themselves be exemplars of positive behavior and leaders within the community.

Our general criteria for moderators is as follows:

  • patient and fair
  • leads by example
  • shows respect for their fellow community members in their actions and words
  • open to some light but firm moderation to keep the community on track and resolve (hopefully) uncommon disputes and exceptions

Full elections have three phases and an optional fourth phase (Primary):

  1. Question Collection
  2. Nomination
  3. Primary
  4. Election

Please participate in the moderator elections by voting, and perhaps even by nominating yourself to be a community moderator!

Additional Links

Questionnaire
The community team has compiled questions from meta for the candidates to answer.
  1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

[Answer 1 here]

  1. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

[Answer 2 here]

  1. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

[Answer 3 here]

  1. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

[Answer 4 here]

  1. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

[Answer 5 here]

I visit the site regularly and have been visiting for a long time, I look forward to maintaining a place for instructive poker discussion.

Questionnaire
  1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

I would acknowledge their valuable answers while suggesting to them a better way of conducting themselves, keeping an eye on their behavior.

  1. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

let my case be heard in the comments so they will consider reopening

  1. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Moderators set an example for others on the site and help promote constructive, valuable discussion

  1. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

Great, I feel that my discourse on the site has been pretty consistent since I joined.

  1. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

I feel being a moderator sets the standard for others in terms of how we conduct ourselves on the site, unlike just having high rep

Jon

Hello everybody. I believe I am highly qualified to moderate here. I have been involved with poker since playing my first hand in 1986. I have worked in many cardrooms, including El Cortez, The Las Vegas Hilton, Binion's, Union Plaza, Mirage, Wendover Resorts, Sam's Town LV and The Bellagio. I have also worked as a casino shift manager at The Nevada Hotel and Gambling Hall in Ely NV. I have worked as a dealer, a shift supervisor, a brush and as a consultant.

From 1998 until 2006 when the Port Authority Act with a rider declaring online poker illegal passed, I developed and operated several websites geared toward poker. Pokersearch.com was an online directory of B&M poker rooms in the US. Pokerclan.com was a forum for poker players, when I took it down I had near 1500 registered users and over 20,000 posts. At the height of things the sites had over 300,000 unique visitors monthly.

Have been a professional Poker Player filing taxes as such.

I am an experienced moderator and have a multifaceted understanding of the poker industry. I will do you all a good job here as a moderator.

Questionnaire
  1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

Depends on the nature of the comments generated and the question and answer. Each case would be different. Of course I would write the user, see what was up and see if we could improve.

  1. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

Generally I will assume other mods know what they are doing and will give them their space. If I strongly disagreed that a post should not of been removed, I would either vote to reopen or discuss it with the other moderator and maybe convince them to reopen the question.

  1. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Clean up spam, deal with inappropriate content, stay active on the site, give people their do, lead by example, and don't let it go to your head.

  1. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

I am comfortable with that. I have ran a forum of my own in the past, and did not find a lot about being in that position particularly uncomfortable.

  1. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

I think it is important to step up when one has the experience and qualifications to do a thing well. I love poker, and I love being here at SE Poker. As a moderator I feel I can bring more to this place then I can as a user. It is important to do duty.

Grinch91

Howdy! At this point I've been a member of the PokerSE for just over 6 years now, some of those years as a moderator too. Throughout that time I believe I've contributed as both a member and as a moderator. Poker is a passion for me, particularly helping share my knowledge and in general seeing people do better at it. To date I believe I've been a fair moderator, attempting to listen to members and giving chances before acting. When I do act I believe I've often explained why I've acted in particular ways. I believe I bring a level head, a passion and a genuine caring attitude for seeing this community grow.

In any case I'd love to continue my role as a moderator as it's been a blast to see the community grow, especially leaving the beta.

Questionnaire
  1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

As I have done in the past, I often engage with the user in the comments, explaining that thee comments have created a sense of tension. I have in the past engaged and attempted to educate around our rules and also to remind them that we're all here to learn. If the negative attitude continues I have and will take harsher action. Additionally context on what was said matters. Essentially the engagement should be proportional. Some things are worse and shouldn't be tolerated, while others often need just a reminder to continue to be friendly.

  1. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

Like most things in life, dialogue is really important to understand why someone did something and to engage with them. If a question was closed or deleted that I believe had value, I think the right approach here is to engage with the other mod, understand the reason they removed the question. They very well may have some valid points. Additionally I'd let them understand why I see value in the question, and hopefully we can reach an agreement on how we should move forward.

  1. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

For the most part, moderation doesn't require a heavy hand. Most of what good moderation is about creating a space for the members to be able to discuss topics that fall within the definition of the SE scope. Part of moderation is to remind people of the rules from time to time, cool things down if they get heated, and in general offer a helping hand for members new and old. In essence create a space that has all members respected and things remain on topic.

  1. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

For me I have always aimed to provide as good quality as I could in my answers and comments. I have always tried to treat members with respect and in a friendly manner. For me the diamond attached to my name carrying a different light I feel positive about that. I believe that up until this point I have represented myself well, helped grow the community and I believe my comments and posts stand to me. Of course on the other side I do also recognise that with the diamond I need to always keep things as cordial and respectful as I can as I am representing the SE.

  1. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

To me I joined the PokerSE because I am passionate about Poker, and I have worked in the Poker industry in the past so I felt I had some things I could share. It has never been about reaching a certain reputation figure, it has always been something I've enjoyed immensely by contributing and learning from others. To me being a moderator allows me better than a high reputation score to support a community I have grown to really enjoy spending time in.

Kenshin

I will be fair, reasonable and transparent in appropriately moderating content to maintain the integrity, usefulness and appeal of the site.

Questionnaire
  1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

Regularly clear the comments.

  1. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

Discuss with the moderator to see if I can convince or be convinced and act accordingly.

  1. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Moderate.

  1. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

Brilliant.

  1. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

It will be quicker.

Toby Booth

Hello,

I was hoping there would be more candidates to fill the three places available for moderators as I think people fresh to the site would be a good thing.

That said, apparently I have been a Member for 9 years, 8 months, and visited 2293 days! Around two of every three days. I guess you could call me a regular. I've seen this site grow from very small beginnings and still think it's a unique place for poker enthusiasts to hang around.

If I've interacted with you over the years, I hope you've found me to be a useful, respectful and helpful mod.

Questionnaire
  1. How would you deal with a user who produced a steady stream of valuable answers, but tends to generate a large number of arguments/flags from comments?

Good advice is often difficult to digest for a lot of people, especially if the delivery lacks nuance. I've had to handle a few cases of people not quite getting the tone right, despite their good intentions. Most of the time from my experience, a simple friendly comment, and a subtle edit here and there does the trick. We're all here to learn.

  1. How would you handle a situation where another mod closed/deleted/etc. a question that you feel shouldn’t have been?

As I've done in the past, I will either ask in the chat channel, and/or post on Meta with my thoughts first. Asking each other to explain our decisions is pretty much the reason this site exists! Questions about moderation are no different.

  1. In your opinion, what do moderators do?

Keep the quality of the info on the site high, and try to help those who use it have a good experience.

  1. A diamond will be attached to everything you say and have said in the past, including questions, answers and comments. Everything you will do will be seen under a different light. How do you feel about that?

Felt good about it for 9+ years and still do.

  1. In what way do you feel that being a moderator will make you more effective as opposed to simply reaching 10k or 20k rep?

From a technical perspective, it just means faster access to Admin rights. Personally I think it's easy for people with far less Rep than 10-20k to contribute in a meaningful way if Mods are attentive to flags, so I don't necessarily think there is a change in effectiveness that comes with Rep; It just means admin is easier and you gain more autonomy.

This election is over.