Ummmm No.

I just read through everyone's replies, and I hear a lot of fear talking. Fear that having a CL will change our group dynamic (which I love!), fear that people will feel inhibited from posting real feelings and issues. I think those fears are misplaced. Like JJ, Liz and Butterfly, I would rather have a group member gently deal with our very rare problems than have someone who doesn't know or understand this group interfere. I don't see this as a negative. Having a go-to person who can interface with the DS staff would be helpful in my opinion.

I've seen other forums that had "moderators" where posts had to be approved before they were seen by members. I don't think DS is planning anything that heavy handed. I have friends who "facilitate" or "moderate" other boards, and their role, mostly, is to make sure that every post gets a response, if only from them. They don't tell people what they can and cannot talk about.

I also agree with Sally, that there are a lot of other improvements that I'd place at a higher priority than having a CL--including the Like button, spell check and everything else she listed.

Given all that, and the fact that DS will assign a CL because hey, they're DS, we might has well have some folks here who love this group go and volunteer. My concern after reading these comments is that our own members who might be good CLs will feel inhibited from volunteering. Come on. I nominate Obonke, Eggface, Wittch, Jerry, JJ, there are so many of you who would be great, open-minded, and kind leaders. How about we start nominating, rather than fearing the future?

I am not angry or afraid
I can only speak for myself when I say that I would like things to say the same.
In the end it may not be our decision. I am actually wondering how this came into Jesse's hands as we have been successful at solving our own issues thus far. I would certainly like to hear his thoughts on this discussion as he is the original poster.

This board does not have a Community Leader yet so the board is free and every person is enjoying that freedom to have a say the way they always do.
I doubt that anyone who had the sufficiently strong conviction needed to do this job would be detterred by what they felt was right or needed..
For myself frankly I am fed up with "Community leaders" telling me what to do. This is a situation I would rather avoid if possible.
We have already seen exmples of what happens when a Community Leader banishes someone from the board for comments deemed to be politically incorrect.
If memory serves there was quite an outcry.
This would place a strain on the moderator as well unless they simply didn't give a damn and wanted to run this board for the sake of getting a star beside their name.
Ih that case I hear Muammar Gaddafi will be looking for work soon.
That may not be a politically correct thing to say but I am defending my right to say it. Hope

I don't like the way DS works. They drop stuff in people's laps and then leave them to stew.

When I was suspended, I received no information or contact whatsoever. They refused to answer any of my requests for info, just froze me out, and then, just as suddenly, I was back, two weeks later, again with no explantion at all. They cause more problems than they solve, in my opinion. They say you receive warnings, you don't.

Jesse has been a member of this group for DS for sometime. The fact that he has not responded to any of the concerns of members indicates that the DS freeze is still in effect.

farmgirl has a point... if DS thinks that we need to be baby sat it may as well be by someone that we know and love and who has been here a long time to see what goes on. I just dont want to see discussions cloesed because someone told someone else to "get over it" or used some "politically incorrect term" or posted some OT post without labeling it properly sigh drama drama drama.

I also agree with Farmgirl , to a point. If given the choice , I still say leave well enough alone, but not given a choice I would nominate anyone of the people she mentioned. But this is not up for nominations by the look of it , anybody that has a wish to could just apply then go for it how they see fit.
On the other hand if they are as invisible as Jesse seems to be it might be alright anyway LOL

Maybe we should just do like farmgirl suggests, and nominate and vote in our own little way and get someone we like on board with it , then they can just leave us all alone , haha.

I agree drama drama, but oh well, "what will be will be"

Robin

I nominate Lu ;-)

No thanks. As many before me have said, "if it isn't broken, no need to fix it". Leave good enough alone.

Peg "LAMom"

I think that anyone who decides to accept a CL position here is up for a HUGE job. Its a busy board and there are tons of posts. Who has the time to read every one and greet every new person. This groups functions well as just that. A group of supportive people. ALL of whom welcome new members and share pertinent info. provide support and education. This is awesome. All in time do we take our turn to greet newbies, to give that info, or to be the recievers of info. I think that a "flag this post" button would be more applicable to a group like this. allowing people to "flag" innapropriate content...like someone said earlier...should a post be flagged a certain number of times....it is automatically removed. that allows the for the majority rule...as opposed to one persons opinion.
Thanks for the vote of confidence JJ, and I agree with the thought that IF it is absolutely necessary that someone be a CL here it be someone who has been around for a while and familiar to many and familiar with the dynamics.
IMHO we don't need it!- unless of course its Lu!!!
Karla

ya lu would be great but wont happen cause he has been spanked

Robin

ya lu would be great but wont happen cause he has been spanked

Robin

Karla you know I would vote for you, but I like you too much to inflict that upon you ; )
The flag idea is a good one. Hope

ya lu would be great but wont happen cause he has been spanked

Robin

EVERYBODY knows that I would choose lu ~ BUT how would that work?

lu would have to flag lu for inappropriateness and I for one wouldn't want to visit anymore bec I still believe in freedom of speech EVEN in a private setting.

But we HAVE to remember ~ THIS is a private setting... THEY choose HOW to run it ... WE choose whether to belong or not...

I know other sites that have it and other DS Friends have told me that THAT even becomes a form of abuse where CLs are not censoring THEIR personal DS Friends but are others...

So does that mean it can become a click as my other DS Friend feels it has on her site?? I HATE to see our wonderful site threatened like this ... APPARENTLY they are going to do it anyways...Regardless of popular consensus...

I think it should be someone who has been nonbiased in the past ...Someone who hasn't tried to set themselves up as an expert in the past either ... Someone who is a long time Loser who is willing to make the commitment bec they have seen a lot of history when it comes to dealing with Board/Post problems...

(just sayin ...)

I have been so proud of this board and how we handle our interpersonal relationships. We get to know each other and understand where some things are coming from (concern and experience) when someone new might find it harsh. Having a leader diminishes our individual responsibility to the tone of the conversation and acceptance of individual differences.

Whatever happens, I will live with or go elsewhere if it changes the dynamic. I have never been a chat room person. This one just grabbed me because of the honesty and range of personalities.