I have asked the admin/mods of my board to keep all questions and conversations in the admin zone (it is invisible to users). I have also told them that what is said in there stays in there, well a few mods quit (to start their own board) and think it is shady for me to do this? What do you all think?

I guess it depends on what kind of questions and conversations you are talking about. On my site we have very strict rules about what ever is said on the private staff boards stays on the private staff boards. If your staff can't respect your rules then they should go. I don't know the whole story so it's hard to comment completely on this..

__________________

Yeah basically a Mod was taking things from the trash bin (drama posts) and sending them to people and were just always telling a banned member what was going on in the admin area. So I de-modded her and oh boy it caused a ruckus

I think you have every right to demote the mod after that. What is the ruckus about? How could they possibly be mad?

__________________



TheBiggestBoards - See where your forum ranks - Size Matters!

Wel the problem I think I am going thru now is the site was started with no rules, free speech etc etc. Well it quickly became obvious that you have to have rules. There were fights and arguments all the time. So I picked up a mod team and made some rules. Many members did not like this as they wanted to say whatever they wanted to people because they have the right "free speech" and all. I tried to explain that there is a huge responsibility with free speech but some didnt get it.

So I set up an admin area so the reported posts can go there and we can discuss them, I suppose they were just mad because a long time member was banned for acting like a troll, so they were picking on everything but I know another forum they are on the Admin area is open for all to see so maybe that is why.

It's your site, you have the right to remove or do what you want with the content. It's not censorship if it's a privatized website or company.

__________________



TheBiggestBoards - See where your forum ranks - Size Matters!

Yes, every board needs some type of rules and order or chaos happens. What kind of site do you have? Is it a debate type of board or just a general chat board. I have had members in the past that have cried "free speech", but if it's a private board, meaning owned by you, then you can have whatever rules and limitation you want. If they don't like it they can move on. It sucks they members act like this but it seems they are just trying to control you. Good luck with this!

__________________

I never understand the deal with ppl saying they will sue or they reak havoc because of a decision you make on your site.

You aren't restricting any of their rights, there are no damages to the person by moderating your site. Rules are just aesthetic value. I think even without rules, you wouldn't get in trouble. They are mainly there to let members know the way they should act and most of it is common sense.

__________________



TheBiggestBoards - See where your forum ranks - Size Matters!

Its a site for moms, the one I am having the problems on but it seems to be calming down.

Yeah I have to admit I use to be one of those members but since owning my own forums I sure have learned a lot. I dont think members know how much work goes into maintaining a forum.

Yes, thats reasonable.

On all of my sites i have worked on, any staff discussion or anything that isnt inside the public forum - is kept between staff, and in private forums. If somebody was to pass anything on to anybody else, regardless of why or who, they would immediately be demoted and possibly banned from ever becoming staff again.

I agree also with whats been said. Its your site - and you can do what you want with it, and the content that is submitted to it. Displaying rules is just a courtesey for users to understand what they can and cant do, you dont have to display rules in order to moderate, or control your sites content... its your site dude. Not theirs.

I think educating your users would be the first step - explain why rules have been put into place, and then if anybody continues to 'act up' so to speak; simply follow through with whatever means your site uses (eg, suspensions, post moderation, loss of privilages etc)

Hope that helped