USMG Community Moderation Course

[AlaskanReality]

USMG Community Moderation Course

Rules

Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the rules of the USMG. These rules will be enforced within our server, and ensure that this community is a wholesome and safe place for all to enjoy.

Server Rules

• I
Do not spam or flood a channel with text, images, stickers, etc.

• II
Treat everybody with respect. Absolutely no harassment, all forms of toxicity (to include forms of sarcasm), witch hunting, sexism, racism or hate speech is allowed.

• III
No spam or self-promotion (server invite, ads, etc.); this includes DMing. Unit discord invites and advertisements in the #ads channel are exempt from this rule.

• IV
No NSFW content incl. texts, media, and links. This includes grievous violence, nudity or grossly suggestive content.

• V
Abide by all of Discord’s Terms & Community Guidelines.

• VI
Do not randomly ping the group’s staff and members. Do not spam or abuse any of Discord’s functions, and avoid bypassing the chain of command/moderation unnecessarily.

• VII
Ban “speedruns” or attempts to circumvent bans or skirt around existing rules for the purpose of finding loopholes or limits to the rules will result in more severe punishments

*All rules carry through to units, whether in-server or in-game.
*Punishment, depending on the severity of the infringement, is judged on a case-by-case basis.

Bot Use

In order to effectively utilize our bots, please refer to the details contained below to effectively leverage the features of the bot.

Bot Use

Commands:
The prefix for all commands is ! - Ensure that you keep commands in the #bot-spam channel.

• infractions [member] - Displays list of previous infractions for member that is pinged
• mute member : User mention (@User) reason : Text (may include spaces) - Mutes member until unmuted; like any moderation action, be sure to include an exceptionally in depth explanation along with the command
  tempmute member : User mention (@User) duration : Duration (1h, 50s, 2d, etc) reason : * Text (may include spaces) - Mutes member for specific duration, is preferable to the conventional mute command; like any moderation action, be sure to include an exceptionally in depth explanation along with the command
• unmute User mention (@User) - Undoes the mute/tempute command
• warn User mention (@User) reason : * Text (may include spaces)* - Used to specify a warning for rule-breaking or adjacent behavior that will persist with the user’s account

Good practice

View the dropdowns below in order to ensure that you moderate the community properly, being sure to enforce rules fairly and without bias.

Good Practice

• Clearly Defined Rules and Guidelines:

  • Providing clear, concise rules helps set expectations and prevents confusion among members. It establishes a framework for moderation actions.

• Consistent Enforcement:

  • Applying rules consistently ensures fairness and equality among all members. Inconsistent enforcement can lead to feelings of unfair treatment and discord within the community.

• Transparency in Moderation Actions:

  • Communicating moderation actions openly helps build trust within the community. Transparency demonstrates accountability and fosters a sense of fairness.

• Respectful Communication:

  • Encouraging respectful communication sets a positive tone within the community. It promotes constructive dialogue and discourages toxic behavior.

• Avoiding Gaslighting or Manipulative Tactics:

  • Gaslighting or manipulating members into breaking rules undermines trust and damages the community’s integrity. It’s essential to foster an environment where members feel respected and valued.

• Discouraging Rule-Breaking Behavior:

  • Moderators should actively discourage any behavior that violates the rules or undermines the community’s well-being. This includes not encouraging members to break rules or engage in disruptive behavior.

• Maintaining a Drama-Free Environment:

  • Proactively addressing and resolving conflicts helps maintain a drama-free environment. Encouraging members to handle disagreements maturely and privately can prevent unnecessary tension.

• Respecting Privacy and Boundaries:

  • Moderators should respect the privacy and boundaries of all members. Sharing personal information without consent or engaging in invasive behavior is unacceptable.

• Promoting Positive Engagement:

  • Encouraging members to contribute positively to discussions and activities fosters a supportive community atmosphere. Highlighting and celebrating constructive contributions can inspire others to participate in a similar manner.

• Addressing Concerns Promptly:

  • Responding promptly to member concerns or reports of rule violations demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a healthy environment. Ignoring or dismissing complaints can escalate issues and erode trust.

• Continuous Community Feedback:

  • Seeking feedback from the community on moderation practices and rules allows for ongoing improvement. Incorporating member input fosters a sense of ownership and investment in the community’s well-being.

• Use of Tickets:

  • Encourage members with individualized or pressing questions, including requests to DM server HQ, to open a ticket to address their concerns or requests.

• Onboarding:

  • Be sure to greet every new member, and encourage others to do the same. Encourage them to join the group, get additional roles, and do your utmost to get them involved in the community.

Practical Exercise

Please open a ticket and link a document answering the following prompts to the best of your ability.

Patrol Evaluation

Objective: The purpose of this writing assignment is to evaluate candidates for the role of moderator for our Discord server. As moderators play a crucial role in fostering a healthy and inclusive community environment, it is essential to assess their understanding of moderation principles and their ability to apply them effectively.

Instructions: Please compose a detailed response to the following scenario-based questions and prompts. Your responses should demonstrate your comprehension of moderation best practices and your ability to apply them in various situations.

Scenario 1: Rule Enforcement

You notice a member repeatedly violating the server’s rules by engaging in disrespectful behavior towards other members. How would you approach this situation as a moderator? Please outline the steps you would take to address the issue while ensuring fairness and transparency.

Scenario 2: Conflict Resolution

A heated argument erupts between two members in one of the server’s channels. As a moderator, how would you intervene to de-escalate the situation and resolve the conflict peacefully? Provide specific strategies you would employ to promote constructive dialogue and prevent further escalation.

Scenario 3: Transparency and Communication

Transparency and open communication are essential aspects of effective moderation. How would you communicate moderation actions to the community in a transparent and respectful manner? Describe your approach to addressing member concerns and maintaining transparency while upholding the server’s rules.

Scenario 4: Encouraging Positive Engagement

Encouraging positive engagement and fostering a supportive community atmosphere are key responsibilities of moderators. How would you promote positive interactions among members and discourage toxic behavior? Provide examples of strategies you would implement to create a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Evaluation Criteria: Your responses will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Clarity and coherence of your writing.
• Understanding and application of moderation principles outlined in the provided bullet points.
• Creativity and effectiveness of proposed strategies in handling various moderation scenarios.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a healthy and inclusive community environment.
• Attention to detail and consideration of potential challenges in moderation.

Submission: Please submit your responses as a single document or text entry. Ensure that your answers are well-organized and thoroughly address each scenario and prompt.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a moderator for our server. We look forward to reviewing your responses and evaluating your suitability for the role. If you have any questions or need clarification on any aspect of the assignment, please don’t hesitate to reach out.