Posted by Dr. Bob on September 13, 2006, at 10:44:25
In reply to Re: the end of the two worlds bob????, posted by Phillipa on September 8, 2006, at 21:02:22
> Are you sick of Babbling with us?
>
> :-(
>
> Estella> > Did the sense of his presence make Pbabble more meaningful?
>
> Yeah. It did somehow. I know it isn't supposed to be about him at all... But it did somehow, yeah.
>
> I just wish he would be on the boards a bit more. But... I don't know. Doesn't matter.
>
> Alexus> Surely you can see that the deputies could feel a bit alienated from babblers, and vice versa, by some of the changes?
>
> I must say that if I were a nondeputy poster and saw continued references to discussing things with deputies, it would be hard for me to see deputies as primarily posters just like me. I would feel a bit like there was an inner circle.
>
> And perhaps you could pretend to be a poster who's volunteered to be a deputy and see how the references might make you feel a bit uncomfortable. A bit apart. More than a bit embarassed if you're like me
>
> It's true that things deputies posted as posters have always been brought up by those who are responding to us as deputies. My dogs have been included from the beginning, in ways that frankly shock me. ... It's true that there are things I just don't post here, that I could post if I weren't a deputy.
>
> Dinah> i think... there must be a middle way.
> between the boards having more autonomy without bob having to withdraw.
>
> Alexus> bob are you going to write another essay to follow up your best of 2 worlds? because now there is a merging of the 2 (administrative and support) isn't there? do you notice any difference?
>
> zazenducky> What ever happened to the addition of two or possibly three new Deputies?
>
> PhillipaI'm not sick of anyone. But I know my presence, or absence, can affect how this community functions and have an emotional impact on people here. There are real issues that need to be addressed, but at the same time, I'd also like to encourage reflection on what else might contribute to that emotional impact.
That's an interesting idea, a follow-up article. I do think my thinking about "the best of both worlds" is evolving:
One issue is the sustainability, or advisability, of having one administrator. More heads are better than one, and if other administrators weren't posters, either volunteers would need to be recruited from elsewhere or employees would need to be hired. And those are valid alternatives. I'm not inclined in that direction, but if this doesn't work, I may need to reconsider.
Regarding the role of the deputies in the community, one issue is whether they can be impartial administrators, and I think our current deputies have been. Partly it's selection, and staying mindful of potential conflicts of interest, but they also work well together, so it's sometimes possible for them not to intervene if they're involved in situations themselves. Another issue is whether they can be impartial posters. I'm not saying they're not, but that's less of an issue because other posters can provide support.
Regarding the deputies themselves, I think it's inevitable that they won't always be seen, or themselves feel, like regular posters. They're in a different position, with its own pros and cons, and the potential cons include receiving less support and even being attacked. Others may only become clear as we give this more time. It's not easy. But it's also an opportunity to contribute to the site in an important way and may lead to learning and growth.
Regarding the community as a whole, if there's more sharing of power, there may be less splitting (seeing administrators as bad and posters as good) and more of a feeling of shared ownership and that we're all in this together. But power and authority will be issues no matter who has them.
Regarding me, I benefit from and greatly appreciate the input and assistance of the deputies. I also have to manage them, and that may not be my strong suit, but maybe this will be a learning and growth experience for me, too.
Also, things change with time. Starting out is different, and poses different challenges, than keeping going. But change is hard, too, so that's an added stress.
If anyone has any suggestions regarding a middle way, or another different way, I'm open to suggestions. Or at least try to be. :-)
New deputies are a key ingredient, so I definitely want to get back to them. I'm really sorry that's been stalled, and grateful for their patience.
Bob
poster:Dr. Bob
thread:682937
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20060826/msgs/685568.html