A New (Revised) Boards Team Approaches!

ModThe Djinn·Nov 27, 2017·39 votes·59,720 views

A New (Revised) Boards Team Approaches!

Hello, everyone! We here at the Riot Volunteer HQ (which is definitely a real place) are rolling out a revised structure to the volunteer roles to better support the boards community. So let’s introduce the new Volunteer team!

The Heralds

Enigmatic and indescribable, the Heralds captain the Volunteer team, each in our own unique way. We focus on behind-the-scenes improvement, community building, and other initiatives, serving to strengthen both the community and the Volunteer team.

Heralds: Evangele, The Djinn, KnightsKemplar, Attysu the Poro

The Boards Developers

While their icon is still pending, these guys are the masterminds behind the tools the Volunteer Team uses, as well as a number of the changes we've seen to the boards. They're full of surprises, so keep an eye out for changes and let them know if you have any great board ideas!

Developers: Wuks, From The Cosmos

The Advisors

Energetic and outgoing, the Advisors provide aid by answering community questions on diverse topics including player behavior and gameplay basics. “Help and support the community” would be their motto, if we had mottos.

Advisors: Prandine, Ralanr, Ulanopo, Final Spark Lux, Furor Nexis, DaenrysTargaryen

The Moderators

Every group needs a member to hold off chaos, and the Moderators are ours. Paladins of the Universal Rules, they patrol the boards to ensure that the world remains free from toxicity, spam, and disorder.

Moderators: BoggyBuntu, Foxfire Ahri, Jikker, Krizonar, Mounting Dread, Tundra Fizz, Melledoneus, MaybeFiftyOtters, Totally Not Jinx, Direwollf, God Queen Kaisa, AvantelWings, KittySuppSquad, Electro522, Periscope, KagenoOu, Articus43

The Archivists

As the creative spark of the team, Archivists focus on strengthening the artistic community. They live and breathe story, art, music, lore, and design, and seek to raise awareness of the creative talents of board members and give those talents a place to shine.

Archivists: CaptainMårvelous, Echoing

NA Player Support

As our team mascots, NA Player Support aren’t volunteers, but they are adorable. You’ll usually find them on Twitter or when you send in a Player Support ticket. These guys, gals, and squishy poros happily providing answers to technical issues and other player support related questions. Bring Poro Snax with you: they simply can’t get enough.

Adorable Support Poros: Porocles, Dark Morgana, DatFatRaccoon, pachiporomari

If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for our Volunteers, check out the Discuss the Boards board, or come over to the Moderation Discord to have a chat (or just hang out).

—The Volunteer Team

100 Comments

Laughing FishNov 28, 201715 votes

https://i.imgur.com/gcbVg97.gif[/img]

GalaciusNov 28, 20173 votes

[{quoted}](name=Laughing Fish,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=0001,timestamp=2017-11-28T00:02:20.372+0000)

https://i.imgur.com/gcbVg97.gif[/img]

What in the hell is that blinding light?

Deep Terror NamiNov 28, 201715 votes

Mr. The Djinn, this is the first I've heard about volunteering! Are they backed by Riot? Who leads them? How do I become one? What if I don't like what they say? Do they get anything special?

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 201710 votes

[{quoted}](name=Deep Terror Nami,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=0004,timestamp=2017-11-28T00:12:21.062+0000)

Mr. The Djinn, this is the first I've heard about volunteering! Are they backed by Riot? Who leads them? How do I become one? What if I don't like what they say? Do they get anything special?

Good questions, Deep Terror Nami!

The Volunteer team is backed by Riot NA, with Riot oversight. Within the Volunteers we function as a team more often than we have a strict leadership hierarchy, although our senior volunteers and Heralds assist with resolving issues when they arise.

For those interested in volunteering, we're actually recruiting right now. I encourage everyone interested to take a look. The role comes with a few special perks like colored names, special icons, and moderation powers, but nothing especially fancy beyond that.

And we're always looking for community feedback. As previously mentioned, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions for our Volunteers, check out the Discuss the Boards board, or come over to the Moderation Discord to talk it out with us.

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20173 votes

[deleted]

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20173 votes

{quoted}

Is the Moderation Discord still a circlejerk where mods defend their judgements by repeating the same phrase over and over again until the questioning party gives up and leaves?

The only time I am personally aware of this sort of behavior is when a discussion has been had, a ruling passed, and the other party is continuing to argue the point. There are some times where we need to take a firm stand even when not everyone agrees. I'll keep an eye out though -- we can always improve in how we engage with the community. :)

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20172 votes

[deleted]

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20174 votes

{quoted}

So it's still "Because I said so", eh?

Guess there's no difference between contacting the Player "Support" and bothering with the Moderation Discord.

Some issues will always come down to moderator discretion. And, frankly, we have people who don't like to acknowledge problems even in obviously direct cases of rules violations (such as hate speech), so it's not really something we can avoid even if nothing were subject to interpretation. I'm sorry you don't approve, but that's one aspect of moderation that will always be consistent across any medium -- not everyone can be properly appeased by every resolution, although we try to achieve maximum appeasement when we can do so within the rules.

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20172 votes

[deleted]

oOBestEveNAOoNov 28, 20176 votes

{quoted}

lowkey asshole

This is several days of you being rude and continuously insulting to a wide number of people in just this one thread (correction, SEVERAL threads).

I'm gonna ask you once, as a community member and not a mod, to stop with this bs already.

It gets olds seeing it and it makes this board a lot less fun and positive environment when a regular old asshole goes around being a regular old asshole.

Just in case you weren't aware that's what you've been doing.

Shape up or ship out mate.

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20172 votes

[deleted]

oOBestEveNAOoNov 28, 20175 votes

{quoted}

and/or Rules get sorted out I may consider it.

They are quite clear on this point in terms of being a jerk to other community members, a rule you have willfully chosen to violate several days in a row and you're lucky as hell I don't have a position (in fact this is why I refuse to be part of the volunteer group, I'm about 10x more strict than any of our others) because you'd already be banned for a week minimum.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to not be a jerk even when you disagree. Start making that choice.

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20171 votes

[deleted]

ModAttysu The PoroNov 29, 20176 votes

{quoted}

So now it's counted in days, not comments? Interesting.

Oooh. Scarey.

As I said before, "I'm only an asshole when I'm dealing with assholes".

Fighting fire with fire is inappropriate in most cases. You may not be able to control others, but you can control yourself. We're just doing our jobs, trying to keep positive discussion and criticism. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer to the best of my ability as well!

FurriesAreHotNov 28, 201715 votes

Fish cant be moderators. They dont have hands for the keyboard!

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 201719 votes

{quoted}

Fish cant be moderators. They dont have hands for the keyboard!

Laughing Fish is under strict instructions to wear a special moderating suit at all times. It takes his laughter and converts it into standard keyboard input.

Laughing FishNov 28, 201724 votes

Actual footage of me right after I first donned my moderator suit

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/LegitimateGloomyLcont-max-1mb.gif

pizzapantsNov 28, 20176 votes

You guys are really funny. [sg-miss-fortune]

Laughing FishNov 28, 201714 votes

https://i.imgur.com/RjhgRow.gif[/img]

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20176 votes

{quoted}

You guys are really funny. [sg-miss-fortune]

All would-be moderators are put through a grueling gauntlet where we're forced to crack jokes for four hours straight. It's brutal. We lose more good mods that way...

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20172 votes

[deleted]

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20174 votes

{quoted}

If that's the case then how much did Laughing Fish pay to not participate in that "gauntlet"?

Let's be reasonable: fish don't have legs. It would be unfair to ask him to run a gauntlet.

Sraeg2013Nov 28, 20172 votes

Figures.

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20173 votes

{quoted}

Figures.

In seriousness though -- comments directed towards specific moderators that aren't productive feedback on what improvements you'd like to see aren't very helpful. If you have issues, feel free to share them (politely) on Discuss the Boards or on our Discord. If you just don't think he's funny, well...that I can't help you with! :)

Laughing FishNov 28, 20173 votes

I didn't have to run a gauntlet to prove I was funny enough for them. They had to run a gauntlet to prove they were funny enough for me. They evidently passed.

Who is TaliyahNov 27, 20179 votes

Take that upvote and get outta here..

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20179 votes

{quoted}

Take that upvote and get outta here..

Get an upvote, give an upvote. <3

Aatrox Mid 1v5Nov 28, 20179 votes

You should take Laughing FIsh outta Advisor and give him a more suiting alias.

Professional memer is one of many that come to mind.

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20173 votes

[{quoted}](name=free software,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=0002,timestamp=2017-11-28T00:04:46.090+0000)

You should take Laughing FIsh outta Advisor and give him a more suiting alias.

Professional memer is one of many that come to mind.

Hmmmmm. Tempting...

ModEvangeleNov 28, 20179 votes

Nami Whew....that's an attractive team....

ModJikkerNov 28, 20178 votes

Oh, so that's what I'm suppose to do =P

ChermorgNov 28, 20176 votes

downvoted because that's not my signature.

Furor NexisNov 28, 20176 votes

It's so pretty [sg-miss-fortune]

VediusNov 28, 20173 votes

So how do i join these holy vacinities, i want to join the laughing phish in his holy light

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20173 votes

[{quoted}](name=UVG Hyperion,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=000e,timestamp=2017-11-28T02:34:58.852+0000)

So how do i join these holy vacinities, i want to join the laughing phish in his holy light

If you're interested in applying for the Volunteer team, we have a recruiting thread up now. I encourage everyone interested to take a look.

VediusNov 28, 20172 votes

[{quoted}](name=The Djinn,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=000e0000,timestamp=2017-11-28T02:58:04.458+0000)

If you're interested in applying for the Volunteer team, we have a recruiting thread up now. I encourage everyone interested to take a look.

Ah i filled it out the last time it was open also but i was not accepted the last time either

https://i.imgur.com/Ak7tqLJ.jpg

oOBestEveNAOoNov 28, 20174 votes

[{quoted}](name=UVG Hyperion,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=000e,timestamp=2017-11-28T02:34:58.852+0000)

So how do i join these holy vacinities, i want to join the laughing phish in his holy light

All of our volunteers began in unofficial capacities. They posted with passion, understanding, kindness, and generosity, sometimes for years, before ever holding an official capacity.

So.

Join the Fish in the light whenever you feel ready. Water's warm.

Laughing FishNov 28, 20175 votes

Come my child. Join me in the light.

https://i.giphy.com/media/BnhIfw9hBDlLi/giphy.gif

Apply to join our righteous order here.

BubbaVNov 28, 20172 votes

lol this should be a shit fest

Deep Terror NamiNov 28, 20174 votes

This is a structure reorganization more than anything else. The Volunteers have been doing exceedingly well for half a year, so if you think "this should be a shit fest" then they must be doing fine.

Kaladin DavarNov 28, 20172 votes

Gonna have to disagree with you. I know for a FACT that there is a volunteer that a very large percentage of the boards HATE with a passion.

Deep Terror NamiNov 28, 20175 votes

"A very large percentage of the boards"? The people that can't follow and repeatedly refuse to follow the very simple Universal Rules are the only ones that hate him (the one I assume you mean), and they are only a tiny tiny percentage of the Boards users, as most people don't have this problem. He interacts with more of them than most because he does a lot of moderating, so that is why more of them recognize and focus on him; not because he's doing anything wrong. If you have a problem with one of the Volunteers, post on Discuss the Boards or visit them on the Moderation Discord.

Kaladin DavarNov 28, 20172 votes

Your logic is extremely flawed. All mods enforce boards rules but they don't have insane amounts of hate. There is a reason this one specifically does.

Deep Terror NamiNov 28, 20174 votes

As I always told them; if nobody is bitching about your moderation you aren't doing your job.

And like I said, if you've got a problem, tell them. And be specific, not this "ppl hate him for reasons". That doesn't help anyone and you'll be disregarded.

Kaladin DavarNov 28, 20172 votes

LOL no wonder the mod team is like this if people are telling them things like that. That is such an AWFUL way to look at moderating.

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20173 votes

[{quoted}](name=Kaladin Davar,realm=NA,application-id=6heBIhQc,discussion-id=LZ0eNgrM,comment-id=0008000100000000000000000000,timestamp=2017-11-28T03:39:55.001+0000)LOL no wonder the mod team is like this if people are telling them things like that. That is such an AWFUL way to look at moderating.

In my experience, no one will every be perfectly happy. I'd hazard that at least 40-50% of the people whose behavior ends up requiring moderation either don't believe what they did was against the board rules or simply don't care. As such, even a moderator who plays 110% by the book on a board where none of the rules occasionally require moderator discretion will end up getting hate from some of the community -- I know, because I've been that guy on other forums and servers in the past. It's ultimately unavoidable.

I'd put an addendum that in an ideal world no one bitches about moderation because everyone accepts punishments when appropriate and the community is entirely on the same page with regards to where the lines are drawn in edge cases, but, unfortunately, that's not really a plausible real-world scenario.

We are always looking to improve though, and welcome specific, actionable feedback on how we can do so.

TaeseukNov 28, 20172 votes

You know I've probably only seen 3-4 of these people around, never knew there we're so many of you.

ModThe DjinnNov 28, 20172 votes

{quoted}

You know I've probably only seen 3-4 of these people around, never knew there we're so many of you.

Some of post more frequently than others, and some of us post in a broader cross section of the boards than others. But yep -- it's not precisely a small team. :)

Laughing FishNov 28, 20176 votes

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/FlAGoVxSRd0/maxresdefault.jpg