Over the years I have written long winded posts attempting to explain why PP exists and how I feel about it then and now. Every time these responses reach epic length and so I never post them. They are usually spawned because either someone is upset with the Forum and blames me or someone is abusing the forum and going to create problems.

Regardless of what you think of me, why you think the forum is here, or how you think it should be run, a few things can not be argued. I made the website, but everyone else makes the community. I can add features and function but you add the value and the purpose.

Why am I writing this now? It's not because I am sick of dealing with certain people or because I suck at dealing with problems, although both are true. I am writing this because I have always been passionate about creating a free outlet for our community and I have been greatly rewarded by your support and partcipation. From time to time I post new updates and little widgets that I think will add function but now I see a new opporunity for PP.

Ever since PP was created I have tried to bring people into leadership roles so it could evolve into a true community driven system. For the most part that has not worked, I still don't know why but for the first time this year that has changed. It started with Joe and JP. Together the River Beta was no longer approved and moderated by me, and although I appointed forum moderators in the past, Joe and JP actually ran with it and actively read and approved the submissions, with fast return time too!!! Their response made me consider yet again yielding to other folks taking the controls. So this year the PP Ball was handed over to Dan and Adam. Another amazing outcome was realized, not only did they blow away the effort and results I had ever produced, they spent more time and energy than I had ever considered investing in previous years alone.

All of these things have made me consider the fact that we are probably ready for a group of moderators to take the reigns in the forum. Although I would love to help craft the vision of where this can go, I look forward to the day when I am only a quiet voice in a long forgotten thread. For now I have a design for how we can incorporate new moderators and I look forward to seeing where this will go.

If you feel you would be good at moderating or know someone that would be, please send me a PM. The moderators will not broken into specific duties for now. We are small enough that we can have a few folks help moderate the forum keeping threads on topic without specific chairs or focus. The moderators will have the ability to limit users posting abilities, edit posts, move and remove threads and posts. Depending on the folks involved they may also help with code functionality, problems and fixes. The Rio Banditos will stay the same, and in charge of the Beta Submissions, hopefully working with the moderators to encourage folks to continue building our community with media, beta, and constructive conversation.

Once I have a list of moderators constructed we will conduct a vote to elect them which will be open to the community. Based on suggestion and example here (http://www.blazersedge.com/story/2007/5/27/35733/4476)

Thanks again to everyone for all the support, and encouragement you have always offered. I am very hopeful this next step will be equally supported and that our community will continue to desire more control of this resource.

jP and Justin perhaps as mods?  Joe, if beta and mod duties aren't too much for one person. 

Also, Jed Hawkes possibly on that list?  He's been outspoken about the tenor of conversation here.

How about Larry, D1, and D4?

Thanks Adam I appreciate it, I'm glad your still getting something out of this little puppy. I was pretty stoked to see your back online, and I will be even more happy to see you on the river!!!

Well Dave just know that I think you are one of the more balanced and capable leaders/paddlers I know.  You be off

Chris ~ The quality of your input online and offline is awesome so it is a bummer to not have you moderate. You have always been huge contribution to the paddling community so it is certainly our loss to not have you help here, but I can understand your reasoning. If for some reason you change your mind we have a few more days before we make the final selection. 

That's a nice thought, Chris, and we've been hopefull for sometime that we can maintain a "laissez-faire" approach. Obviously we need a few people to operate as moderators, and hopefully they will do so in as "hands off" of an approach as possible.


About me as a nominee for moderator:

First I'd say that I am honored to have been considered. It is the untapped potential of this site that keeps me around. The Flows, the Beta, the Galleries the Google maps, the Youtube, and yes, even the Forums. Certainly the Trip Planner-- a feature I have under-utilized, and hope to post trips on this summer to lead some trips... But I would like to see the forums more frequently populated by discussions related to PADDLING!


Second, though-- is this:
If I were to be a moderator, is it possible that I need to be moderated? In the past I've been guilty of being the one stirring the PaddlePoo. Sometimes it's left a bad taste in my mouth ("why did say that?" or "why did I say it that way"). I guess that is what I wonder:
would jP the moderator need to be moderated? It's possible that by being cast in that role, I'll take my "community" presence more seriously, and probably should anyway.
At any rate, I think there needs to be more than one, two, or three moderators. People are busy with life and so the delegated roles should maybe be spread out. Would that allow the moderators to moderate each other, too?


One thing is for sure: I remain interested in fleshing out and maintaining our database. Gonna take this moment to remind everyone to look over the River Description page for their favorite runs. Select a few to keep an eye on from time to time and make sure the info is current. If you go explore something and it doesn't have anything written for it, please take some time to file at least a T.R., or some minimal beta for the page. Photos are great too, obviously.

why not have a 2 week period for those who don't get on as frequently?