i was recently assigned to be a moderator for the RX-Talk Mailing List which i am a part of since almost it began.  the list owner decided to ask for volunteers to help out with moderating the mailing list since not all of the rx airstaff are actively doing it (as what i was told).  i was interested in the position–and i emphasize the word was–because i really was interested way, way back, say, several years ago.  at that time, the position wasn't open and i left the moderating to the higher ups of the radio station.  i made my intentions of being interested before since a friend asked me if i may be up for it.  i replied through the mailing list that with my work, i might not be able to check the list on a regular basis (which is true, i just started to make a comeback and try to be active again).  lo and behold, the list owner then announced my name and my friends reggie and carol as the new moderators of the mailing list.  i was shocked, but at the same time honored to be named one.  i humbly took the position and been starting checking posts for off-topic messages that need not make it to the list.

when i accepted the role, i made my intentions of cleaning up the mailing list of unwanted posts known from the get go.  it has been a problem of the list since it began.  in general, the mailing list guidelines are to talk about the station, it's music, airstaff, events, promotions, parties and events for starters.  so from my understanding, you base the topics of discussions from the subjects given, and go from there.  examples of what kind of off-topic messages the list has been getting are forwarded messages (quotes, jokes, passages), chain emails, articles from newspapers about political, social, religious, and economic concerns.  and since i have been a member, seeing those messages started from being a nuisance to being, "what-the-hell-bullsh**-is-this?!  this-shouldn't-be-here!"  i mean, it's ok to go off-topic sometimes, but not that overboard.  other members of the list have been complaining about it and back then, nothing was done about it.  i asked the moderators at that time to do something about it, but with respect to them, never pressured or bugged them about it as i left it to their best judgement what to do with them.  i didn't complain, i just continued to be a member.  other members have gone maybe because of it, i don't know, but i guess it's one of the reasons why they left, which was of course, a waste.  i have established friendships with people who have a common bond with me, and that's listening to this radio station.

as i made my intentions known, one member questioned my motives.  that member said that those kinds of messages give color to the mailing list and that we would be labeled as "air heads" if we continue to talk about RX day in and day out, for the station doesn't hold events, premieres, and other station-related activities often.  and as for the forwarded articles, they're the sender's way of informing the public about it.  i was quite surprised by what that member said.  the member also said that he/she was part of the mailing list and liked it the way it is and doesn't see the need for added moderating of the list's messages.  and he/she also said that if he/she didn't like the way i'll be doing the moderating, then he/she will leave the list.  i answered his query to the letter and explained that it's not just me who was complaining about the off-topic messages, but a lot of others.  one of the new moderators actually supported my initiative and will help in the clean up drive.  the ironic thing about all of this was he/she was the only one complaining about my initiative.  no one else backed him/her up.  he/she then answered my rebuttal by saying that he/she was just asking questions about how i would do things and repeated the line that if he/she doesn't like that way i moderate then he would leave the list.  i didn't continue to argue with him/her and replied back that we're just agreeing to disagree on how moderation should be performed.

you really cannot please everybody.  this i have learned both the good and hard way.  but in any case, if the list owner doesn't like how i do things, he can easily take me off the job, and i won't complain.  hey, for the record, i didn't apply for it.  again, i was shocked but honored to accept the list owner's faith in me since he knows that me being one of the pioneers of the mailing list, i know what it has gone through and would know what's best for it.  and to that member who happens to pass by and read this entry, do not–and i repeat, DO NOT–even think about arguing with me on this space about my thoughts.  this is MY SPACE and I CAN SAY WHATEVER I WANT TO SAY.  i have dealt with this as well before also with a lister, so don't even think of starting something.  every blogger has the right to say anything they want to say on their own space without being held legally liable for libel or slander.  yes, you can comment on what i said, but hey, don't take it personally that you'll curse me to kingdom come.  you diss me on your blog, i won't react.  why, because that's what you think.  i'll give you the respect of freedom of expression.  say whatever you want about me, as long as it's in your blog, and i won't take it personally.  say it somewhere else outside your blog, well, that's a different story.

looks like this new role is going to be exciting, dontcha think? 😀