Dear All:
In case you hadn't noticed my absence, I have been absent from moderating for a significant period of time. This was due to a sudden family emergency that required me to take on the role of home health aide. Our family was not prepared for this emergency either monetarily, logistically, or physically; so I've had to make many critical choices about how to prioritize my time. Unfortunately, this meant I had to prioritize health care, transportation, extra work hours, and minor construction ahead of you all.
Frankly, I figured you would all be fine for the most part. I've always said that you all make the forum what it is, not me. But, it doesn't change the fact that I have been delinquent in my duties to you all. And maybe I could have been forgiven myself after a few weeks of regular moderating and creating a good system for it, but after this period of time, it simply isn't fair to you for me to continue moderating.
I would have greatly preferred a transition phase, but it simply isn't something I can maintain due to my time constraints. Any plan I come up with is pretty regularly thrown to the wind, so I'll have to let the chips fall where they may. I'll try to check back more regularly than I have, but I genuinely can't make any strong commitments.
Thus, I'm looking for volunteers for moderation. Truly the forum only needs moderate moderation. Heavy daily commitments isn't necessarily required, as it can probably be mastered by a crew of a few taking different days.
Thank you for your time, and I apologize for the frustrations I have caused you. Please volunteer in the comment chain with your available commitment, and if there are people you would like to work with.
I do not wish any ill will on your family, and you have my condolences.
That said, I mirror the sentiments of Benevolentdictator and others, and say that while I'm glad you are finally asking for volunteers, it shouldn't have gotten to this point in the first place.
With that out of the way, I nominate u/Kienan, u/MargarineMongoose, and u/Kaarous as potential mods, and I am willing to volunteer as well.
I'm flattered but I'm only willing to commit to a lazy effort. Truth be told I think if we want some who can actually moderate discourse here then u/Smith1980 is one of the few people I'd trust to take the reins. He's got that good Christian outlook that keeps him tempered and compassionate without veering into zealous idealism.
I disagree about Smith. I think he's wonderful but I think you need to be callous on some level to be an effective moderator.
Perhaps, but I trust him to not go mad with power more than most here, which I think is an important consideration.