Become a Forum Host

[Diabetes UK]

One of the greatest traits of this forum is the friendly and inclusive environment that people are offered when they join, and continue to receive as they become more involved in posting. This atmosphere is something that exists because of you - the members of this community. Over many years, you have been very successful in creating and maintaining this and will hopefully continue for many years to come.

That is why, it is important that you are the ones that continue to nurture the community and keep it as the friendly, supportive and light-hearted place it is.


As this forum steadily grows in numbers, we need the support of our members, who use and know this community, to help us move with this growth, without losing the friendly and personal feel that exists here.

We’re looking for ‘Hosts’ to help us ensure that people are getting a friendly welcome and an answer to their questions or worries and to let us know if there is anything we should be concerned about.

Much of the success of this community comes from the fact that many of you are exceptional at doing this already. By becoming a ‘Host’, it will enable us to manage consistent and regular support, to ensure that no one is missed, and everyone gets support. In helping to support in this way, you will help in supporting the growth of this forum community and act as additional support for the moderator team.

In return, we will offer volunteer training, support as a Diabetes UK volunteer and additional necessary training.

If you are interested in actively supporting and building the forum, please see the attached role description and application form and email to support.forum@diabetes.org.uk .
If you would like the application as a Word doc, please email and we can send a copy to you.

There will be a link available to the role description later this week on our ‘Volunteer Opportunities’ page. In the meantime, the role description and application are attached.


Thanks folks 🙂

 

[trophywench]

Well the advert is overdue as a lot of us know but I'll say here what I've already said to Hannah - in some way it's a terrible shame it needs to become so formalised.

Some of the people who volunteer for DUK are not even that personally connected to diabetes (and no objection that of itself whatsoever - but ...) You only have to take Alan Shanley's exceptionally useful and frequently quoted advice as an example - he's always been so violently opposed to some of the advice given via the USA's, the Australian and the UK's diabetes charities especially for diet - it's purely why he even started his own blog in the first place. His 'testing on a budget' article was only written after he learned from DSF that the NHS was restricting access to meters to T2's. So ... it just seems a pity. Counter-intuitive, to me, personally.

 

[Matt Cycle]

What's the difference between this role and the moderator role that was advertised recently?

 

[FM001]

There's absolutely no need for hosts, such a silly idea if you ask me. Don't try and fix something that isn't broken Hanna, the forum is running successfully without any official titles to members names.

 

[Diabetes UK]

The intention is not to formalize the forum, but I appreciate that the process we must take in taking on new volunteers is formal and goes against the nature of the forum.
In the last few years, the number of members and guest members has increased dramatically. Yes, the forum is running successfully, we have an excellent core of members who regularly contribute and bring a great deal of value to the posts and threads here. The host is an opportunity with a lower level of commitment to being a forum moderator, but can help to support the moderators with the work they do, and ensure that we can support the increase in new members.

@Matt Cycle - I will repost the moderator description and outline differences there - it seems to have vanished from our volunteer webpage at the moment..

 

[Northerner]

There's absolutely no need for hosts, such a silly idea if you ask me. Don't try and fix something that isn't broken Hanna, the forum is running successfully without any official titles to members names.

@toby, the increase in membership and high levels of activity can mean that occasionally posts can get overlooked - I have seen this many times over the years and attempted where possible to respond to those posts, often chiefly to leet the person know that they are not being 'ignored'. I know from my own early experiences on forums that it can be very disheartening when you post and return later to find there are loads of new posts, but none to your thread

Unfortunately, over the past couple of years we have lost two of our most experienced Moderators, Copepod and AlisonM, through premature death, which has made the task even harder. Moderators of their knowledge, experience and quality are not easy to replace. The idea behind the 'Host' role is to ensure that all members get a response, even when the current Moderator team are not available, but without the more onerous tasks that accompany Moderating. 🙂

 

[ukjohn]

I was one of the first to sign up to this forum on the day it was opened and I have watched it develop over the years into the brilliant forum it has turned out to be, it was started by a young lady who had to give up after a while and handed it over to Northerner who in turn appointed his own moderators and has maintained the success. It was only when it was running smoothly for a number of years that Diabetes UK sat up and took an interest in its success, this interest started a couple of years ago and I said at the time it was the thin end of the wedge and that Diabetes UK were beginning to take over running the group with their own rules and regulations. I do not see the need for all these changes to an already successful group, Northerner has led this success over the years and has always picked the right people to support him in that success. as Toby said above.. IF IT AINT BROKE WHY FIX IT. Just my thoughts and feelings.

John.

 

[FM001]

I know from my own early experiences on forums that it can be very disheartening when you post and return later to find there are loads of new posts, but none to your thread

That can be disheartening as you say.


Mods/Hosts but what next, fear the forum might be going down the same road as another UK forum where members have stupid and inappropriate titles to their names such as Expert, reading what John said above sums up my feelings about the changes that are happening here.

 

[SB2015]

My feeling is that the forum is growing and is as successful as it is because of the hard work of the moderators which we are unaware of because they are so successful. It is good that DUK have recognised the value of this and are offering additional support. I do not see this as DUK trying to take it over, just offering whatever support that they can.

It has been useful to have Hannah on here to answer questions that are specifically about DUK and to explain their position where it seems to conflict with our experiences of living with the condition.

I know that early on I had a couple of posts to which I had no response and at that stage it can feel a bit isolating. If people are able to help ensure that everyone gets some sort of response that is great. I know that there are a lot of us that already try to do this, but I know that some will get missed.

 

[Vince_UK]

I say it time and time again, this forum has been an absolute Godsend to me and without it, seriously, I would have been in dire straits.
For me, anything that offers the ability to give replies to newbies posts on an urgent or prompt basis has to be a big plus.
People will be and I am sure are missed and that is totally unintentional I know.
I have in my short time here, noticed more and more people taking the plunge so as to speak, and start posting here.
We owe them a fast and positive response.
Anything that gives nervous, unsure and people seeking information and advice that calms them down and points them in a positive direction should be implemented.

 

[Amigo]

I’m an Administrator on a huge, international site (not diabetes) and I think people can underestimate how much time and effort is required. Often it’s unseen work and conflict resolution plus constantly clearing out spammers and advertisers plus answering pm’s can be challenging. Our site has the equivalent to ‘hosts’ and they are an invaluable and essential part of the running of the site because ‘greeting’ a scared newbie and other roles are critical.

This doesn’t mean these individuals are deemed to be better informed or more important than any other member but large sites do need structure and people who will commit their time and efforts to maintaining it.

The patronage of an organisation like DUK is important too because they can raise awareness on a larger scale. However, I admit I haven’t got too involved with the DUK element of it or their influence because like most people, the site to me is simply about many of the great, supportive contributors on here.

 

[Davein]

That can be disheartening as you say.


Mods/Hosts but what next, fear the forum might be going down the same road as another UK forum where members have stupid and inappropriate titles to their names such as Expert, reading what John said above sums up my feelings about the changes that are happening here.

I try and view most Newbie posts but I will not comment on their posts if its subject is beyond my experience. I can only comment on areas I am familiar with. I don't want to give wrong advice which could harm the Newbie. Also when we give the advice to T2s to get the meter and the books, even though several have suggested that, someone then comes along and says 'I wouldn't bother with that or them' not only must it annoy the other posters, it totally confuses an already confused and perhaps frightened Newbie. I've also read of someone, in trying to reassure a Newbie, has stated diabetes can be cured! So I leave some posts alone because I'm not confident of giving them the info they need. Also if a Newbie or other posts late at night, the thread gets eventually lost and it can be quite a white before resurrection. I had, like many others on here, quite some time available to browse through the forum but now my time is going to be taken up on other projects I won't be able to post (hurrah I hear you say) But whilst I've been on here Northerner has done a brilliant job🙂

 

[Amigo]

I try and view most Newbie posts but I will not comment on their posts if its subject is beyond my experience. I can only comment on areas I am familiar with. I don't want to give wrong advice which could harm the Newbie. Also when we give the advice to T2s to get the meter and the books, even though several have suggested that, someone then comes along and says 'I wouldn't bother with that or them' not only must it annoy the other posters, it totally confuses an already confused and perhaps frightened Newbie. I've also read of someone, in trying to reassure a Newbie, has stated diabetes can be cured! So I leave some posts alone because I'm not confident of giving them the info they need. Also if a Newbie or other posts late at night, the thread gets eventually lost and it can be quite a white before resurrection. I had, like many others on here, quite some time available to browse through the forum but now my time is going to be taken up on other projects I won't be able to post (hurrah I hear you say) But whilst I've been on here Northerner has done a brilliant job🙂

I think that’s why it’s important the hosts are offered the training that they get Dave.

I do think there needs to be an equitable representation of type 1 & 2’s though (and indeed people familiar with the other types of diabetes).

 

[Davein]

I think that’s why it’s important the hosts are offered the training that they get Dave.

I do think there needs to be an equitable representation of type 1 & 2’s though (and indeed people familiar with the other types of diabetes).

There was a particular Newbie the other day who seemed extremely concerned and read off a list of medications no one seemed to be replying but I believe it was you who came along and stated exactly the purpose for each medication and that reply eased her concerns. I and presumably many others could not respond with the depth of knowledge you ,Amigo, had displayed. 🙂

 

[Bubbsie]

do think there needs to be an equitable representation of type 1 & 2’s though (and indeed people familiar with the other types of diabetes).

Hear Hear Amigo.

 

[kentish maid]

I was amazed how quickly I became a "Well-Known Member" When I first joined the forum I assumed that a well known member was probably an expert. I agree with Dave that a newbie is often given conflicting advice, which can be confusing. Having been here a couple of months I realised it was probably best to add a little bit about myself in my signature, so people who replied to any queries I had could base there reply on my current condition, rather than have to ask what medications etc I might be on. I have on occasion said Hi to a newbie, but find myself giving very vague advice as I don't feel I am qualified to do otherwise. If I had been greeted by a host (who I am guessing will be shown as such, like Northener is shown as Admin) and given basic information, would other forum members who hold different views on treatment of pre diabetes/ type 2 feel disinclined to add their opinions? Thinking aloud really, but worth considering I guess.

 

[Ralph-YK]

@toby, the increase in membership and high levels of activity can mean that occasionally posts can get overlooked - I have seen this many times over the years and attempted where possible to respond to those posts, often chiefly to leet the person know that they are not being 'ignored'. I know from my own early experiences on forums that it can be very disheartening when you post and return later to find there are loads of new posts, but none to your thread

I agree with this however

I will not comment on their posts if its subject is beyond my experience. I can only comment on areas I am familiar with. I don't want to give wrong advice which could harm the Newbie.

I'm the same.

I know that early on I had a couple of posts to which I had no response and at that stage it can feel a bit isolating.

I'm sorry about that SB.

 

[Ralph-YK]

I have on occasion said Hi to a newbie, but find myself giving very vague advice as I don't feel I am qualified to do otherwise.

Same here. It's one of the reasons for me not going for mod, the spec included answering peoples questions and giving advice.

 

[Ralph-YK]

When I first joined the forum I assumed that a well known member was probably an expert.

I'm afraid the advice is to not believe any labels to be a statement of fact.
I was on a tech support forum years ago. They had many labels for members. The one you got depended on how many posts you made. No posts and you were forever a N33b. I believe a high post count actually got you an "expert" if I recall right. It was an indication of how active you were.
I don't know if post counts are used here. Maybe, to get you off "New Member". The labels did changed a little while ago along with the sigh redesign.
Only the assigned (as in someone actually took a decision) names such as Admin, Mod, staff(?) have any actual meaning.

 

[Bubbsie]

Perhaps what's needed is an introduction/welcome pack for new members...something that could be easily be tagged for them with considered well informed advice on the basics of type 1 or 2...with specific/individual questions answered when experienced members...or hosts were available to address them.