Welcome all! This room is intended as a place to converse with candidates, discuss moderator traits, etc. For general discussion related to travel, go here: chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/591/you-are-here

If you have questions about the election process itself, please ask your question on the Travel Meta Site. Remember, folks stepping up to lead this community are committing a significant amount of their time, please keep all discourse civil and constructive.

Would it be considerate to 'nominate' other than oneself? Moderation at its best is low key and a 'background' activity. Yet the people who nominate themselves may be the type to prefer the limelight rather than to operate behind the scenes. Obviously whoever takes on the challenge must be very willing, but is suggesting "You should run" unfair to someone who does not volunteer/who never does put themselves forward?

@pnuts The general idea is, you inform the individual (such as by callout in this chat, or just poking them in regular chat, or maybe comments on the election posts in Meta, etc. etc.) that you think "I think you'd make a great candidate, here's why". Some sites actually setup a whole thread for people to solicit nominations.

The reason we make it that the candidate has to actually self-nominate is that it's important that someone becomes a moderator because they actually want to step up and accept the position. There are a number of individuals across the network who many consider have all the qualifications and personality to represent their communities, but who lack the time or desire to be in that position and prefer to remain a normal user.

But no harm in spurring people - sometimes, there's people who are on the fence. "I think I might do a good job but I'm not sure if people would support me". Even I was one of those in fact, a long time ago. So even a nudge can be useful.

Thank you - so officially not deemed 'arm twisting'! Yes, I appreciate "good candidate" may not be an "available candidate". I was thinking in particular of jonsca over on WA. IMO the best (I don't expect others to reach quite that pinnacle - I'm amazed he does) but he does not have a huge rep score there. Not having 'enough' rep might put some potential candidates off when really it can have little bearing on suitability.

The way I read the omens, one mod would be additional, one a replacement (if not immediately).

Are we getting 2 more mods?

Or 2 mods are leaving?

Candidates last time, other than Mark, were (alphabetial order): cnst, Dirty-fow, jamessug, JoErNanO, JonathanReez, MastaBaba, Pixie, Relaxed, toing_toing, Ulkoma - all seem to have been active recently.

@JonathanReez The way I read the omens, one mod would be additional, one a replacement (if not immediately).

without Mark in the race this should be interesting :)

@pnuts Yep. Officially not arm twisting

@GraceNote I have a couple of 'nominees' in mind but should at least wait for some volunteers first!

@pnuts are you putting up a candidacy?

LOL

campaign promise: I will stop flooding the front page

That's not going to happen - of my own doing - in the forseeable.

Well done for nominating - enthusiasm is a good start!

wow, someone already downvoted @JonathanReez's questionnaire? that's harsh

I fear in part my fault - though not my -1.

@ZachLipton If I'm elected the downvoter shall be jailed in the highest tower of Travel.SE! evil laughter

oooooh, an evil mod candidate! delightful