Category: !CL Candidates
Greetings all.
With the advent of the Cummunity Leader polling approach, the opinion of the community for which these "leaders" becomes a lot more meaningful. Finally we as the populus will have some degree of influence on the very people elected to such a station which grants them a measure of influence over the Zone BBs collective.
In order to vote for a person, however, it helps to know and understand them. To this end, I've decided to re-post my Community Leader application below, with a few changes which reflect the chances that have occurred since I filled out said form.
I hope that you will find it informative, and that it will help you decide (whether yay or nay) which way you're voting, and why.
Why are you interested in being a community leader?:
I've been a member of the site for several years, and would like to give something back to the community. I hope to be able to influence the development of the Zone BBS, and (where possible) want to set an example for its users.
What previous experience have you had with The Zone BBS??
I've been a user of the Zone BBS since 2004, and in 2006 was a contributing member of the Zone Icon staff. I've also contributed multiple suggestions, some of which were even implemented. In my capacity as a member of the Zone BBS community, I've freely critiqued and praised various changes to the site, and in this manner have spawned some fairly intensive discussions.
What previous computer experience do you have? How comfortable are you with use of websites and other Internet applications?
I've been using computers since I was twelve, back when they used to teach me on an Apple IIE. Used to know applesoft BASIC pretty well. I've been on windows since Windows 95 with JAWS 3.3. I consider myself fairly proficient with website navigation and internet applications, and also have experience with HTML.
Much of your job as community leader is dealing with users' questions. What previous experience have you had that would help you in this area?
I've been involved in several projects and organizations that require group interaction. Those organizations required me to work with new computer users. A program was recently started in my area, and for a time I was a partner volunteer computer assistant and representative, presenting various lectures about Assistive Technology to those who may not have had any experience with the subject. I've also fielded questions from Zone BBS users, both privately and otherwise.
What would you do in a situation where you are asked a question and are unsure of the answer?
I would research the answer to the question. If I cannot procure an adequate response, I'd defer the user to another community leader, or else suggest they post a board topic about it, trusting that perhaps one of the community will have a solution.
As community leader, you have access to information which users and premium members do not. (Note that you do not have access to passwords, billing information, or the ability to change points.) What do you feel are appropriate and inappropriate uses of this information?
Proper use of private information is restricted to maintenance of the site and its users. A community leader should only use that information to carry out disciplinary actions or to pursue problematic users, and only with extreme discretion.
As community leader, you have the ability to edit and delete board posts and entire topics. What are situations in which it would be appropriate or inappropriate to use these abilities?
I firmly believe that every user should be able to express his/her opinion. A board post or topic should only be removed or disabled when its subject matter breaches the terms of service or contains material which is morally offensive, and only after conference with other community leaders. I will never subvert a user's opinion and remove or lock their topics without valid and solid reasoning.
When is it appropriate to disable a user's account?
After multiple disciplinary actions fail to curb a users misbehavior, or when the user is overtly attempting to damage either the site or its members computers.
How much time per week can you commit to being a community leader?
I can commit at least 20 to 30 hours per week.
How would you deal with conflicts of interest such as being close friends with someone on The Zone and having to do something against your friend's wishes, or a situation where your friend tried to sway your decision?
Friend or not, rules are rules. I am practical enough to separate friends from responsibilities, and I would explain to my friend(s) that I am simply performing my duty. In the event this is not possible, I'd defer the decision making to another community leader, in order to avoid the situation.
What do you feel sets you apart from other applicants?
I am generally patient with people, and am usually good at explaining concepts to them. I'm generally well-liked by the majority of the site's users, and am very anti-drama. To the best of my ability, I will endeavour to handle altercations or inquiries in a mature, respectful, and friendly manner.
What other information would you like to tell us? You must write something. Interests? Favorite fruit?
I'm from Laos, I love coconut and water melon, and I'm learning to be a baker. And you should never cross a Apple-sponsored chimpanzee with a sado-masochistic Australian bird, else you'll have a brand-spanking gnu monkey.
You've got my vote!!! Gooooo Kai!!! <3
thanks for posting this, Kai. I definitely think it's useful. O, and by the way, thanks for not saying anything like...please vote for me. In my opinion, that will definitely give you an upper hand.
Good idea to post your application, and not just random "vote for me," stuff. I think this is more constructive.
Awesome... you've got my vote! :)
Nice job. There are a few people running for the position that I believe would make a great contribution to this site, and you are one of them.
I know it's a little late now, but hopefully this will be comforting. When filling out the application, there are no right or wrong answers. It is more important how you say things than what you say. Best of luck to ya.
Go Kai! :D that was an outstanding application!
If there really are no wrong answers, then I should fill one out when 3 sheets to the wind and in a smartass mood to boot.
Lol Leo. By right or wrong answers I mean there isn't a single answer to the questions.