What is the point of having a "Moderator"

[Dollarsign]

Hey guys,

I was just wondering, what exactly is the point of the "Moderator" status.

I've just started my new forum but I don't really trust new mods with the ability to delete / move threads etc so at the moment they are just using the default vbulletin options for the "Moderator".

What exactly is their role? Like what should they be doing? It doesn't seem like they can do anything apart from help other users??

Thanks

[TMH63]

Their function is relative to how well you trust them. If you don't trust anyone to have extended access on your forums, then they are useless. My mods are there to watch daily activity when I'm away. They have access to move and delete(soft delete) content, but that's about it. When I can trust and have more faith in certain individuals, then their access expands.

I want to get to a point where I only take care of behind the scenes and let my members, mods and other admin take care of everything on the face.

[Biker_GA]

If you don't trust your staff to do the mundane day-to-day chores of running a site, then they shouldn't be on your staff.

Moderators help take the work load off the Administrators. An Admin's job is to ensure the site is running as efficiently as possible. The Moderators assist in the smooth running of the site. Step in when needed to diffuse situations, delete spam, move posts, and point out to the Admin's when something isn't quite working they way they should.

Selecting someone to be a moderator is something that should be considered very carefully. Keep in mind, these individuals represent your site. If you don't trust them, they shouldn't be on your staff.

[Lynne]

If you aren't giving your Moderators any 'powers', then basically all the Moderator status on your site means is that you recognize that person as someone important on your site.

As for what they should be doing, that is up to your the Administrator to define. What do you Need them to do? And have you given them the tools to do it?