Community,
There was an interest expressed in the mod guidelines that have been developed. This was originally intended to be kept internal but there isn't a reason why it can't be made public. Here are the guidelines we have for modding.
No vendors, market admins, market moderators, or anyone who is compensated by those people should be a mod.
Nobody who owns or participates in a business that derives financial benefit from teh activities this sub participates in (tumbling for instance).
No handling of funds raised from this community, such as charity drives. DUH
No direct participation in fundraising activities. This would include someone who may not be handling the money but is driving the charity, deciding on distributions, etc.
Indirect participation in fundraising activities should be disclosed and decided by the team based on circumstances. Largely, a mod who does this should step down but there could be slight exceptions to this rule.
We mod for free. We are not to accept any gifts, favors, or for anything of value. We provide our service for free. Period. Anything small can look bad and compromising. Also, keep note that we may be specifically targeted at some point for this activity.
Do not use your mod position with vendors to obtain gifts. Ideally, a vendor should not know you order from them.
Do not write reviews on vendors from your mod account.
It is okay to speak about your personal experience with a vendor if the community poses the question. Do not be overly effusive with praise. Be objective. Obviously do not distinguish your post. Any recommendations are made as a community member and not a mod.
Do not mediate or act as a "go between" between private party disputes, for free or for pay. We get messages from the community asking for help on a transaction. That is not our role. We do not get involved in private party transactions, period. We kindly redirect these requests to the community. We do not involve ourselves in transactions of others.
Always remember our posts will often be interpreted as expert opinions by some in the community and weight will be given simply by virtue of being a mod.
When making posts, avoid making conclusive statements or opinions on issues not related to modding duties. This can be a judgement call, but often it will be better to lay out pros and cons of a certain action and let the community debate it.
Do not threaten mod actions in an abusive manner nor let it appear abusive. Never use it as a "punishment" or to demonstrate the power imbalance between yourself (the mod) and a community member. The community comes to resent it.
When engaging in discussions that get heated, if a "mod action" is required, it is highly recommend involving another mod who is not actively engaged in that discussion and ask for their review and if an action is warranted, have the other mod do it.
Try your best to avoid even getting into heated discussions with those in the community. This does not mean not to engage constructively and passionately about a topic with someone, but when it turns to destructive, mean-spirited stuff by the other person, just simply do not engage them. Avoid it.
You forgot
Seriously why do u guys do it. It rages me so much.