Would you like to serve as a Host of a Group? And does your Group even need a Host?
Again, this is an announcement about Group Hosts, not Forum Hosts.During the testing period this last week, we assigned a number of people to act as temporary hosts in various Groups around the site so we could test the software. To those of you who volunteered, thank you. But, as promised, now that the testing period is over we have wiped the database of Group hosts. If you were a Group Host during the testing period, you are no longer assigned as a Group Host. As I write this, none of the Groups have Hosts assigned. (Note that Forum Hosts from the testing period are still assigned.)
Does your Group need a Host at all?
The first thing that needs to happen in any Group before someone is assigned as a Host, is that the regulars in that group need come to some general agreement that they want a Host at all. The position of Host (especially the most senior Host) holds a significant amount of power in a group -- with the abilities to lock threads, hire and fire other Hosts, and block people out of the group. Are you sure you want to hand that power over to anyone?
Keep in mind that if you do not choose to have a Host, your group will still enjoy some amount of protection. No matter where they are posted, violations of our Community Standards are handled by the random member juries. So even if your group does not have a Host, there is still a system in place that will be able to handle disruptive posts in the group.
With that in mind, there may be some Groups where it might make sense to leave the position of Host vacant:
- If your group is dedicated to a non-controversial topic, then there is probably no harm in assigning someone as a Host. You are unlikely to need someone to lock threads or block people out of the group, but it might be useful to have someone who can take ownership of the group.
- If your group is a "Safe Haven" where only one viewpoint is welcome, then you should probably assign a Host to help run the group. It is likely that you will need a Host to lock off-topic threads and block out people who disagree with the purpose of the group.
- If your group plays host to open debate on a particular topic, and welcomes a wide range of viewpoints, then the choice might not be so simple. If you select a Host, it needs to be someone who is trusted to be fair by people holding a wide range of viewpoints. You may decide that it is better not to assign anyone as the Host of your group, to avoid the risk that that person might use their power to benefit a particular viewpoint.
What to do if you want to serve as a Host? (THESE INSTRUCTIONS HAVE CHANGED)
If the members of your group decide to select a Host, then you must decide who will serve as the first Host. The DU Administrators will assign ONLY ONE host to each Group, and then it is the responsibility of that Host to select other members of the Host Team (if anyone else wishes to serve).
Hopefully in most Groups, selecting a first Host will be a simple matter of awarding the job to the first person who posts in the Group to volunteer for the job. If more than one person is interested, then you need to discuss the choice of Host amongst yourselves until you come to some sort of consensus regarding who should have the job.
- If you want to serve as a Host of a particular Group, the first thing you need to do is post in that group to let the members of that group know you are interested in serving as the Host. If a consensus is reached and you are chosen for the job, then -- and only then -- you can report back to this thread and let me know.
- Post a reply in this thread telling me which group you have been selected to Host. Include a direct link to your post in the group where you want to serve. I need that link in order to give you host powers.
- I will only assign ONE host to each group. After that first host has been assigned, then that first host has the power to grant host status to anyone else. So, if a host is already assigned to a group, then you need to contact that host to become a host.
Skinner
DU Admin
= new reply since forum marked as read
The Home Page is taking shape! Looking good 
Last edited Sun Dec 11, 2011, 12:49 PM - Edit history (1)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/102479#post7I'm in the process of asking, but didn't want to lose the location of this thread.
edit to update: It looks like I have a quorum, and would like to be the host of Socialist Progressives, please. Thank you for the opportunity to apply! And thank you to everyone who supported me.
I was only 4 at the time, so I don't really remember much. But I do have a West Virginia connection.
An Asian Cultural and News group. I might be willing to host it.. the thing is I am wondering if there might be an interest in this. I am not even sure how many of us are on DU. But.. I run a large group on another website, with over 7600 members. I think if might be fun, and great to have an Asian group under the topic of Race and Ethnicity.
Thank you! Arigatou gozaimasu!
Kimiko ~yori.
arigatou!
Kimiko
I'll stick with the NA group for now, there seems to be a lot of people interested so I'll just stay with the NA and let others have some fun.....
Last edited Wed Dec 14, 2011, 12:27 PM - Edit history (1)
I wish I could point to a thread that shows some form of solid consensus on this, but the quote about Democrats and herding cats comes to mind.
I can state that the residents of the Gungeon seem relatively happy with the idea of me being a host; however, my attempts to get a process going was something of a failure. I don't know if it's because many DU regulars are still on DU2 or people are ambivalent about the new system or what.
Anyway, my attempts to figure out what we're going to do are chronicled in these threads:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172109
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172232
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172298
I await your opinion on whether this counts for consensus or not.
On edit:
I started another thread to try to clarify this, here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1172516
In my opinion, the consensus of the participants can be summarized thus:
• that we need at least one Host;
• that the lead Host should initiate and pin a discussion of Gungeon community standards;
• that the Host(s) should abide by the standards hammered out in the pinned thread;
• that there is general approval and no dissent to me being the lead Host;
• that any future Hosts should be discussed among and approved by the Gungeon community
Thank you.
Skinner ~sama:
We have over ten people now who would be interested in an Asian Group
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10029798
Doumo arigatou gozaimasu!
Kimiko yori.
Yay! Thank you!
Kimiko!
here is the thread discussing the matter, as per your instructions
http://www.democraticunderground.com/103832
oh and my star should be good for at least the next year 
Our state forum doesn't appear to be as active as others, so take this thread for what you will. There are no objections, at least.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/104614
With such awesome games as Guild Wars 2 looming on the horizon, and other greats on the way, I'm sure that it can use the help . I'm already a member.
Link to a post in the group:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/12111129#op
Oh, and I made us a vent channel, too - I made it when we were all playing Diablo 3. It's only a 15 person at a time subscription, but it's very cheap so I've kept it up. Hoping to really use it for GW2