Hi Michael,
I agree with you.
It might be that admin needs detail in order to send warnings,,,maybe they need a specific reason. Otherwise, yes, A LOT could be cut out.
I used to think sending warnings and temp bans was the answer. I also thought that the TOS was a friend and tool for the staff which if misused, turns staff into police. What I've realized through the years is this, and I may be wrong but the Spirit is leading me this way, so here it is.
The more rules we have the more members will learn to ride the edge of that rule. Rules don't really change behavior because the unruly will simply find a way to mitigate the rules. Rules have their place, but lack in discernment.
What I think we need are principals with a core base of member that have a solid understanding of those principals and can live them out both on this board, and broader communities.
This is why we put up our Community Statement and Staff Expectations and I think Staff Expectations can be modified as we move this community forward, and we will.
In my book, less is best. Honestly, you don't see the trolls here any more because we don't give them multiple warnings. We ban them so the negativity doesn't infect the board.
Here is how we've been trying to change this board in terms of structure. Moderators are not here to moderate behavior. They are to be a part of the community with a mission to unite us in Christ. I don't want moderators to get stuck arguing with an unruly member over and over and over. It sucks the life out of you, trust me, I know this first hand. Moderators are to give gentle instruction and if it gets heated, they hand it of to an Admin and we take it from there. I don't always succeed, but I try to base those private conversations based on them, and not a set of rules. IT's not like, "I'm giving you a ticket for speeding and your fine is xxx". My objective is to reconcile where possible. I don't always succeed, but it's what's in my heart.
What I hope for is a TOS that represents our community values, which should be rooted in the bond of unity and reconciliation. We invite other Christians to live out these values with us but if they either can't control themselves, or they come in with the purpose of causing dissension, I can assure you their memberships are short lived.