The observent among you (and there are many) will notice a few BZ members now have "Support Team" as their group name. Their names will also show up in green on the active list of members.

What is this Support Team? And well you might ask. Even with 24 moderators, the volume of posts to read and review is enormous. We have found that many regular BZ members have been extremely helpful in answering questions from new members, notifying mods when a topic needs attention, and generally being helpful and good citizens of the board.

So we decided to create the BZ Support Team. These new team members have already shown themselves to be good BZ citizens, and helpful with new and seasoned BZ members. We are starting with a small number of people to begin with, to see how it works out.

Here is what these Team members are responsible for:

• Notifying mods when a thread requires attention (off topic, flaming, question answered, duplicate, etc.)
  
• Answering questions about routine things, like: how do I make a poll, what are emoticons, why can't I post in COT, what's a Premier membership, etc.
  
• Providing a positive and upbeat example.
  

Here's what these team members aren't:

• They are not moderators and don't have mod powers - they can't close threads, or redirect them, or anything like that.
  
• They are not arbiters of keeping the peace. If there's an issue between members, they are not required to step in to deal with it. That's a moderator or admin task.
  
• They are not any different than regular members, Premier members, moderators, or admins. Like everyone else, they are unpaid volunteers who have shown a willingness to provide help and information to members and moderators.
  
• They are not necessarily moderators in training. While some Support Team members may move on to become moderators at some time, this is not a new "proving ground" for mod candidates, and indeed the two roles are quite different in how they are executed.
  

So please welcome me in joining the first five Support Team members!

Kaiapu

Kanohi Kakama

Poorpip

Jaster Mereel

IM Wright

One last word about the Support Team: these members were chosen by the admins, not as a reward for past behavior but because of their ongoing commitment to quality on BZ. We do not anticipate adding more team members right away, so please don't PM asking if you can become one. The same rules apply as when we select who to ask to become a moderator.

- Binkmeister
BZ Assistant Admin

That is cool. So they are just regular members but the only difference is that they have support team in their name?

Quote (Akamai1290 @ May 25 2002, 4:14)

That is cool. So they are just regular members but the only difference is that they have support team in their name?

They are what you've said, but also helpers. They do the tasks of informing new members and just help infroming regular moderators for helping in either moving and the closing of topics, and telling moderator's who is disobeying the rules.

Quote

That is cool. So they are just regular members but the only difference is that they have support team in their name?

Yes, basically. I personally think this is a great idea! This shows BZ's appreciation for these members, and gets more people to keep the peace!

Quote (Akamai1290 @ May 26 2002, 01:14)

That is cool. So they are just regular members but the only difference is that they have support team in their name?

They also have flashing Huna's under their names!
Congrats! KK told me this this morning on MSN IM.

This is cool. It's nice that the people who are really helping out the mods and other members get a special group.

Shouldn't this information go into the refrence desk too? Some people might not go to this forum and look at this thread and PM one of the admins.

I'm really excited about this too. I'm kinda wondering what our initials are going to be, STers? lol. Don't worry I'm not quitting my day-job... Thanks for all your support people...

And I just have to say,  Happy Star Wars Day!

Happy Star Wars day to you, too, and I wish you STers (You've started a trend, Jaster Mareel) good luck! You guys never know, you might be switching that Huna for a Hau someday...
Congratulations!

This stuff must be Cool!

That is a really good Idea, but will they be assigned certain Threads like the B/T/S or BBC?

Congrats to you all.  It is a timely addition.  

Celtman    the fierce

Go I.M.Wright!!! You to JM! I also think this is a good idea. :

Good idea!
Now, in what method do you pick who gets to be oen?
If so, I would like to join, or I dont know.

Ah, I confused myself now...  

Quote (Jaster Mereel @ May 25 2002, 3:33)

kinda wondering what our initials are going to be, STers?

Naw, I Think We Are Just Gonna Be Known As The S Team, or Support as I Like To Call It. Remember Guys, We Aren't Just In This For the Trend. I'm In This Because One Day I Would Like To Hand in My Huna For A Hau, and I'd Like To Keep BZ a Happy Safe Place.


-KK

Quote (Tahnok,Nuhvok, and Pahrak @ May 25 2002, 1:42)

That is a really good Idea, but will they be assigned certain Threads like the B/T/S or BBC?

Not at this time. Maybe in the future, but for now they just go where they usually go. They have not been told they have to watch the entire site, or one forum. We seem to have all areas pretty much covered, so thats a good thing for us.

Mark

That's really cool... I'm glad for all of you!! Good luck!

Is that why some members have changing Hau-s next to their names, becuase they are MODs or on the ST?

Can other people be on the ST also?

Congrats to all of the STs!!

May    bless you.

Whatever happened to him anyway?

Quote (ZDigiToaIM @ May 25 2002, 6:54)

Is that why some members have changing Hau-s next to their names, becuase they are MODs or on the ST? Can other people be on the ST also? Congrats to all of the STs!! May    bless you. Whatever happened to him anyway?

The color changing Huna's are what people in the Support Team have. The color changing Hau's are for the Moderators.

Quote (Jaster Mereel @ May 25 2002, 4:33)

And I just have to say,  Happy Star Wars Day![/color][/b]

WELL HAPPY STAR WARS DAY, and i realy like this idea, and congradulations to al those that have made the support team, congrads.

Thanks for all the congrats!  And if you ever need help, just like Bink said, feel free to PM me or any other of the Team members.  I'm glad to help BZ anyway I can, and that includes helping you guys!

I'd like to become a support member but it depends on the mods choices, congrats for now.

this maybe foreshawdowing that bz will have soon , even more groups , like maybe , bionicle preps, and stuff like that  

Quote (firestarter @ May 26 2002, 1:05)

this maybe foreshawdowing that bz will have soon , even more groups , like maybe , bionicle preps, and stuff like that

Thats Not Really Possible. This Just Means You Guys Will Have More People Here To Help. The Huna, and Other Things Are Just There Help Ya'll Out. Theres Nothing "preppy" About It.


-KK

i really didnt mean something like that , but more something like mod jr.or bz cops , or stuff like that

You do know D made a topic like this in the Reference Desk don't you?

Quote (Kenito93 @ May 26 2002, 6:20)

You do know D made a topic like this in the Reference Desk don't you?

Yeah, But I Bet Bink is Leaving This One Open So Members Can Reply To It.

-KK

I'm really glad about this new ajustment. I'm happy for all of those who are currently Supporters, and I hope this will make BZ a better place for us all. Additionally, I believe this will make other members, who wish to be on this team, be more kind and helpful and help out in the big scheme of things. It worked that way for me, I hope to be proudly wearing a huna someday...

 

do you have to be a premier to be one?

Quote (MasterKopaka @ May 29 2002, 3:48)

do you have to be a premier to be one?

No, Look At I.M.Wright He's One. As Bink Says Those Who Do Not Ask Are Best Qualified.

-KK

Nope,you can be a regular member.

No, just look at I. M. Wright.

Just as there are some moderators who aren't premier members, there will be Support Team members who aren't premier members; being a mod/ST member and premier status aren't related, nor does membership in the latter bear on ones appointment/non-appointment to the former.

-KIE (who started typing this before KK replied, thankyouverymuch)

Maybe so but you did not finish typing before JF.