This message is to describe the steps taken to address board disruptions which have occurred the past couple of weeks.
Before I outline those details, I first want to acknowledge the many members of RWD who have been offended by the actions of a few. There are clearly some people who have joined RWD, but who do not share our enthusiasm and interests in the pursuit of a life-partner from a foreign country. That they have had a negative impact on our members and board is very unfortunate, and we are taking immediate steps to address the problem. To those RWD members who were deeply offended and hurt in the past few weeks, you have my sincere apology for the injuries suffered.
As to the steps we have taken - first, we made some changes several days ago which protects attachments (photos) from being seen by visitors. We encourage the posting of photos, but recognize that some people on the internet have misused the photos members have posted, hence, the new restriction will allow us greater ability to track a photo if it is misused.
Next, the Terms of Service have been slightly revised to reinforce important elements of a member's experience at RWD. Soon, every member will be required to acknowledge their agreement to the revised Terms of Service. This is a protection to *all* RWD members, to insure everyone is fully informed of the rules which guide participation here.
Without calling out individuals, I will simply say that several RWD members have been placed in Moderated status for their disruptive behaviors. They are free to make posts, but the posts require Admin/Moderator approval prior to release to the open board.
Over the course of the next few days, there may be some increased Moderator activity as we seek to restore order to the board. Please help us by adhering to the following guide:
Do's:
-Think before you post.
-Focus on facts or real experience.
-Respect the privacy of others including family and friends/partners.
-Focus on subjects before personalities.
-Add humour where appropriate.
-Post in English (Exception being Non-English sections)
-Confine posts to the topic at hand and respect the title of the thread.
Dont's:
-Don't be "Trolling" for negative responses.
-Don't post in anger.
-Don't add fuel to a fire.
-Don't take yourself or others too seriously.
-Never take anything posted here personally.
-Never forget the main purpose of this board (to share information).
-Don't let personalities obscure the principles.
Please do not confuse this 'guide' with the actual Terms of Service. You will find the revised Terms of Service posted in the Admin section of the board, and in the Left Frame - or you may click here --
http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/index.php?pid=28I know many of you have expressed concern that RWD would not be the same as it was prior to this recent incursion. Candidly, I have pondered that question and concluded that it all depends on YOU. The management here will take whatever actions you, the members, deem appropriate. We can close sections of the board - we can create barriers to photo/text theft - there are many options available to us. It comes down to whether we want to be inclusive (in the sense of including anyone who shares our common interests), or exclusive.
The foundation of RWD was to be as inclusive as possible (obvious trolls excepted), and to allow a great degree of tolerance in the posting so that all may be heard - AND - enable the board to be largely self-moderating. The many, many exchanges held the past couple of weeks have almost exclusively endorsed those fundamental tenets.
To close, I am going to write in universals - although, of course, I know universals to be universally untrue - but to make my point:
RWD is composed of courageous people seeking "The Road Not Taken." We have traveled, or plan/wish to travel, a path which is not the norm. It requires intelligence, perseverance, resilience, and resolve. It also requires some good fortune (and/or Providence) and we make our good fortune by seeking information and deciding for ourselves the direction WE shall take. This board is the finest of its sort on the internet. Nothing even comes close. We have members who are gracious and generous in sharing the information they possess. We have members who are ready to 'step-up' to meet the needs of their RWD friends in real life. I expect life at RWD to return to normal quickly, if not immediately. The 'chill' that had been cast by the incursion of a few will be soon forgotten, and future incursions will be met by the entire membership with a renewed vigor and sense of who we are and where we are going.
Welcome BACK to RWD !!
- Dan
