Would you like to volunteer as a board guide on Marriage, Relationships and Families?

Former_MSE_Megan · 11 June 2015 at 10:14AM

Hi there,

The time has come for us to take on another volunteer board guide for this board (and two others). If you'd like to help us out, please reply on this thread with the following:

What other boards you'd be interested in helping out on
Any examples of helping out other users on the site

You can read more about the role here but here's a quick overview:

:: What a Board Guide is

The aim is to help newbies, making sure there aren't lots of different posts on the same thing and guiding people in the right direction. That means where someone says “I’ve searched everywhere and can’t find the information” posting links to the relevant articles/sections on the main site or pointing them to the links at the top of discussion boards.

Where topics have been posted more than once they have been asked to merge/link to each of them where appropriate to help forum users find the information they need.

When moving a thread if it would cause confusion Board Guides are asked to leave a re-direct. Re-directs should be left on the board for 7 days after the thread is moved. Threads should be moved if they’re obviously disturbing the flow of the board and/or are not likely to get a big response where they are.

Where a thread has become contentious Board Guides have been asked to either report or lock and report it so a member of the Forum Team can see it and take appropriate action.

:: What a Board Guide isn't

Board Guides are not moderators. They don’t deal with contentious/illegal issues - that's the Forum Team’s job.

:: Do Board Guides need to be experts?

No. On some boards a specialist knowledge is very useful, but for many just being interested in the subject is enough.

:: Do Board Guides need to be techies?

No, although a willingness to play with the technology helps.

:: How much time?

Board Guiding is a role for very regular users on and looking around the forum most days. Of course, that doesn’t mean Board Guides should worry if they think they can’t get on for a couple of days or they’re going on holiday. Everyone here has a life in the real world.

Thanks, we massively appreciate the help our current board guides give us and we're excited to hear from anyone else wanting to help

Cuilean · 11 June 2015 at 10:34AM

I'm volunteering! I've been here since 2004, and I'd like to give something back by helping out, especially now I'm at home doing the housewife thing.

At the moment, you'll find me in the Marriage, Relationships and Families area, although thanks to my teaching background and accountant husband, I've got experience of a bit of most things. My current favourite place to be is the Trying To Conceive thread, where I'm part of the gang who do our best to prop each other up through the ups and downs of family life.

As for techy-ness, I've got a decent amount of tech knowledge. I completed 4 years of study at computing college, and I can pick things up quickly.

I've also got loads of experience with forums. I've been an admin on two other forums (One previous, one still current), so I'm familiar with how things work and what's expected.

If you want someone who likes both asking, assisting and answering, I'm your girl

fermi · 12 June 2015 at 1:41PM

Can be rewarding and fun. Honest!

Tigsteroonie · 15 June 2015 at 12:27PM

I live on MSE, but I'm not convinced I'd be able to give enough time (because I'm too busy replying elsewhere!). Can anybody - maybe Fermi as he's around - give an idea of the average time commitment?

ETA. As others are volunteering, count me out, I'll carry on just randomly posting!

fermi · 15 June 2015 at 12:48PM

I can't put actual time to it, but.....

You can spend a lot of time if you are a bit obsessive or want to

, but if you are on here most days, then you should easily be able do enough to justify it.

For most BGs I would guess they operate on a line where the BGing compliments their normal use of MSE, or at least does not get in the way of it. If it gets in the way of you being a normal member as well, you would be doing waaaaay too much.

rainbowfairydust · 15 June 2015 at 3:20PM

I would like to apply please. I am a forum regular - mostly in the arms but i do post regularly on other boards ( DT/sports/fitness/motor/OS/Fleabay & also on the health and beauty (that took me 3 attempts to spell

) . Lurk frequently on the majority of boards (including the marriage board)- bar the gambling board.

I dont have any experience as a BG but am a quick learner, and work for a software firm so i have knowledge of a lot of tech - and if i didnt know i would just ask a colleague

. Since i lurk on a good few boards anyway - keeping an eye on spam levels would be pretty easy.

Ames · 15 June 2015 at 5:43PM

I'd like to volunteer depending on the time commitment. As long as it's not more than a couple of hours a day, it should be ok. I usually have MSE in the background whilst watching TV so can pop in and do guide stuff.

I'm due to return to uni in September and around essay deadlines and exams I'd probably need to cut down for a couple of days.

The boards I check most are DT, Disability and Dosh, Marriages, and Benefits. In the past I've been a regular on the house buying and debt free wannabe forums (fora?) but the latter was some time ago.

I'm not especially techy, but have run websites. I was a moderator on a well known benefits forum but left because the ethos of the site became one I couldn't agree with.

[Deleted User] · 30 July 2015 at 5:08PM

Would this be covering the whole board or are you looking for sub-board volunteers too? I am a keen poster and reader on the Pets & Pet Care section and would love to be a Board Guide over there. I have extensive knowledge and experience in the sector and I spend a few hours on MSE on various boards each day.

good_advice · 11 August 2015 at 11:59AM

Yes please
May I be considered for the roll of volunteer guide on the Marriage, relationships and famlies board.

good_advice · 18 August 2015 at 3:27PM

MSE Megan
Why no responce? Several people have now offered to help.

grey_lady · 29 November 2015 at 9:47PM

MSE was sold for what 87 million pounds and you are not even offering minimum wage?

Shame on you MSE.

Would you like to volunteer as a board guide on Marriage, Relationships and Families?

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