A question concerning titles for ex-managers/mods.

I am aware that the policy has changed back and forth over the years, under different administrations and whatnot. I just wanted to know where things currently stood.

I know right now current moderators are allowed to have custom titles. But I was under the impression that custom titles for ex-managers/mods were not allowed. I don't know why I was under that impression, I guess just because 99% of them have boring titles. Then today I noticed an ex-manager with a very...odd custom title. I've seen 2 total now, the rest still have the boring titles.

So I know this is a trivial thing, and I don't mean to use this as a thread to get on MS' backs or whatever, I just want to know what the policy is and the mods I asked didn't seem to know it. Thankee

 

i asked for x-man. 'twas rejected.

 

Though I was never a moderator, manager, magistrate or administrator--I feel entitled to a title that specifies that I was once a moderator, manager, magistrate or administrator.

Thanks,
-Seldon

 

Ah, ok thanks.

 

I was told "Retired Empress of Awesome" was out.

 

And also, ex-RSAs can have custom titles, so an ex-mod who's also an ex-RSA can have one.

 

I asked for Ex-Man. That was shot down too.

 

I asked for "sex-man", and got it. But I didn't want to embarrass you guys.

 

surely that would come under the 'posting knowningly false information' rule ?

 

What unimaginative unfun sacks of astersisks shoot down all those awesome titles??

 

I was shot down for having "ex mod".

Though someone changed it around a lot one day and I think it ended up with the typical "moderator emeritus" title.

 

Emeritus: retired or honorably discharged from active professional duty, but retaining the title of one's office or position

Magistrate: a civil officer charged with the administration of the law.



My title perfectly reflects my old position considering I was known as 3sa Magistrate during my time. I just don't see the problems with custom titles so long as they're short and come with Emeritus, Ex, Quandam, or Former in them. It's not important that people know what we did, just that we're no longer doing it. Fortunately those four key words and our VIP status reflect that. Nobody will confuse us with current Ninja Mods.


Examples

Ex-Bouncer
Quandam Quack
Former Key Master
Gigolo Emeritus

 

I agree with Passel Argentine.

 

I wouldn't have a problem with Magistrate Emeritus, but I think that is a lot clearer than "Ex-Bouncer" or "Gigolo Emeritus", etc.

 

HLS is lucky with his choice; at least Magistrate has a level of formality to it. Bouncer doesn't have that, there's whimsy there - as, given the choice, there would no doubt be in many choices. I agree that it's important to have consistency in the titles we use for former moderators, but instead of holding the current line, maybe hold a new one to recognised (IRL) formal terms? That would probably restrict the choices dramatically. Of course, retain the policy whereby the term chosen must be preceeded by 'former', 'ex-' or followed by 'emeritus'.

 

Not sure you're right re: Chancellor. It's a single word, speaks of authority, and is definitely formal (no trace of sillyness). Stuff like Former Emperor of the Universe would obviously not be suitable. But... Former Emperor, or Emperor Emeritus I see no issue with. Keep it to single words, recognised for their serious authority. That would allow some flexibility, but not too much.

I'm thinking about stuff that specifically doesn't appear 'clever'.

Truly, how essential is it that the title precisely indicates they were an ex-mod? Provided the chosen word is formal, recognised as being of authority, and accompanied by 'Ex-' or whatever to indicate that power had been removed, then I think the message is clear - even to new users.

 

But nobody cares that we were once moderators, managers or administrators. If you just want to keep track of that, make a list of all VIP's and former volunteer staff and keep it in Comms, the MS or both. Hell, that should be done anyway. What is important is that they understand that whatever we once were, we are no longer. Thus the limited colors and the important titles that say "emeritus, ex, former, and quandam." Those are the key factors. No current mod is going to have ex, former, or emeritus in their title. If we keep those in our titles and make the titles relatively short and with the TOS then there won't be a major problem.

I'd gladly give up colors if I could just have the title "Magistrate Emeritus" should that be a future compromise.

 

This.

I'm personally not into fancy titles so much, I really don't care what my own says. But that right there is a good point. I think as long as the title is something of ex-position of leadership/importance, then it gets the point across. It's something of a reflection of the personality of MS I've found in the past. If you want a super serious no-nonsense by-the-book sort of feel, then stick with the choices there are now. If you want a more fun-yet-serious outlook for MS, loosen it up. Either way, that's about all the titles serve to do. In my opinion. Which is not everyone's.

 

If 'not confusing new users' is all we're concerned about (and it sounds like it is), just make a thread in the WNU called "Quondam Moderator pillow fight thread" and explain to these newbs that people with one color in their name and odd titles that mean "something about former" and "something about having some sort of power" are in fact, people who formerly held power on the boards.

 

I might take VIPship if I could have a title like "Used to be a Person of Importance"