Admins: How to keep groups drama free?

[Rogue Siren]

So I'm pretty sure that the reason a certain group I'm a member of on facebook has so much drama and issues is because the admins don't know how to do their job.... Sure, that's not always the case, but in this one I believe ot is.

I said something about that when another person was asking why the group had so much drama. Said admin shows up and starts whining and be pretty immature about it.... And then she challenged me to do a better job. XD Well knowing how to do something and actually being able to do it are two totally different things. I mean, I understand how to do a double full (gymnastics), does that mean I can do it? Heck no! Lol.

Anyway, I was curious what you guys do and how you manage to keep the forums relatively drama free and very positive. :) This other group has such a negative atmosphere....it's really sad and I want to help fix that.

Ideas?! Best way to keep out drama?

[AniaR]

clear rules and guidelines, a strike system, and if possible an area specifically for dramas

[Winged Mermaid]

Honestly here a big chunk of it is 1) the shared passion we have, which we all tend to be pretty passionate and dedicated to and 2) the type of people that like to stick around here tend to be mostly supportive and positive people. Perhaps it's becuase it started off with all positive people and built up from there, and negativity over a certian point just isn't put up with by the rest.

Clear rules help- the admins can always add to the rules as they need to as well, which is pretty much inevitable. FB Groups are hard.. you don't have nearly as much control as you do on forums. Plus there are a ton more people on there, so more jerks. Put the rules somewhere everyone can see (like the group discussion) and have them call attention to any changes in rules they make. Strike systems are good, but not all admins like that.

I found that drama is everywhere. Always. Doesn't matter if it's a bible study group, cooking class, hospital radiology department, or whatever. Having places where people can vent drama I found helped, otherwise it just came out everywhere else (passive aggressive or otherwise) and was a mess.

Honestly the biggest part of it is being in the know about the situation when drama goes down, and listening to all sides. If you don't know all sides, try and think about the situation from different perspectives. It helps to walk away if you're personally upset with the subject (that goes for all involved). Sometimes admins can diffuse things, sometimes you just have to take action. Suspensions, restricted privileges (hard to do on FB), and bans.

I hope things get better in your group! :hug:

[Rogue Siren]

Thanks so much Iona. :) That's a lot of good info.

The group I'm talking about is a dog breed group.....people get downright nasty if you don't agree with them. :(

[deepblue]

In the past I've had groups online for various purposes. One rule I found really helpful is that respect must be practiced at all times. Disagreeing is fine, but leave personal attacks out of it, and if you can't talk with a cool head, take a breather. Actually, in a group for local pagans, I said, "Please keep personal slanders and extremely heated arguments off this list. Flaming will not be tolerated. Use your best judgment, and take personal issues off-list. The keyword here is respect." Which, in the case of that group, was all it needed. Anyone doesn't like it can go elsewhere. Generally, a few pissy people will do just that, and the group will be better for it.