I am glad that Knanaya Family Group has become a powerful resource for Knananites because it connects with hundreds and thousands of Kna's with concerns and queries. In the process, members of the discussion groups tend to form "electronic communities" which perform valuable and powerful services, affecting their religious, professional and personal lives. Members are continually joining, asking questions, writing about problems and offering their thoughts and observations about the management or functioning of our community.
Off late I have been receiving mails stating that "members of the group are being rude and disrespectful to each other, the moderator often delays the publishing of messages" e.t.c. "It's good to hear your thoughts and feedbacks, but we really have to limit the number of post/messages per day to keep from filling members email boxes with mails. By reducing the number of messages, we can create an environment that encourages participation and interest. Based on this line of reasoning, I propose that we shall have only five posting a day from five different members. Please direct your thoughts and concerns on this.
"Discussion is by its very nature unpredictable." Every discussion group comprises participants with different backgrounds, personalities, and styles. So, no standardized approach can be presumed to be appropriate for the group. Welcome the unanticipated. Discussions can become competitive and emotional battlegrounds or highly personal fora for sharing of thoughts.
I believe that a flexible approach to moderation is the key element in the creation of an energetic discussion environment. I identify my preferred pedagogical styles, based on my philosophical orientation, my chosen moderator roles, and my preferred facilitation techniques. Moderator at times should be ready to depart from the general line of discussion to follow up themes which arise unexpectedly.
Moderating Knanaya Family Group is a rewarding job that puts me in touch with many, many wonderful people, making both my spiritual, professional and personal life very exciting. It is something that I look forward to, and which I am seldom away from for more than a day or two. Knanaya Family Group is a part of my life that would be difficult to exchange for anything else!.
