Returning to the Ranks

[Mael Coluim]

I've asked Steve to switch my title bar to Retired Moderator on St. Andrews Day. It has been an honor and privilege to serve as a moderator these last three years. I am very appreciative of the opportunity given me to have done so.

Having seen behind the curtain I am know the time and effort Steve gives this forum in being the great place it is for the kilted community. I know his passion for this online community of kilt wearers. It is huge. As a moderator, I have appreciated his guidance in sharing his thoughts and opinions without telling us what to do. Our decisions are always our own.

As for the moderators, I consider them my band of brothers and sisters. I thank each one of them both the current and former I have served with, for their individual support, dedication to the forum and their personal effort in getting the job done.

To the membership, I take this opportunity to let you know how much your support of us and assistance in maintaining our Policies and Rules is of great importance to the moderators. Without it, we could not be effective in our jobs and this forum would not be the great place it is.

To all of you, I say thank you.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thank you Ern for your dedication to keeping this forum so enjoyable. Cheers

[Peter Crowe]

Thanks for what you have contributed in the time since I joined XMTS (and before), Ern. I hope you enjoy your return to the ranks

[piperdbh]

Welcome home, Ern. I'll think of you next week while I'm baking you-know-what.

[TheOfficialBren]

Ern,

Thank you for your dedication and service to our little internet village. It takes a big man to step down from a leadership role of any sort when he feels that it is in the interest of the greater good. Good on ya, mate!

-Bren

[Steve Ashton]

Ern,

You have been my strength over the past three years. Your council has been wise and just. Although we have never met in person you are, and will continue to be, a true friend.

For those who do not know, Ern and I have had some late night Skype calls. Usually when I need to bounce an idea off of someone and he is the only one with a green light on.

I will miss you as a strong voice of moderation when things have gotten heated and at those times when I tend to fly off the handle.

Good luck, thank you, and enjoy the forum fellow X Marks member.

[cable scot]

Thank you for your service in keeping this the best place on the internet.

[Steve Ashton]

To the Forum,

I would like everyone to understand just how selfless this act by Ern is. I begged him to re-consider his decision to revert to forum member.

But Ern firmly believes that there should be a turn over of the staff on a regular basis. He knows that entrenchment of the staff is never good. That new blood, new ideas and new perspectives are needed for any community to grow and prosper.

As his final official act Ern has gotten me off my butt to institute a policy where every staff position is reviewed each year on the anniversary of their induction. I have already heard from some other members of the staff that they also wish to allow another to see just what goes on in the back rooms.

I don't want anyone to think, or even imagine, that this decision by Ern was in any way due to a problem among the staff. Ern is stepping down after a long and distinguished time on the staff to give another a chance.

I think it is a testament to this forum and to Ern himself that he made this decision out of selflessness and a true love for this community.

[BCAC]

To the Forum,

I would like everyone to understand just how selfless this act by Ern is. I begged him to re-consider his decision to revert to forum member.

But Ern firmly believes that there should be a turn over of the staff on a regular basis. He knows that entrenchment of the staff is never good. That new blood, new ideas and new perspectives are needed for any community to grow and prosper.

As his final official act Ern has gotten me off my butt to institute a policy where every staff position is reviewed each year on the anniversary of their induction. I have already heard from some other members of the staff that they also wish to allow another to see just what goes on in the back rooms.

I don't want anyone to think, or even imagine, that this decision by Ern was in any way due to a problem among the staff. Ern is stepping down after a long and distinguished time on the staff to give another a chance.

I think it is a testament to this forum and to Ern himself that he made this decision out of selflessness and a true love for this community.

Steve, maybe you could post a word (or two) on how someone is selected to become a moderator and succintly, what the duties of a moderator are?

[Steve Ashton]

I am preparing words to that effect now.