Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2012/Candidates/Carcharoth/Statement

Carcharoth

My user name is Carcharoth. I've been here since January 2005, editing regularly since January 2006. I became an administrator in October 2007 and was appointed to the arbitration committee following the elections in December 2008. I served a two-year term and chose not to stand again in December 2010 as I firmly believe that taking a break from intensive roles such as arbitration, and returning to other areas of the encyclopedia, is necessary to regain perspective.

I've spent the past 23 months focusing more on content and reviewing, including some very enjoyable volunteer outreach work at events held at the Geological Society of London and the British Library. When Newyorkbrad asked me in September of this year if I would consider running again my response at the time encapsulated my thoughts on the matter (including my initial reluctance). I have followed arbitration matters for the past two years and disagreed with some of the decisions made and how they were made. Being concerned at the relative lack of current and former arbitrators standing in this election, I've decided to stand myself to offer a degree of past experience and with the aim of bringing some stability to the committee.

Though some of my views have changed since I last stood for election four years ago, what you will get from me as an arbitrator is someone who has extensive familiarity with the site policies and guidelines, who has prior experience of the work involved in arbitration, and who is able to take the long view. More than six years of seeing editors come and go, and disputes rage and fade away (or become completely intractable and deadlocked), gives a more nuanced perspective on matters around here and how best to handle certain types of disputes.

Details of my article work and reviewing work are here and here. I will provide more details on my background, and my past arbitration work in my responses to the general questions over the coming days, aiming to have the questions answered before voting begins. Please ask if you have any specific questions.

As a former arbitrator, I've identified to the Wikimedia Foundation. Aside from some stray IP edits, I've only ever had this one account.

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