User:Nightenbelle/sandbox

Nightenbelle's Tips and hints for DRN Volunteers

1. Be Honest With Yourself

Being a DRN volunteer isn't a job for everyone. Its thankless, its annoying, and you will get brought into ANI reports and insulted / accused of bias. It comes with the job. If that doesn't sound like a good time to you- walk away now. Its okay, no one will think less of you for it. Also, it takes a LOT of patience and the ability to find creative compromises. If you are the type to get involved in drama easily- or if you keep getting brought to the DRN yourself- this may not be a good place for you to volunteer. That's okay! And before you jump on a case- think about if its something you have strong opinions about, or are the editors people you've had negative interactions with before- if so- go ahead and recuse yourself. That's why there is a whole team!

2. Structure is Your Friend

Set clear rules and structure for the participants from the start. Trust me, it will make your life easier. You don't have to do the same thing every other mediator does- we have our own styles so to speak. But figure out systems that work for you. It will help keep you organized, and it also helps the involved editors focuses on content not behavior. Some key things your structure should include

• Time for initial statements
• a way to respond to each other without interacting with each other
• section headings to make navigation easier
• No room for aspersions or accusations!!!

3. Keep it SHORT Silly

Passionate editors often want to post long, eloquent, persuasive responses to encourage others to support them. This is not conducive to the mediation process. Requiring editors to keep their statements short- under 250 words in my opinion, forces them to really think about what the core of the problem is and get down to the fundamentals of what their position is, and what compromises they can live with.

4. Ask for Help

This advise is two fold- 1st- if you are stumped at what to do next, reach other to another volunteer and ask their opinion. Or ask them to jump in and assist. We're all here to support each other. And if you see a dispute that you think needs help- feel free to offer it! Out of politeness, I would suggest offering on the current mediator's talk page rather than just jumping in- but sometimes, jumping in is necessary. Just be kind to all if you must.

The second part of ask for help is - know your resources. Are the editors arguing about whether something is reliable? Go check the reliable source noticeboard- search the archives- has this been covered before? Need a subject matter expert to explain things to you? Go check out a wiki project to get information. Have a BLP issue, bring in an expert!! There is no shame in asking for help and bringing in outside eyes.

5. Don't Jump into a complex case before you're ready

Some cases are easier to handle than others. Some editors are more open to compromise than others. Let your first few cases be the easier ones. Make sure you've got the process down before you jump on a case with 20 editors who have been fighting and calling each other names and have 5 different solutions that they are unwilling to bend on at all. Walk before you run Padawan.

6. Have a more experienced volunteer mentor you your first few discussions

This is a new suggestion- but I'm going to make it anyway. Have a more experienced volunteer sit over your shoulder and kibitz the first couple of cases you take on. After the case- ask for their feedback. Let them be on deck to jump in if needed. You'll probably find they jump in more the first case, and then less and less as you get more comfortable. This isn't because you don't know what you are doing- but to help you grow into this volunteer role and not get frustrated and quit. Many volunteers work one or two cases then disappear- I think this will help keep more people around longer.

7. Less is more.... likely to succeed.

Cases with more than 4 editors are unlikely to succeed. Period. Every new editor thinks they can handle more. And occasionally we get unicorn cases where a dozen people can interact and solve a problem on the DRN.... but 99% of these cases are a waste of time and destined to fail. Experienced volunteers are going to direct these cases to the RFC process. With this many editors involved- they are already going to be close to a consensus- they just need a push in the right direction. But... go ahead. Try it once. Prepare to be frustrated like you wouldn't believe. Trust me- I did it too.

8. Discipline and Fairness

When mediating- enforce WP policies and your own structure consistently. Discipline leads to progress and fairness is essential to being a good mediator.

9. Leave your ego at the door

Its not about you. Its about what's best for the encyclopedia and this article. The dispute has enough people involved- keep your own ego and pride out of it and just be the process. Remember- we're not that special. We're volunteers with no special authority or power. Sometimes a stern voice saying "No no, follow the rules" is necessary- but that doesn't mean we are admins OR that we have any more authority than any other clear minded editor.

10. Know when to walk away

We are not going to solve every case. Some are destined to fail. And sometimes they will fail so spectacularly that you need to take one or more involved editors to the ANI. Be ready for that. Don't shy away from it, and don't drag out an impleading case because you are afraid to go to the ANI. Remember to stay calm, follow policies, and do your best to mediate a case fairly, and when you have to take one or more parties to the ANI- you will be okay. Its not fun. I wish it were avoidable. Its not. We do everything we can to keep these problems off the ANI.... but honestly- that's where some of them belong. Not every failed case. Sometimes when they fail here, we can send them somewhere else to find additional or different help.... I prefer that to the ANI, but .... sometimes it is what it is.