Welcome to Training 1!

This first session is just about getting comfortable in the interface and settling in, so don't worry about anything too much. You may be feeling some nerves and that is absolutely natural; everyone was nervous their first time doing this. That's perfectly fine and you'll be an old hand in no time.

Ready? Let’s go!

Starting a Discord Chat Session

Opening a chat is pretty easy because it’s almost all automated. All you need to do is check in with DogBot and DogBot will handle the rest:

1. Please get there early. Things happen very fast, and if you get there even a minute late you’ll have trouble catching up. Also, trolls are not known for their patience, so they will often jump in right when the channel opens.

2. Before the chat begins, click into the #mod-checkin channel and type “/” (no quotes). You will see a list of commands pop up, choose “checkin” and press return. DogBot will add “Host -” before your nickname and give you a fancy “Moderator on Duty” Role, which will give you your own section on the right sidebar and make your username stand out.

3. Now head to the #session-reports channel and look over the last few session reports by other Hosts to see if there's anything you should have on your radar. Also check the #watch-list channel if it’s lit up.

That will be your regular way to start every session. When the meeting time comes, DogBot will open the channel.

If, for some reason, the channel does not open, type a quick message in the channel along the lines of “We’re having some technical difficulties, one moment please!” and see the “Situations” section.

Welcome Message

When the channel opens, we like to have the hosts post a personal welcome message. Then template is @Subduction’s message, but you can and should make it your own:

🗣️ 📢 Hello everyone and a massive welcome if you're new! I'm Subduction and I'm your host for today. I have 28 years clean, one day at a time.

Please take a moment to read the rules posted just above in yellow if you are new (or need a reminder!) to keep this the safe and inclusive space we all deserve.

Okay, let's go!

Just make sure you remind them to read the rules and encourage them to jump in.

Hosting the Meeting

Your main goal for today is to get used to the chair and to welcome people.

When someone new arrives you will see the #DogBot channel light up, and DogBot will send you a message like “@username is new!” DogBot just looks for the leaves_lounge role and if it isn't there then it flags them. Every time they comment, DogBot will send another reminder until they get that role.

Welcome them like you have probably seen many times: “Welcome @username!” Don't forget the exclamation point, we are Disney-level friendly here. Then after you have welcomed them, click on their username, click the plus sign under roles, and add the "leaves_lounge" role. That tells DogBot and the other moderators that you have welcomed them.

Two Important Thoughts

You're going to worry about making mistakes, but the fact is that you will make mistakes now, soon, and forever. That's what humans do. The key is to make mistakes in a way that they are not irrevocable. As long as you don't lose your temper with anyone no matter what, and keep the channel a kind place to be, then everything else we can fix. Those should be your two guide stars.

The other thing we like to say, just so it's said: Let's say this all goes terribly wrong, and you end up making repeated, catastrophic hosting mistakes to the point that we have to remove you. You will always be welcome here. No embarrassment, no questions, no hard feelings. You could flake on this job and never show up for your hosting times or do whatever, and you can always just come to meetings and we will be happy to see you. Hosting isn’t for everybody, and you should never let this part of it interfere with your relationship with the group.

Just so it's said. 🙂

Ending a Discord Chat Session

Ending is just as easy because that’s automated too. DogBot will handle the five minute warning, two minute warning, and closing messages, and then lock the channel. Just return to the #mod-checkin channel and type “/”, choose “checkout” and press return. DogBot will put everything back the way it was.

If, for some reason, the channel does not close or DogBot doesn’t restore things on your account, see the “Situations” section.

Don’t Leave Yet: Write a Quick Session Report

Before you leave the server after a session, please write a brief Session Report in the #session_reports channel so we have a record of events and other issues as a hosting team.

It does not have to be a novel. Just include any concerns, problems, issues/users to watch out for, good ideas, or observations. Also include a summary of any DM exchanges you had with users. They definitely don’t have to be long. Here are three examples so you know what’s expected:

• *We had a whole lot of “first” posts today, maybe we should make an announcement about not doing them? One ‘get back on topic’ warning to the group, and I had to remind @Jack#3076 in DM that supplements were off topic.”

• “Several reminders to the group to stay on topic, one had to be serious and firm. I had to ban @hothead#3168 after they went red zone on a rudeness warning. @IamtheWalrus expressed interest in becoming a host in DM.”

• “No DM or channel warnings, but @Hemlock#3047 and @WilliamTell#2026 complained about @CocoaNib#2112. Although their heart seems to be in the right place, @CocoaNib does have a confrontational tone and doesn’t blend with the group well. May be worth a warning if this continues.”

Subduction and the other hosts will review these reports every day, so feel free to put anything you like in there that you want to bring to everyone’s attention.

When the Session Report is done, so are you!