This discussion came about with @kmorros learning the ropes of creating new Groups and Forum spaces.
I want to clarify what the process will be for that as we expand the beta and after we go Live.
The standard user will not have the ability to create Groups or Forum spaces. Only site Admins have that ability (of which @kmorros is).
We will launch with a more narrowly defined set of spaces for the most common and in demand types of discussion and content.
As the community grows, they can Message the Moderators to inquire about becoming a community leader in a new Group or Forum. This is a space they can foster, moderate, control membership (if a private Group), etc. For example, if we wanted a space for Military, it should probably be lead and managed by a member of the Military (retired or active).
Or we may add more Groups/Forums based on observing how the community operates. For example, we notice in the General forum there is a topic that seems to overwhelm all other discussion. That probably justifies its own dedicated forum.
There are some forums which are purely affinity based. Like dating. That is not something that will never appear in the general forum. It’s just an unnatural fit for general discussion. But, if created, would most likely generate interest. How these are created and evaluated is a discussion. Maybe dating is unique and Kristina just caught lightning in a bottle with her tests but I suspect affinity groups like this could drive demand rather than respond to it.
This came up with talks with React19 and they emphasized the need for suicide support. Which is what @kellyb means when we have to consider the management of these new groups. We need to know in advance who is leading and managing it and any other possible considerations for legal, liability, or just better user service.
I agree we want to foster groups and communities, but we also want to set some focus on what the range of communities for FLCCC would include. I also think we should set them up with someone willing to “sponsor” them that is vetted, so they will be be nurtured.
We discussed this today with the potential PT moderator we interviewed and threads that are getting a lot of attention should feed into ideas for new forums.
For the vaccine inured I did get some great insight from the React-19 team and as Eric said we should be prepared to carefully moderate that and provide even a pinned post for suicide prevention – Bri cautioned that people not try and be the “expert” on such a sensitive topic and those issues will need to be channeled appropriately and they as willing to discuss with us and possibly even have someone that we could support this area as well.