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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/18/2010 Posts: 1,098 Location: farningham kent
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Dear NRAS
I have been reading all the posts over the last few weeks about Jean and Mary and now feel that the forum has completely lost it way, and that is why I feel so compelled to write this post. This situation without sounding too dramatic is quite tragic, as this forum is dedicated to those suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. When you are first diagnosed you don t really know where to turn but you can easily find this site, and immediately find you have tremendous support and encouragement for the future from your very first post. These people desperate for support and understanding and I personally don t know anywhere else where they will find it other than here. I have tried for a few days to find everybody on Facebook without success so people who are newly diagnosed would never have the benefit of their support. We know stress plays a huge part at times on us, so the forum was successful in so many ways.
I am truly not trying to makes waves or upset anybody, we ve all had enough of that but I want my forum back, not just for me but everybody who needs support it is invaluable.
We all know Jean and Mary have done absolutely nothing wrong and this should never have happened. I want them back together with everybody else. You have said they can happily come back, so please for the good on the forum please put a post on here saying that they have done nothing wrong and that it was all a big mistake. It may not make any difference as I have not had to endure all they have gone through, but I just feel I had to say my bit in anticipation.
It has been my lifeline at times and needs to remain so for all of us.
Julia
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009
Posts: 216
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TOO TRUE Julia17, we want and need OUR forum back, not one where its picked apart by faceless moderators. All the newbies NEED it, and so many people no longer post on here, where worries and panics can be read and support offered. Mary and Jean's leaving is a big loss to the forum, and a message from NRAS acknowledging that loss and the mistake NRAS made would be the best anyone could hope for, though sadly I think the ill feeling will take YEARS to heal. L Always be aware that what you do might hurt others........and if it could, do nothing without careful consideration of the consequences
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 56
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I am an organiser/moderator for another forum (football - nothing to do with NRAS).
I thought I would point out a fundemental fact.
ie the forum does not belng to those posting ie it is not your forum.
The Forum belongs to the organisation that set it up and runs it.
You or I or anyone else are just contributors to that forum.
The Forum that I am involved in running has over 3000 members of which some 150+ are regular contributors ie they post four or five times a week). Many more of course post on match days or when something is happening at the football club.
We operate a reasonably strict code of conduct and people are very often warned of the language or behaviour. If after receiving sufficient warnings they continue to post in an inappropriate manner they are banned.
They then have to apply for re-admission to the forum after a pre-determined period of time.
The NRAS are acting exactly as their code of conduct and are to be congratulated on taking such action as they, as the owners and operators of the forum, see fit.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 1,110 Location: London
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John, thank you for your input and explanation of the situation. I and others on here, totally understand that forums need moderating. I am sure you are speaking generally, and not raising points re what has happened here. The main point is that there was no formal warning{s} given to the people this affected, and certainly no written warnings, they wre just banned for 3 months. I cant go into what happened, but I am sure that if you ask for my e mail address I can tell you. These ladies were in fact defending the forum, and not criticising it. BARBARA
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009
Posts: 56
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Good Morning BarbieGirl
Of course I was generalising on the way open Forum's operate and was not commenting on the rights and wrongs of what has happened here. There does seem to be a differnce of opinion between the NRAS and a small number of contributors.
On the Forum that I moderate on our attitude is very much "If you don't like the way the Forum is run then go somewhere else". Harsh, but necessary at times.
The NRAS as owners of the Forum are entitled to do whatever they deem fit and necessary. If THEY consider that a topic was out of order or that some people are infringing THEIR rules then they have the right to carry out any action they see fit.
They are NOT obliged to issue any warnings or reasons for a banning and THEY alone decide the length of time that the ban should be in force.
What ever happened has happened and there can be no turning back.
My own reation would be to accepted the ban, learn from it what is acceptable and not acceptable to the organisers ie the NRAS and they to return after the ban was lifted and not make the same mistakes again.
On our own forum we have at the moment five contributors with 5 year bans and 2 with life bans. These are exception and were imposed because of homophobic and racist comments made in the heat of the moment after a game.
I Hope I can be of further help.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/8/2009 Posts: 230 Location: Leicester
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Can I ask, as a member of these forums, that if anyone has any grievance, they send it directly to NRAS, please DON'T post it on these forums. I for one enjoy this forum but constantly seeing these types of posts is getting me down. Its dragged on for far too long and needs to stop. Helly x Celebrating 10yrs of National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society Doing a Tandem Skydive - May 2011 - All Sponsorship Welcome - www.justgiving.com/helencopeland Read my blog - Helly Copeland
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/3/2009 Posts: 3,157 Location: Huddersfield
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I agree Helly, that is precisely why I said what I did to John.
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Rank: Advanced Member  Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/4/2009 Posts: 1,524 Location: W. Yorkshire
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Oh you will be red-inked soon Lylie-you will be! I too don't understand about the second persons ban notice. YES I'VE CHANGED, PAIN DOES THAT TO PEOPLE.
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