Question

What is the difference between an Ambassador and a Moderator? How do I become either?

Answer 1

Thanks in advance. :)

Answer 2

\(\huge{How~to~become~a~Moderator}\)

First rule: You must be 18+, due to legal issues.

Second rule: You have to be, and act mature.

Then you have to win the respect of this community through interaction, knowledge and the ability to interact and intervene in an appropriate manner. It is in big part based on participation, courtesy and respect.

The most important thing is that you let the administrators and moderators know that you can see things going awry, and that you are willing to make some effort to solve/prevent it.
And certainly NOT in a way like messaging them about how bad you want to be a moderator (this will only work contradictory), but they have to notice that you are up for the job.

Then, when they decide they need more moderators, you might get asked.

◘ Being on the site for a fair amount of time. (usually more than 6 months)
◘ Be an good and active user on the site
◘ Having a squeaky clean abuse record.
◘ Have good rapport with fellow users.
◘ Having a good sense of justice.
◘ Being an expert in some field.

Most of the mods are math geniuses. But any subject would suffice.
◘ Doing a great job in the ambassador program.
In the ambassador training period, you'll learn how the rules work on OpenStudy and you'll learn how to make the right decisions.
◘ Hope you'll get lucky when they decide to add more moderators!

Answer 3

With Ambassadors; it's very similar. You have to have a good record, but not great. If you improve your record (by not getting violations) then your chances increase. Same with a moderator - if you held a previously horrible record, some may be expunged based on your improved behavior.

Moderators are responsible for issuing warnings and suspensions. They're the force that takes actions. Ambassadors welcome users and help mediate content on the website. We have no special powers, despite what some may tell you, and despite the fact that most Ambassadors will be playful from time-to-time about their "mod powers."

Answer 4

"There is a current mod that was on the site for less than three months before becoming one. Why? Because they are a retired professor that was very activity promoting the proper use of the site without being a mod. Their age, experience, responsibility, and alignment with the sight goals all came into play.

At almost the same time, one of the earlier users of OS who has been with the site as both a teen and an adult and has a huge history was made one. For a very long time they have been promoting a more proper use of the site.

The main common factor in all the mods I have seen made, including myself, is actively promoting the proper use of the site. By actively I include doing tutoring rather than just answering questions, promoting peace in chat, taking a more neutral stance on hot button topics, etc. This means living the CoC and TaC while also promoting others to do the same.

Also, being a mod is not what most people seem to think it is. The latest two have both already commented on that, as did I when I became one.." - @e.mccormick

Answer 5

A few threads you might find interesting in regards are:

(By Beccaboo333)
http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/53911fbbe4b0c4e31003c256

(An informative discussion with ShadowFiend, an ex-Administrator)
http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/52686969e4b040e33d2eea5d

(Talk between the Ambassadors and Moderators)
http://openstudy.com/study#/updates/53a199c5e4b0fb4d2b4a74fc

Answer 6

By the way asking to become a moderator decreases your chance of becoming one.
That's what @sleepyhead314 said.

Answer 7

As for Ambassador, you apply. Proper use of the site and communication skills are a baseline, but as long as you are not breaking the rules and are an active user we can work on training the rest.

Being an Ambassador is \(\textbf{not}\) an automatic path to becoming a Mod. However, the mods do watch them more, so the chances of becoming or being excluded from the mod team is higher if you are an Ambassador. There are a number of former Ambi's as mods. There are also people that were being though of as mod potential that after being an Ambi it was decided that they needed to mature a lot more. So it goes both ways there.

Answer 8

Thank you all for your answers. You've been very helpful :)