A Proposal: Optimizing Room Supporter Participation
Hi everyone,
Our group support rooms are dynamic and stand on some pillars such as good quality support, safety and moderation. Every participant in the room plays an important role in keeping these places safe and supportive and our room leaders help facilitate the same and we are very thankful towards each of you for all that you do.
As we slowly roll into the new year, we have been thinking of how we could better support our rooms and from all the feedback we receive on a daily basis from our members, I have highlighted a suggestion that I think we could all work on together.
Feedback from members: They are unaware of when their preferred topic based support rooms are opened by room supporters and thus they are never able to participate in them.
So we are thinking of updating the requirements to maintain the role of ‘Room Supporter’ in a way which aligns better with what the community is asking for.
The current requirement to maintain the Room Supporter role is: 50 messages per month.
The new proposed requirement is: 1 hour per week which could be split into 2 sessions of 30 minutes or a complete hour of active participation in the rooms which will add up to 4 hours a month. We are aiming to have these slots scheduled beforehand as per your very own availability. These slots are aimed to be “Open Chats”, “Support Sessions”, & “Guided Discussions”.
The schedule dashboard will contain the name of the room, at what time and date it is scheduled to open and the name of the Room Supporter. All of you will be able to add your names to your preferred slots and this same dashboard will be available to all members so they have a better idea of when they will have access to their topic rooms. (Details of how and where it will be visible as a schedule yet to be decided upon.) The Schedule will refresh every week. Room Supporters are expected to take up individual hours, preferred if two people are not modding/supporting the same room at the same time and preferred if not more than 2 rooms are being opened at the same hour by an individual room supporter.
Since this new change will be affecting how you spend your time on site and the expectations from you in your role as a Room Supporter, we want all of you to provide us feedback and we’re looking forward to hearing your thoughts about this new plan. We also have some ideas for incentives for consistency in your role and we will be sharing more about those in our final announcement.
Some questions to get the discussion and feedback loop started:
1. How do you feel about this new structure and revised requirements?
2. How can we better support you in your role?
3. Do you have any suggestions you want to put forward about this new change?
4. Do you have any concerns or doubts about this new structure?
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@Isha
Awesome post- thank you for keeping the community updated. I think this will be a great initiative as yes, a lot of members don't have structured sessions here nowadays. I hope RS can get on board ❤️
@Isha
Its an amazing plan this way we can support effectively. I loved it, but I feel an hour per week might wont work for me at times..instead how about an hour per couple of weeks?
@Destiny00
Hi, Destiny!
Thank you for your feedback. Good to hear that you like the main goal of this idea. I do hear your concern and I'm very glad you shared it with us. We're trying to get the general idea of how everyone feels about the hours that we have set and how it's spread out over the month so we will definitely take your feedback into account.
Thank you for all that you do!
@Isha
😁 thank you
@Isha
Thank you for your continued effort to improve the community.
1. How do you feel about this new structure and revised requirements?
I like the idea.
2. How can we better support you in your role?
Regarding the new idea, I like a more flexible way to check/approve guided discussions as it takes a lot of time and sometimes never gets a reply.
3. Do you have any suggestions you want to put forward about this new change?
Some sub-communities are not very active like others due to lack of leaders or active supporters (chat/forums) It would be great and fair to keep all the cub-coms leveled in activeness so room supporters can keep up with the new structure update.
4. Do you have any concerns or doubts about this new structure?
I’m concerned about low active sub-communities and the slow/none response for guided discussion script check. It will be harder to keep the role.
@Anexmos I agree most of the time the room is empty and I'm the only one who goes around to say hi to the empty room
@Anexmos
Hi, Anexmos!
Good to hear that you like the idea. Thank you for taking the time to respond to the discussion questions. In question 2 you mentioned that you're looking for a more flexible way to approve guided discussions - do you mean that it takes a long time for new discussion scripts to be approved? If so, thank you for raising that concern, we will definitely look into it.
I do hear you about the fact that some subcommunities are comparitively less active than others and work is being done continuously to build up leadership and teams for them so we hope to soon have more engagement in them. Thank you for raising your concerns and again, will definitely take a note of the time taken to approve discussion scripts.
@Isha Yes, That's what I mean. Thank you so much for your checking and feedback. Best of luck with your amazing work 
How do you feel about this new structure and revised requirements?
I understand the thought process behind the switch alothough im uncertain about if this would actually work in practise to help the members
2. How can we better support you in your role?
I would just love more opportunities specially for RS to get involved in the communities
3. Do you have any suggestions you want to put forward about this new change?
The feedback is based on members seemingly not being able to navigate the forums not lack of RS participation... Have you thought about creating a member-RS buddy system whereby the room supporter can help the embers find the information in that community, therefore telling them about the dates where there are discussions aimed towards that specific sub community
4. Do you have any concerns or doubts about this new structure?
My doubt Is that 4 hours is a lot to commit to the role, especially for students who's schedule is so unpredictable. This new requirement could see many people with tighter schedules loose their badge (as at least for me who doesn't operate under EST time zones) i find it difficult to host discussions that have good interactions because of the times i happen to be available on 7 cups
Thank you for listened great to the members and trying to improve your system, feedback is the best way we can grow after all
@Azalea98
Hi Azalea,
I hear where you're coming from. To re-emphasise, we're not saying that our Room Supporters are not doing enough in their role at all. We 100% recognise all the time and work each of you put in but what we're trying to do with this initiative is align the role and requirements with community needs.
This new proposal is also more focused on Room Supporters who are not support session leaders because for that, we do have a schedule and a community calendar which is available to all and easily accessible.
I totally hear you on how 4 hours can be a lot of time to commit, especially for those with busy schedules and let me reassure you than these requirements or changes are not set in stone yet and this post is purely to gather feedback on how you all feel about this change, to get an idea of what hours suit most people and would be reasonable to ask for. Thank you for sharing your feedback and concerns, we really appreciate it.
Also, addressing your point of being in timezones which are rather inactive compared to EST active hours, I do hear how discussions must not be active during those times. We're keeping how you spend your time flexible for everyone. You're welcome to host an open chat which is basically welcoming members in to talk about their struggles or anything they want support with (revolving around the room topic) and not a discussion if you feel that won't work best. So the type of session you want to do and how you wish to spend your hours in your own room is up to you!
Let me know if you have any more thoughts! :)
@Isha
1. How do you feel about this new structure and revised requirements?
I feel great that the Room Supporters' roles are being updated.
2. How can we better support you in your role?
I am just worried as when there are so many sessions that are similar in content, the members will join it less as it gets very repetitive. As SC is already being held every day, an addition of these sessions may cause an overlap. There is also the issue where the same members join. I would love to know more information regarding this matter and also what content will be discussed during these sessions.
3. Do you have any suggestions you want to put forward about this new change?
I think one hour per week may be hard for all the RS to comply with as it is quite a long time. I would also add-in , if there is any way we could make these sessions more fun (adding games, etcetera) as that would interest a lot more members.
4. Do you have any concerns or doubts about this new structure?
I might be worried I might not be able to reach up to that one hour, as my week is quite packed, but I will try to work around my schedule to prepare a time suitable for it.
(side note: If anything I said here was wrong, please feel free to correct me. And also, this post is purely just feedback, I hope it is taken with a grain of salt.)
Thank you
@cuteOrange213
Hi Orange,
I fully hear you about how with increased number of sessions being hosted, the content might get repetitive and boring. However, we aren't making it mandatory for Room Supporters to lead guided discussions. It's totally optional and based on personal preference whether you want to do an 'Open Chat' where you just welcome members in, give them a space to reach out in and support them or a script based guided discussion. The main aim is for Room Supporters to be present in the room consistently for 30 minutes - 1 hour as feasible but how they choose to make use of the time is flexible so depending on your chosen rooms of focus, you're always welcome to add games and fun sessions as you have suggested.
Thank you for letting us know how you feel about 1 hour per week, this is exactly the kind of feedback we are looking for before we finalize the update.
Thank you for all you do and taking the time to respond to the questions!
@Isha
Some questions to get the discussion and feedback loop started:
1. How do you feel about this new structure and revised requirements?
This is A LOT more work, more planning.
2. How can we better support you in your role?
Training us how to handle situations like crisis in the middle a group chat, inappropriate comments, members talking off topic, members being rude to each other, listeners who happened to drop in to the dicussion giving direct advice to members "You SHOULD do this and this."
3. Do you have any suggestions you want to put forward about this new change?
Fewer hours, like 2 hours per month. Better oversight and support. Better ways to get scripts approved.
The leader for the personality disorders room/subcommunity is on vacation for several months, so I have no clue how to get my scripts approved.
4. Do you have any concerns or doubts about this new structure?
Sometimes way too many members try to join a group discussion (like 20 people at once), sometimes very members join the group discussion. I wish there was a way to at least prevent overcrowding of groups.
It would be nice to have some "closed groups" that people have to sign up for ahead of time. Though that will require more website infastructure.
@StarlitSky4762
Hi StarlitSky,
Thank you for sharing how you feel about this update. I do hear that this is sounding like a lot more work compared to the requirements we previously had so I'm glad you expressed how you feel. Please know that we will take everyone's feedback into consideration before we settle on the new requirements.
Thank you for sharing your suggestions too, noted them. :)
@Isha Also, room supporters cannot open their own rooms, so we are forced to rely on the moderators, who are not always availible. The infastructure of the website is very poor and difficult to naviage. I struggle to get things done efficiently.
@StarlitSky4762 I know the community moderator schedule isnt accurate and it may be hard to find someone to open the room. and that the form to open the room is not always monitored as the emergency mod form. and I can see it as a be barrier for Room Supporters and discourage you from leading discussion. I'm sure they can find a solution to it.
@vivelespatates
Let R/FS open rooms that would solve the problem of having to wait, and would leave mods to take care of whatever there working on.
Changes make sense and should make room experience better for members and potentially better for room supporters as well. 4 hours a month is doable for me, but I know it might not be doable for everyone.
@Isha
First I love the idea to change the requierement from 50 messages a month in any room, to open their room and lead discussions, As support team leader, I suggested it for a long time. Otherwise the difference between 1 hour a week scheduled and 50 messages a month unscheduled seems very big.
50 messages = 1 discussion
50 messages was about 30 min a month. I would put the requierement of 1 discussion of 30+min a month rather than per week for room supporters. Even those who do not have so much time to give should be able to contribute to make their room a better and more supportive place. Also, you would have to keep the double requerement for mods as currently they have 100 messages, the double of RS.
Scheduled VS Unscheduled
An other concern is about scheduled, not everyone can shedule a lot in advance and have a regular work schedule outside 7cups. While I understand the goal is to help members to know when their room would be active, I think schedule in advance or not should still be a choice for room supporters. Though, they should see and understand the advantages of schedule discussions to make an informed decision.
More sheets to fill
My room supporters, already have to fill my Team dashboard with planning (if applicable before the sunday), their times of discussions, topics, and even rate popularity of their session once its over. We dont want the roles just being always about filling more and more different sheets, we want keep it simple for them.
About weekly discussions
Those who choose to lead 1 weekly scheduled discussion (same time every week) would still be encouraged and rewarded by having their specific team badge that is colored and visible in all the rooms, additionally to their room supporter badge. as it was already for the discussion leaders before. It would remain like a different and additional role, that needed to be already either RS or mod. it's proven that regular scheduled time have higher participation and are more benifit for members, and encouraging the use of a global discussion plan for the support teams, therapeutical program. That should not be needed for all room supporters and mods, though, but really be considered as an additional role within teams for those who have the time to do it.
@vivelespatates
Hi Vive,
Glad to hear that you've had a similar idea and thought process about an update for the requirements. I do hear you about the huge difference between 50 messages and 1 hour a week and we're glad everyone is sharing their thoughts about the same so we can take it all in one place and settle on a criteria that isn't too stressful.
I'm totally with you about the difficulties in scheduling before hand so we will not be making it very rigid, there is going to be flexibility. We are hoping to work out the finer details once we've heard everyone's thoughts and feedback about the general new structure! :)
The difficulties of having too many sheets to fill noted! Thank you for bringing it up, Vive.
About discussions: Yes, definitely - this update wont be replacing our regular discussion leaders in any way. Moreover, Room Supporters will have the flexibility to decide how they spend the time in their rooms. The main aim is to have consistent support in the rooms and thus open chats are also encouraged!
1. How do you feel about this new structure and revised requirements?
Honestly, I understand the aim for the changes, but the changes are so significant it changes a lot for the room supporters. The reason I haven't applied for moderator is because I like the freedom I have as a room supporter. Now this changes with schedules and dashboard to sign up.
2.How can we better support you in your role?
I don't know really.
3. Do you have any suggestions you want to put forward about this new change?
I don't like the 1 hour/week thing. I would suggest the hours to be 4 hours/ month as we all work differently
4. Do you have any concerns or doubts about this new structure?
I have many concerns about this. First thing- we all live in different parts of the world. Many times the group discussions are very late for me. Sometimes I work a lot and I can't spend that much time late in the rooms, and other times I have more time. When it comes down to 1 hour every week I'm not sure I can do that. When I'm off work I can spend more time though, but it varies. Does that make me not good enough as a room supporter when I do have the time? I have just come back from a two week break because of my workload. If the new suggestion goes through what happens then? Do I need to re-apply? I will struggle with schedual my time, because I want 7 Cups to be volontary and I don't want to feel I have to do something. I want to do it because I want to when I feel like it. So if these changes goes through I will have to rethink about my roles in here.
@spectacularSunrise7824
Hi Sunrise,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feedback about the updated requirements we have laid out in this post. Please be assured that these changes are not set in stone and we're only just gathering feedback about what works for everyone before we do settle on new criterias.
Your point and suggestion about having more flexibility and freedom noted!
Please know that none of this diminishes any of the great work you do as a Room Supporter. We are very thankful for any and all the time you put in and we understand that life can be busy and we don't always have the same availabilities. Some weeks are busiers than others, some months are busier than others and we do understand that so we will try to incorporate as much flexibility as possible into the new structure keeping all the feedback in mind.
Again, thank you for sharing your feedback, we will be taking it all into consideration and making required adjustments to this proposal.
