Can I make use of freegle

As a moderator can I respond to offers on Freegle and use Freegle in the same way as a member with mod admin status?

Of course you can - you are a member of the group after all! Sometimes it feels a bit difficult however, so below are some things that some moderators do to make sure they don't beat other members to the post (pun intended) and keep looking - and acting - squeaky clean. But these are only suggestions so that you ensure your group is 'non-profit' (as that is part of the affiliation criteria of Freegle), they are not meant to put you at a disadvantage.

• Make sure you don't give yourself an advantage by asking for items before they go on the board, this is clearly against the 'non-profit' status of the group.
• Generally encourage the Fair offer policy to be considered by all members of the group where possible.
• Although the Yahoo terminology is ‘owner’, please remember that this term may upset some members – if you do feel the need to tell someone, it is might be better to stick to the term ‘moderator'.
• Expect no different treatment from other members in transactions because of moderator/group owner 'status'.
• It can be easier if your don't ask for items you have approved yourself (a big mod team helps here) but that of course depends on how many people moderate on your group and how often.
• Leave a response to posts a short while so you aren't always the first to reply.
• Some moderators only post wanteds instead of responding to offers.
• You could set up an alternative ID for posting and responding to posts so the member doesn't feel under any obligation, but then again a member might feel better if they do know who you are and are not hiding behind another ID.
• Don’t feel you have to state that you are a moderator – you are no more or less important than any other member when it comes to the decision of the person making the post you have responded to.

You are under no obligation to do any of the above. However members do notice and complain if they think moderators are taking advantage of their position.

The Yahoo Groups Term "moderator privileges" refers only to admin capabilities.

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