Requests for Stewardship

Raidarr's Request for Stewardship
User: Raidarr ( contributions &bull; CA &bull; blocks log &bull; rights log &bull; global rights log )

Reasoning for request
I am interested in a second Steward term. The circumstances are different, both for myself and the platform. For myself, the burnout that lead to my original resignation is simply not as likely given the backup of the current Steward crew, and the life circumstances I expected to claim me much longer are no longer in play. I can be around regularly for the foreseeable future, and I can operate more efficiently now than I was able to in my prior Stewardship. I've been thinking what my future in this platform could be, and I think this would be a place to start. It would be alongside attempts to develop the structure of the platform for the better, and the initiatives started by current Stewards to get more participation and awareness on Meta by wikis we host.

For the platform, the need for a reinforcing Steward is not as urgent as before. However, I believe my experience as a former Steward in good standing, background in dealing with communities on the platform (both previously and continued now as Global Sysop) and non-involvement with SRE would allow me to 'take the edge off' in the current team. Current Stewards are all also members of SRE which has been in a difficult spot lately. I will do what I can even if this does not succeed, but I believe these rights would make me more effective and help global functions run more smoothly. Specifically, addressing routine requests (on the SN and on dedicated pages/other venues like email), more effectively supporting CVT (a majority of the work, investigating sockpuppetry, is in the hands of Stewards exclusively) and investigating/handling Content Policy issues, all of which I believe I've proven myself capable in doing. Where I'm not confident handling an issue myself, I intend to solicit the advice of my colleagues or as needed bring the matter to community input.

I defer to the community from here, and am available for any questions and inquiries. --Raidarr (talk) 18:22, 3 April 2023 (UTC)

Additional comments given by user (if any)

 * See Archive 3 on this page, second entry for the previous request if you're interested.
 * NDA, 2FA all in order.

Questions for candidate
--NotAracham (talk • contribs • global) 19:40, 3 April 2023 (UTC) (On a personal note, glad to see you stepping up again following your return.)
 * 1) What steps do you plan to take (or what actions will you avoid) to limit your risk of a return to burnout during this term as Steward, if approved?
 * 2) What areas do you see as underserved in the current Steward remit, and how do you plan to contribute in those areas?
 * 3) How do you view impartiality and need for recusal when it comes to matters for steward review? Who is empowered to ask for recusal and when?
 * One factor to burnout last time was wanting to be or do a little too much at one time, which didn't mix well with being the only day-to-day steward for an extended period. It contributed to a loss of energy that persisted even after being reinforced by Agent and Reception. Aside from avoiding that, working within my means and striving for a workload balance between stewards, I can't say I have a lot of ideas. But those if followed properly should do the trick. I'm open to finding other ways because burnout is a real concern for me, even if it's better than it used to be.
 * Volunteer documentation, cohesion and structure is very informal and suffers from being quite compartmentalized or undeveloped. I'd like to see more interplay between Stewards and other roles like T&S and SRE especially in responding to emergencies, such as (but hopefully, never again) the db141 issue. I like to keep tabs on access control and procedural consistency. These priorities along with 'detail work' are my niche, which I don't think most people quite see the same way including the current team. Detail work includes frequent triage of the SN, checking out areas outside the SN as often as they come to mind, and trying to minimize cases that drag on because they're complicated, or there's a point but they just aren't priority to deal with, or it's a request that's just plain involved and takes a bit more time.
 * With impartiality, I play by ear; if for example I'm significantly involved a discussion (aside from just providing an input pointing out related facts or policy), then it would be inappropriate for me to be its assessor especially if I've staked a strong opinion. In matters of conduct I should never be a prosecutor and a judge. Overall I would want to consider the image of my involvement. The Caesar's Wife principle applies; I am a user on Miraheze and I am entitled to post my 2c, but it should not compromise the integrity of the Steward office that is trusted to provide 'objective' assessments. For recusal: anyone would be at liberty to ask another Steward to preside as general practice. The only time I'd dig in is an extreme case of wp:DUCK ie, clear-cut LTA trying to bend the system.
 * I hope this is of use, feel free to drop further questions if the above is incomplete or you'd like me to expand on something. --Raidarr (talk) 23:03, 3 April 2023 (UTC)

Comments by other users
Adding direct link to archived original request for interested parties. --NotAracham (talk • contribs • global) 18:32, 3 April 2023 (UTC)

Support

 * 1) I've only had good interactions with Raidarr and I don't doubt that him being on the team will be a solid net positive. He has ample experience with global tools and is a friendly face on our Discord along with being very knowledgeable. I liked his outreach efforts in the past and I strongly support his new outreach effort to get more wiki administrators in the know of global things such as how our global rights holders work, what Meta is for, etc. With the loss of John on the team, another Steward wouldn't hurt and I'm very pleased to see that Raidarr has stepped up to the batting plate to help out the project more. Active users in Steward positions is something very much needed and with Raidarr on the team, we will have a very active Steward team which is a big net positive on the entire project.  Agent Isai  Talk to me! 18:33, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 2) Raidarr is a kind and helpful user, not to mention his current work as a Global Sysop. Tali64³ (talk) 18:56, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 3) Per above, welcome back! AlPaD (talk) 19:13, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 4) Answers given to questions were well-reasoned, and their departure from stewardship took place in good standing.  Given their track record during rockier periods of Miraheze history, I have full confidence that they will act as a solid addition to our steward ranks if re-elected as such by the community. — Preceding unsigned comment added by NotAracham (User talk:NotAracham • Special:Contributions/NotAracham) 23:45, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 5) I have known Raidarr for years, and have only experienced the best in my interactions with him. He is kind and courteous most of the time, but is not above being blunt and direct when necessary, something that is always needed in a functionary. He is well-versed in Miraheze policies, having served previously as a Steward. Another Steward would definitely be useful for CVT matters, especially one that doesn't have an SRE or Board hat to attend to in addition to Steward. More users as Steward never hurts as there is a backlog generally for wiki reopening and global lock requests. He is also regularly involved in wiki outreach. Strongest support from me. BrandonWM (talk • contributions • global • rights) 02:09, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 6) Raidarr showed us his best acitivity as steward.Recently John resigned from CVT.I welcome this request. by Buehl106·Talk·e-mail 04:37, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 7) apologies if my wording will sound off, but Raidarr is one of the most thoughtful volunteers on Miraheze who gives very reasonable analysis/comments on many different occasions, be it simple support thing for newcomers or more complicated community stuff, and on top of that is very cool to interact w/, so by all means I support his candidature and welcome him back. KatozzKita (talk) 04:43, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 8)           I'm a firm believer in experience.  Esp from someone such as Raidarr who knew how to leave properly when it was time.  I don't think I have ever been good at knowing when to exit so I have left a bunch of wreckage by disappearing.  More so, I trust the senior officers here, that Raidarr is a good fit for the team.  I know that there are some objections about statements / comments that Raidarr may have made (and I wasn't there for those moments).           I personally prefer constructive criticism over silence so much that I regard an awkwardly uttered statement better than no statement at all.  I may react poorly but that's how it goes.  If someone wants me to keep an open mind, then I would hope that they keep an open mind whenever I stick my foot in my mouth.  So thats why I support Raidarr with all my heart.  To any opposers, know that I have considered all comments to the best of my ability. --Imamy (talk) 05:58, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 9)  Raidarr has been Steward in the past and his resignation was voluntary. If he was capable of assuming the role in the past and as far as I am aware there were not any serious complaints during his last tenure I do not see any reason why he should not be given the opportunity again. I am unconvinced by the opposing comment which attempts to take things said out of context and whose author refuses to look into their own conduct and behavior which is itself not in conformity with the VCP that is cited. --DeeM28 (talk) 07:16, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I don't see why it's the responsibility of the recipient of attacks to look into how they might "deserve" it. Regardless, even if the author is "itself not in confirmity with the VCP", it sounds like you are trying to use that to justify Raidarr's behavior. The oppose is based on Raidarr's problematic behavior, which you have not addressed. Naleksuh (talk) 07:23, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * It is not my intention to use that as "justification". The point that I was attempting to get across is that the accusations were made in a way which implies that the comments were made out of spite and were not justified. While not wanting to get into the particular issue in this venue I do not accept the characterization that using an adjective to describe someone is to be considered "name calling". As for the personal grudges comment I am unable to find that particular incident. --DeeM28 (talk) 09:11, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 1) - I appreciate Raidarr's thoughtfulness in approach, which it seems would serve well the role of Steward. Having been a Steward previously, and on good terms, shows he has the necessary experience. He's more than qualified, and puts a good foot forward in doing so. No reason to object here, can only recommend from my observations of him. |  -- FrozenPlum   10:45, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 2)  Trusted user who resigned on their own. Redmin Contributions CentralAuth (talk) 15:32, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 3)  I give the strongest support directly, No need to explain. Everyone knows what a beautiful identity and profile Raidarr has. Good luck!  Hey Türkiye  Message? 16:45, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 4)  Since Raidarr became Steward last time and Global Sysop I have had many positive interactions with him. Raidarr is very thoughtful and is always thinking about how to get the community more involved in the decision making process which is very important given a Steward's role. Raidarr has previously been involved in quite a few mediations with local communities and has handled those in a well thought and professional manner. I think it's also important to mention that Raidarr is capable of admitting when he makes mistakes which is important for users with advanced permissions to be able to do. --Reception123 (talk) ( C ) 08:36, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 5)  Raidarr's outreach activities and support on Discord has been great and I have had help from him. I think Raidarr is a thoughtful person and can make good decisions. It is definitely beneficial to the community to have him as a steward and be able to do more ops. --1108-Kiju /Talk  08:45, 6 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 6)  I have seen a lot of good deeds from this user. I think he should be a steward. Charlie Fiddlesticks (talk) 17:03, 7 April 2023 (UTC)

Oppose

 * 1) Of course not, especially not now. Raidarr still has not addressed the issue of VCP violations, name calling other users, doubling down on name calling and doing so again on-wiki, and the justification of using advanced permissions for personal grudges which is still an open T&S case, which I will need to ask updates on soon. Though I do think it takes a lot of confidence to request stewardship while actively the subject of a T&S case. Expect a request for removal of permissions soon. Naleksuh (talk) 23:28, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I don't see why he should respond to the entire thread and should respond for the errors of others. Your thread frames everything as being connected and coordinated by some sort of group. That's far from the case and any individual skirmishes anyone has had with you (it seems almost all active Meta users have had a disagreement with you at some point) are not endorsed or planned out by anyone. He responded to your talk page message so you cannot claim he didn't address it, you haven't replied to his reply. As far as I know, Raidarr isn't subject to any T&S investigation and if he is, I'm sure he would've disclosed this already. Agent Isai  Talk to me! 23:47, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * No, repeating the VCP violation for a second time is not addressing it. I did not respond to Raidarr's message because it was disrespectful and doubled down on the issues that the original message was about, making further discussion pointless. Nor did anyone have any time to process that before the next targetted harassment issue happened just hours later. It does however make this RfS innapropriate but instead cause people to question why they are still a global sysop while personally attacking users. Naleksuh (talk) 23:53, 3 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Raidarr said you were ornery—a person who is combative. I don't think many will disagree. I would suggest you hold a discussion on whether these comments are unwarranted to not. I fear it'll snowball against you. Agent Isai  Talk to me! 00:01, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * No, they did not just state that I was ornery and nothing else- they stated that I was "the most willfully ornery user on the platform"- basically stating that I held a world record for being a bad person. It concerns me that you've left this part out, possibly to portray Raidarr as good and me bad. And intentionally using thinly veiled threats of bad things to psyche me into not starting a discussion. In other words, I should not speak out about the way I feel I have been mistreated and should simply "take" these attacks instead. Meanwhile, this does not apply the other way around. Naleksuh (talk) 00:19, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Very interesting use of semantics here! I'm not trying to influence or dissuade you to not start a request (or else I wouldn't have mentioned it), I'm just saying that I strongly believe it won't succeed and on top of that, I know that whatever I say won't affect you in your decision making process, you won't take it into account. Now, the central part of Raidarr's statement was calling you ornery, that word is what sets the tone of the quote. Whether you're the most or not is just extra stuff that's whatever. He could've left out the most part and just said "you're a willfully ornery user" and I'm sure you would've claimed "he basically stated that I'm a bad person", whether you have a record or not is extra so no, I wasn't trying to portray Raidarr as someone good or better than you think they are, I'm just focusing on the central part of his statement. Agent Isai  Talk to me! 00:33, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I don't see Raidarr justifying 'use of advanced permissions for personal grudges' anywhere in the linked thread. Could you please clarify (or update) where this occurred or strike this element of opposition?  Thanks. --NotAracham (talk • contribs • global) 00:08, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Disregard, issue was with my misread of wording on the sentence that mixes lack of response on comment threads with behavioral accusations. Retracted. --NotAracham (talk • contribs • global) 00:15, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Feel free to make the case for removal at your convenience. I have little to add except that perhaps I could have worded my response to you with more gloss, and that your behavior has been left unaddressed for an incredibly long time for which I apologize to the wider community. Though, given most people who interact with you become involved parties, it is difficult to imagine a lot of people who could deal with it in an uninvolved way. To contextualize my comment and address yet another attempt to put words in people's mouths, I do not imply you hold a world record for being a bad person as that line is incredibly long. You simply hold the record for consistently causing the most drama on Miraheze without having been held accountable for doing so. Anyone interested in this bit of drama may read the last discussion on my talk page. I stand by my words and voters should absolutely take them into consideration and decide for themselves. I do not take your T&S case seriously. "Using advanced permissions for personal grudges" is a hyperbolic and obviously untrue claim. --Raidarr (talk) 00:38, 4 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 1)  per above.
 * Yes, I'm aware it says "don't ping me", so apologies in advance about it. My question is this. Do you agree with Nale's assessment of the situation? It's been rebutted by many volunteers and you haven't really said anything other than "per above". It would be nice if you could clarify. BrandonWM (talk • contributions • global • rights) 00:31, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Evidently they agree with me over Agent Isai. Besides, when does the reverse ever happen? What about when I have rebutted an oppose and people still "oppose per that" without addressing my rebuttal? Why does this rule only go one way? Naleksuh (talk) 00:36, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I also feel bad for not even having mentioned that you called me Nale. I've asked at least a dozen times for people not to do that yet you all just do it anyway because you don't care. So "Bran", why did you have to apologize for pinging someone who explicitly asked not to be when you could have just honored that request? Naleksuh (talk) 00:38, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Actually. Nobody abbreviates anyone else's name. Only mine. It's a pretty sad realization because the obvious conclusion is that you call me that because I have asked you not to. Naleksuh (talk) 00:40, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Quite frankly, "Nale" sounds good and catchy. That's why we use it. It's a habit. You don't want us to call you it? Fine, we won't. I think it sounds good personally, but that's just me. Whereas, "Bran" sounds like I'm the cousin of a raisin cereal. And as for your first comment, sometimes we do respond to your rebuttal. It's not all or nothing. BrandonWM (talk • contributions • global • rights) 00:44, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * Fine, we won't. OK, let's see if it sticks. IIRC both Agent Isai and Collei have promised not to call me that, then later done so anyway. But maybe I am confusing with someone else. And yes, voting culture on Miraheze is a problem because often even if I proved the entirety of someone's !vote wrong people will still cite that. Yet when someone agrees with me because I was more convincing than someone else they have to add other stuff? Naleksuh (talk) 00:47, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * 1)  I can not support this request. I think Naleksuh has a valid point regarding the VCP, we can not pick and choose who we want to say violates it. Actions by you have indeed violated that in my mind. I don't even exclude myself from that, I might have just to be involved in some recent events, made some mistake. But unfortunately if we will ever be able to move past these events we need volunteers in positions such as this that can do so calmly, and not give Miraheze a bad reputation. The tone and wording you've used does not fall under this, and for this reason I can not support this or any other future request for such a position again. We need people uninvolved in recent events for these positions, while that will be hard, it is necessary to open a new chapter in Miraheze. I hold nothing against you personally, but regardless I must oppose this request. Also note, I am not just agreeing with Naleksuh, since I also agree there have been issues there as of late, but I think that a violation of the VCP in response to someone else whom is claiming to be violating it seems hypocritical, and it isn't the desired behavior of a Steward, and this would only make us repeat some past issues. Universal Omega (talk) 07:00, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * I invite you to explain exactly what I said was either wrong, in direct violation or in poor tone. I generally disagree with the rest but policy violations should be backed up quite explicitly. I will add this though: given the "recent events" have painted a brush of allegations across almost the entire SRE, 2/3rds (previously 3/4ths) of Stewards and a handful of retired and other volunteers, trying to push out people uninvolved would essentially remove the entire experienced apparatus of Miraheze and is no more realistic a suggestion than Nale's insinuation of mass removing the same people from positions in a prior discussion. The incident and its direct causes is what we need to move on from, and frankly I believe your vote is a step towards ensuring the incident will linger rather than be moved past. --Raidarr (talk) 12:22, 5 April 2023 (UTC)
 * @Raidarr I reviewed the VCP and although I seldom interpret things the way it is intended to be interpretted. However, Naleksuh has stated that he wishes to be addressed not as Nale.  No matter how warmly intentioned, being from different backgrounds, a trespass is a trespass, especially if it is brought up by the person who possesses the name.  Out of respect, we should take a moment longer to spell out the full name, and yes, we can accidentally mispell it.  However, it makes a difference to the person it belongs to. Not to mention if there is another person by a similar name, that one is not forced to read the whole portion to know whether that portion applies to Naleksuh, or to someone else with Nale in their name.  In an official setting such as this Request for Stewardship, precision is preferred over casual reference.  It can be quite stressful to a reader to have to doublecheck to be sure that the portion is applicable before providing a response. --Imamy (talk) 04:18, 6 April 2023 (UTC)