# Moderator Handbook
This handbook is for the r/Conservative Discord server. It is a simple
summary of some thoughts as shared consensus between moderators and
some of the directions given by the Server Owners.

# Basics
Congratulations on joining our mod team. Whether you're a Subreddit mod
or a Discord only mod, you're now a part of our greater overall team. This
guide is written for you to familiarize yourself with our process. For the
sake of not exposing too much in the event that this link or file is ever
exposed outside of the mod team this handbook will not contain everything
about our server but enough to help you get your way around.

In order to be a moderator you should have Two Factor enabled and DMs from
our server members must be open so users can contact you directly to report
if anything happens.

## Mod Role
The Mod role is a role you can assign to yourself. The purpose is to be able
to receive pings to the @Mod ping when users need a moderator due to a rule
violation. The other purpose of this role is to see the prison channel. You
cannot view the prison channel without this role. Taking off this role implies
that you are not on duty in some cases, but realistically we're always on duty
when things happen and we're available, this just reduces how much of modding
activity you're exposed to. If you see no other mods online and you've got time
to spare, it is highly encouraged to take on the tag. This is also how users
will see mods in the Mod sidebar to the right of Discord it lets them know
who to DM when something goes wrong.

## Ban Appeals Role
The Ban Appeals role is used specifically for the prison channel. You can
assign this role to yourself, and it is okay if left on since once you
take off the Mod Role you will not see pings for it.

Under this role you handle appeals from users. Nobody is to be in prison
forever, unless specified. If unsure feel free to ask others in the
discord mod discussion channel. There are some exceptioned users who either
can see the prison channel indefinitely or are there indefinitely.

If you are handling appeals, make sure to prioritise any Verified Conservative
users first.

# Timing Out Users
In order to Time Out a user you must go into the #mod-spam channel within
the Discord Moderators section of the server. In there you can issue the
time out command `!rolepersist {user tag or ID} timeout` this command
ensures that if the user leaves the server and rejoins, the bot will
re-add any roles that were taken away. Once they have been given the
prison role the only channel they will be able to see is `#prison-check-pins`
once in this channel, you can ping them if you have the Mod role to inform them
of their infraction (you don't always need to get entirely detailed) and
leaving them an instruction to check the channel pins.

## Sample Time Out Scenario

Let's say Jib is posting NSFW content in #memes. I put on the Mod role so
I can now see the prison channel (or maybe I had it already). I go into
the #mod-spam channel and type in `!rolepersist @Jibrish#0000 time-out`
I then go into the `#prison-check-pins` channle and I type something that
looks like the following:

`@Jibrish#0000 you're here for posting NSFW content on this server. This is
a SFW server and such content is not allowed. Check the channel pinned messages
if you want to appeal.`

This is the gist of the process. If you're busy in a channel or doing other things,
you can walk away. If not you can handle his appeal once he appeals.

## Timing Out Verified Conservatives

When timing out Verified Conservative users it is important to remove both
the `Verified` and `Verified Conservative` roles. It is also very important
to note that they are a Verified Conservative user in the mod log, especially
if you cannot handle their case in the prison channel.

# Prison
The prison system we currently have is very simple. You have people in there with
the time-out user role. You have mods with the Mod tag on and the Ban Appeals role.
As a mod if you threw someone into the prison, you have every right to let them out.
If someone appeals while you're there and you feel confident in their appeal, you can
let them out. If they break the rules again it's okay, this happens and can happen,
nobody is perfect, it's also okay to throw them back in. If you don't feel like dealing
with someone who is in prison, feel free to let other mods know, and also don't forget
to put the reason they're in there in the `#log-modcommands` channel after you issue the
time-out command. If someone else is timed out, just mention the username you
timed out and the reason for the time out.

# Voice Chat
When joining voice chats, if no other mods are on, assume you're in control and feel
free to mute, deafen and even time out someone if you see unwanted behavior such as
people talking over other people, slurs and other things.

If another moderator is in the VC you just joined, feel free to lay back and see how
active they are in order to avoid unmuting people while they try to mute them. If
they arent responding to bad behavior it is probably alright to moderate as necessary.

## God Button

One of the most powerful tools under your tool belt is 'Priority Speaker'. This mode is
usually what we all call the 'God Button', when you activate it, everyone else who is
talking is drowned out by your voice. This is extremely useful when people are talking
over each other. Normally the idea of when to use it is to get everyone's attention and
remind them to "Go one at a time" instead of ruining the whole topic by talking over
each other. If absolutely necessary this can be followed up by muting people if they're
not playing nicely.

## Muting
You can mute anyone if they're being a nuissance, interrupting or other rule breaking.
No mute is necessarily permanent, so it is advisable to mute for a few seconds to let
some users cool off. If they keep being problematic feel free to mute them much longer.
If you forget to unmute before you leave the VC or they disconnect, it's alright, don't
stress over it.

**However,** when debating a user it may make more sense to let another
moderator figure out when to mute, otherwise it will be perceived as mod
abuse. An obvious exception would be to mute them if they become disruptive
like for example screaming or otherwise.

**Sidenote**: One mute tactic that will not offend anyone is to mute the two people
involved in a heated argument. This way you seem impartial.

## Unmutes
You can unmute anyone at your own discretion, and mentioned above, mutes are not
permanent. There are some cases where some users are left muted, and if in doubt feel
free to ask other mods in the discussion channel. If nobody is sure and you're in the
same Voice Chat as the muted user, you're within your right to unmute them since you
can keep an eye on them for bad behavior. If you can't dont feel bad if you don't feel
comfortable unmuting. If you want to take a chance, don't feel bad if they get reported
later, especially if you asked other mods beforehand. The take away is, somebody will
notice bad behavior so it will not last long.

## Missing User Roles
If a user is missing the 'all' role, it is okay to give it back.

If a user left the server and came back, copy their user ID and type it into the
search, if you can find the message from where they left and it shows roles like
'Verified' and 'Verified Conservative', it is okay to give them their role back. In any
situation where you return someones role post about it in the Discord Mod Discussion
channel. If unsure consult another mod or defer it to an admin / owner.

# Bans

Much like the time-out role, bans are usually not truly permanent except in very special circumstances.