hey courtney, thanks for the post. it's really important you stay constantly connected with the community and i think you always are very good at doing that. i think maybe a realistic goal for the staff team is to really try to not fight back with what the community is giving you and just take it in. it's a lot to handle and it's hard not to get defensive (i know i wasn't always perfect), but because most of them are children they see it as a direct attack on them. just tell them that you hear their concerns and will consider them. and you should consider them, but obviously staff knows best in the end as long as they have listened and considered all perspectives.
from the outside of both sides, it seems the biggest issue is communication. perhaps a bit of transparency is necessary. i think people just want to know what's going on because the server means so much to them. you obviously already outlined this necessity. :)
still, you seem to contradict this point here:
Do we owe you an explanation? No we don’t. Do we owe you proof? No we don’t.
~ @Courtneyyy
maybe this is the kind of transparency that would make people happier? maybe lightening up needs to happen on both ends - for the community and the server
additionally, some staff have said they do not have any authority to do more for the server. they can't help with the big projects. i think you should let them. mods are always, from my experience, the hardest working individuals on the team. let them help you somehow beyond public relations.
but yea emphatically the harassment needs to stop. it's getting ridiculous. i apologize for once upon a time being a part of it. it was toxic and unnecessary and counterproductive. you all deserve better and i should know that after spending time on staff for so long.
i think, as natsu puts it, everyone is just confused and wants to know what's going on. they miss their friends, and if the info comes from you rather than an angry toxic person who was banned for being an angry toxic person, it might make more sense to them!
thanks for your consistent communication, but maybe the communication just needs to be less pushing away and more inviting.
