We work hard to overcome the issue of people, particularly direct service providers, being intimidated that everyone else in the forum is an expert - except them. Moderators remind, cajole, and encourage online participation. The Roundtables redefine the meaning of the word experts. We believe that anyone who has been invited, whether a researcher, advocate, welfare mom, or direct service provider brings a valuable piece to the public policy puzzle. Moderators are Mediators Moderators encourage all participants to model exemplary online behavior.
Any time there is conflict, the moderators respond to it quickly both online and behind the scenes.
There have been only a few personal attacks and hostile comments, despite the passionate debate and we've discovered that HandsNet is one place on the Internet where eloquence and intelligence beat out attack and innuendo every time. This is because, over time, participants know each other as peers and earn one another's trust and they also know that the moderators will deal quickly with any disputes.