Cozy Mysteries discussion

Dear Members,

It seems we have a problem. A former member, who was removed and banned from the group due to violations of group rules, after multiple warnings is trying to continue to cause problems. I will not go into the details, or their name. They have, however, decided to go after our group and our moderators. We've received word that members are getting private messages bad mouthing our moderators, Cozy Mysteries and trying to convince them to leave us and join their new group. (I don't know the name of that group.)

Let me just say that we, the moderators, do our best to handle situations like these. It's not easy making the decision to remove someone from the group but occassionally it's necessary. The moderator did not make this decision alone. I did. I contacted them personally. This wasn't a decision taken lightly. There was a history of problems and this individual didn't listen to warnings and wanted to keep arguing the point. At some point we have to decide what's best for the group.

Being a moderator is a time consuming, unpaid, usually thankless job. We don't need to add harassment and what feels like stalking on top of it. I'm personally asking for your help. If you get a private message (PM) that doesn't seem right, please FLAG it. Even if you've trashed it, you can go back in and FLAG it. When you flag something you have two choices, INAPPROPRATE or SPAM. Click Inappropriate. A box will come up and you can either write something or leave it blank. Even if you leave it blank, please flag. The more that's flagged, the more Goodreads can track this individual. To get a list of our members, they may have made a new ID to get back in since their old one was banned. You can flag a post as well, if need be. Right now we've just been told by a few members about the private messages.

I've flagged and reported the issue to Goodreads. I removed and blocked the individual from Cozy Mysteries. As a group owner, moderator, and Goodreads member that's all I can do. We need your help to FLAG anything you've received. You don't even have to tell us about it. Just flag so goodreads know.

I want to thank you for your time and your help. If you ever need to contact myself or Heather, just send us a message. We do our best to help the group.

~Kate aka Briansgirl
Cozy Mysteries group owner

{Posted in group and broadcast as a message to all members}

I would like to thank everyone that are replying to the broadcast message saying they'll not only help but thanking us for the work we do.

Please excuse me for not replying to everyone. We have over 11k members here in cozy mysteries.

And I'm sharing as many as I can with Heather so she can feel the love as well. :)

It's bad enough people are trying to SELL things, much less HARASS. I mean, I've posted questionable things, but I stop once it's pointed out.

It must be terrible all the extra work. It's supposed to be a place for fun. If I want to be harassed, there's already twitter and facebook.

Thank you both for all the work that you do! It's a huge undertaking, and you really do not need this. It definitely should be a fun place to just chill. 📚📕📖📘

So sorry this has happened to you guys! We appreciate your time and effort. Thank you for everything you do for our group. I will flag if I get a message.

I have responded to your broadcast - I have nothing but admiration for you mods

Being a mod currently for a small private group and previously being a mod for a large group - it is not easy.

Many group members do not realise just how hard it can be protecting the group for people whose main objective is to promote, themselves, something unsavoury, or just plain troll and watch the reaction. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg!

You guys can’t be on 24/7 - and I know fellow members can jump online and message you with any blatant infringement which really helps.

I am sorry that you, Helen and Marisa have to deal with this.
💐💐💐🍫🍫🍫

I know I am more of a lurker, but now I have retired and relocated from one side of Australia to the other - I am picking up my game a cross my groups - is nice to know you guys are watching out for us, and is a comfort too.

Thanks to the moderators for doing a wonderful, albeit sometimes unpleasant job of having to put up with nonsense.

I'm so sorry you are dealing with this. I just don't understand some people. I'm behind you.

Thank you all for supporting the group and all the moderators. It means alot to us.

Totally sorry, Kathleen! If the message reaches my inbox (although I don't think this person can be so *crazy*), I'll flag ir for sure.

So sorry to hear this. Some people must be too bored.
Thank you all for your great job ! We stand by you.

It is super sad that of all the places to go on the internet, such people would come to this group and try to ruin it. :(
Thank you to the mods for doing such a wonderful job, and for the tactful warning.

Thank you all for your uplifting messages.


Heather

Thank-you for all the work you do as moderators to keep the group safe and enjoyable. Sending love and hugs to all members.

Thank you to all of you wonderful moderators. I enjoy this group and I appreciate all of your hard work. Don't let one bad apple spoil your day!!!

We appreciate all of your hard work and I thoroughly enjoy the conversations in this group. To second Paula’s sentiment, don’t let one bad apple spoil your day! It’s not worth the aggravation. Stay safe everyone and happy reading! It’s cloudy here in Northern NJ, perfect weather for reading and avoiding that load of laundry I need to do! 😂