Forum Moderators: rogerd
Even some policies that don't directly affect him might be worth considering. For example, I'm a moderator at a large forum where new members can't send or receive private messages until having made a specified number of public posts. Do something like that and he'll probably start posting "welcome" messages in response to each of their first posts. No real problem with that, as long as it's part of a useful, on-topic reply (if it isn't, our policy would allow us to just toss his post as off-topic).
And don't bother to reply to his repeated emails promptly. You have other members to support... and by your responsive to him you're reinforcing his concept of his "important role."
He likes the instant feedback, he's living for it. Respond to his e-mails ... but wait three or four days. Or reply only on Saturdays if you've got a day job.
As far as reining him in -- is he actually
creating a problem? What do the other members think of him?
Might be that he's worth keeping simply for the free enthusiasm. Set some ground rules and stick to them but you might put him in charge of something where he can't do too much damage, such making him a mod and putting him to work on the task of spam deletion (set VERY clear ground rules on what constitutes spam) or maintaining a list of events. Put his energy to work ... *shrug* He probably just wants to look important.
Just watch him closely to make sure he's not upsetting the other forum members or taking liberties such as representing himself as the board owner, or deleting posts he doesn't like, or luring your members off to another board he likes better.
-- The latter's a real possibility, I've seen it happen. If he's busy and popular and everyone knows him, and he gets offended, he might head elsewhere. And half your board could go with him.
Leva
I like that point a lot :)
It might also be worth investing a little time in creating some special service that's directly associated with *you * as the board 'creator' - some kind of special monthly mailing that's just from you but about the board and its development, discussions and personalities. Push yourself beyond the conflict with this person.
He did a very good job and they implemented almost all of the rules he came up with. Now he himself must follow them! ;)
Usually, someone like that can be used to your advantage. Bring him into the fold and then work his butt off (behind the scenes) for your own purposes. Keep him so busy improving your forum for you that it will give you the time needed to spend posting yourself.
You need to establish who makes the decisions around there and let it be known that Mr. Overzealous has been a "huge help!
