Smart Videoconferencing



54

12 Moderators

Moderators can make a multisite or heavily attended two-way videoconference enjoyable—even funny. They can set a tone and establish a theme. On the other hand, if they only enforce rules, they can create boredom. Nonetheless, a moderator must work from guidelines. Here are a few suggestions:

• The moderator’s most important role in videoconferencing is telling the group about the protocols in effect and then nicely getting people to follow them. Nothing ruins a cooperative videoconference faster than having a dictator for a moderator.
• It is best if the moderator is not the most senior person in the group or the person who called the meeting. An impartial, alert, ...