Due to numerous other site activities and preoccupations, it has been a really long time - about 1.5 years - since we inducted our last batch of Admins. Here is a refresher about the Admin role:
Admin is just another role to participate in this site. There are some advantages as well as drawbacks. You will have access to the Admin forum, will be able to update much of the site information, get invited to our Admin Convention and other railfan meets, get the IRI Cap, T-shirt, etc.
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However,...
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on the flip side, you cannot indulge in controversial statements, EVEN though what you say is right and fair. So, yes, some members consider it a curtailment of their "freedom of speech", and are frustrated as Admins. It is much LESS FUN being an Admin, in this respect. You will have to be extra-courteous and polite with other members. You will have to be MUCH, MUCH more TOLERANT of other people's views, and be silent and hold your peace. As Admin, you are like an ambassador of IRI, and accordingly, where site affairs are concerned, you have to watch what you say and write.
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Most importantly, just like members, Admins are absolutely NOT obligated to participate in site activities or even visit the site. They are NOT obligated to answer questions from members, or know more than members about Rail affairs. Our members/Admins lead busy professional/domestic lives, and IRI is NOT supposed to be a priority. IRI remains a minor recreational hobby/pastime for BOTH members and Admins, and is supposed to be the absolute LAST on your list of life priorities. Many of our Admins are away from the site for months, and are welcomed back when they come back. In that respect, Admins, like members, are perfectly free to do whatever they want to do. They may come and go when they like. Admins may also voluntary take a "break from Adminship", if they find the Admin forum too distracting.
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We are living in a virtual world here, and IRI is a very small site in the vast internet. In the scheme of things, "Admin" is just a minor designation, and is of little significance outside IRI. Some members are interested in joining the Admin group, while others are happier being long-time reputed members, who are equally valued by the site.
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The primary means of appointment is
1. recommendation by 2 or more current Admins
2. no objection from any Admin
3. member is interested in becoming Admin, and chooses to abide by our restrictive Admin guidelines.
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Due to the long time gap since our last induction, there is a huge backlog of recommendations. To keep things manageable, we shall be appointing about 10 Admins every month in random order, starting very soon. If you are interested, but not on the list, maybe you will be, next month or the month after. Pl. just be patient.
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Thanks.

Admins are not appointed based on their contributions to the site. All members are expected to receive as much or more from IRI as much as they give. This equilibrium is very important for the sustenance of this site, as well as your interest in this site. If you find that there is an imbalance, and you are contributing/blogging more without receiving any reciprocal benefits from this site, at that point, this site ceases to be of benefit to you, and you should discontinue your participation.
Members are appointed Admins on recommendations by our current Admins, based on their courtesy, politeness, maturity and other social qualities. Rail knowledge or contributions to site are not yardsticks for Admins. Many of our Admins may...
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not know much about the Railways, but they are Admins based on their general social qualities. It is very likely that you have the above qualities, but our members are not familiar enough with you to recommend. In such a case, you may just continue participation with the site, and eventually someone will recommend you.
Thanks.

Thanks for your interest. We do usually require you to be a member here for at least a few months, and get to know our other members and admins. Please keep visiting the site, and get to know the various kinds of edits and activities. If a couple of current admins recommends you, we may make you an Admin sooner.
This is a bureaucracy-free site, and we have very few rules or policies. However, since Admins have a lot of edit freedom, it takes longer. Also, there are few more senior members whom we wish to appoint first.
Some...
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features are in development, whereby we can give members some edit capabilities, without the requirement to be an admin. This may make the transition smoother, while allowing reliable and controlled updates possible.
Thanks for understanding.