Board Thread:Wiki Discussion/@comment-5264386-20140810061848/@comment-9753034-20140813000743

It sounds like a good idea to differentiate between vote and discussion threads, as wiki issues often need dealing with on a case-by-case basis. Promoting users is a case for which it could be good to have a standardized procedure; there are several options for how to go about promoting users which can be tailored to suit each community.

Between the two extremes -- open voting and leaving the process exclusively to admin discretion -- it would seem this community calls for some middle option. Things to consider include:
 * 1) Application -- it's always good to establish how a user can apply for additional rights and whether there are requirements that should be met. Restrictions can also be placed on nominations: can anyone nominate? Should users make their own applications?
 * 2) Discussion -- in order to ensure everyone gets their voice heard, it's preferable that free discussion is permitted somewhere relevant.
 * 3) Making the decision -- is it simply a matter of votes in support vs. against, or should the admins make the final decision? And possibly other users already in the user group the application concerns?

For a vibrant community, what seems to work rather well is users submitting their own applications, with others discussing and asking questions, and admins getting the final say. The process could go something like this:
 * 1) Anyone may submit a standard application (who am I, why do I want to be admin/mod, why would I make a good admin/mod, edit count across namespaces, etc.) in the designated forum.
 * 2) Everyone, admins and regular users alike, may ask the applicant follow-up questions and discuss anything relating to the application in the thread. An opinion poll (support/neutral/oppose) could help visualize the community's overall stance.
 * 3) After listening to and discussing with the community, the final decision rests with the admins (and possibly mods if the application is for chat mod).

This is of course a mere suggestion, but I was asked to give my two cents so here they are. Good luck!