I'm a Newbie here but a Moderator on another site (not gun related) so i may be able to give you some insight but of course not the requirements for this site.
From what i've seen...
A Forum usually doesn't look for Moderators unless their is a need for more of them. When theirs a need they look to the members And to others they know who fill their requirements.
How much Experience they have.
How Accurate their information is.
How much they Contribute to helping others.
How well they Interact with other members.
How well they Convey their knowledge.
How Objective they are.
How Opinionated they are.
How Dedicated they are to the goals of the site, its Members...
Their Attitude.
Etc.
Theirs No Check List but many of these things get considered, even if only subconciously.
Lucky for me spelling, grammer and punctuation isn't a factor on my site.
And you start to think of the site as My Site rather than The XXX Forum.
Being a Mod probably isn't what you think it is. Yes it carries some prestige, but it also makes you Responcable for everything you post. Members tend to take Everything you say more seriously so you need to think your post through more carefully. You'll probably be spending much more time on the site, cutting into your other activities. I spend three or more times as much time on the site I Mod as i used to as a Member. I check it in the mourning before i go to work, as soon as i get in from work, a couple of times through the night and before I go to bed. Of course this isn't a requirement, but I feel it helps the Forum(s) that I mod as well as the other forums at that site which i don't.
In Essence, being a Mod is kind of like being Demoted to Butler in your Approach to the site, but with a title thats looked up to. You Serve the site and its members. Your presence is Needed for Others Continued Enjoyment. But of course as a Mod you get to join in the party!
And the Only Pay Back you'll most likely ever get is in the Enjoyment of Helping Others.
My 2 cents.
mike
[This message has been edited by GunRunner (edited 11-12-2001).]