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When I talk about community internally at Reddit, I often use the words "support" and "nurture". Despite the popular phrasing, communities can't be "managed". Here's how the two approaches compare. 
Trying to force member behavior will likely turn them off; humans like autonomy.
Alternatively, teaching them why we have specific rules and modeling and highlighting good behavior drives positive social norms.
Alternatively, teaching them why we have specific rules and modeling and highlighting good behavior drives positive social norms.
Forcing people to do volunteer work will burn them out (and is against the law).
Providing them with the support they need to do it sustainably and positively reinforcing when they do great work means a good outcome for everyone.
Providing them with the support they need to do it sustainably and positively reinforcing when they do great work means a good outcome for everyone.
Spending oodles of money to force your space to be "fun" will likely make it seem desperate and corporate (look at pretty much any recent FB project).
Providing support & encouragement when your community develops fun programs is far more authentic & encourages them to do more.
Providing support & encouragement when your community develops fun programs is far more authentic & encourages them to do more.
Lastly, attempting to create safety by trying to see, control, and automate everything is a game of whack-a-mole.
Instead, give power to the people to help create the spaces they want to see, make getting help very easy, and listen to those who are finding issues for you.
Instead, give power to the people to help create the spaces they want to see, make getting help very easy, and listen to those who are finding issues for you.
Neither approach is easier, but the nurture & support approach will scale much better in the long-run. Control doesn't scale, and eventually invites backlash and collapse.
