This is how it works:
The mods have a long long discussion on who to bring on board. Dozens of names are mentioned; people who have helped the community in one way or the other and also those who are active in the time zones that the gods feel we need. We talk about them in great detail.
We then narrow it down, the gods including Arn chip in. And then we invite a number that is established at the beginning, some accept, others decline.
We then move that discussion away so that the new mods aren't upset or surprised by what we've said; it's happened to us all... and then the new mods are bought on board days or weeks before they pick up their new responsibilities.
Some things are secret; some things should be clear and above board, we shouldn't be that mysterious. New mods can have low post counts, they can have high ones; it doesn't matter. Personally, I have no idea why I was invited to become a moderator, but the why doesn't interest me. What interests me is what I can do with the tools I've been given.
Want to be a mod? Be a good forum member... but it's not a walk in the park, mods are people too, they have other lives, they get annoyed with some of you, they need time off, they want this board to be the best it can be so anyone who makes work for us isn't making the best start of things.
That's about it really. It's not a popularity contest, it's not about who has the most posts... it's about those who want to make a difference.
🙂