Northern Star
CHARTER To Establish the Rules and Regulations Governing the TorilMUD Association known as NORTHERN STAR.
I. Statement of PurposeThe purpose of this document is to establish the rules and regulations by which the association known as NORTHERN STAR (hereafter abbreviated NS) will function within the realms of the TorilMUD. II. Origins of Northern StarThe association known as NS was organized by a group of friends with the intention of creating a community of explorers and adventurers with a common desire to learn as much as possible about the realms of TorilMUD, while also enjoying a sense of cooperation and friendship. The initial impetus to form NS was brought forth by a few players of the mud who have since moved on from this guild, in some cases joined or started other guilds and in some cases have left or play the game rarely these days. NS has evolved with some changes to its aims and guidelines, and continues to be a strong, friendly guild in the realms of TorilMUD. The new era of the guild and the game finds NS's original ideals of exploring and adventure still holding true whilst embracing a more 'family' orientated aspect where friendship and caring are a big part of what we are about. III. Organization of Northern StarNS is defined as an ASSOCIATION according to the guidelines established by the administration of TorilMUD. The guidelines for an ASSOCIATION require NS to designate one member as the LEADER. In standard NS designations, this member is identified by the default title of Emissary. The member holding the position of LEADER shall have the option of being identified by a unique personalized title if he/she chooses to do so provided the title reflects an aspect of the person's position or role-playing personality. The guidelines for an ASSOCIATION allow NS to designate up to two (2) members as LIEUTENANTS. In standard NS designations, these members shall be identified by the default title of Honored. The members holding the position of LIEUTENANT shall have the option of being identified by a unique personalized title if they choose to do so provided the title reflects an aspect of the person's position or role-playing personality. The guidelines for an ASSOCIATION allow NS to designate up to five (5) members as OFFICERS. In standard NS designations, these members shall be identified by the default title of Devout. The members holding the position of OFFICER shall have the option of being identified by a unique personalized title if they choose to do so. IV. Association TitlesAs mentioned in Section III, the association LEADER, LIEUTENANTS, and OFFICERS shall have the option of being identified by a unique personalized title. All such titles shall reflect a role-playing aspect of the character. In addition, the LEADER, LIEUTENANTS, and OFFICERS shall enclose their title with the markers -= =- to identify themselves as holding an office in the association. All new members shall receive the title of - Seeker - during the first 4 weeks of probationary membership. Only full members may have an association title. All titles must conform to the TorilMUD guidelines and rules (See "help titles" ingame) and give an accurate description of the member's class, rank and standing in the guild. Titles are also subject to ADMINISTRATION scrutiny. Titles assuming royalty or governing rank are prohibited. All Officers' approval of all titles is encouraged, and in some cases mandatory. V. Membership Requirements and Application ProceduresMembership in NS shall be made available to all TorilMUD RACES identified as GOOD & NEUTRAL RACE. Membership in NS shall be made available to all CLASSES associated with GOOD & NEUTRAL RACE players. Membership in NS shall be made available to persons of any ALIGNMENT. Membership in NS shall carry a restriction on LEVEL to players with a character level of 36 or higher. Long serving members may be allowed to guild another character of level 26 or higher only after senior Officers approval. Persons interested in APPLYING for membership in NS shall contact any current member to express interest. Any such person should be identified to all members of NS through communication methods described in Section VII. Such persons shall be given the internal designation of APPLICANT. All APPLICANTS shall be evaluated by current members for a minimum of one (1) week after expressing interest in joining. Evaluation shall include interaction through grouping, determining the expectations of the APPLICANT, and providing feedback to the association. APPLICANTS shall be considered for membership in NS by registering on the NS BBS as described in Section VII, and are REQUIRED to submit an APPLICATION POST stating their intentions to be considered for membership in NS. Official APPLICATION POSTS should include a short role-playing story, preferably involving some members of NS that they may be familiar with. They should also include some OOC (Out Of Character) information to accompany the RP story stating their interest in NS, why they would want to join & some of their views on NS, and some of their previous TorilMUD and SojournMUD playing, guild and character history. All APPLICANTS will either be offered or denied a TRIAL membership in NS. Only APLLICANTS who are officially offered a TRIAL membership will be considered for FULL membership. The OFFICERS will discuss new APPLICANTS with any and all members to decide to offer or deny TRIAL membership status. All members are encouraged to post in the NS ONLY section (Full membership section) of the NS BBS discussing APPLICANTS. TRIAL membership periods will be a probationary membership of no less than four (4) real weeks. During the TRIAL membership period APPLICANTS and all members are encouraged to interact with each other as much as possible, so that all parties can mutually better consider whether or not the APPLICANT is suitable to join the NS family. TRIAL membership APPLICANTS may be granted partial access to the NS private section of the NS BBS during the TRAIL period. Full NS BBS membership access will only be granted if successfully enrolled into the ranks of NS as a FULL MEMBER. TRIAL membership APPLICANTS are required to play a minimum of eight (8) real hours per week during the trial period to better facilitate a high level of member interaction. The LEADER and LUIETENANTS reserve the right to KICK OUT any TRIAL membership APPLICANT or otherwise probationary member that does not act in a manner expected of a NS member. Upon completion of an APPLICANT'S TRIAL membership period, a vote shall be called by an OFFICER. The APPLICANT must receive a majority of favourable votes based on current membership rolls. Voting requires at least 50% of the current membership to vote to make the vote valid. In addition, the APPLICANT must receive general favourable feedback / review from a minimum of 75% of the OFFICERS. ALL members are REQUIRED to vote on all new APPLICANTS. Once a vote is called, all members are REQUIRED to vote within four (4) real days. Votes may be cast by sending either “Yes”, “No” or “Abstain” to the OFFICER running the vote or the LEADER via mmail ingame, email or online messaging system (e.g. ICQ). Non-voting members shall be fined according to the following schedule: Non-voting fines: First offence: - Warning. Second offence: - 100 Platinum. Third offence: - 200 Platinum. Fourth offence: - Put on probation. The OFFICERS reserve the right to evaluate and administer punishment fitting the number and repetition of such offences. The 'offence counter' may be reset after three (3) consecutive votes on future APPLICANTS or other general voting. Members may cast a vote in advance if deemed appropriate by an OFFICER and that member advises an OFFICER of his/her wish and reason(s) to do so. The association of NS considers non-voting for APPLICANTS and other important issues a serious topic and all members are strongly encouraged to participate in all such voting and TRIAL period interaction. VI. General Member GuidelinesMembers of NS shall conduct themselves in a manner that is respectful and honourable when in contact with persons of other associations or non-affiliated persons. Members of NS are strongly encouraged to play a minimum of eight (8) hours of playtime per real week in general. Conditions under which this recommendation cannot be regularly met shall be brought to the attention of all members. Special circumstances may prevent a member logging in to play and shall be tolerated to a degree. Any member not able to play for more than three (3) weeks is required to inform the officers and may be put on the reserve or on the LEAVE ROSTER. Players on the LEAVE ROSTER may rejoin at any time providing they are willing and able to commit time to play the game reasonably regularly. Members of NS shall be required to pay a (real) monthly fee of 200 platinum coins to cover association expenses and establish an account to be used for future purchases. Fines will be distributed on the last day of each month by the guild LEADER. All fines can be paid by using the 'assoc deposit <coins>' command. Members of NS are encouraged to ROLE-PLAY on a regular basis in situations where such activity is appropriate. Provisions for ROLE-PLAY events shall be considered for future amendment to this document. All members are encouraged to attend any and all NS organized 'HUNTS' and zone groups, though NS recognizes the importance of real life commitments and occasional preference not to join such groups. All members are expected to sometimes assist other members with various ingame activities when they are able - being there for your guildmates is an important part of what we are about. Members of NS shall not discriminate against other players on TorilMUD solely on the basis of such player's affiliation with any other association, race or class. All members are REQUIRED to respect the intent and spirit of the ToirlMUD game and the way the TorilMUD administrators, area-makers and coders design the various aspects of it. Regardless of how zones, quests, hunts actually get completed and done, members of NS are expected to at least respect the honest and genuine methods of completing such. NS promotes proper gameplay and following ingame quests as they are designed/intended by the creators . Quest and code information which members derive from and/or share with each other must not be abused nor distributed external from NS without appropriate consent. All members are REQUIRED to respect all personal and/or sensitive information which members derive from and/or share with each other, and must not distribute such without the express appropriate consent of all involved and the LEADER. This includes, but is not limited to, real names, locations, email addresses and other personal information. All members are REQUIRED to appreciate and respect the ingame helper system and be prepared to use such system in an honest, friendly, courteous and helpful manner whenever called upon if possible. Many members of NS are designated HELPERS in the TorilMUD game and the NS association supports this system. Members holding LIEUTENANT or OFFICER positions shall share and carry out the tasks as described by the following responsibilities, in association with their offices: The MEDIATOR shall be responsible for settling any and all disputes among members when such disputes cannot be settled among the members in question. The MEDIATOR shall also serve as the primary avenue through which general concerns shall be brought to the attention of all OFFICERS. If the MEDIATOR cannot settle a dispute the LEADER shall use executable power to settle the matter. The TREASURER shall be responsible for governing the payment of fines and fees, and the sale and distribution of collective guild equipment on the MUD Auction feature. The SCRIBE shall be responsible for maintaining membership rolls, member information, wish lists and moderate on the association BBS. The GUIDE shall be responsible for organizing and/or leading zoning and experience groups. The association LEADER and LIEUTENANTS shall be expected to assume these responsibilities in addition to any other OFFICERS which are given this position. In addition, members not holding an office shall have the right to assume this responsibility. The responsibilities listed above may also be shared among multiple officers, provided that each officer maintains at least one responsibility. VII. Member CommunicationThe official website for NS can currently be found at http://www.ns.jaz.net.au/ The official NS discussion board can be found at the BBS pages of the above website, at: http://www.ns.jaz.net.au/bb/ ALL members are REQUIRED to join this BBS and are encouraged to regularly peruse and participate in forum discussions. A secondary online form of guild communication exists at the Yahoo Group known as “northernstarguild”, located at: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/northernstarguild/ This group shall be the secondary avenue of communication outside of the TorilMUD environment and the online NS BBS. The official website for TorilMUD can be found at http://www.TorilMUD.org/ All members are encouraged to read and participate in TorilMUD BBS discussions when appropriate and as they see fit. OFFICERS shall reserve the ability to call a MEETING for all members or for officers only, should the need arise to discuss association matters in a real-time environment. Notification of the time for such MEETINGS shall be provided on the NS BBS and via other methods where appropriate. OFFICERS are encouraged to meet in a group ingame environment regularly. VIII. Provisions for Member Promotion/Demotion, Secession, and DeletionThe LEADER and LIEUTENANTS of NS reserve the right to PROMOTE or DEMOTE members to and from OFFICER positions. Such promotions and demotions shall occur as necessary based on member participation, activities that benefit or detract from the welfare of the association, and adherence to the rules set forth in this charter. All members of NS shall have the ability to SECEDE from the association at any time. With prior notification and approval from OFFICERS, members shall be allowed to take a temporary leave of absence from the association, during which time their position in the association shall remain vacant. Persons choosing to secede without such approval shall not be allowed to return to the association without a consensus from all OFFICERS and majority approval from all other members. Any member SECEDING from NS is expected to provide an explanation as to why, and this is to be made immediately available to all members. The LEADER and LIEUTENANTS reserve the right to KICK OUT any member found to be acting in such a manner that harms the welfare of the association. Such members shall be removed from membership rolls only with approval of all OFFICERS. Any member kicked out of the association shall not be allowed to return without approval by ALL current members. The LEADER reserves the right to KICK OUT any member inactive for long periods of time to make their position vacant for a new member. The LEADER reserves the right to KICK OUT any members found mudding on other MUDS while giving NS the excuse they do not have the time to play due to IRL. Dishonesty and lies are strongly discouraged from the NS family, and will not be tolerated. The LEADER may discuss such matters before kicking a member out with the available officers and current online members. Warnings may or may not be given before being kicked out depending on the severity of the offence. IX. Provisions for Amendment/RevisionAs deemed necessary, the association shall provide AMENDMENTS or REVISIONS to this charter to reflect required changes in policy. Any member of NS shall have the ability to propose an amendment or revision. Amendments and revisions to this charter shall require approval from 100% of association OFFICERS and 75% of all full members. Rules for voting timelines on amendments and revisions shall be the same as those set forth for voting on new members. X. Current Guild Roster
XI. Provisions for ApprovalThe guidelines established in this charter shall be put into effect upon approval from 100% association OFFICERS and 75% of all full members. Current charter approved by Officers and Members on 30th November 2004 |
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