A Call for New PAs

[Magic Rob]

The charter clearly requires I call for fresh player advocates within my first 30 days. So I am.

The process will work as follows:

Close of game on the 4th session (2nd historical game, so hopefully the player base is a bit fuller), we will ask for a show of hands on who WANTS to be a pa. We write the list. Post it that week on the boards. Next game all of the players vote. The three most populous folks are the new PAs. Staff will vote as if they are players, and ties will be broken by yours truly.

Easy


Pas have duties under the charter and will be expected to do specific tasks for game. It can be a thankless job. Please take it seriously.

-Rob.

[Barnaby Cuthbert]

Show of hands happens Aug 30th.
Player vote happens Sept 6th.

[Weaver]

What sort of duties are a PA expected to perform?

[Katie Hester]

vampst.proboards.com/thread/13498/read-emerald-chronicles-charter

1.Responsibility of Player Advocates (PA)- In addition to the general responsibilities outlined above; The player advocates are a responsible, impartial body to assist in resolving player and staff concerns.

1.Selection of Player Advocates: Upon election, the HST has 30 days to request a list of possible player advocates from the player base. The STs will select a group of PAs that will represent the needs of the sphere and be able to work comfortably with the staff. People offered a position as a PA have the right to refuse the job.

2.Confidentiality- Players and Staff have a reasonable expectation of privacy when addressing a PA about a specific problem except when both staff and the PA agree to disclose the information.

3.Enforcement of Charter- PAs are responsible to help enforce the code of conduct.

4.Mediation- PAs will often be utilized by Staff to talk to players and by players to talk to staff. Their primary function is to resolve conflict between players and staff.

5.Mentoring- PAs are expected to uphold the highest standards of players, and should be examples to other players.


Read more: vampst.proboards.com/thread/13498/read-emerald-chronicles-charter#ixzz3Ahre8VmQ

[Magic Rob]

Generally speaking, PAs are pinged to handle player to player issues, and Staff will be looking to them to assist with charter violations or uncomfortable situation. The reason we're holding a vote is to ensure that player base trusts the discretion of their PAs and know they're responsible.

[Barnaby Cuthbert]

EC in the past has had an occasionally difficult history with the idea of either policing itself and it's members' conduct or in some cases being overly authoritarian. Theoretically, we're all friends here and that's awesome. On the other hand, it means that when friends cross boundaries and need to be brought back in line, there's always messiness.

PA's have had many different hats over the years in EC. Sometimes they've been genuinely helpful in their own right, and sometimes they've just been mouth-pieces for Staff. Under the charter, it was the expressed intention for them to have their own set of duties and responsibilities to game rather than simply facilitating communication between staff members and players.

The current Vampire Staff came to the decision some time ago that being the authoritative force in game both IC and OOC was too much responsibility for any one body. Staff has enough on its plate representing the other 7 billion NPC people in the world, their gravity, and the system to also handle everyone's OOC issues. To that, we are collectively looking to the Player Advocates.

Therefore, the PA's will be handled as written below, at least for the remainder of this term (and hopefully well beyond):

• PA's will be voted in by the player base. Staff will be given no special priviledges in this matter aside from the HST breaking ties. However, should this be the case, the HST will post the winners and the use of this power.
• PA's will handle all Out of Character disciplinary actions. Should player on player issues arise, they will be brought to the PA's. They will gather relevant information and render a judgment on the matter. To ensure that the PA's are being impartial, they will have their rulings reviewed by Staff (who should expect their full support barring a consensus of Staff that the ruling is unjust or investigation is lacking).
• PA's will be looked to for mediation between Staff and Players. In the case of cheating or other sticky matters that may come up, Staff will present their case to the PA's and then recluse themselves from further involvement. Often times these are genuine misunderstandings of rules or system, but having a different set of eyes look them over is in everyone's best interest.
• PA's will handle all disciplinary actions pertaining to Staff. This is an equally tricky matter. Sometimes Staff, because they have some sweeping authorities, come off as unreasonable or callous when the reality of the situation is the opposite. Should a player interacting with Staff reach a level that crosses lines, the PA's will be looked to mediate these instances.
• PA's will be looked to assist matters that pertain to the real world. Basically, Staff and the PA's will work together to resolve matters that are not specifically charter or IC game matters (like site issues, or whatnot).

This division of authoritative power is designed to keep both bodies honest and further see to the needs of the players as a whole. Entire staff meetings can be consumed in debating how to handle delicate issues or personal matters between players. It is Staff's opinion that their function is to represent the In-Character world and not reign equally over the Out of Character one.

PA's will not be required to hold regular meetings or do anything outside of fielding real-world matters for game. Should a matter come up that requires PA's attention, they will be informed (likely in person at game or over email). They will handle their own investigations, come to their own conclusions and report their findings to staff.

Being on Staff is a stressful enough undertaking. Handling the hundreds of emails every week, the dozens of character needs, and the plots of the world is tricky. Managing all of that, real lives, *and* everyone's out of character issues is an unreasonable expectation for a volunteer position.

Please understand what Staff will be expecting from you when you volunteer for this position. Volunteers will be called for next game. Staff will document those interested and start a thread in the Vampire OOC boards with the list of those willing to undertake said positions. Votes will be held the following week at game. At the time of the vote, you will write three of those who have volunteered to represent your needs as Players on a piece of paper. Staff will compile and collect these numbers. Originally we were expecting to accept 3 PA's, but as player size has exploded so quickly, we will be counting the 5 highest votes as PA's.

Obviously you cannot serve on Staff and as a Player Advocate at the same time. Too much conflicted interests there. This system will be reviewed at the 4 month mark of the current term, and if all parties involved are content with it's function, will remain in place for the remainder of the term.

Thank you for your patience, consideration, and compassion to your fellow players.

-Staff