Board Disciplinary Procedure

[Elliot Kane]

As it seems possible that I might need some sort of rules for dealing with trouble makers sooner or later, I figured it was time to create something I really did not want to have to do: disciplinary procedures.

Ideally I would prefer not to have to do this to anyone, but in the case of flagrant and repeated breaches of the rules, I will regretfully feel I have no choice.

I'd hugely appreciate it if these could just gather dust, eternally unused.

In the event of a boardie exhibiting flagrant and repeated breaches of the rules, the procedure is as follows:

* A first offence will lead to a three day ban

* A second offence will lead to a seven day ban

* A third offence will be final, and result in a complete ban.

Sorry to have to have to post such an awful topic

[janggut]

it's a necessary evil, EK, & not something totally unjustifiable. so please don't apologise.

[Alrik]

Hello, I would - personally - do something before the 3 day ban : A warning. That's usual here, so I'd just suggest that, so the person actually gets to know that he or she has done something wrong.

Punishing without telling what law has been broken appears to me to be kind of ... "unintelligent". I mean, if someone unwillingly breaks a law that he or she never knew about, then I think a warning shopuld be made to explicitely point out the law that has been broken.

If the person does not respond to that - I mean withdraw the offensive posting, or posts an offensive thing a sec ond time, then I think the 3 day ban should take place.

[Elliot Kane]

I intend to give plenty of warnings & chances before ever resorting to any of this Alrik This is my last resort option only

Also, there are no hidden or secret rules for this board. They are all in the board rules thread. Admittedly, interpretation may differ, but I certainly don't consider the odd mistake to be in any way punishable

If I ever DO have to use this, I will be certain to post an explanation in the General forum, telling everyone what the person has done. There will be no secrets involved. You will all be able to SEE that I am being fair, and discuss it if you wish

[Dark Phoenix Rising]

EK, is it possible to ban someone from 1 of the boards instead of the whole boards, as if it is, it may be an idea to add a banning from the board where they caused the offence for a period before the full ban.

[Elliot Kane]

No, DPR. Unfortunately, it is not. Or if it is, I don't know how.

Truthfully though, if anyone gets this done to them they will have done an awful lot to deserve it. At that point, they will only really be deserving of your sympathy if there have been quite a few genuine misunderstandings - which obviously I hope won't happen, and don't think is very likely.

This isn't something I'm going to do any time someone breaks a rule in some minor way. I'd rather not use it at all, in truth.

[BJC]

Thats something I would check out with pro boards...might come in handy pretty well if we have any 'forum' explosions.

[Elliot Kane]

I don't think so, BJC, honestly. You guys are all adult enough and smart enough to know when you should walk away from something you don't agree with rather than resorting to the use of personal abuse. If there is anyone who can't control themselves in one section of the board, I see no reason to assume they will suddenly become more responsible in other sections.

This is about respect for the whole community.

[BJC]

Im thinking in a way that...well some boards are more a battle ground then others and it might be better if some had the particular feature.

[Elliot Kane]

I don't even treat kids like kids, BJJC. I'm certainly not treating adults like kids

[Misty]

We need to rewrite this whole thing or delete it.

[Elliot Kane]

Misty is right. This entire procedure was not designed to handle every eventuality, and is thus worthless.

It is hereby discontinued.

[Misty]

Well at least you amit you broke all your own rules..

[Glance A'Lot]

Fighting for the last word?

With every forum you join, you accept that (s)he who has the ultimate responsibility as site admin, also has the ultimate power to set the rules.

[Misty]

Glance are you fighting for the final word? I join a board and expect the rules not to just change cause the Admin gets lazy on try to find a real exuse to ban someone. Sorry if that doesnt fit with your way of thinking Glance.

[Glance A'Lot]

<sigh> - I hate circle debates -

[Misty]

Then why did you start one?

[BJC]

days said:

Glance are you fighting for the final word? I join a board and expect the rules not to just change cause the Admin gets lazy on try to find a real exuse to ban someone. Sorry if that doesnt fit with your way of thinking Glance.

Yes, well, I don't think Elliot had planned on having a complete public nuisance try to drive everyone away from the boards.

Certain rules need to be changed as situations come up.

[Elliot Kane]

I would prefer to say that the greatest problem I ever envisioned was someone losing their temper a bit too much and needing some cooling off time. I was wrong, and I'm not about to pretend otherwise.

[hector]

May I suggest simply: "Be nice, you'll stay. Be a dick, and you may be given another chance, or you may not"