Post by hszmv on Dec 4, 2014 23:56:05 GMT
As you may be aware, there have been two recent incidents where members of the fleet were removed due to disciplinary reasons. It has come to the attention of the Pathfinders that due to these removals, and opting not to discuss it on RP Crossover, some members have become concerned that they, too, might be removed. I want to take this opportunity to assure you that unless we have deliberately taken you aside and followed the process laid out on the forums, your continued membership in this fleet is not in question by us. I would like to think that I speak for both Kal and Geralyn when I say that the day any of us kicks a member without cause, warning or strikes is the day we will resign as Pathfinder. All three of us see the fleet as a family. We hate to see members leave on their own accord, and loath the chore of having to remove someone for egregious, flagrant, and repeated breaking of the rules. It represents a failure on our part to handle the situation in a way that can work out for everyone.
Our stance on not discussing recent bans on Crossover needs to be clarified. It is not a method to "control the press" or vindication against the member who was removed by relegating him to the status of "He who must not be named". As always, you are free to discuss the banning of members in private among whoever you want and we hope that you feel you can discuss the issue with the Guardians, Mediators,and Pathfinders in private. In the past 18 months, there have only been 6incidents where a member has been removed for disciplinary reasons. Of those six, 2/3rds of those kicked have been found to have been harassing (sexual or otherwise) other members of the fleet. Some of it has been blatant and well known among members. Others have not. Out of discretion favoring
the victim or victims, the Pathfinder's and Guardians have agreed to stop discussion of these bans in open channels. Again, you are welcome to discuss the details amongst yourselves and may ask fleet leadership about the details. Please understand that, for harassment cases, we will not comment in detail, again, out of respect for the victims. It takes tremendous courage and trust on their part to inform us about these problems, and it would discourage future complainants from coming forward if, God forbid, it happens again.
On the topic of Harassment: the Pathfinders believe that this is one of the worst violations of the rules one can commit. Because of our warning and strike system, our hands are tied a little in our ability to respond. In some cases, the abuse was going on for months, even years, but until the victims stepped forward, we were unable to act. To the victims of these abusers, I would like to apologize on behalf of the fleet. It was a failure of the system and our own ability to intervene. Moving forward, the Pathfinders will be taking an aggressive stance on this behavior. If we find more cases of harassment in any form and you are on a trial membership period, you will be removed from the fleet immediately. If you are a Roleplayer or higher, you will be elevated to a final strike and if the abuse continues, you will be removed.
The Storytellers is a safe place. No one should feel like they can't enjoy themselves because of the actions of another member of the fleet. At anytime you feel like you are being victimized, we encourage you to come to the Pathfinders, Guardians, or Mediators. If you are unsure if your behavior constitutes harassment, a good litmus test is that you have to ask at all "Is this harassment?"
Our stance on not discussing recent bans on Crossover needs to be clarified. It is not a method to "control the press" or vindication against the member who was removed by relegating him to the status of "He who must not be named". As always, you are free to discuss the banning of members in private among whoever you want and we hope that you feel you can discuss the issue with the Guardians, Mediators,and Pathfinders in private. In the past 18 months, there have only been 6incidents where a member has been removed for disciplinary reasons. Of those six, 2/3rds of those kicked have been found to have been harassing (sexual or otherwise) other members of the fleet. Some of it has been blatant and well known among members. Others have not. Out of discretion favoring
the victim or victims, the Pathfinder's and Guardians have agreed to stop discussion of these bans in open channels. Again, you are welcome to discuss the details amongst yourselves and may ask fleet leadership about the details. Please understand that, for harassment cases, we will not comment in detail, again, out of respect for the victims. It takes tremendous courage and trust on their part to inform us about these problems, and it would discourage future complainants from coming forward if, God forbid, it happens again.
On the topic of Harassment: the Pathfinders believe that this is one of the worst violations of the rules one can commit. Because of our warning and strike system, our hands are tied a little in our ability to respond. In some cases, the abuse was going on for months, even years, but until the victims stepped forward, we were unable to act. To the victims of these abusers, I would like to apologize on behalf of the fleet. It was a failure of the system and our own ability to intervene. Moving forward, the Pathfinders will be taking an aggressive stance on this behavior. If we find more cases of harassment in any form and you are on a trial membership period, you will be removed from the fleet immediately. If you are a Roleplayer or higher, you will be elevated to a final strike and if the abuse continues, you will be removed.
The Storytellers is a safe place. No one should feel like they can't enjoy themselves because of the actions of another member of the fleet. At anytime you feel like you are being victimized, we encourage you to come to the Pathfinders, Guardians, or Mediators. If you are unsure if your behavior constitutes harassment, a good litmus test is that you have to ask at all "Is this harassment?"