Serious thread

[Nalo Jade]

...is serious & long...

I have been thinking a lot about the two elections and I have been reading all the threads that have appeared as a result.

Rotku for PA seems a good fit to me, and with no one else running for the post and no sign of Rotku changing to run for LA that leaves the LA election as the most ... concerning.

I really really want to help ALFA and I think I can, but I can't do it alone or worse steadfastly opposed. It would not serve ALFA at all if I was to be elected and then be in a position where my hands were tied up to the point where I couldn't do anything.

...it probably wouldn't hurt ALFA either, but I would rather see some strides of improvement if I was elected.

So I'm asking the current Admin, HDMs, EADMs, ADMs and seated staff heads/team members for your endorsement or rejection of the following proposals. Or better yet, your own proposals...

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1. Creating a new "power" through modification of the charter to read as follows.

LA being responsible for the management and organized cohesive momentum of the ALFA project as a whole shall be charged with ensuring that proposals, rule changes, and projects are carried out as efficiently as possible. In order to provide the LA a means of accomplishing this the LA is granted the following abilities.

a. LA may assign staff members in the event that a team is understaffed, or is unable to accomplish tasks within a reasonable time frame. This does not include removing staff members it can only be used to add new staff members to a team.
b. LA may assign a reasonable deadline to any task in any area of the project. If the deadline is not met LA must assume responsibility for the task. The task becomes the responsibility of the LA to complete. This does not limit the LA's ability to recruit volunteers to assist in completing the project.
c. LA will maintain a thread of "dead horses" the LA will be the only Admin that can revisit a dead horse. This repository will be used to keep the community from endless cycles of revisiting topics that have historically proven to be decided by a clear majority. If a dead horse is brought up it is the LA's responsibility to tactfully point out that the topic is a dead horse and at the same time tell the community whether they intend on resurrecting the topic. In the likely event that a dead horse is brought up and the LA does not notice, other members are encouraged to draw the LA's attention to the matter, so he/she may address it.

These powers will be limited by the other Seated Admin and the member base as a whole, if any action above is taken by the LA, any seated Admin may request a "stay" on the LA's decision and then post a rebuttal poll which will run for 1 week. The rebuttal poll will be a simple yes or no poll and be opened up to the entire membership. "Should the LA be allowed to do X?" Yes or No. If after one week the poll declares that the LA should be allowed to proceed then LA will proceed without any further interference short of a recall of the LA. If after one week the poll declares that the LA should not be allowed to proceed then the LA will immediately reverse any action that has already taken place and abstain from any further action regarding the matter.

These powers are intended to facilitate the implementation / progress of but not limited to; Rule changes, Server beta testing, Server beta status upgrades, Standards rulings, Application responses, OAS1 & 2 events, PR events, Moderation program, Infra Administration, Technical updates, implementation of universal content, implementation of 3rd party content, Standards compliance, complaints from any member.

2. LA is responsible for fostering a positive community, and encouraging a sense of belonging. Understanding that not everyone will get along, and that this task cannot be neatly quantified into tangible assignments, it shall never-the-less remain in the spirit of the LA's position and should be a quality that is sought for in a candidate for the position of LA.

a. LA will assume responsibility for moderating disputes between members in the event that the moderators are unable to do so. For the sake of the project it may be needed that disputing parties will require a cooling off period, if the LA cannot bring the disputing members to a civil arrangement it is the LA's responsibility to remove access to the forums and IRC until such time as the member(s) commit to civility. As a check to this power any Admin may post a "stay" to the LA's decision and open a poll to the community at large requesting the community to sanction or revoke the LA's decision.
b. LA will assume the roll as steward and mentor of all new members to the community, the LA may delegate this to staff members of his/her choosing however it is ultimately the responsibility of the LA to greet all new members and ensure they understand that the LA's PM box is available to them for any questions / concerns. The LA may automate this process through coordination with the Admissions team and the Acceptance / OAS referral e-mails.
c. LA is responsible for the conduct of all other seated Admin, he/she must hold his/her fellow Admin to the minimum acceptable conduct as established by the Admin Code of Conduct. (Which I would want to see created ASAP) The LA may suspend any Admin's access to the forums & IRC for infractions of conduct.
d. LA must maintain a positive presence within the community, the LA must be held to the highest standards of conduct. It is the responsibility of the other seated Admin, and the community as a whole to recall a leader who in any way tarnishes the community through dishonorable, rude, tactless, abusive actions/words. There is no excuse for such behavior from someone entrusted with this position, there should be no mercy for violating such trust. LA must lead by example.
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The last bit is meant to be a check against the powers being afforded to the LA, to ensure a LA never abuses their community given powers.

I know this sounds heavy handed, however I think that repeating the same thing over and over again will only net the same results, our community is seen by a great many of the other NWN communities as a broken community that lacks self respect and mature organization. We have been bleeding members faster than we can recoup them. Our progress is not as efficient as we would like.

I am completely open to and eager to hear any other serious proposals that can address the current state of affairs, I am not claiming the sky is falling nor do I think the end times are nigh, but I think we can all agree that something should be done to try and improve our community.

I am not in love with this idea, because it is not a community idea, I'd like it to be a stepping off point for brainstorming on a community idea.

I am not arrogant enough to think I alone can "fix" ALFA or that I alone have all the right answers...but I am cocky enough to say that given some support and faith of the masses I think I can help.

If elected I would be a servant of the community, so I would do my best to do what the majority decides.

At the risk of sounding cheesy, we can steer this project in a new direction...if we want to, or we can "stay the course"...

[Amar]

I like this, and agree with it. But I dont feel it calls for a revision to the charter. Just start doing it and roll it into the office really.

[zicada]

I'm more into simplicity.

We have about 250 maybe 300 members. We have a couple servers where people play a coop video game. We have some backends that need tending to.
We dont really need a govt style organization. If we were to change things to keep things simple and minimalistic, we would probably solve alot of problems as well as help save the cooperation that is really needed to an org like this going. THAT is where the LA role comes into play currently. They have to be on board in terms of CHANGE. No other single admin can do too much in that department,- its the lead admin who has to sort of spearhead that sort of thing. One thing is to say "this sounds good". Another thing entirely is to actually invest the time and energy necessary to do something about it, which is frankly, a really big job, but one that could eventually solve a ton of the good old classic problems everyone loves to remind us we have on a daily basis. And once we get rid of THAT, we can go pretty far i think.

[Nalo Jade]

I'm more into simplicity.

I know it may not seem like it from that OP but me too. Any specific suggestions?

[Rotku]

Nothing wrong with dead horses.

As long as an issue remains important to one person, it is an important issue - to paraphrase some famous person.

[Nalo Jade]

Agreed,

I have tried to necro horses many times in my years here. I think as things change the community should adapt. But that's just my opinion...

My thinking was more of a log of the most common things that are decided and having the explanation posted right next to the topic.

Crafting= Not currently supported by ALFA because of the risk of exploits and no approved system has been created.

Multiple PCs= Not allowed as it violates one of the pillars of the ALFA Charter. (except that NWN1 and 2 are considered different for the purposes of this.)

Starting at higher than 1st level= Currently violates the EXP Advancement standards.

Then a new member can be directed politely to the dead horse thread instead of being told ... STFU you Njub. They could be revisited, but the LA would have to be willing to take the matter back to the Admin for a vote.

Instead of people bickering for change for a month, the LA should step in immediately and decide whether Admin will spend time on considering change, and let the people know right away one way or the other. If the LA says "Sorry folks I am not willing to bring this topic to the Admin at this time." Then the people can either ask the other Admin to overrule the LA or wait till a new LA gets elected or possibly concede that it is not the right time for a change.

The LA is then the one held accountable, instead of the conspiracy of a secret cabal or the silence of Admin, Both of which cause grief and animosity in the community.

The LA should be able to stand up in front and let the members know what is going on in a tactful manner.

So its not meant to keep dead horses dead as much as make it easier to respond in a tactful manner to suggestions and ideas brought to the table.

[JaydeMoon]

I'm totally voting for Nalo Jade.