I am delighted to see something well thought out and constructive. I applaud your initiative.
I see where you are going with this, but have a few suggestions.
Forge04 wrote:
- FA/FXO
- Instant kicks still allowed, though will be scrutinized by JAG.
- Main purpose will to be to allow instant decision making capability when damage to the fleet as a whole is possible or occuring.
- Otherwise merely a figurehead of the fleet.
This would essentially render the roles down to mostly redundant, decorative law enforcers, which is not what the positions are about. They should also be involved in any debates, command decisions etc and advise/consult have some input in what happens. Not a 'manual override' or 'veto' per say, but something along those lines, if for no other reason than to keep things ticking over so that we don't lose everything to months of continual negotiation, re-hasing and endless jibber-jabber. So maybe just submit anything 'admiraltu approved' for a once over & sign off? However, with all due respect to Enterprise-D and Patrick, this will only work if our leaders are seen to lead, be involved and know what is going on at the normal ground level. I appreciate not every is chatty or comfortable in TS and/or may be busy and real life ALWAYS comes first. However a little more visible interaction would be a vast improvement and allay a lot of fears, even if it is simply to chip in a line or two in a random post on occasion.
Forge04 wrote:
- Council
- VA/RA will be voted in by division.
- Can be demoted by division.
Absolutely. A few days ago a few of us were discussing this and suggested an election once every 6 months/year or so. No term limit, but just a way of checking everyone is happy with their CO at regular intervals. That way if VA/RA's are doing their jobs, nothing happens. If your VA/RA is letting the side down, that feeling is expressed in a suitably diplomatic and democratic and a suitable replacement found. Also, once voted in, you can obviously step down if real life steps in or you are just not feeling the role any more. You wont be chained to your post!
Also trying to ensure an odd number of admirals should avoid or at least reduce any deadlocks.
Forge04 wrote:
- JAG
- Reinstated = Members will be chosen by two methods. A) FA vote and 1/3 of the Council B) 2/3 Council vote.
- Will have authority to issue strikes, with investigation made public, to anyone within the fleet.
- Will scrub any new policy by the Council against the core fleet directives.
- Will immediately investigate any kicks.
Again, this was discussed amongst a few of us the other night. A hybrid of JAG and the new system was the most popular suggestion. With respect, this is a gaming community, not a real life legal system. There are no life changing results to an in game punt. Just maybe some different pixels. Your friends are still your friends and you will play together no matter what uniform you are wearing. JAG as was was far, far too complex and took far to long to resolve things. Every time there has been a fairly severe issue, it has dragged on for an age causing collateral damage to the fleet while it has been left to fester. On the other hand, can see how a few having absolute power, all be it pixel power ( a phrase I heard recently and have adopted!
) can be unnerving to some people. Hence why we suggested as noted in the new method, issues are dealt with by officers (and let us be honest, if an officer cannot handle a small complaint issue, they shouldn't be one...
), escalating further as required. If following this procedure an impasse is reached or an appeal raised following a judgement, then and
*Arbiter* could be called for. Rather than a constantly present JAG office that shuffles paper and pixels and debates points of law that have no place in a game (I hasten to add here, i mean NO disrespect to our former JAG members - you can chack my posts back to 2010 where i have always maintained the system was far too complex), you have an elected rep or two of any rank from each division who can act as Arbiters upon request and who form a panel when required. These Arbiters will have a duty to be impartial and independent. Think 'jury duty'. Now, anyone in the fleet can request any arbiter and one arbiter should be asked to attend for each side of the argument. A meeting is held and the issue discussed, a judgement made and carried out all in one sitting. Depending on the severity of the issue, if the arbiters consider it necessary, they can refer to/confer with the other arbiters and/or request further evidence if required. Although the details of the complaint remain undisclosed. the basics can be released once it is resolved. For example:
'A complaint was received about
*incident/action A* (E.G. bad language in TS) and referred for arbitration. Having discussed the case,
*judgenent B* (E.G. complaint upheld) has been decided on the basis of
*evidence C*(E.G. statements from various witnesses) and so
*action/sentence D* (a strike will be issued againt the defendant) will ensue/be carried out/no further action taken. etc
No names, no essays, no 6 month delays. Short, efficient, and fair without naming and shaming. Once made, the Arbiters' decisions are final and cannot be overturned.
Forge04 wrote:
GENERAL POLICY CHANGES:
All closed divisions would be reopened.
JAG would be given the rights to issue strikes with investigation, evidence and judgement made public.
Division VA/RAs would be voted in by their own division, eliminating "good ol boys club" and misrepresentation in the Council.
If required/desired by members of the fleet.
JAG - See above
Thats about it i think.
Cheers for reading and again thanks to
Forge for starting us off on a positive note!
