ASVS Rules and Regulations, Parts G-I - Crimes and Punishments, The Committee, and Elections
Jason L. Miles
Part G - Crimes and Punishments
The following section describes what activities are considered 'crimes' and what punishments can be given. It will also describe the procedure to determine guilt.
Crimes
Malicious impersonation of another debater
Using Multiple aliases to vote
Chronic misuse and abuse of the FAQ
Failure to uphold the decision of an official trial
Chronic or Abusive disregard for 'Posting Etiquette.'
The Sanctity of Fanfics: One of ASVS's proudest traditions is
that of crossover fan fiction. We have some of the best in the
field, if not the best in the field. We have an entire awards
system for it. It takes a long time and a great amount of
effort on the part of the author. And while constructive
criticism of the work is usually welcomed, changing the story to
reflect your personal view is STRICTLY forbidden. What is the
difference? That's up to the jury to decide, so tread lightly.
The entire group feels very, very strongly about this, and this
was only the second vote in ASVS History that was unanimous. For
further explanation, please read Rob Dalton's essay on the
subject.
Misdemeanours
The most common 'crime' by far is missing votes. This crime is so common and of a much lower seriousness so it is handled differently than the above crimes.
Missing Three votes - Automatic Removal from the voting list.
The person can reapply after three votes have passed.
Multi-Round votes are considered one vote, but missing any
round will count as a missed vote.
If a person misses no votes for a period of six months then
their missed vote record (MVR) is reset to none.
A person can also set up a vote to ask for their MVR to be
reset to none.
It will be up to them to convince 2/3rds of the NG to pardon
their absences.
If a person knows they are going to be missing some votes they
can put their voting status on hold by telling the ASVS Master.
Once you put you voting status on hold you can reactivate it by
either informing the ASVS Master or by voting. This means if
you put your voting status on hold then immediately vote you
will be immediately reactivated.
If a person has their voting privileges on hold for 6 months
they are automatically removed from the voting list. If they
should return to the NG they can re-register any time under the
Grandfather Rule.
Punishments
Censure: A one or two sentences describing what the guilty did in a
permanent record.
Removal from Voting List: For either a certain number of votes or
certain time period.
Posting Rights Revoked: For a certain time period. Sort of like Exile,
but with a time limit.
Exile: No member of the newsgroup will be allowed to respond to
debater's post.
Note: If you are removed from the voting list for a period of time,
after that period is over you do not automatically regain your voting
status. You must re-register at this time.
Trial by Peers
Note: Unless otherwise stated the voting will use the same system as all other votes.
Both sides choose 5 people who they want to vote. Only registered members can be selected for the Jury. (Note: Any punishment more severe than censure removes a persons good standing for the duration of the punishment.) Registered members who nominate or second a person for trial can not be members of the Jury. Although, they can be members of the prosecution. The prosecution and the defendant then remove 2 of the other persons choices. This should reduce fanaticism among the council members.
Step 1.) The Prosecutor describes the alleged offences when charges are first brought against the accused. These must be detailed enough for the defendant to start his case.
Step 2.) Both sides write preliminary cases.
Step 3.) Both sides get to see each others case.
Step 4.) Both sides write rebuttals.
Step 5.) Evidence is set. I.E. NO MORE CHANGES.
Step 6.) Jury reads ALL evidence and votes either Guilty or Innocent.
If two thirds of the Jury vote 'Guilty' then the Jury will vote on a punishment from the above list. Each Juror can vote for more than one punishment and all with at least 50% of the votes will be applied.
Note: There is a two week time limit on trials, from when the charges
are first laid. If the trial isn't over at that time The Commitee will
be in charge of determining which side is responsible for the delay. If
it is the prosecution, then the charges are dropped. If it is the
Defendant, then the Jury moves directly to punishment stage.
Part H - The Committee
The Committee is the elected people in charge of ASVS.
The member, titles and duties are as follows:
FAQ maintainer: Current Member - Kynes
This person is in charges of maintaining the ASVS FAQ. He/she will add all new rules and agreed changes within one week of being decided. He/she will also update the previous topics section of the FAQ on a regular basis.
ASVS Master: Current Member - C.S.Strowbridge
ALL votes must go through the ASVS Master. Must respond to all vote suggestions within 3 days of receiving them. Also need to warn people when they break the rules.
ASVS Whip: Current Member - Robert Dalton
No, this is NOT the S&M branch of ASVS. This person is in charge of welcoming newbies, making sure people read all ASVS documents. Each newbie should be greeted individually, or as a group at least twice a month.
The Committee and KF: Cause The Committee has official duties they can not KF registered members. If they did these people couldn't: Vote, nominate or second suggestions, etc. Unfortunately, some voters have taken it upon themselves to abuse this policy. So members to The Committee CAN KF a voter if one of the following applies.
They give permission to be KFed.
They KF the member of The Committee.
The Committee members unanimously agree that the voter has
become too abusive to deal with.
The NG as a whole as decided to take action in the form of a
trial, the FS or other such steps.
Since all official business between registered voters and The Committee must go through e-mail these rules obviously only need to apply there. In other words, nothing that happens in this NG matters. Something I think we can all agree with.
With these limitations in place we are confident that a balance has been struck between the rights of registered voters to be heard and the rights of The Committee members not to be harassed. While it is possible for either side to abuse the system other checks and balances are already in place to deal with that situation.
Remember, since The Committee is in charge of the votes, elections, R&R, etc. getting KFed by them can have a devastating effect on your ability to vote, nominated people, accept nominations, suggest votes, start trials, etc. It is therefore recommended that you do your best to remain our of their KF.
Elections
Besides regular Elections, there are two situations where an election could be held early.
Committee Members and A.W.O.L.: In the event that one of The Committee members can not perform their duty to what ever reason, the other two members will take over till a suitable replacement can be found. This will take place in the form of a vote during the next available time.
Impeachment: If a member of The Committee is found guilty in a trial
and given a punishment where they lose voting or posting rights, then
they are striped of all duties immediately. A new member will be
elected A.S.A.P. In the mean time, the other members of The Committee
will carry out the removed member's duties till a suitable replacement
is elected. This rule overrides any other rule that talks about the
normal electing of new members and the transition time.
Part I - Elections
Every January ASVS will elect new members of The Committee. These votes will be the only votes for January. All other nominated and seconded votes will be held over till February. The process of electing members to The Committee will be similar to regular votes.
Step #1: Nominations: During December people can nominate or second any eligible person. To be a eligible the person must be a registered member and have been such for at least the last six months. This is required for two reasons:
1. To ensure the people running have a commitment to the NG and
are well acquainted with its day to day operation.
2. To combat the possibility of an individual, or group of
individuals from invading our newsgroup with the intent of
taking over The Committe.
Note: You can only nominate (or second) one person per job and one job
per person. Also, you can not nominate (or second) yourself. However,
someone can be nominated and seconded for more than one job. If this
happens they can choose accept one, all or none of the nominations.
Step #2: Accepting the Nomination: After a person is nominated and seconded he will be contacted by E-Mail. If they accept the nomination their name will be added to the ballot. There are three possible outcomes for each of the three jobs during this phase:
1. No one is nominated and seconded: In this case the old
member retains their position by default.
2. Only one person is nominated and seconded: In this case that
person automatically wins, no disscussion or vote is needed.
3. More than one person is nominated and seconded: In this
case, we preceed as directed below.
Step #3: Discussion Period: The First week of January will be reserved
for the discussion. Each candidate is will post reasons they should be
elected, either on ASVS or on a web page. All registered voters are
then encouraged to ask the candidates questions to determine who is the
best person for the job.
Step#4: The Vote: Voting will take place like any other vote. However, a two thirds majority is needed to be elected. If an election doesn't produce a clear-cut winner then a revote will be done the following week. Each revote will remove the bottom candidate, and any other candidate whose vote (and the votes of those below him) do not equal the front runner's votes. Minimum of two candidates will be keep. For example:
First Ballot:
Johnny: 11
Sally: 8
Jimmy: 6
Sue: 4
Arnold: 2
There was no clear winner, so we have another vote. Arnold if automatically removed. Sue is removed cause her votes (4) plus all those below her (2) add up to less than the leader's votes (11.) Jimmy remains cause his vote, and those below him is just higher than the leader's (12 to 11.)
Second Ballot:
Johnny: 16
Sally: 9
Jimmy: 6
Here Johnny got more than 50% of the vote, but not the 662/3% needed. Another ballot is required. Jimmy is automatically removed. Normally Sally would also be removed, however, since a minimum of two candidates is needed she remains on the ballot.
Third Ballot:
Johnny: 21
Sally: 10
Johnny Wins with 68% of the vote.
Note: At any time a candidate can remove their name from the ballot. In fact, if there are only two candidates but neither is capable of gaining a clear majority then this might be necessary.
Changing of the Guard: When a new member of The Committee is elected
the old member will remain in charge for a period of no less than 7
days and no greater than 14. This will give them time to get their
affairs in order and give all the necessary information to the new
member. Obviously, this would not be the case for an impeachment; in
such cases the remaining two will carry on until the next vote.
--
ASVS Class of 2002
MKSheppard: Sir, this is Phil Skayhan from ASVS Headline News; do you
categoriall deny all rumors that you have been involved with sheep in
sexual relationships? Enigma: Who do you think I am? The Baron?