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| ==Preamble== | | ==Preamble== |
− | This document exists to define the roles of the bodies that run and govern this site and community. The guiding principle of the site is to be that barring technical or fiscal obstacles, any considered mandate from the appropriate legislative body of contributing members will be implemented by the administrators. | + | This document exists to define the roles of the bodies that run and govern this site and community. The guiding principle of the site is to be that barring technical or fiscal obstacles, any considered mandate from the appropriate legislative body of contributing members will be implemented by [[#The Council|the administrators]]. |
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− | This document is not absolutely authoritative. It is a compilation of the Curia, written and approved by the citizens, which may become outdated or contain oversights. Furthermore, this document may be suspended by the administration by the procedure outlined herein.
| + | ==The Executive== |
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− | Section 1 of this document and the procedure for a vote of No Confidence lie outside the remit of the Curia to modify or amend, unless such amendment is commenced and wholly authorised by the executive. The only exception to this is where an amendment changes the name of an Officer
| + | The Executive is composed of the Council Officers and other Staff Officers who run the Site. |
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− | ==Section 1 - The Executive== | + | ===The Council=== |
| + | The Council is the overarching governing body of the site. Any Council Officer can veto any act or decision on TWC. However, this veto is provisional until approved by the Council as a whole. |
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− | The Executive is composed of the Council Officers, Senior Staff Officers and Staff Officers who run the Site. | + | One member of the Council will be The Speaker of the House, who is [[#Election Votes|elected]] by [[#The Legislature|the Curia]] from among those members ranked as [[#Citizens|Citizen]], and will serve a term of three months. |
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− | ===Article 1 - The Council===
| + | Every Council Officer must be [[#Ratification Votes|ratified by the Curia]] immediately after appointment. An appointed Council Officer who fails the ratification vote is returned to his previous position. |
− | The Council is the overarching governing body of the site. It is composed of Permanent Officers and Non Permanent Officers representing the needs of the Executive at any given time. All Council Officers fulfill normal day-to-day duties and all should discuss and co-ordinate their policies inside the Council.
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− | Every Council Officer, in addition to any other ratification and appointments procedure must be ratified by the Curia immediately after appointment, by the process in Section 2 Article 2. An appointed Council Officer who fails the ratification vote is returned to his previous position.
| + | ===Other Staff Officers === |
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− | ====Permanent Officers====
| + | Other staff officers are divided into three branches: |
− | There shall be 5 Permanent Officers on the Council
| + | * The Moderation branch serves to maintain order and enforce the forum rules. Moderators are the only ones invested with the right to enforce the ToS. |
− | *The Site Owner | + | * The Content branch authors and maintains useful resources to be made available to members in the form of publications. |
− | *Chief Moderator - Serves as Head of the Moderation Branch
| + | * The Technical branch ensures that the site remains available and secure, and adds new site features when appropriate and possible. |
− | *Chief of Content - Serves as Head of the Content Branch | |
− | *Chief Technician - Serves as Head of the Technical Branch | |
− | *Speaker of the House - Represents the Curia on the Council
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− | The three Branch Chiefs shall lead their branch, and be the principal officer responsible for policy within the three branches. It shall normally be presumed that they shall be selected from within their branch.
| + | Each branch is divided into Junior and Senior Staff Officers, and is headed by a member of the Council. Members of the Moderating Branch must be [[#Citizens|Citizens]], and must be [[#Ratification Votes|ratified by the Curia]] upon promotion to the rank of Junior Moderator and again upon promotion to Senior Moderator. Senior Content Staff must be Citizens. |
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− | The appointment of each branch chief is decided by the Council but must be ratified by the Staff of the branch they are being appointed too. | + | ==The Legislature== |
| + | The Curia is a place for [[#Citizens|Citizen]]s to discuss and propose [[#Legislative Procedure|Decisions]] that affect the governing of the Site and Site Policy, and also to [[#Legislative Procedure|amend this document]]. Therefore, infractions of Forum Rules made in this forum are doubly serious. |
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− | The Speaker of the House is elected by the Curia, as per the procedure in Section 2 Article 2, from among those members ranked as Citizen, and will serve a term of three months.
| + | ===Election Procedure=== |
− | | + | When the Curia is required to elect an Officer or Rank Holder, or ratify an appointment, the following process is followed. |
− | ====Non Permanent Officers====
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− | An undefined number of non permanent Council Officer may be appointed by the Council as and when necessary. Normally these Council Officers shall be drawn from the Staff ranks, but other members of the site may be invited in.
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− | ===Article 2 - The Moderation Branch===
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− | The Moderation Branch is responsible for maintaining order within the Site Forum and enforcement of the Terms of Service. Staff Officers of this branch are the only members of Staff invested with general moderating powers.
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− | ====Senior Staff Officers - Strategos====
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− | The Strategos are Senior Moderators, led by the Chief of Branch, in charge of moderation within the Forum. They will all have Global Moderation powers, and some may have additional administrative powers depending upon their duties.
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− | Senior Moderators are appointed by existing Senior Moderators from among the Staff Officers of this branch. Each appointment must also be ratified by the Curia in accordance with Section 2 Article 2.
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− | ====Staff Officers - Tribounos====
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− | The Staff Moderators form the front line moderation force on the Forum. They are drawn from the Citizens and appointed and fired by the Senior Moderators, but each appointment must be ratified by the Curia as per the procedure in Section 2 Article 2. A Staff Moderator who fails his ratification is removed from his position.
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− | The total number of Staff Moderators, along with individual assignments and powers are set by the Senior Moderators.
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− | ===Article 3 - The Content Branch===
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− | The Content Branch oversees content produced on the main page of the site and the work of the official publications of the Site
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− | *The Helios
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− | *The Eagle Standard
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− | *The TWC Wiki
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− | *General Sun's Tent
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− | *The TWC Podcast
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− | *The Scriptorium
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− | The Chief of Branch shall have general organizational and administrative control of all content areas of the site
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− | ====Senior Staff Officers Editors====
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− | Each official publication shall have an Editor appointed by the Chief of Branch, with the exception of the TWC Wiki. Editors must be Citizens of the Forum. They shall have overall responsibility for running their publication and ensuring that content produced for their publication does not breach the Terms of Service.
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− | The Editor of the TWC Wiki shall be appointed as a Curial Officer, not a Senior Staff Officer, see Section 3 Article 3 below.
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− | ====Content Staff Officers====
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− | Staff Officers of the Content Branch are contributors and writers of the various publications and articles on the front page. They may be drawn from any rank, and are hired and fired by the Editor of the publication for which they contribute.
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− | ===Article 4 - Technical Branch===
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− | The Technical Branch deals with the infrastructure of the site. They handle all administrative issues, maintain the forum software and ensure the security and reasonable running of the site overall.
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− | ====Chief Technician====
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− | The Chief of Branch has overall control of all staff within this department. He decides the appropriate access levels for all Staff Officers of this branch and makes final decisions on issues relating to software. A principle concern of this Officer is the security of the site, and as such, has the right to remove administration and moderation privileges from any member and Staff Officer, though it is expected he will consult with the other Council members when doing so.
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− | ====Staff Officers - Technical Staff====
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− | These Technical Staff aid the Chief of branch in the maintenance and secure running of the site. They are hired and fired by the Chief of Branch and have levels of administrative access dependent upon the jobs detailed to them.
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− | ===Article 5 - Staff Awards=== | |
− | All Moderators, Council Officers and Staff Officers are awarded a medal appropriate to the branch they have served in, in accordance with Section 5 of this document, if time served as an officer equals or exceeds 12 weeks.
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− | The awarding of these medals is honorary and accords no additional rights or privileges. They are the gift of the Council to retiring Staff Officers and may not be removed by the Curia.
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− | The awarding of these ranks and awards to Staff Officers who are removed from their position following a vote of No Confidence, or are otherwise fired is at the discretion of the Council provided the 12 week service provision is also met.
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− | ===Article 6 - Council Veto===
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− | Any Council Officers can veto any act or decision on TWC. However this veto is considered provisional until approved by a majority of Council Officers. This approval should be obtained as soon as possible.]
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− | ===Article 7 - Emergency Powers===
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− | In the event of a situation threatening or compromising the security, integrity or existence of the Site, a majority of the Council is empowered to suspend the operation of this document for a period of seventy-two hours. If necessary, and if the situation continues, the Council, acting unanimously, may, after seventy-two hours has expired, prolong the suspension for a further seventy-two hours, for a total suspension period of one hundred and forty four hours or six days.
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− | For this to have affect, the Speaker of the House, or a Council Officers acting for him shall post an announcement in all Curia Forums stating the suspension of the constitutions and the reasons for doing so. When suspended, the work of all Curia Committees, including the Consilium de Civitate, is also suspended. Time under suspension does not count towards various time limits specified within this document.
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− | ==Section 2 - The Legislature==
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− | The Executive shall create within the Forum a place for all Citizens of the Site to discuss and propose Decisions that affect the governing of the Site and Site Policy, and also to amend this document. This place shall be known as the Curia and shall be a place for an exchange of ideas. As the Curia is considered the heartland of the Citizens right to influence their community, infractions of Forum Rules and the Terms of Service made in this forum are considered to be doubly serious.
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− | ===Article 1 - Curia===
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− | The Curia is broken into distinct sections.
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− | *Curia - For general discussion of governance matters. Polls are not permitted within the Curia main.
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− | *Prothalamos - An area specifically for the proposal and discussion of legislation and decisions. Polls are not permitted within the Prothalamos
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− | *Curia Votes - An area strictly used only for voting on matters that bind the Curia
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− | *The Tabularium - A record chamber and archive.
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− | *Consilium de Civitate - A special council chamber visible only to those elected members of the council as defined in Article 5
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− | Additional areas may be added at the discretion of the Citizens following an appropriate Decision being passed.
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− | ===Article 2 - Election Procedure===
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− | When the Curia is required to elect an Officer or Rank, or ratify an appoint, the following process shall be applied. | |
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| ====Ratification Votes==== | | ====Ratification Votes==== |
− | When a member has been duly appointed as a Staff Officer, and where required, is ratified by his branch. After two weeks have elapsed from his appointment the Speaker of the House shall post a poll in the Curia Votes forum. The Speaker shall state which position the member has been appointed to, and that they have been ratified by their colleagues if appropriate. The vote shall last for one week, and the member shall be ratified if they receive a simple majority of non abstaining votes.
| + | Two weeks after any member has been appointed as a [[#The Executive|Staff Officer]] whose rights include the ability to moderate general discussion forums, a one-week ratification poll will be posted. The member is ratified if he or she receives a majority of non-abstaining votes. |
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| ====Election Votes==== | | ====Election Votes==== |
− | When a Curial Election is required, the Curator shall open an application thread in the Curia and the Speaker of the House shall post an announcement in any relevant forum. Applicants for the vacant position must post their reasons for wishing to hold the position and any relevant qualifications in the application thread. Any comments, debates or off topic posting shall be deleted. The thread shall remain open for no longer than one week. | + | When a Curial Election is required, eligible members can apply in a thread created for that purpose, where they must post their reasons for applying. A vote will then be opened for one week, with the winner (or winners, if multiple positions are open) being the one who receives the plurality of non-abstaining votes. In the case of ties, a three-day run-off vote is held between the tied candidates. |
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− | The Council may veto applicants, and should more than six members apply for any position, may shortlist six members to stand for the election. Once applications are complete, the Curator shall open a poll in the Curia Votes. The vote shall last for one week, and the member who receives the plurality of votes shall be elected.
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− | Where more than one of the same position is vacant, the procedure is the same, and the members with the highest votes are elected. In the case of ties, a run off vote is held between the tied members lasting 3 days.
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− | Where the vacant position is that of Curator, the Speaker of the House shall undertake the Curator's duties in relation to the vote.
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− | ====Votes of No Confidence====
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− | At any time, any Citizen of this site may initiate a vote of "No Confidence" in any Officer, with the exception of Moderation or Technical Staff not on the Council, for neglect of duty or abuse of authority by posting their case within the Curia. Frivolous use of this procedure may result in disciplinary proceedings. In all cases, a vote of "No Confidence" is exempt from veto, however the vote is non binding except in the case of elected officers. The debate and vote on a motion of "No Confidence" shall follow the same procedure as that of a bill as per Article 3 below, but shall be conducted in the Curia Main, and not the Prothalamos.
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− | ===Article 3 - Legislative Procedure===
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− | Any Citizen may table a bill for discussion by posting a thread in the Prothalamos. This citizen will remain the sole proposer for this thread. Bills can take two forms:
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− | *Amendments - A proposal to alter the text of the Constitution. Amendments can alter or remove existing text and add entirely new text.
| + | ===Legislative Procedure=== |
− | *Decisions - A proposal for the creation of an official Decision of the Curia on a topic relevant to the functioning of TWC. The Curia has authority to direct the Officers of TWC in this way on any topic of which the primary say has been delegated from the Officers, who shall take such Curia Decisions under strong advisement. The Speaker of the House shall determine if proposed Decisions fall within the jurisdiction of the Curia.
| + | Any [[#Citizens|Citizen]] may propose a bill for discussion by posting a thread in a designated forum. Bills can take several forms: |
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− | Each version of the bill requires named support from three Citizens. The final draft of the bill must be debated for at least three days in the Prothalamos before the proposer can request the bill be moved to vote. When a bill is moved to vote, the debate thread is left open, and the Curator shall post the newest draft of the bill, the name of the Proposer, the Bill's 3 named supporters, and a link to the debate, as a new poll in the Curia Votes forum. All bills shall be voted on for one week. Subsequent posts in this thread are limited to notification of having voted. Messages lobbying to vote for or against, including via Signatures and Avatars, are prohibited except in the original debate thread. All bills shall pass on the basis of a two-thirds majority of non abstaining votes in favour. If any bill fails a vote, no re-vote on a substantially similar bill will be permitted within twenty-eight days.
| + | ;Amendment |
| + | :A proposal to alter the text of the Constitution. Amendments can alter or remove existing text and add entirely new text. |
| + | ;Decision |
| + | :A proposal for the creation of an official Decision of the Curia on a topic relevant to the functioning of TWC. Decisions are not binding on staff, but are to be taken under advisement. |
| + | ;Vote of No Confidence |
| + | :A proposal to remove the rank of an elected or Council Officer for neglect of duty or abuse of authority. Elected officers who fail a vote of no confidence lose their rank; for non-elected Council Officers the result is not binding. |
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− | Where a Decision requires the Curia to choose between multiple options, two polls shall be run concurrently. The first poll shall be as a normal decision, the second poll shall outline the various options to choose from if the decision passes. Whichever option receives the plurality of votes shall be implemented, but only if the Decision also passes in the usual manner. Both polls shall run for one week.
| + | For a version of a bill to be moved to vote, it must be supported by three Citizens other than the proposer and must have been posted for at least three days. When a bill is moved to vote, a poll thread is posted for one week in the appropriate forum. Posts in this thread are limited to notification of having voted. Messages lobbying to vote for or against, including via signatures and avatars, are prohibited except in the original debate thread. Bills pass if they receive two-thirds support. If any bill fails a vote, no re-vote on a substantially similar bill will be permitted within twenty-eight days. |
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− | All citizens are honour bound to not view the results of Curia Votes until they have themselves voted, unless necessary for the execution of any other duty to the site.
| + | Where a Decision requires the Curia to choose between multiple options, two polls are run concurrently. The first poll is a normal decision, while the second poll outlines the options to choose from if the decision passes. Whichever option receives the plurality of non-abstaining votes is implemented, but only if the Decision also passes in the usual manner. |
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− | Upon passing a vote:
| + | All Amendments and Decisions have immediate effect and no retroactive effect unless specifically stated otherwise. |
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− | * The Curator shall post the text of all passed amendments in a stickied "Amendments" thread in the Tabularium and numbered consecutively in the order they pass. The poll is closed, moved to the Tabularium, and renamed to reflect the whether it passed or failed, and the numbers of votes. The sticked "Constitution" thread in the Curia is then edited to reflect the changes made by passed amendments. When a Section or Article is added or removed, all subsequent Sections and Articles are renumbered by the Curator appropriately.
| + | [[#Permanent Curial Officers|The Curator]] can amend the text of the Constitution and any Curial Decision to correct any spelling and grammatical errors. |
− | * The Curator shall post the text of all passed Decisions in a sticked "Decisions" thread in the Tabularium and consecutively in the order they pass. The poll is closed, moved to the Tabularium, and renamed to reflect the whether it passed or failed, and the numbers of votes.
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− | All Amendments and Decisions are considered to have immediate effect and no retroactive effect unless specifically stated otherwise.
| + | ===Consilium de Civitate=== |
| + | The Consilium de Civitate manages the granting and removal of all [[#Member Ranks and Curial Officers|Curia Ranks]]. It has the following members: |
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− | ====Minor Formative Changes====
| + | *Twelve elected [[#Citizens|Citizens]], who may discuss and vote on all matters within the Consilium de Civitate Forum. |
− | The Curator shall have the power to amend the text of the Constitution and any Curial Decision for the sole purpose of correcting any spelling and grammatical errors that are found within the documents. The details of any such changes must be recorded in the amendments thread of the Tabularium. | + | *[[#The Council|Council Officers]], who may discuss all matters within the Consilium de Civitate Forum, but have no vote. |
| + | *[[#Permanent Officers|The Curator]], who may take part in all Consilium de Civitate discussions, and has the deciding vote only in the case of a tie. The Curator has veto powers over any Consilium de Civitate decision. |
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− | Should any such change be challenged by any Citizen, they may request that the Speaker of the House review the change and uphold or discard it. Further challenge may be put to a Curia Vote to veto the change via the procedure in Article 3.
| + | [[#Election Votes|Elected]] Consilium de Civitate members must have no staff warnings at the time of election and must have held the rank of Citizen for three months. Each elected member has a term of three months, and when their term expires, new elections will be held. Elected Consilium de Civitate members can be removed from office for appropriate reason by a majority vote of the elected councillors. |
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− | ===Article 4 - Curial Committees===
| + | If an elected member of the Consilium de Civitate resigns or is removed during their term, or if during elections fewer than twelve eligible Citizens apply in the candidates thread, the vacant positions may be filled by a volunteering [[#The Executive|Staff Officer]] with at least [[#Citizens|Citizen]] rank. |
− | At any time, a member of the Council can establish a Curial Committee to investigate and discuss an issue. These temporary committees are to last one month, and after one month, are subject to ratification and extension by the Curia.
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− | To form a committee, the Speaker of the House will create a thread in the Curia asking for applicants. When the Council decides it has enough applicants, it will choose however many it deems fit, and create a subforum in the Curia for the Committee. The temporary committee can be dissolved at the discretion of the Council. It can also add and remove members when it sees fit. Each committee shall also contain a Council Officer as Chairman and the Speaker of the House.
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− | After thirty days, the Speaker can create a vote for a one or two month extension, following the vote procedure in Article 3 above.
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− | After a Decision is made by a temporary committee, it shall be posted in the Prothalamos for three days, prior to implementation. If three or more Citizens state an objection, implementation will be postponed. It will be at the discretion of the Curator, Committee, and Committee Chairman whether to take the proposal back to the committee for revision (the objecting Citizens are therefore expected to take part in the revision discussion), or continue the discussion in the Prothalamos until there are no more than two objections.
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− | ===Article 5 - Consilium de Civitate===
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− | The Consilium de Civitate manages the granting and removal of all Curia Ranks by voting. The Consilium de Civitate may also function as an advisory body to the staff of TWC in matters concerning the Curia and its Citizens.
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− | ====Membership====
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− | The full membership comprises of:
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− | *Twelve elected Citizens, who may discuss and vote on all matters within the Consilium de Civitate Forum
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− | *Council Officers, who may discuss all matters within the Consilium de Civitate Forum, but have no vote.
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− | *The Curator, who may take part in all Consilium de Civitate discussions, and has the deciding vote only in the case of a tie. The Curator has veto powers over any Consilium de Civitate decision.
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| Elected members of the Consilium de Civitate and the Curator must actively participate in discussions and votes. Council Officers' participation is optional. | | Elected members of the Consilium de Civitate and the Curator must actively participate in discussions and votes. Council Officers' participation is optional. |
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− | ====Elections==== | + | ===Consilium Belli=== |
− | Consilium de Civitate members are elected as per Article 2 of this Section - with the added requirements that candidates have no Staff warnings at the time of election and hold their rank for three months. Each elected Consilium de Civitate member has a term of three months starting from their date of election. When their term expires, new elections will be held for membership to the Consilium de Civitate. | + | A number of members shall be elected to the Consilium Belli to facilitate and improve relations between the modding community, the Curia, the Wiki Officer and the Council itself. The duties of the Consilium Belli also include, but are not limited to, overseeing all projects designed to promote the Total War sections of TWC to the modding community and the general membership. Its forum is publicly viewable and accessible by all, but posting and voting rights are restricted to members of the Consilium Belli. |
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− | If a member of the Consilium de Civitate resigns during their term, or if during elections less than twelve eligible Citizens apply in the candidates thread, the vacant positions may be filled by a volunteering Staff Officer with at least Citizen rank.
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− | ====Removal from Office====
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− | A Consilium de Civitate member may resign from office, or can be removed from office by a majority vote of the elected councillors, such a vote being triggered by any of the following:
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− | *A successful vote of no confidence by the Curia
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− | *Incurring a warning level of one
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− | *Incurring 2 cautions in the space of 3 months
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− | *Being subject to proceedings laid out in Section 4 Article 1
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− | *Prolonged inactivity, as decided by a simple majority vote in the Consilium de Civitate
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− | ===Article 6 - Council of War===
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− | A number of members shall be elected to the Consilium Belli to facilitate and improve relations between the modding community, the Curia, the Wiki Officer and the Council itself. The duties of the Consilium Belli shall also include, but are not limited to, overseeing all projects designed to promote the TW sections of TWC to the modding community and the general membership. When necessary, reports shall be submitted to the Curia by the Speaker of the House. | |
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− | A forum shall be set up within the TW Modding Community publicly viewable and accessible by all, but posting and voting rights will be restricted to members of the CB.
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− | All members of the Council, the Wiki Officer, and the Modding Registrar shall have permanent membership of the Consilium. Other members are selected with either of the following processes.
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− | Application threads will be opened in the TW and Modding community forums and the Curia. Applicants are free to state any information or experience they wish; the applications will then be reviewed by the Council, which will select a varying number of members at least 50% larger than they wish elected and submit these for election, the vote thread to be placed in the TW Modding Community forum, with announcements in the Curia and the TW and Modding community forums.
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− | The CB will also have the option to submit any member of TWC to the Council for consideration as a complimentary member of the Council of War. Any member of TWC may submit themselves to the administration should they wish to contribute in a specific area. The Council reserves the right to remove any member of the CB or to disband the CB at any time. | + | All members of [[#The Council|the Council]], [[#Permanent Curial Officers|the Wiki Officer]], and [[#Permanent Curial Officers|the Modding Registrar]] have permanent membership on the Consilium. Other members may ask the Council at any time if they wish to join. |
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− | ==Section 3 - Member Ranks and Curial Officers== | + | ==Member Ranks and Curial Officers== |
− | All members of the Forum can be divided into the following Ranks. Each Rank confers on the holders a specific set of rights and privileges unavailable to other Ranks unless explicitly stated. An individual may hold only one account of the rank Citizen or higher | + | All members of the Forum can be divided into the following ranks. An individual may hold only one account of the rank Citizen or higher. |
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− | A member, in addition to his normal Rank may also hold an Officer's position. In this case he may choose which Rank he is displayed under. Regardless of the Rank listed next to his name, he retains all the rights and privileges associated with all his ranks.
| + | ===Ranks=== |
| + | The following ranks, along with [[#Community Medals|medals]], are honours given to members based on their merit. Members who refuse or resign their honours may request them back at will if they have not been revoked by ordinary procedures in the meantime. |
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− | ===Article 1 - Ranks===
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| ====Peregrinus==== | | ====Peregrinus==== |
− | The Rank of Peregrinus is conferred automatically with registration to the TWC Forums. It confers posting rights in the General Fora. Any Peregrinus has the right to ask questions and suggest changes in the "Questions and Suggestions" Forum. | + | The Rank of Peregrinus is conferred automatically with registration to the TWC forums. |
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| ====Citizens==== | | ====Citizens==== |
− | Contributing members of TWC have the opportunity to become a Citizen of the Forum as per Article 2 below. Once a member becomes a Citizen, they can then choose between three different badges: Artifex, designed for those who are modders; Civitate, designed for those who have contributed to the debating side of the Site, whether in TW or CC; or Citizen, for those who associate with both. | + | Contributing members of TWC have the opportunity to [[#Patronisation|become a Citizen of the forum]]. Once a member becomes a Citizen, they can then choose between three different badges: Artifex, designed for those who are modders; Civitate, designed for those who have contributed to the debating side of the Site, whether in Total War or non-Total War parts of the site; or Citizen, for those who associate with both. |
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− | To qualify for Citizen, a member must have at least fifty posts, been a registered member for one month, and have no warnings within the last three months.
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− | All Citizens have the rights associated with Peregrinus, but in addition may post within the Curia, subject to the procedures in Section 2; may post with the Symposium and may patronise other members as per Article 2
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− | ===Article 2 - Patronisation===
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− | Any Citizen holding their rank for three months can patronise a Peregrinus for citizenship subject to the requirements in Article 1 above. The process of patronisation is as follows.
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− | #The patron confirms the candidate meets the requirements, OR a candidate meeting the requirements contacts a Citizen asking for patronage.
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− | #The nominee sends the patron a PM explaining his duties and privileges as a Citizen, and his contributions to the community. The patron forwards this paragraph, along with his own, outlining why he nominated this member, to a CdeC member.
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− | #The CdeC member opens a thread in the CdeC Forum and the proposed nominee is discussed and voted upon.
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− | #If the nominee achieves sixty per cent of the non-abstaining votes, he becomes a Citizen.
| |
− | #The Speaker of the House promotes the member to Citizen, with a Citizen badge, and contacts him as to whether he would like to remain a Citizen, or further self define as an Artifex or Civitate.
| |
| | | |
− | If a nominee fails his vote, he is not eligible to be considered again for one month. Members of the CdeC must abstain from voting on members they patronise. All CdeC votes must be concluded within seven days of the thread being opened in the CdeC.
| + | All Citizens can post in [[#The Legislature|the Curia]] and [[#The Symposium|the Symposium]], and [[#Patronisation|patronise other members]]. |
| | | |
− | ===Article 3 - Rank and Medal Resignation=== | + | ===Patronisation=== |
− | The rank of Citizen and all medals listed here are honours given to members based on their merit. While members may refuse or resign their honours, that does not reduce their merit and they may request them back at will if they have not been revoked in the meantime. Procedures to remove a member's honours operate normally even if the member is not currently displaying them, except that the member is assumed to have declined any right of notification or response.
| + | Any Citizen holding their rank for three months can patronise a Peregrinus for [[#Citizens|Citizenship]]. To qualify for Citizen, a member must have at least fifty posts, been a registered member for one month, and have no warnings within the last three months. The process of patronisation is as follows. |
| | | |
− | ===Article 4 - Curial Officers===
| + | #The nominee explains to his patron his duties and privileges as a Citizen, and his contributions to the community. The patron forwards this explanation, along with his own explanation of why he nominated the member, to a [[#Consilium de Civitate|Consilium de Civitate]] member. |
− | A Curial Officer is a Citizen who has been given a mandate to administer a project or institution at TWC. It shall only apply to chairpersons or project leaders/managers, and not general or day-to-day staff of the project. Curial Officers shall be given by the Council appropriate local moderator privileges to carry out their duties
| + | #The CdeC member opens a thread in the CdeC forum and the proposed nominee is discussed and voted upon. |
| + | #If the nominee achieves sixty per cent of the non-abstaining votes after the thread has been open for seven days, he becomes a Citizen. |
| | | |
− | A Curial Officer shall be elected by the procedure in Section 2 Article 2, with the addition that the Curator shall post the mandate for the job in the Qualifications thread.
| + | If a nominee fails his vote, he is not eligible to be considered again for one month. Members of the CdeC must abstain from voting on members they patronise. |
| | | |
− | A Curial Officer shall hold his office for a period of three months from the day they are elected. In the event an office is vacant, its duties shall be assumed by the Curator until an officer is elected. If the office of Curator is vacant, the duties shall be assumed by the Speaker of the House. | + | ===Curial Officers=== |
| + | A Curial Officer is a Citizen who has been elected by the Curia to administer a project or institution at TWC. A Curial Officer holds their office for three months from the day they are elected. If an office is vacant, its duties are assumed by the Curator, or, failing that, by the Speaker of the House. The Council may dismiss any Officer it feels has neglected their duties or abused their position. |
| | | |
− | If, in the judgement of the Council, an Officer has neglected their duties or abused his position, the Speaker may dismiss the Officer, and ask the Curator to arrange new elections.
| + | ====Permanent Curial Officers==== |
− | | |
− | ====Permanent Officers==== | |
| The following are permanent Curial Officers: | | The following are permanent Curial Officers: |
| | | |
− | *The Curator - responsible for the day to day administration of the Curia, including but not limited to any tasks outlined in this document and any duties he may be given in the Curia by the Speaker of the House.
| + | ;The Curator |
− | *Modding Registrar - The Registrar shall be responsible for maintaining the Modding Registry, answering questions about the registry and resolving disputes between members concerning the registry in a fair and impartial manner.
| + | :Responsible for the day to day administration of the Curia, including but not limited to any tasks outlined in this document and any duties he may be given in the Curia by the Speaker of the House. |
− | *The TWC Wiki Editor - Answering to the Chief of Content, is in charge of overseeing the Wiki Project.
| + | ;Modding Registrar |
| + | :The Registrar shall be responsible for maintaining the Modding Registry, answering questions about the registry and resolving disputes between members concerning the registry in a fair and impartial manner. |
| + | ;The TWC Wiki Editor |
| + | :Is in charge of overseeing the Wiki Project. |
| | | |
| Further Permanent Officers may be created by amendment. Any member of Citizen rank may apply unless otherwise stated. | | Further Permanent Officers may be created by amendment. Any member of Citizen rank may apply unless otherwise stated. |
| | | |
− | ====Non Permanent Officers==== | + | ====Non-Permanent Curial Officers==== |
− | Non Permanent Curia Officers may be created to oversee specific short term Curia Projects not covered by Curia Committees. They may be created by a Curia Decision and cease to exist upon the completion of the project. | + | Non-Permanent Curial Officers may be created to oversee specific short-term Curia Projects. They may be created by a Curia Decision and cease to exist upon the completion of the project. |
| | | |
− | ==Section 4 - The Judiciary== | + | ==The Judiciary== |
− | ===Article 1 - Citizens Behavior=== | + | ===Citizens' Behavior=== |
− | The suspension and removal of a Rank is handled by the Consilium de Civitate via the following disciplinary process. No Citizen may be subject to more than one process for a single post. | + | The suspension and removal of a [[#Ranks|rank]] is handled by the [[#Consilium de Civitate|Consilium de Civitate]] via the following disciplinary process. No [[#Citizens|Citizen]] may be subject to more than one process for a single post. |
| | | |
| ====Procedure==== | | ====Procedure==== |
− | If any Citizen receives a staff warning from an Officer of the Moderation Branch their case will be referred to the Consilium de Civitate by the Chief of Branch or the Speaker of the House, who will open a thread and post all relevant user notes of the accused. The accused will then be asked by the Speaker of the House to produce a defence within forty eight hours. At the conclusion of this period, regardless of whether a defence has been received, a vote shall be opened to conclude after four days. The options are
| + | Any member may bring a complaint against a Citizen to the Consilium de Civitate. If a Citizen receives a warning, a [[#The Council|Council Officer]] will bring a complaint on that basis, providing all relevant information. In either case, the accused will then be asked by the Speaker of the House to produce a defence within forty-eight hours. At the end of this period, a four-day poll is opened to decide whether to take action, and if this passes, a second four-day poll is opened to decide the punishment. Punishment may include censure, temporary suspension of rank, or removal of rank. [[#Ranks|Ranks]] may not be removed except by the procedure outlined here. |
| | | |
− | *Dismiss the Case
| + | ===Tribunal=== |
− | *Take Further Action
| + | Three Judges appointed by [[#The Council|the Council]] will form a Tribunal to judge appeals of members who have been penalized by [[#The Executive|staff]]. Any member may appeal a staff penalty in the Tribunal forum, which the Judges will review and either uphold or overturn. Judges are not tasked to decide the appropriateness or validity of a forum rule, and only rule on whether the rule was correctly enforced and the punishment suitable for the offence. |
− | *Abstain
| |
| | | |
− | If the CdeC vote to take further action, a second poll is opened for four days. The options are:
| + | ==Additional Provisions== |
| + | ===The Symposium=== |
| + | All [[#Citizens|Citizens]] have access to the Symposium forum. This forum exists as a general meeting place for both old and new Citizens of the Total War Center Forums. Within the Symposium, rules are generally more relaxed so as to allow for more concentrated debates to take place. |
| | | |
− | *Censure
| + | ===Community Medals=== |
− | *Suspension of rank for 1 week
| + | A medal can be awarded to any member who has in some way contributed and achieved something which was of benefit to the wider community. Medals are controlled by [[#The Legislature|the Curia]], and created by [[#Legislative Procedure|amendment]]. |
− | *Suspension of rank for 1 month
| |
− | *Suspension of rank for 2 months
| |
− | *Permanent Removal of Rank
| |
− | *Abstain
| |
− | | |
− | A simple majority of non abstaining members is required for the vote to pass.
| |
− | | |
− | If a member is referred by another member, the process is the same, except that the accusation is substituted for usernotes in the thread, and the defendant shall receive an anonymous copy of the accusation from the Speaker of the House.
| |
− | | |
− | A Rank may not be removed except by the procedure outlined in this Article. Divus, Opifex and Phalera awards may only be removed by a Decision of the Curia or by the request of the rank holder.
| |
− | | |
− | ===Article 2 - Tribunal=== | |
− | To defend the rights of Members, and to ensure fair and just punishment towards those who violate the laws of TWC, a Tribunal shall be established
| |
− | | |
− | The purpose of the Tribunal is to provide those members of TWC who have been punished in the past by the Moderation Branch a place to request the reversal of their punishment. This is in no way a guarantee that the punishment will be removed, but every case presented will be reviewed by a panel of three judges.
| |
− | | |
− | Members may create a thread in the Tribunal Forum, The Judges will study the case details, and may request any additional information on the member from the Senior Moderators. The Judges will then post the majority decision. The Judges are not tasked to decide the appropriateness or validity of a Forum Rule of Term of Service, and may only rule on whether the Term was correctly enforced and the punishment suitable for the offence.
| |
− | | |
− | ===Article 3 - Judges===
| |
− | To serve on the Tribunal, a panel of three Judges is chosen by Hex. The judges can include any member from Hex, save the CoM, as he is is part of the appeals process. The candidates are not limited to Hex members and can include members with a Moderator's Mace
| |
− | | |
− | ==Section 5 - Additional Provisions==
| |
− | ===Article 1 -Symposium===
| |
− | All Citizens of TWC have access to the Symposium forum. This forum exists as a general meeting place for both old and new Citizens of the Total War Centre Forums. Within the Symposium, rules are generally more relaxed so as to allow for more concentrated debates to take place. Breach of the Terms of Service shall still be dealt with accordingly in this forum.
| |
− | | |
− | ===Article 2 - Community Medals===
| |
− | A “Medal” can be awarded to any member who has in some way contributed and achieved something which was of benefit to the wider community. Medals are controlled and run by the Curia. The qualifications and procedure by which each medal is awarded to a user can vary according to the wishes of the Curia. In order for a medal to be created it must acquire the majority in accordance with the Legislation section of the Constitution. Every Curia approved medal is to be listed in the appropriate section below along with its Qualifications. | |
| | | |
| ====Large Size==== | | ====Large Size==== |
| =====Divus===== | | =====Divus===== |
− | To achieve apotheosis and Curia vote, the nominee must be supported by three fourths of non abstaining elected members of the Consilium de Civitate. The nominee must have served as a Council Officer (or previous equivalents), made a clear and distinguished contribution to the community and provided exceptional service to TWC in their capacity as an administrator. They cannot be nominated within three months of resigning their Officer Position.
| + | A Divus is a member who has served as a [[#The Council|Council Officer]] or previous equivalent, made a clear and distinguished contribution to the community, and provided exceptional service to TWC in their capacity as an administrator. No member can be nominated within three months of resigning their Officer position, nor within six months of failing a Divus nomination. |
− | | |
− | Any Citizen can nominate a former Council Officer and does so by PMing a Consilium de Civitate member. The Consilium de Civitate will contact the nominee and ask if he or she will accept the nomination. If the nominee should decline, or fails to respond within one month, no further action need be taken and the nomination declared null and void.
| |
− | | |
− | If the nominee should accept, the Consilium de Civitate will create a thread within the Consilium de Civitate Forum to investigate the legitimacy of the nominee’s accolades. The Consilium de Civitate has the right to request any and all relevant material from the Staff Officers to ascertain this, with the approval of the Council. The Consilium de Civitate will discuss the nominee and his qualifications for at least a week before the vote is held.
| |
| | | |
− | Should the nominee receive the support of three fourths of non abstaining Consilium de Civitate members, the Curator shall create a discussion in the Prothalamos lasting at least three days and then move the nomination to vote as per the procedure in Section 2 Article 3. The vote shall last one week and the nominee shall require a two-third majority of non-abstaining votes to become Divus. A nominee who fails the vote is not eligible to be nominated again for a six month period.
| + | Any [[#Citizens|Citizen]] can nominate an eligible member for the rank of Divus. If the member accepts, the [[#Consilium de Civitate|Consilium de Civitate]] will discuss the issue for at least a week and then vote upon the candidate. If the member receives three-fourths support of non-abstaining members, [[#Permanent Curial Ranks|The Curator]] will post a discussion within the appropriate Curia forum lasting at least three days. The nomination will then move to vote according to [[#Legislative Procedure|normal procedure]], but it requires two-thirds support to pass. |
| | | |
− | =====Opifex===== | + | =====Opifex and Phalera===== |
− | To qualify for an Opifex award, the nominee must have made exceptional input to TW sections of the boards, either by modding or other contributions related to TW section. A member of any Rank is eligible to receive an Opifex award, but must also meet the criteria to become a Citizen. His nomination must also be seconded by an elected member of the Consilium de Civitate. | + | To qualify for an Opifex or Phalera award, the nominee must have made exceptional input to the boards: the Total War sections, in the case of Opifex, and the other sections in the case of Phalera. A member of any rank is eligible to receive an Opifex or Phalera award, but must also meet the [[#Patronisation|criteria to become a Citizen]]. Nominations must be seconded by an elected member of the [[#Consilium de Civitate|Consilium de Civitate]]. |
| | | |
− | Qualifying nominees shall have their nomination posted in the Prothalamos and will be moved to vote as per the procedure in Section 2 Article 3. Once moved to they shall be voted upon for a period of one week and require a two-third majority of non-abstaining votes to achieve the award. If the nominee was not already a Citizen, this Rank shall also be conferred upon them if they pass. A nominee who fails to pass his vote is not eligible to re-nominated until three months have passed. | + | Qualifying nominees have their nomination posted in the appropriate forum of the Curia according to [[#Legislative Procedure|normal procedure]], but the vote requires two-thirds support instead of majority support. Any member made an Opifex or Phalera is made a [[#Citizens|Citizen]] as well. |
− | | |
− | =====Phalera=====
| |
− | To qualify for a Phalera's award, the nominee must have made exceptional input or otherwise made significant contributions inside the CC sections of the boards. A member of any Rank is eligible to receive an Phalera award, but must also meet the criteria to become a Citizen. His nomination must also be seconded by an elected member of the Consilium de Civitate.
| |
− | | |
− | Qualifying nominees shall have their nomination posted in the Prothalamos and will be moved to vote as per the procedure in Section 2 Article 3. Once moved to they shall be voted upon for a period of one week and require a two-third majority of non-abstaining votes to achieve the award. If the nominee was not already a Citizen, this Rank shall also be conferred upon them if they pass. A nominee who fails to pass his vote is not eligible to re-nominated until three months have passed.
| |
| | | |
| ====Medium Size==== | | ====Medium Size==== |
− | =====Moderators Mace===== | + | =====Staff Service Awards===== |
− | The award is divided into three classes. The Bronze Mace is awarded to any member who has served as an official Staff Moderator for over three months. The Silver Mace is awarded to any moderator who has been promoted to “Senior Moderator”and served for 3 months or Served as “Staff Moderator” for 6 months. The “Golden Moderators Mace” is awarded to any Moderator who is deemed to have provided the site with exceptional service for over 1 Year in areas of Moderation and Moderation Policy, Senior Moderator who is deemed to have provided the site with exceptional service for over 6 months in areas of Moderation and Moderation Policy and any Chief of Moderation who has served for 3 months. All the Mace awards are awarded by the Administrative Council.
| + | Members who have served as [[#The Executive|Staff Officers]] for appropriate periods may be given medals in recognition of their service by [[#The Council|the Council]]. |
− | | |
− | =====Scribes Quill=====
| |
− | The award is divided into three classes. The Bronze Quill is awarded to any Scriptorium Librarian who has served as an official “Content Staff Member” at least three months or any other member who and has produced material for over four publications. The Silver Quill is awarded to any “Content Staff Member” who has been promoted to “Content Editor” and served for 3 months any Scriptorium Librarian who has served as “Content Staff Member” for over 6 months or any other "Content Staff Member" who has produced material over 12 publications. The “Golden Quill” is awarded to any “Head of Content” who is deemed to have provided the site with exceptional service for over 6 months in areas of Content, any Editor who is deemed to have performed exceptional service to the Content Branch for over 6 months or any Content Staff Officer who has served over 1 year in their position, while meeting the criteria for the silver medal.. The Gold award is awarded by the “Administrative Council” whereas the Silver and Bronze are awarded by the “Head of Content”
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− | | |
− | =====Technicians Screwdriver=====
| |
− | Gold Silver and Bronze screwdrivers awarded for over a years, 6-12 months, and 3-6 months service respectively as a Staff Technician
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| ====Small Size==== | | ====Small Size==== |
Preamble
This document exists to define the roles of the bodies that run and govern this site and community. The guiding principle of the site is to be that barring technical or fiscal obstacles, any considered mandate from the appropriate legislative body of contributing members will be implemented by the administrators.
The Executive
The Executive is composed of the Council Officers and other Staff Officers who run the Site.
The Council
The Council is the overarching governing body of the site. Any Council Officer can veto any act or decision on TWC. However, this veto is provisional until approved by the Council as a whole.
One member of the Council will be The Speaker of the House, who is elected by the Curia from among those members ranked as Citizen, and will serve a term of three months.
Every Council Officer must be ratified by the Curia immediately after appointment. An appointed Council Officer who fails the ratification vote is returned to his previous position.
Other Staff Officers
Other staff officers are divided into three branches:
- The Moderation branch serves to maintain order and enforce the forum rules. Moderators are the only ones invested with the right to enforce the ToS.
- The Content branch authors and maintains useful resources to be made available to members in the form of publications.
- The Technical branch ensures that the site remains available and secure, and adds new site features when appropriate and possible.
Each branch is divided into Junior and Senior Staff Officers, and is headed by a member of the Council. Members of the Moderating Branch must be Citizens, and must be ratified by the Curia upon promotion to the rank of Junior Moderator and again upon promotion to Senior Moderator. Senior Content Staff must be Citizens.
The Legislature
The Curia is a place for Citizens to discuss and propose Decisions that affect the governing of the Site and Site Policy, and also to amend this document. Therefore, infractions of Forum Rules made in this forum are doubly serious.
Election Procedure
When the Curia is required to elect an Officer or Rank Holder, or ratify an appointment, the following process is followed.
Ratification Votes
Two weeks after any member has been appointed as a Staff Officer whose rights include the ability to moderate general discussion forums, a one-week ratification poll will be posted. The member is ratified if he or she receives a majority of non-abstaining votes.
Election Votes
When a Curial Election is required, eligible members can apply in a thread created for that purpose, where they must post their reasons for applying. A vote will then be opened for one week, with the winner (or winners, if multiple positions are open) being the one who receives the plurality of non-abstaining votes. In the case of ties, a three-day run-off vote is held between the tied candidates.
Legislative Procedure
Any Citizen may propose a bill for discussion by posting a thread in a designated forum. Bills can take several forms:
- Amendment
- A proposal to alter the text of the Constitution. Amendments can alter or remove existing text and add entirely new text.
- Decision
- A proposal for the creation of an official Decision of the Curia on a topic relevant to the functioning of TWC. Decisions are not binding on staff, but are to be taken under advisement.
- Vote of No Confidence
- A proposal to remove the rank of an elected or Council Officer for neglect of duty or abuse of authority. Elected officers who fail a vote of no confidence lose their rank; for non-elected Council Officers the result is not binding.
For a version of a bill to be moved to vote, it must be supported by three Citizens other than the proposer and must have been posted for at least three days. When a bill is moved to vote, a poll thread is posted for one week in the appropriate forum. Posts in this thread are limited to notification of having voted. Messages lobbying to vote for or against, including via signatures and avatars, are prohibited except in the original debate thread. Bills pass if they receive two-thirds support. If any bill fails a vote, no re-vote on a substantially similar bill will be permitted within twenty-eight days.
Where a Decision requires the Curia to choose between multiple options, two polls are run concurrently. The first poll is a normal decision, while the second poll outlines the options to choose from if the decision passes. Whichever option receives the plurality of non-abstaining votes is implemented, but only if the Decision also passes in the usual manner.
All Amendments and Decisions have immediate effect and no retroactive effect unless specifically stated otherwise.
The Curator can amend the text of the Constitution and any Curial Decision to correct any spelling and grammatical errors.
Consilium de Civitate
The Consilium de Civitate manages the granting and removal of all Curia Ranks. It has the following members:
- Twelve elected Citizens, who may discuss and vote on all matters within the Consilium de Civitate Forum.
- Council Officers, who may discuss all matters within the Consilium de Civitate Forum, but have no vote.
- The Curator, who may take part in all Consilium de Civitate discussions, and has the deciding vote only in the case of a tie. The Curator has veto powers over any Consilium de Civitate decision.
Elected Consilium de Civitate members must have no staff warnings at the time of election and must have held the rank of Citizen for three months. Each elected member has a term of three months, and when their term expires, new elections will be held. Elected Consilium de Civitate members can be removed from office for appropriate reason by a majority vote of the elected councillors.
If an elected member of the Consilium de Civitate resigns or is removed during their term, or if during elections fewer than twelve eligible Citizens apply in the candidates thread, the vacant positions may be filled by a volunteering Staff Officer with at least Citizen rank.
Elected members of the Consilium de Civitate and the Curator must actively participate in discussions and votes. Council Officers' participation is optional.
Consilium Belli
A number of members shall be elected to the Consilium Belli to facilitate and improve relations between the modding community, the Curia, the Wiki Officer and the Council itself. The duties of the Consilium Belli also include, but are not limited to, overseeing all projects designed to promote the Total War sections of TWC to the modding community and the general membership. Its forum is publicly viewable and accessible by all, but posting and voting rights are restricted to members of the Consilium Belli.
All members of the Council, the Wiki Officer, and the Modding Registrar have permanent membership on the Consilium. Other members may ask the Council at any time if they wish to join.
Member Ranks and Curial Officers
All members of the Forum can be divided into the following ranks. An individual may hold only one account of the rank Citizen or higher.
Ranks
The following ranks, along with medals, are honours given to members based on their merit. Members who refuse or resign their honours may request them back at will if they have not been revoked by ordinary procedures in the meantime.
Peregrinus
The Rank of Peregrinus is conferred automatically with registration to the TWC forums.
Citizens
Contributing members of TWC have the opportunity to become a Citizen of the forum. Once a member becomes a Citizen, they can then choose between three different badges: Artifex, designed for those who are modders; Civitate, designed for those who have contributed to the debating side of the Site, whether in Total War or non-Total War parts of the site; or Citizen, for those who associate with both.
All Citizens can post in the Curia and the Symposium, and patronise other members.
Patronisation
Any Citizen holding their rank for three months can patronise a Peregrinus for Citizenship. To qualify for Citizen, a member must have at least fifty posts, been a registered member for one month, and have no warnings within the last three months. The process of patronisation is as follows.
- The nominee explains to his patron his duties and privileges as a Citizen, and his contributions to the community. The patron forwards this explanation, along with his own explanation of why he nominated the member, to a Consilium de Civitate member.
- The CdeC member opens a thread in the CdeC forum and the proposed nominee is discussed and voted upon.
- If the nominee achieves sixty per cent of the non-abstaining votes after the thread has been open for seven days, he becomes a Citizen.
If a nominee fails his vote, he is not eligible to be considered again for one month. Members of the CdeC must abstain from voting on members they patronise.
Curial Officers
A Curial Officer is a Citizen who has been elected by the Curia to administer a project or institution at TWC. A Curial Officer holds their office for three months from the day they are elected. If an office is vacant, its duties are assumed by the Curator, or, failing that, by the Speaker of the House. The Council may dismiss any Officer it feels has neglected their duties or abused their position.
Permanent Curial Officers
The following are permanent Curial Officers:
- The Curator
- Responsible for the day to day administration of the Curia, including but not limited to any tasks outlined in this document and any duties he may be given in the Curia by the Speaker of the House.
- Modding Registrar
- The Registrar shall be responsible for maintaining the Modding Registry, answering questions about the registry and resolving disputes between members concerning the registry in a fair and impartial manner.
- The TWC Wiki Editor
- Is in charge of overseeing the Wiki Project.
Further Permanent Officers may be created by amendment. Any member of Citizen rank may apply unless otherwise stated.
Non-Permanent Curial Officers
Non-Permanent Curial Officers may be created to oversee specific short-term Curia Projects. They may be created by a Curia Decision and cease to exist upon the completion of the project.
The Judiciary
Citizens' Behavior
The suspension and removal of a rank is handled by the Consilium de Civitate via the following disciplinary process. No Citizen may be subject to more than one process for a single post.
Procedure
Any member may bring a complaint against a Citizen to the Consilium de Civitate. If a Citizen receives a warning, a Council Officer will bring a complaint on that basis, providing all relevant information. In either case, the accused will then be asked by the Speaker of the House to produce a defence within forty-eight hours. At the end of this period, a four-day poll is opened to decide whether to take action, and if this passes, a second four-day poll is opened to decide the punishment. Punishment may include censure, temporary suspension of rank, or removal of rank. Ranks may not be removed except by the procedure outlined here.
Tribunal
Three Judges appointed by the Council will form a Tribunal to judge appeals of members who have been penalized by staff. Any member may appeal a staff penalty in the Tribunal forum, which the Judges will review and either uphold or overturn. Judges are not tasked to decide the appropriateness or validity of a forum rule, and only rule on whether the rule was correctly enforced and the punishment suitable for the offence.
Additional Provisions
The Symposium
All Citizens have access to the Symposium forum. This forum exists as a general meeting place for both old and new Citizens of the Total War Center Forums. Within the Symposium, rules are generally more relaxed so as to allow for more concentrated debates to take place.
A medal can be awarded to any member who has in some way contributed and achieved something which was of benefit to the wider community. Medals are controlled by the Curia, and created by amendment.
Large Size
Divus
A Divus is a member who has served as a Council Officer or previous equivalent, made a clear and distinguished contribution to the community, and provided exceptional service to TWC in their capacity as an administrator. No member can be nominated within three months of resigning their Officer position, nor within six months of failing a Divus nomination.
Any Citizen can nominate an eligible member for the rank of Divus. If the member accepts, the Consilium de Civitate will discuss the issue for at least a week and then vote upon the candidate. If the member receives three-fourths support of non-abstaining members, The Curator will post a discussion within the appropriate Curia forum lasting at least three days. The nomination will then move to vote according to normal procedure, but it requires two-thirds support to pass.
Opifex and Phalera
To qualify for an Opifex or Phalera award, the nominee must have made exceptional input to the boards: the Total War sections, in the case of Opifex, and the other sections in the case of Phalera. A member of any rank is eligible to receive an Opifex or Phalera award, but must also meet the criteria to become a Citizen. Nominations must be seconded by an elected member of the Consilium de Civitate.
Qualifying nominees have their nomination posted in the appropriate forum of the Curia according to normal procedure, but the vote requires two-thirds support instead of majority support. Any member made an Opifex or Phalera is made a Citizen as well.
Medium Size
Staff Service Awards
Members who have served as Staff Officers for appropriate periods may be given medals in recognition of their service by the Council.
Small Size
Member and Modder Awards
This category of medals is awarded to every member who wins an award in the TWC Site Awards. The medal will have a year number on it to show when it was awarded. The Medal should also link to the relevant Awards thread. The precise medal is awarded based on the precise nature of the Award won. The specific medals will be created by those in charge of the awards at the time and implemented by the Technical staff.