Code of Conduct

"Be kind to one another" - but in case more details are needed, please read below.

### **Player Code of Conduct**

Do:

* Be respectful, open-minded, and mature.
* Be tolerant of differing opinions.
* Take discussions of partisan or hot-button issues to private messages. We are a hobby server, not Facebook.

Do Not:

* Harass, bully, or threaten people.
* Use derogatory, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, hateful, racially, or ethnically offensive language

### **Admin Code of Conduct**

* Be respectful, open minded and mature!
	+ Speak to other community members with courtesy and respect.
	+ Do not use derogatory, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, hateful, racially, or ethnically offensive language.
	+ Do your best to listen, even on topics you may not agree with.
* Have Integrity
	+ Be honest with the team, even if you make a mistake.
	+ Practice good morals in the admin position.
	+ Apply the rules evenly and fairly to all individuals.
* Take Responsibility
	+ Everyone makes mistakes!
	+ Make sure to vote on topics in a timely manner
* Practice Teamwork
	+ Communicate!
	+ We are a team! We will not always agree but our differences are what makes us strong. We just need to remember to work together.
	+ Remember to listen and be respectful of others' opinions.
	+ If there is a conflict make sure to inform the team.
	+ To the community we remain united, do your best not to leave surprises for the other admin.
	+ Should you or another make a mistake, be kind in the explanation and handling. We are all learning.
* Provide the community with accurate information
	+ If you are unsure of an answer ask another admin or find resources to check your answer

### **Definitions of Codes of Conduct Terms**

#### *Harassment*

Do not organize, participate in, or encourage harassment of others. Disagreements happen and are normal, but continuous, repetitive, or severe negative comments may cross the line into harassment and are not okay.

#### *Hate Speech*

It’s unacceptable to attack a person or a community based on attributes such as their race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or disabilities.

#### *Threats*

Do not make threats of violence or threaten to harm others, outside of RP. This includes indirect threats, as well as sharing or threatening to share someone’s private personal information (also known as doxxing).

#### *Cliques*

Do not conduct or promote cliques. While groups of friends naturally develop on our server, our goal is inclusiveness. Please make an effort to include new players when possible.

#### *Staff Communication*

Do not block admins or server staff.  The Staff needs to communicate with members as part of their official duties. Members may request that a particular staff member not communicate with them outside of official duties. Staff members will be 100% professional when communicating with members in their official capacities.

#### *Drama*

Do not promote or willingly cause drama outside of RP. Disputes and disagreements should be handled through direct messages or by submitting a report to the admins. Drama and arguing outside of RP will not be tolerated in any voice or text channels.

#### *Incitement*

Encouraging the breaking of rules, inciting others to be blatantly rude and offensive, or otherwise promoting and/or encouraging conflicts between other members outside of RP. These activities are not condoned in this Server.

#### *Toxicity*

Regarding the rules above: speaking out publicly in a reckless manner, encouraging toxic behavior, and/or fueling drama within the community outside of RP could result in warnings, dispute solution arbitration or ultimately being removed from the community. Gas lighting, stirring the pot and inciting drama is unacceptable.

#### *Appeals*

If you feel an admin or staff member has wronged you or behaved unprofessionally, you may file a report with the other admins. Such behavior will not be tolerated.

### **Open Door Policy**

Our open-door policy reflects our commitment to transparent and flexible communication to the Admin Team and all server members. The Hotel has adopted an Open-Door Policy for all members. The Admin Team is extremely interested in establishing and maintaining open lines of communication with every member of our community. All are encouraged to express your comments, ideas, and concerns to any member of the admin team. The purpose of our open-door policy is to encourage open communication, feedback, and discussion about any server matter of importance to any community member. If any area of the hotel is causing you concern, you can address your concern with an admin. Do not be afraid to speak with any admin regarding any server issue that causes you concern.

### **Server Discipline**

This section will describe how breaking the Server Rules will affect you as a Member. These rules are the same for every Member of the Hotel, no matter their role(s). **Please Note**: There are some exceptions to the following steps, which will be listed below.

If a person breaks a rule for the first time, unless there is evidence showing they knowingly did so, a discussion will be had with the individual about the rule and they will be made aware of said rule. This discussion may be had by anyone, Admin or otherwise, as we are a Community that cares for one another, and mistakes happen. However, if the problem is not fixed in a timely manner, multiple conversations may be had, so please make sure to fix your error as soon as possible.

If a Member notices that another has yet to fix their error in 3-4 days after having had a conversation with said individual, or if they notice the person making the same mistake multiple times in a row, they may come to an Admin, and they will be contacted about the error.

If a Member does not feel comfortable contacting another over an error, or if a dispute is had between the two Members, they are recommended to come to an Admin about it. If a dispute is had, a Disputes Folder will be made and screenshots/statements will be asked for and recorded by the Admins. This is done to keep an accurate record of events as closely as possible. **No such evidence will be posted publicly anywhere without each parties’ permission.**

If a pattern is made apparent of this/these breach(es) of conduct, it is the Admin Team’s duty to make this member aware that such actions will not be tolerated on the Server. This means either an **informal warning** or a **formal warning** will be issued to the person using the Hotel Staff account. Once a warning is issued, it will be kept on record. If a member receives their **first formal** warning, **for the next 3 months they may not run for Admin**. These warnings should not be given lightly, and all other courses of action should be explored and discussed, including, but not limited to:

* Server Muting or Disconnecting: in cases where a member is currently emotional and breaking rules due to the current situation
* Removal of Roles: in cases where a member abuses their role privileges
* Removal of Shopping Privileges: in cases where a member continuously does not follow the rules of MIS, though a set time on how long this removal will be should be communicated with the member and it should be no longer than 2 weeks
* Server Timeout: in cases where other means are not enough, though a set time on how long the Timeout will be should be communicated with the member and it should be no longer than 2 weeks

These and other disciplinary actions may be done in addition to or rather than a formal warning

If the pattern continues, or a new pattern arises, a second formal warning will be issued. With a **second** formal warning, the member receiving it will **not be allowed to run for Admin for an entire year**. However, if this is a new pattern, it will be handled as if the member had never received a formal warning, and the process will start over.

If a member receives a formal warning (1st or 2nd) and feels they were given it unfairly, they have the right to appeal the warning. This will then cause the current Admin Team to take a second look at said formal warning. This can only be done within a month of receiving the formal warning. After a month, if the formal warning is not appealed, then it remains final. One appeal per formal warning, and the verdict of the appeal remains final.

If there are continued problems/patterns, a third and final formal warning will be given to the member, which will state that, due to the member’s continued disregard for the Server Rules, they are being **banned** from the Server. This will be regarded as the “Three Strikes Rule”.

#### **Some exceptions to the steps listed above:**

* If a member is spamming chats, either vocally or text-wise, after being asked to stop, an emergency vote by the Admins will be held and, upon a majority vote of agreement, this member will be **banned**.
* If a pattern is not fully presenting itself, or there is doubt among the Admins if a formal warning is truly necessary, an informal warning may be given, where the Hotel Staff account messages the member privately on their own account. This will be recorded, but not count against the Member’s Formal warning count, nor their ability to run for Admin.
* The Server Ragequit Rules (see below) still apply.

#### **Disciplinary Action for Rage Quitting**

Should a player rage quit the server and return, repeatedly and intentionally lash out, these standards must be upheld. This is on a case by case basis and only applicable if the individual quit in a way that was disruptive and/or toxic to the community. **Leaving for emergencies, mental health reasons, or simply leaving the server maturely and without drama are excluded from this course of action.**

**1st time**- Formal warning

**2nd time**- Session ban for a week

**3rd time**- Full character reset on all characters. This is to include hours, gold and items gained after character creation.

**4th time**- Server ban for trolling