So, do we count early votes, or do we make people vote again?

(As long as nothing changes in the ballot, I'd say keep them.)

From this ballt Jesse? I would say keep them unless the person votes twice.

Should we close this thread becuase voting has started?

Please!

Per Sophia:

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

It is time for one of the last procedural votes.

When we first started this discussion, we really wanted to be able to have a way to not talk about the same issue over and over and over... Here we have one.

*** Please note that this ballot consists of one VOTE and one question which is intended to act as a SURVEY to help craft a ballot with a different number if the vote does not pass.***

MORATORIUM ON REOPENING DISCUSSIONS

VOTE

After a proposal, discussion and vote, further discussion on a given matter should be closed for 6 months. If this initiative passes, we agree at 3 months from the day (date) the poll closes, to take a vote of confidence on this decision (only), to see if we think 6 months is too long, too short, or just right.

Yes

No

No Preference

Note that the result of this vote will apply to ALL decisions, affirmative and negative.

SURVEY

If, and only if, you voted "no" on question one , please choose a number between 1 month and twelve months to define what you think is the appropriate length of time to close discussions.

This results of Question Two will be moot if Question One receives 50%+1 "yes" votes. The results of Question Two will only be used for informational purposes, if Question One fails to get 50%+1 "yes" votes. It is not binding. It is just a survey to get a gut check on what people want.

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

12 months

Ballot Here

Voting starts Tuesday night (March 25, 2003) at 9 pm Board Time (EST) and closes Friday night (Mar. 28, 2003) at 9 pm Board Time (EST)

Cindy clarifies the "vote of confidance" portion of the ballot.

Cindy "Bureaucracy 1: Like Kafka, Only Funnier" Mar 26, 2003 9:18:43 am EST

The proposal:

msbelle "Sunnydale Press" Apr 14, 2003 4:24:28 pm EDT

Do we want to discuss warning wording at the same time. If so this was proposed:

Dear Buffista,

It is the opinion of the Buffista community that your posting style is causing a problem which needs to be addressed. Specifically, several members have found the posts to be (rude, incomprehensible, vulgar, whatever the nature of problem).

If you wish to remain a contributing member of his community we ask that you carefully examine your posts and make every effort to explain your relevant points without being disrespectful to other members.

In accordance with our policies, this is your first official warning. If, in the future, you do not comply with community standards, you will be suspended from the board for a period of two months. If the suspension is violated or if upon returning after the period of suspension you do not comply with community standards, then you will be banned.

We sincerely hope you will be able to adapt your posting style to our community standards so that further action will not be required.

Stompy

I'm all for it except for #4, but I'm willing to back down if it means we'll have a procedure in place.

I have a question. Is it within the scope of this proposal to define how long this warning is in effect?

For example, if Poster W posts something offensive, a kerfuffle arises, he or she ends up with a warning, and then he or she modifies his or her behaviour so well that he or she becomes a model poster for, oh, 6 months, and then, in a fit of rage because Joss killed his or her favorite character, again offends, is Poster W banned as the next step in the process?

This may be beyond the scope of this proposal, or not a concern.

edited to add, I like the proposal and the format of the warning.

I'm wondering if links to examples of offensive posts might be included in the letter? or if that's too much trouble?

If nothing else, Deena, there is a two month suspension step in between warning and banning.