Post by Marianne Marlow on Oct 13, 2011 15:24:05 GMT
Monty is King
The Past
The original Forum was closed because of completely unnecessary bad behaviour. Everybody lost out as a result. There were also stupidly pointless arguments and rivalries. I have spent a good portion of my time recreating this second Forum. Others have also contributed their time to its creation and the Moderators have made an ongoing commitment to its maintenance. Then there are the ordinary Members who have contributed their time and creative energy to hopefully making the Forum a vibrant success.
As there have already been several instances of bad behaviour, and as the owner of this Forum, I am imposing the following Code of Conduct on all Members with immediate effect:
Purpose of this Code
This Forum is dedicated to supporting its Members common interest in the exotic birds known as Budgerigars (UK) or Parakeets (US), commonly shortened to Budgies. Some Members have additional interests in similar birds which may also be expressed through this Forum. For the sake of simplicity, any type of bird that is of interest to the Forums Members are considered included when referring to Budgies throughout this Code. This Forum is open to Breeders of Exhibition Budgies or Keepers of Pet Budgies, provided the Budgies are kept in some form of protective captivity (no matter how loosely), such as an Aviary, Cage, or Hut.
This Code of Conduct has been specified to ensure that all Members without exception may use this Forum safe and secure from the malice of others. All Members are reminded that their first concern is the care, health and happiness of their innocent Budgies. This Forum has NOT been provided to serve the needs of oversized ego's or malicious intent. Members may offer their photos, observations, or knowledge on any topic they wish, provided it is within the technical limits of the Forum. They may also freely create new topics at any time.
Offending Members should note that the Forum is under no legal responsibility to continue with their Membership should they have proved themselves to be an unpleasant distraction. Monty's Code of Conduct has been carefully written as a courtesy to Members who feel they have been effected by bad behaviour and as a warning to those who have committed that bad behaviour. This Forum does not accept that Members have a right to behave badly towards other Members or that there might be a valid reason to behave in a way that will eventually harm the future of this Forum if left unchecked.
Monty's Six Annoyances
Monty is my flock's Big-Bird. He is the smallest of them, but has a mean beak and the others give way to him. If he doesn't like another budgie standing so close to him, eating his favourite oats from his favourite bowl, or making googly-eyes at Snowy, then he will raise his beak at them before taking some appropriate action. The other budgies have learned to respect Monty's Beak and know they cross him at their peril.
Do not make googly-eyes at this bird
All Members of this Forum are notified that any bad behaviour will result in Monty threatening you with his Fearsome Beak. Monty doesn't like the following implied or actual activities or attitudes:
1/. Brave New World - Everyone's slate is wiped clean. This second Forum is a brand new start for all of us. Whatever was said or happened on the original Forum is in the past and may no longer be used as a cause for further recriminations between Members.
2/. Rational Adults - Everyone is expected to be courteous to each other and not pick fights or wind each other up. If someone feels that you have caused them offence, then apologise to them. Both sides are therefore expected to let the issue go and move on. Nor will we tolerate behaviour considered bad by most standards of common sense, but not otherwise specified here.
3/. Dishonourable Conduct - This Forum will not tolerate any form of dishonourable conduct, including (but not limited to) bullying, deception, emotional blackmail, lying, passive-aggression, persecution, political gamesmanship, threats, or vendetta.
4/. Modern Manners - We will not tolerate any racist, sexist, or other phobic attitudes on this Forum.
5/. Universal Certificate - This Forum may be accessed, contributed to, and read by children or those of a nervous or easily offended disposition. Members are reminded that it is their responsibility to mind their language. They should at all times ensure that the content of their posts is suitable and reasonably inoffensive reading for all other Members.
6/. Smarty-Pants - Any attempt to use or misrepresent this Code of Conduct, or other rule or convention relating to this Forum, against this Forum or its Members will not be tolerated. We do not approve of Forum-Lawyers and to behave in this way will invite an appropriate sanction from Monty's Beak.
Reporting an Annoyance
Anyone may report that they have been annoyed by another Members behaviour. The behaviour need not have been directed at themselves, but may only have been observed as being directed at someone else or expressed generally. Members reporting an incident should provide any available evidence, such as a link to the offending message, its time and date, and the reason why you found it offensive. Please include any private messages or emails by copying and pasting their contents into the evidence you supply, provided these are relevant. As the reporting Member, your identity will be kept anonymous at every stage UNLESS you request otherwise.
We will initially be looking to see if either no harm was intended or could not reasonably be found. We will also assess whether this is just a case of an honest mistake deserving of the benefit of the doubt. We may invite the person against whom the allegations are being made to make their comments, especially if this is a first offence, although a refusal to answer in a full and timely fashion may be considered an admission of guilt. Our decision will be made when we have had a chance to establish the truth of the matter, or at least reached a reasonable consensus of certainty.
Please note that any obvious attempt to unfairly blacken the name of a fellow-Member falls under Section 3 (Dishonourable Conduct) and Section 6 (Smarty-Pants) of Monty's Six Annoyances. Members found guilty of this kind of offence can expect to be Beaked by Monty as an example to others who might be thinking of the same clever idea.
Admission of Guilt
If a Member realises that they acted wrongly once confronted with the facts, they may privately email an explanation for their poor behaviour, along with a convincing promise to moderate that behaviour. We prefer people to take responsibility for their conduct rather than a point-blank refusal to admit the truth to the bitter end, such as after our final decision has been made.
Providing that we accept the Members explanation, and they maintain their promise, we will regard the matter as closed not requiring any further action.
You are warned to chose your words carefully when emailing us. Any misunderstanding that your email may create may result in you receiving a tougher Beaking from Monty. Appeals for clemency and character references from offended parties, respected senior Members, or a moderator will also be taken into account.
Monty's System of Beakage
There are three levels of Beakage:
- Squawk: You have been officially told to apologise. Failure to do so in good time, or not providing an adequate apology, or continuing with the same behaviour, will result in being sent a second Squawk. Being sent two Squawks within the same rolling three month period may be enough to equal a Biff from Monty depending on the offence(s).
- Biff: You have been temporarily suspended from the Forum for a specified time. The length of time will be what we consider proportionate to the offence(s). Being sent two Biffs within the same rolling three month period may be considered enough to equal a Nasty Nip from Monty depending on the offence(s).
- Nasty Nip: Your account has been deleted and you may not contribute to the Forum ever again. Please feel free to continue accessing the Forum as a Guest.
Please note that, other than the rolling time-periods, these penalties are not an escalating list of sanctions. Some offences, especially against Modern Manners, may constitute an automatic Nasty Nip from Monty.
Each Beaking should be considered a warning to the Member concerned to desist from a particular activity or attitude. The affected Member will be immediately notified by email that Monty has been annoyed at them. The email will explain why they are being Beaked and what, if anything, they are required to do next. These points will also be emailed to any offended parties and publicly recorded in a sub-Forum called Monty's Beak. We will also carry out any necessary actions arising from our decision, such as the removal of an offending post or Members Profile.
The Full Wrath of the Beak
Appeal Procedure
Essentially put, there are no grounds for an Appeal. As owner of the Forum, rest assured that our decisions are considered Fair, Final and Absolute. We would advise Members thinking of behaving badly that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You should therefore moderate your behaviour before finding yourself in need of an Appeal. Members who do not behave badly will have nothing to fear from this Code of Conduct. Even if a Member has never heard of this Code of Conduct, the normal level of day-to-day consideration and courtesy to one's fellows will be more than enough to steer clear of Monty's Beak.
The Moderators
As Owner, we have appointed a number of trustworthy, reliable and responsible Members as Moderators. They have volunteered their time and commitment to carrying out the vital tasks of the Forum.
The Moderators have also been given the power and responsibility for maintaining this Code of Conduct if they see it being breached by another Member, without the need to refer to myself. Although they are required to act within the bounds laid-out in this Code of Conduct, they are also fully supported by myself to act in accordance with their judgement.
Moderators are only requested to notify myself of any decisions and actions they took in relation to this Code of Conduct for the benefit of future reference.
Note on Implementation
The Code of Conduct may be changed or added to with the passage of time and the inclusion of precedents. Members may feel free to seek any clarifications or register suggestions for changes.
Every Member is bound by this Code of Conduct, backdated to when they created their Forum account. This Code may seem intimidating or dictatorial to some but it has unfortunately become necessary. While maintaining confidentiality, we intend to operate it in as fair and as open a manner as possible. This Code of Conduct will be maintained to prevent anyone from endangering the future and wellbeing of this Forum.
Although we reserve the right of final interpretation of the Code of Conduct, it will not be used to prevent Members from expressing their creativity or points of view. However, Members will rightly be held responsible for the outcome of their words and actions, whether they like it or not. We hope that things can be sorted-out between responsible Members and that there will be no need to resort to Monty's Beak, but the Beak remains in place for those that refuse to be reasonable.
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Monty's Code of Conduct
The Past
The original Forum was closed because of completely unnecessary bad behaviour. Everybody lost out as a result. There were also stupidly pointless arguments and rivalries. I have spent a good portion of my time recreating this second Forum. Others have also contributed their time to its creation and the Moderators have made an ongoing commitment to its maintenance. Then there are the ordinary Members who have contributed their time and creative energy to hopefully making the Forum a vibrant success.
As there have already been several instances of bad behaviour, and as the owner of this Forum, I am imposing the following Code of Conduct on all Members with immediate effect:
Purpose of this Code
This Forum is dedicated to supporting its Members common interest in the exotic birds known as Budgerigars (UK) or Parakeets (US), commonly shortened to Budgies. Some Members have additional interests in similar birds which may also be expressed through this Forum. For the sake of simplicity, any type of bird that is of interest to the Forums Members are considered included when referring to Budgies throughout this Code. This Forum is open to Breeders of Exhibition Budgies or Keepers of Pet Budgies, provided the Budgies are kept in some form of protective captivity (no matter how loosely), such as an Aviary, Cage, or Hut.
This Code of Conduct has been specified to ensure that all Members without exception may use this Forum safe and secure from the malice of others. All Members are reminded that their first concern is the care, health and happiness of their innocent Budgies. This Forum has NOT been provided to serve the needs of oversized ego's or malicious intent. Members may offer their photos, observations, or knowledge on any topic they wish, provided it is within the technical limits of the Forum. They may also freely create new topics at any time.
Offending Members should note that the Forum is under no legal responsibility to continue with their Membership should they have proved themselves to be an unpleasant distraction. Monty's Code of Conduct has been carefully written as a courtesy to Members who feel they have been effected by bad behaviour and as a warning to those who have committed that bad behaviour. This Forum does not accept that Members have a right to behave badly towards other Members or that there might be a valid reason to behave in a way that will eventually harm the future of this Forum if left unchecked.
Monty's Six Annoyances
Monty is my flock's Big-Bird. He is the smallest of them, but has a mean beak and the others give way to him. If he doesn't like another budgie standing so close to him, eating his favourite oats from his favourite bowl, or making googly-eyes at Snowy, then he will raise his beak at them before taking some appropriate action. The other budgies have learned to respect Monty's Beak and know they cross him at their peril.
Do not make googly-eyes at this bird
All Members of this Forum are notified that any bad behaviour will result in Monty threatening you with his Fearsome Beak. Monty doesn't like the following implied or actual activities or attitudes:
1/. Brave New World - Everyone's slate is wiped clean. This second Forum is a brand new start for all of us. Whatever was said or happened on the original Forum is in the past and may no longer be used as a cause for further recriminations between Members.
2/. Rational Adults - Everyone is expected to be courteous to each other and not pick fights or wind each other up. If someone feels that you have caused them offence, then apologise to them. Both sides are therefore expected to let the issue go and move on. Nor will we tolerate behaviour considered bad by most standards of common sense, but not otherwise specified here.
3/. Dishonourable Conduct - This Forum will not tolerate any form of dishonourable conduct, including (but not limited to) bullying, deception, emotional blackmail, lying, passive-aggression, persecution, political gamesmanship, threats, or vendetta.
4/. Modern Manners - We will not tolerate any racist, sexist, or other phobic attitudes on this Forum.
5/. Universal Certificate - This Forum may be accessed, contributed to, and read by children or those of a nervous or easily offended disposition. Members are reminded that it is their responsibility to mind their language. They should at all times ensure that the content of their posts is suitable and reasonably inoffensive reading for all other Members.
6/. Smarty-Pants - Any attempt to use or misrepresent this Code of Conduct, or other rule or convention relating to this Forum, against this Forum or its Members will not be tolerated. We do not approve of Forum-Lawyers and to behave in this way will invite an appropriate sanction from Monty's Beak.
Reporting an Annoyance
Anyone may report that they have been annoyed by another Members behaviour. The behaviour need not have been directed at themselves, but may only have been observed as being directed at someone else or expressed generally. Members reporting an incident should provide any available evidence, such as a link to the offending message, its time and date, and the reason why you found it offensive. Please include any private messages or emails by copying and pasting their contents into the evidence you supply, provided these are relevant. As the reporting Member, your identity will be kept anonymous at every stage UNLESS you request otherwise.
We will initially be looking to see if either no harm was intended or could not reasonably be found. We will also assess whether this is just a case of an honest mistake deserving of the benefit of the doubt. We may invite the person against whom the allegations are being made to make their comments, especially if this is a first offence, although a refusal to answer in a full and timely fashion may be considered an admission of guilt. Our decision will be made when we have had a chance to establish the truth of the matter, or at least reached a reasonable consensus of certainty.
Please note that any obvious attempt to unfairly blacken the name of a fellow-Member falls under Section 3 (Dishonourable Conduct) and Section 6 (Smarty-Pants) of Monty's Six Annoyances. Members found guilty of this kind of offence can expect to be Beaked by Monty as an example to others who might be thinking of the same clever idea.
Admission of Guilt
If a Member realises that they acted wrongly once confronted with the facts, they may privately email an explanation for their poor behaviour, along with a convincing promise to moderate that behaviour. We prefer people to take responsibility for their conduct rather than a point-blank refusal to admit the truth to the bitter end, such as after our final decision has been made.
Providing that we accept the Members explanation, and they maintain their promise, we will regard the matter as closed not requiring any further action.
You are warned to chose your words carefully when emailing us. Any misunderstanding that your email may create may result in you receiving a tougher Beaking from Monty. Appeals for clemency and character references from offended parties, respected senior Members, or a moderator will also be taken into account.
Monty's System of Beakage
There are three levels of Beakage:
- Squawk: You have been officially told to apologise. Failure to do so in good time, or not providing an adequate apology, or continuing with the same behaviour, will result in being sent a second Squawk. Being sent two Squawks within the same rolling three month period may be enough to equal a Biff from Monty depending on the offence(s).
- Biff: You have been temporarily suspended from the Forum for a specified time. The length of time will be what we consider proportionate to the offence(s). Being sent two Biffs within the same rolling three month period may be considered enough to equal a Nasty Nip from Monty depending on the offence(s).
- Nasty Nip: Your account has been deleted and you may not contribute to the Forum ever again. Please feel free to continue accessing the Forum as a Guest.
Please note that, other than the rolling time-periods, these penalties are not an escalating list of sanctions. Some offences, especially against Modern Manners, may constitute an automatic Nasty Nip from Monty.
Each Beaking should be considered a warning to the Member concerned to desist from a particular activity or attitude. The affected Member will be immediately notified by email that Monty has been annoyed at them. The email will explain why they are being Beaked and what, if anything, they are required to do next. These points will also be emailed to any offended parties and publicly recorded in a sub-Forum called Monty's Beak. We will also carry out any necessary actions arising from our decision, such as the removal of an offending post or Members Profile.
The Full Wrath of the Beak
Appeal Procedure
Essentially put, there are no grounds for an Appeal. As owner of the Forum, rest assured that our decisions are considered Fair, Final and Absolute. We would advise Members thinking of behaving badly that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You should therefore moderate your behaviour before finding yourself in need of an Appeal. Members who do not behave badly will have nothing to fear from this Code of Conduct. Even if a Member has never heard of this Code of Conduct, the normal level of day-to-day consideration and courtesy to one's fellows will be more than enough to steer clear of Monty's Beak.
The Moderators
As Owner, we have appointed a number of trustworthy, reliable and responsible Members as Moderators. They have volunteered their time and commitment to carrying out the vital tasks of the Forum.
The Moderators have also been given the power and responsibility for maintaining this Code of Conduct if they see it being breached by another Member, without the need to refer to myself. Although they are required to act within the bounds laid-out in this Code of Conduct, they are also fully supported by myself to act in accordance with their judgement.
Moderators are only requested to notify myself of any decisions and actions they took in relation to this Code of Conduct for the benefit of future reference.
Note on Implementation
The Code of Conduct may be changed or added to with the passage of time and the inclusion of precedents. Members may feel free to seek any clarifications or register suggestions for changes.
Every Member is bound by this Code of Conduct, backdated to when they created their Forum account. This Code may seem intimidating or dictatorial to some but it has unfortunately become necessary. While maintaining confidentiality, we intend to operate it in as fair and as open a manner as possible. This Code of Conduct will be maintained to prevent anyone from endangering the future and wellbeing of this Forum.
Although we reserve the right of final interpretation of the Code of Conduct, it will not be used to prevent Members from expressing their creativity or points of view. However, Members will rightly be held responsible for the outcome of their words and actions, whether they like it or not. We hope that things can be sorted-out between responsible Members and that there will be no need to resort to Monty's Beak, but the Beak remains in place for those that refuse to be reasonable.
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