Icelandic Furries Staff Code of Conduct

Effective Date: DD/MM/YYYY - 24/01/2024

1. Purpose

The primary purpose of the Icelandic Furries Staff Team is to foster a welcoming and inclusive community for Icelandic furries. Admins are expected to lead by example, uphold the group's values, and ensure a positive experience for all members.

2. Professionalism

Staff must maintain a high level of professionalism in all interactions, both within the team and with group members. Respectful and courteous communication is essential, even in challenging situations. Disagreements should be addressed privately and constructively.

3. Fairness and Impartiality

Staff must act impartially and fairly when enforcing group rules and policies. Decisions should be based on objective criteria and without bias. Personal relationships should not influence moderation decisions.

4. Confidentiality

Staff are entrusted with sensitive information about group members and internal discussions. Confidentiality must be maintained, and private information should never be disclosed without proper authorization.

5. Transparency

While respecting confidentiality, staffs should strive to be transparent about general policies and decisions that affect the community. Clear communication helps build trust among group members.

6. Responsiveness

Staff should be responsive to group member inquiries, concerns, and reports. Timely and constructive communication helps address issues promptly and ensures a positive user experience.

7. Balanced Response:

Staff should engage in thorough discussions regarding the course of action for serious offenses, considering various perspectives and potential consequences. However, for minor infractions, admins are expected to react swiftly to maintain a positive group environment. Finding a balance between thoughtful consideration and timely response ensures the fair and effective enforcement of group rules.

8. Consistency

Staff should apply rules consistently and equitably. Inconsistencies may lead to confusion and a loss of trust among group members. Admins should work together to ensure a unified approach to moderation.

9. Community Building

Staff are encouraged to actively engage with the community, fostering discussions, and promoting a sense of camaraderie. Positive interactions help create a vibrant and welcoming group environment.

10. Continuous Improvement

Staff should actively seek feedback from group members and colleagues to improve their moderation skills and enhance the overall group experience. Learning from experiences helps the admin team adapt to evolving community needs.

11. Accountability

Staff are accountable for their actions and decisions. If a staff member makes a mistake, they should promptly acknowledge it, rectify the situation, and learn from the experience.

Staff members should hold each other accountable and uphold the highest standards of conduct.

12. Availability and Reporting

Staff members are expected to maintain a reasonable level of availability to fulfill their responsibilities. In the event a staff member cannot dedicate time to their duties, they should promptly inform the team about their unavailability and share the reason whenever possible. During periods of absence, staff members should delegate responsibilities to capable team members or provide clear instructions to ensure that moderation tasks continue smoothly.

13. Departure and Rejoining

Should a staff member decide to step down from the staff team, it is important to understand that this decision is final and may not guarantee reinstatement in the future. Rejoining the staff team will be considered on a case-by-case basis and is subject to the current needs of the group, the individual's commitment, and adherence to the code of conduct. The staff team reserves the right to assess and decide whether a former staff member is suitable for reappointment based on their past contributions, conduct, and the current dynamics of the team.

14. New Staff Addition

The decision to add a new member to the staff team requires a majority (60%) vote from existing staff members. The proposal for a new staff member should include a clear rationale, the candidate's qualifications, and their commitment to upholding the group's values and code of conduct. Staff members are encouraged to thoroughly discuss and evaluate potential candidates before casting their votes. This democratic process ensures that new team members align with the existing team's vision and commitment to maintaining a positive and inclusive environment within the group.

15. Admin Candidates Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible as candidates for a position on the admin team, individuals must meet the following criteria:

a. Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 20 years old to ensure maturity, responsibility, and a level of life experience conducive to effective moderation.

b. Clean Record: Candidates must have a clean record with no warnings from the admin team for a minimum of 6 consecutive months prior to their application. This stipulation ensures that potential admins have demonstrated a consistent adherence to group rules and a commitment to maintaining a positive and respectful environment.

c. Goodwill and Compassion: Candidates must exhibit goodwill within the community, showcasing a positive and helpful attitude towards fellow members. Compassion and understanding are essential qualities, as admins play a crucial role in fostering a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

d. Maintain Composure: Candidates should be able to keep a cool head in challenging situations. The ability to handle conflicts and disagreements with a calm and composed demeanor is vital for effective moderation. Candidates are expected to approach issues objectively and make decisions based on a rational assessment of the situation.

e. Dependable: Candidates must be dependable and committed to fulfilling their duties. Dependability implies that the admin team can effectively address issues, maintain a consistent presence in the community, and uphold the standards outlined in the group's code of conduct.

16. Moderator Candidates Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible as candidates for a position on the admin team, individuals must meet the following criteria:

a. Minimum Age Requirement: Candidates must be at least 18 years old to ensure maturity, responsibility, and a level of life experience conducive to effective moderation.

b. Clean Record: Candidates must have a clean record with no warnings from the admin team for a minimum of 6 consecutive months within the community prior to their application. This stipulation ensures that potential admins have demonstrated a consistent adherence to group rules and a commitment to maintaining a positive and respectful environment.

17. Dismissal of Admins

The decision to dismiss an admin from the Icelandic Furries Admin Team must be made through a majority (60%) vote by existing admin team members. Dismissal proposals should include clear reasons for the dismissal, and admins are encouraged to thoroughly discuss and evaluate the situation before casting their votes. This democratic process ensures fairness, transparency, and collective responsibility in matters of admin dismissal.

18. Anonymous Voting for Administrative Decisions

The purpose of this rule is to ensure transparency and prevent bias in administrative decision-making within the community. All voting by administrators will be conducted anonymously to promote impartiality and maintain the trust of the community.

19. Enforcement Procedures

Warnings and disciplinary actions will follow a progressive approach to maintain a fair and just environment within the Icelandic Furries community:

a. First Warning: Admins will issue a formal warning for the first offense. The warning aims to inform the individual about the rule violation and encourage compliance.

b. Second Warning: In the event of a repeated offense, a second warning will be issued. This serves as a more stern reminder of the community guidelines and the importance of adhering to them.

c. Temporary Ban: If a member continues to violate the rules after receiving two warnings, a temporary ban will be implemented. The duration of the ban will be determined based on the severity of the violations and is intended to provide a cooling-off period.

(first Ban 1 week)
(2nd ban month)
(3rd ban 3 months)
(4th permanent)
(How did you get here?)

d. Permanent Ban: In cases of persistent or severe rule violations, a permanent ban may be enacted. This decision will be made through a thorough evaluation by the admin team, considering the impact on the community and the individual's history of infractions.

In cases of serious offenses that pose an immediate threat to the well-being or safety of the Icelandic Furries community, admins reserve the right to skip the warning stages outlined in point 19. Such serious offenses may include, but are not limited to, harassment, hate speech, or any actions that significantly disrupt the community.

Admins will assess the severity of the offense and may implement temporary or permanent bans directly without issuing prior warnings. This approach ensures swift and decisive action to protect the community and maintain a safe and respectful environment for all members. The decision to skip warnings for serious offenses will be made collectively by the admin team based on a thorough evaluation of the situation.

20. Ban Appeals

Members who wish to appeal a ban can do so by submitting a formal appeal to the Icelandic Furries Admin Team. The ban appeal process will involve the following:

a. The banned member submits a detailed ban appeal outlining their case, explaining any mitigating factors, and expressing a commitment to adhere to the community guidelines moving forward.

b. Admins will conduct a thorough review of the ban appeal, considering the nature of the offense, the member's history, and any additional relevant information.

c. The decision on whether to lift the ban will be made through a majority vote by the admin team. Admins will discuss the appeal and vote on whether the member should be reinstated or if the ban should be maintained.

d. The outcome of the vote will be communicated to the banned member in a timely manner.

21. Ban Appeal Frequency and Criteria

Members who have been banned may submit ban appeals, subject to the following conditions:

a. First Appeal: The first ban appeal can be submitted after a minimum period of 1 month from the date of the ban.

b. Subsequent Appeals: If the first appeal is unsuccessful, subsequent ban appeals can be submitted at month 6 then one year from the date of the last appeal.

c. Significant New Evidence: A member may submit a ban appeal only if there is significant new evidence or circumstances that were not previously considered. The burden of proof lies with the appealing member to present substantial and relevant information that may impact the admin team's decision.

The admin team will review each appeal in accordance with these timeframes, considering the circumstances, the member's behavior, and any new evidence presented. This approach aims to balance the opportunity for banned members to appeal with the need to maintain a stable and respectful community environment.

22. Avoiding Power Abuse:

Do not abuse moderator/admin powers for personal gain or to settle personal disputes.

23. Moderator Scope of Duty

Moderators are expected to react to chats rather than investigate cases, when a case needs investigating it should be handed over to the admin team.

Moderators responsibilities are described as follows:

Enforcement of Community Guidelines: Ensure that all members adhere to the community guidelines and take appropriate action based on observable violations within the chat.

Responding to Reports: Promptly address and take action on reports submitted by community members, focusing on the content and behavior directly visible within the chat.

Facilitating Discussions: Encourage constructive and inclusive discussions within the chat, monitoring for any potential conflicts or inappropriate content that becomes evident during real-time interactions.

Community Engagement: Actively engage with community members within the chat to foster a positive and welcoming environment. Answer questions, provide assistance, and promote a sense of community through direct interaction.

Content Moderation: Review and moderate user-generated content visible in the chat, ensuring it complies with community guidelines and standards without delving into external investigations.

Conflict Resolution: React promptly to conflicts and disagreements between community members within the chat, taking immediate and appropriate actions to maintain a positive atmosphere.

Educating Members: Provide guidance and education about the rules and guidelines directly within the chat, addressing issues as they arise during live interactions.

Collaboration with Admin Team: Collaborate with the admin team to discuss real-time community-related issues, propose immediate solutions, and contribute to maintaining a positive environment.

Communication: Maintain clear and open communication with both community members and fellow moderators within the chat. Keep the community informed about relevant updates and changes that impact ongoing interactions.

Maintaining Professionalism: Uphold a high level of professionalism in all interactions within the chat, leading by example and demonstrating respect and courtesy.

Consistency in Enforcement: Apply rules and guidelines consistently and fairly, reacting to observable violations within the chat without delving into external investigations.

Confidentiality: Respect the confidentiality of internal discussions and sensitive information related to moderation matters, ensuring that reactions to chat content align with privacy considerations.

Moderators shall not conduct investigations