Message posted on Stardate 99011.6 at 0024 hours
Posted by Mike Bourdaa (STF President).
The rule on second characters on the same ship: Edict #25
Applies: Any time a person who is already a member of a ships crew requests to add a second character to that same ship
(Also applies equally to any normal RPG area, ship, base or otherwise)
Normal rule: They are not allowed.
Exemption:
A person may request permission to add a second character, from the CO of that ship. In that request, that person should include the following:
1) The extra position being requested
2) The reason for the request.
If the reason is, in the COs mind, reasonable, and the position is both useful and open, the request may be approved of. If the CO declines the request, it cannot be appealed. If the CO approves the request, and another member of the crew of that ship objects, the ruling may be appealed to the FComm, and his decision shall be final.
In the event that the CO himself wishes to add a second character, he must request such consent from the FComm. If the CO is also the FComm, the AFComm shall rule, or in his absence, the seniormost officer in the fleet who is not otherwise involved.
Consideration should be given to whether the position could be filled in the regular method or not (i.e. Bartender cannot be filled normally, but CSO can.), and the preference shall be for the “extra” positions to be filled, but not the normal ones. Also, preference shall be for subordinate positions (i.e. Eng-3) over Department Head positions, unless the department does not exist on the ship (i.e. CTO on a non-warship).
If a member who is deserving of promotion to a department head position has such a duplicate person standing in his way, the duplicate should step aside (or be required to step aside) so that as many qualified people as possible have a fair opportunity to hold department head positions.
Reason for this Edict: There have been many questions on this point, and it is time that a clarification of the rule were established. As with any edict, it can be altered, amended, or deleted by a future STF President.