Message posted on Stardate 99031.5 at 2023 hours
Posted by Bob Spurlin.
March 15, 1999
The GM Regulations listed below are approved and adopted.
GM Regulations
ROLE
The role of the Gamemaster (hereafter referred to as GM) is to provide a structured, entertaining sim for his assigned ship within Star-Fleet (STF).
DEPARTMENTAL ORGANIZATION
The daily activity of the GM Department is overseen by the GM Director (GMDir), who is appointed by the President. The GMDir is a cabinet position, and is equal in power to other departmental directors and Fleet Commanders (FComm).
The Assistant GM Director (AGMDir) is appointed by the GMDir. The AGMDir answers directly to the GMDir, and is responsible for departmental decisions in the event the GMDir is not available. Additional responsibilities are at the discretion of the GMDir. The department’s GMs are appointed by the GMDir, based on that director’s criteria. GMs are organized within the department in four levels: GM Trainee (GMT), GM, Advanced GM, (AGM), and Senior GM (SGM). Advancement is at the discretion of the director based on criteria such as tenure and work quality.
Each ship within STF is assigned at least one GM. When the roster allows, two GMs are assigned to a ship and designated as GM Alpha and GM Beta. The designation does not denote level of responsibility, but duty shift. Alpha and Beta alternate sims, thereby giving each GM down time to regroup following SIM completion.
RESPONSIBILITIES
GMs are responsible for providing an entertaining experience for members of STF, and are required to work with each ship’s commanding officer to accomplish this task. In an effort to smooth the vagaries, the following chain of command has been established pertaining to specific ship-board issues:
Plot development: GM - CO - Executive Officer (XO)
Crew Morale: GM - XO - CO
Crew Discipline: CO - XO - GM
This chain of command denotes the level of authority the GM possesses in a given situation; although no authority is absolute. The GMDir may override any decision made by a GM.
In issues pertaining to daily ship operations (i.e. promotions, demotions, logs, message of the day [MOTD]), the GM has no authority.
DISPUTES
In the event the GM and CO become entangled in a dispute which requires mediation, all complaints regarding the GM are forwarded to the GMDir. Complaints regarding the CO are directed to the appropriate FComm.
In the event either party of the dispute also serves as the FComm and/or GMDir, then the matter is brought before the President for resolution.
TERMINATION
In the event a GM exhibits behavior ill-suited for his position, does not uphold his responsibility of maintaining an enjoyable environment aboard his ship, or abuses the authority of his position beyond the boundaries of STF law and common sense, he will be terminated from his position as GM. The GMDir has singular authority to terminate a GM, and has final word on a termination decision. Only the president has veto power over the GMDir.
When a situation arises with a GM that requires mediation, a review panel consisting of the CO, FComm, and AGMDir will convene to discuss the case and make a recommendation that best serves the ship. In the event any of the aforementioned is either not available or is the GM in question, the XO, Assistant FComm, or Vice President will fill the panel’s vacancies.
The panel then forwards its recommendation with substantiation to the GMDir for final decision. The recommendation is also forwarded to the President for perusal. The GMDir has the authority to approve, modify, or reject the findings of the panel. However, the GMDir is also obligated to acknowledge the weight of the panel’s recommendation. In the event the GMDir does not agree with the panel’s recommendation, the panel can request an appeal from the President.
PARTICIPATION
GMs are required to make regular posts on their assigned ships to insure proper progress of the sim. The posting frequency depends on the speed of the ship. However a GM should post at least once every three days. If a GM fails to post for seven days, and has not made provisions for a leave of absence (LOA), he is declared absent without leave (AWOL). It is the responsibility of the ship’s CO to inform the GMDir if a GM fails to post within this time frame. GMTs must adhere to a more stringent posting policy, due to the nature of their assignment. GMTs must post every three days or be declared AWOL.
GMs declared AWOL are removed from the roster until the situation can be reviewed and resolved. Disciplinary action, should it be required, can include ship reassignment, transfer to inactive status, demotion, and/or termination from the GM department. AWOL GMTs will be removed from the program.
In the event a GM is on LOA or declared AWOL, the affected ship’s XO takes acting GM status until a replacement GM can be assigned. Typically, this process will not take more than 48 hours from time of notification to the GMDir.
At no time shall a ship’s CO serve as its GM. In the event both the GM and the XO are LOA or AWOL, the GMDir will step in as temporary GM until a replacement is assigned.
SIMS
Sims are governed by the rules of STF and departmental guidelines. All sims must have the approval of the GMDir. FComms who wish to host a fleet wide sim must have prior approval from the GMDir before commencing. Additionally, during fleet wide sims, FComms must maintain constant interaction with the GMDir, who coordinates all sim-related moves and plot twists.
SELF-RPG
The discipline required for a successful self-RPG environment is such that self-RPG ships are limited in STF. Newly-commissioned ships and starbases will be considered for self-RPG if their command staffs establish a set of guidelines to ensure a pleasant roleplaying environment for all concerned. The GMDir has final decision on whether a ship may be launched as self-RPG. However the FComm of the affected fleet may appeal to the President.
Existing ships may petition the GMDir to be considered for self-RPG status. To be considered, the ship’s CO must provide viable reasons why his ship is suited for self-RPG status. He must also provide proof that guidelines are in place maintain a pleasant roleplaying atmosphere. The petition will be granted with unanimous approval from the President, GMDir, appropriate FComm, and ship’s CO.
Bob Spurlin
STF President