RESPECT and HONOR in Second Life Groups by Group Founder Wayfinder Wishbringer Elf Clan is known for being a friendly, peaceful, harmonious group. Most of our members and visitors are very honorable, respectful and polite. We have a lot of fun here in building, scripting, chatting, and hosting full-blown events. However, on occasion a new member for some reason believes our group should bow to his/her personal opinion and whims. In some instances, that person can be very insistant about it. This is what many refer to as "drama". In the interest of maintaining peace and harmony in the face of people-of-drama, let us state a simple fact: Reality check for all members and visitors: you are guests in our home. Those who do not respect that fact, will be removed. Every visitor to this land (whether a newbie, a member, or even a resident) is a guest here. A guest is expected to treat the homeowners with respect and abide by the rules of the house. Failing to do so is ill-mannered, with predictable consequences. We are pleased to present these lands in an open, "feel free to explore" manner (many lands are not so open). All that Elf Clan asks is respect for those who have worked hard to create and manage this group and lands. HOW IS ELF CLAN GOVERNED? Every organization has some sort of government. Elf Clan is an Elven Fantasy group. It was created by Founder and Eldar Wayfinder Wishbringer. The lands are provided by Eldar Peter Lioncourt. Elf Clan is conducted as a beneavolent monarchy. Wayfinder is assisted by Peter and chosen members (Greeters) in conducting this group, as well as an Elven Council. Basically, Elf Clan has guildelines and actual rules, and even the Eldars follow those rules. Anarchy and chaos is always destructive. Can we imagine what it would be like if Elf Clan were run by the whims and opinions of any antisocial member? Wait... yes we can. Just take a look at the Mainland. Is there anyone who would like to trade the peace and beauty of Elf Clan for rotating advertising signs, garbage builds and security barriers to prevent us from freely moving about the lands? Our policies keep our lands beautiful and peaceful. WHAT ELF CLAN IS NOT... Elf Clan is not a corporation with a board of directors. It is not a democracy. Policy is not decided by vote. Members are welcome and encouraged to provide suggestions and feedback, but any member who attempts to enforce their personal whims on this group would be stepping over the line (again, it is an Elven Fantasy Monarcy). Elf Clan policy with such "drama queens" is simple: one warning, then if the attitude continues, zero tolerance. This policy helps keep our land peaceful and harmonious. THE RESULTS Sadly, on occasion a visitor will be ill-mannered and disruptive. Out of necessity, our policy for handling such people is a simple one: Zero Tolerance. We remove the source of the disturbance. If offenders later clean up their act and attitude, they are welcomed back. If not, well, it's no longer our problem. While those people often bad-mouth Elf Clan and its leaders, such is not surprising. Disruptive people abound on Second Life. We try to ignore them. It has consistently proven throughout the history of our group that those of honorable, trustworthy nature, those who love peace and friendship are drawn to Elf Clan. Those who thrive on drama, backstabbing and politics don't last very long. As a result, Elf Clan lands tend to be a fun place to hang out. Our members tend to feel "safe" here, knowing that group policies are designed not to restrict, but to provide a truly FREE environment... one free of drama and harassment. We hope you find Elf Clan enjoyable. We're glad to have you visit. That's it. No need to read further unless you enjoy behind-the-scenes details. : ) For those who wish more insight into the reasons behind our policies... Second Life society is far from harmonious and peaceful. Sometimes even in Elf Clan we are forced to deal with difficult people. Following is a frank discussion of Group Policy. IT IS A PUZZLEMENT It is difficult to understand why people will join a group founded by others, on lands paid for by others, and for some reason think they have should have equal say in how that group and lands are operated. (We appreciate and encourage suggestions and feedback. When that turns to arrogance and attitude, we become less appreciative). Even more puzzling, why do people join a group, claim to love the group and love the lands, and then try to change things? (If it ain't broke, don't fix it). If someone enters someone else's home in "real life" and acts in a disruptive manner, they will quite likely be removed from that home... by the police if necessary. Should they expect any different on Second Life? Everyone knows that in real life we do not enter someone else's home and try to tell that person (or persons) how to run it, or abuse our welcome there. Yet in Second Life, some people seem to thrive on disruption and harassment of others and for some reason have the mistaken idea that social concepts here differ from those in RL. They don't. This is our home. Respect is required. So that this is minimalized in Elf Clan, we have a simple rule: No Drama. Those that break that rule are quickly shown the door. We force no one to belong to Elf Clan. There are thousands of groups on Second Life from which members can choose. People enjoy Elf Clan because we are very peaceful and friendly. The Eldars founded this group and paid for the lands. The Greeters keep it operational. Our residents make it beautiful. It is our home. No member (new or old, visitor or resident) has the right to enter our home and try to force us to run it according to his or her individual perceptions. Bottom line: Just like anywhere else, SL or RL, our home, our rules. We are open to suggestions. We truly appreciate feedback. But we will not be dictated to by members-with-attitude. HOW ELF CLAN IS RUN... and WHY As previously stated, Elf Clan is not a "democracy". (In truth, some people question whether the United States is truly a democracy. When was the last time you got to vote on gasoline price regulation?). Elf Clan is not governed according to the policies of the United States legal system, is not operated according to the structure of the U.S. Supreme Court, and it is definitely NOT ruled by the individual whims of members of this group (even the Eldars follow the Elf Clan Charter). Elf Clan is not ruled by "majority rule". Here, "due process of law" is according to Elven Fantasy theme (basically, "the king makes the rules"). Most people understand the basic concept of such genre. The United States does not require honor of its citizens. We do. In RL people can be total jackasses and as long as they don't break the law, they can continue in such fashion. Here, being a jackass IS breaking the law and will get one removed from these lands. Elf Clan is based on the concepts of Honor, Respect and Friendship. Honor is actually LAW here. No such laws exist in RL government. Here, if ones are repeatedly disrespectful to an Eldar or Greeter, they quickly learn the consequences of attitude. Here, a person is either honorable, or they are gone. No court date. No trial by jury. No right of appeals. Fantasy genre. Don't mess with the dragons. That doesn't mean Elf Clan is tyranical or dictatorial. Just the opposite. The Eldars created Elf Clan for the benfit of the members. There are rules to follow, but those rules are designed to protect our members, not control them. Members obviously like the way Elf Clan is operated, or they wouldn't hang around. Historically, the only "dictators" and "tyrants" have been those individuals who tried to force the entire group to run according to their personal concepts of "how-things-are". Their methods and attitudes are destructive rather than constructive, their divisive natures detrimental to group peace. Such individuals, rather than looking out for the common good are usually only interested in their own viewpoints, what they themselves want, and rarely if ever look beyond that to what the group needs as a whole. Drama Queens. Anyone who is histrionic (prone to emotional extremes), quick to take offense, who always looks on the negative side of things or who shows disrespect for others (and especially disrespect for an Eldar or a Greeter), will not remain in this group. We have little tolerance for disrespect, and zero tolerance for intentionally disruptive attitudes and drama. Our rules are not tyranical, nor do they constrict us. Just the opposite: they preserve true freedom--- freedom to enjoy peace and harmony and beauty, freedom to relax in a nice environment, freedom from chaos and garbage, and freedom from abusive members. Enabling Others In the past it has been necessary to remove heavily-offensive members from Elf Clan. On occasion, it has been necessary to ask their friends to leave as well. Why? Because their friends copped an attitude. Some felt they were being "loyal" to the offender, remaining that person's friend "no matter what". In doing so however, they were being disloyal to their other friends in Elf Clan. That's their choice. Our choice is to keep these lands free of such issues. Most are acquainted with the concept of "enabling". To encourage someone in abusive and offensive behavior is a disservice both to that person, and the victims of their actions. These people try to harm others, either through lies, slanders, propaganda, property damage, or even direct assault. We will not tell anyone who they can or cannot pick as friends. It would be unreasonable however, to expect to remain on these lands while actively supporting someone who has attacked our members and group. Those who decide against Elf Clan can enjoy SL elsewhere. Not too surprisingly, Elf Clan finds no real need for drama queens or those who support them. We tend to do pretty well without them. Go figure. SL FALLS SHORT IN SECURITY ISSUES Unfortunately on Second Life, people can lie, slander, and even present falsified "evidence"... because there is no system set up to make them accountable for unethical or even criminal activities. In real life... they would be sued or arrested, or if they messed with the wrong person, might experience more direct consequences. On Second Life, there is little in the way of accountability, and beating them to a pulp simply isn't effective. Second Life security really doesn't meet its users needs. Consequences for actions are few and far between, with the victims all to often getting the short end of the stick. Although It is understandable why Linden Lab doesn't adjucate ethical abuses or antisocial behavior (they simply don't have the time to mess with such nonsense), system policies leave much to be desired in protecting their users against abusive personalities. Security could be stepped up. Land bans could be enforced at ID-level. "Malicious behavior" could be added to the TOS list of offenses and people allowed to file grievances with evidence. Some may claim this cannot be done. However, chat boards and forums everywhere prove that it can be done, and many have far more active members than Second Life. Their rules are simple: when someone is abusive to other members, they are warned once, then banned from the system. They don't put up with repeat instances, much less consistently bad attitude. Such moderation is conducted by volunteers, with right of appeal to the host if someone disagrees with a moderator decision. Seems to work for them. Should work for Second Life. Agreed some people are against concepts of Second Life moderators. They're also usually the ones who cause the problems. Lack of moderation is why we see so many social problems on SL (and perhaps, in RL as well). Because of these problems, Sim owners are forced to handle such issues ourselves. Unfortunately, the only tool currently at our disposal is to BAN those who cause problems. It's a shame that we don't have more effective tools such as calling a moderator or the ability of "session freeze" or "perma freeze" (which would freeze an abusive person as long as they remained in our land during that login session, or even every time they enter the land), but that's how it is. Since banning is the only tool we have, that is the tool we use. We send the trouble-makers elsewhere. HOW TO BENEFIT FROM ELF CLAN Elf Clan is a friendly and honorable place-- for friendly and honorable people. Like one member said, "In Elf Clan, we where we stand. It's all up front and clearly stated. We know what is expected and that protects the group." True words. We treat everyone fairly and equally, and with great friendship if they will permit us to do so. Elf Clan and its lands are for people who like it and respect it, not for those who don't. Check egos and attitude at the door, or check out. As always, to our respectful and loyal members, my very best wishes. It has proven true time and again that problem users leave or are removed, while Elf Clan continues on and is constantly revitalized by new members and new ideas and new projects. The right people, those of honorable outlook and heart, are attracted to the orderly and friendly way this group is operated. You are most welcome. -- Wayfinder Wishbringer Founder, Elf Clan