Ravenswatch Gaming is an 18+ gaming community playing MMOs or other multiplayer games together. We strive to be a small, but active community and a place to hang out, game, and have a good time. We offer many ways to ensure our members can always jump in and game together including a dedicated hosting platform available to all members for free. We are a chill group, but we are not politically-correct; if you’re looking for a safe-space, this isn’t it.

This charter outlines the structure, roles, and guidelines that govern our community. Too often we have seen communities fall apart due to in-fighting and a lack of unified vision in how they operate. The goal of this charter is to be direct with our intentions and avoid conflicts by ensuring all members understand how Ravenswatch operates. The expectations described herein applies equally to all members regardless of their role in the community.

1. Membership Ranks

Overview:

At Ravenswatch, we aim to be as “rankless” as possible, fostering an environment where every member feels equal and valued. However, we recognize that some structure is necessary to drive engagement, maintain organization, and ensure the smooth operation of our community. The following ranks exist to define roles and responsibilities within Ravenswatch.

1.1 Visitors (Public)

  • Description: Visitors are welcome to hang out in chat, play games with us, and engage with the community in public settings but do not want to join the community. They are newcomers exploring what Ravenswatch has to offer.
  • Permissions: Visitors have limited access to chat, games, and other resources, generally restricted to public areas, although some exceptions may apply on a case-by-case basis.
  • Notes: Visitors do not receive a specific role and are considered guests in our community.

1.2 Affiliate (Alliance)

  • Description: Affiliates are members of allied guilds or communities who collaborate with Ravenswatch. They help strengthen our external relationships and participate in joint activities.
  • Permissions: Granted access to specific secure channels on an as-needed basis.
  • Notes: Affiliates represent external alliances and are vital for inter-community cooperation.

1.3 Aspirant (Applicant)

  • Description: Aspirants are individuals who have expressed a desire to join Ravenswatch and are in the process of becoming full members. This allows us to get to know potential members before they become fully integrated into the community.
  • Process:
    • The application is defined by the Council and may be accepted or rejected at their discretion.
    • Council may delegate the applicant review process to a specific Council member or other trusted member(s).
    • While their application is under review, they hold the same permissions as Visitors.

1.4 Member

  • Description: Members are the core of Ravenswatch: full members who have been accepted into the community. They are those who have committed to us, and we value their dedication and participation.
  • Permissions:
    • May participate in any game the community plays.
    • Access to guild/organization-only areas and resources.
    • Access to our hosting platform.
  • Criteria:
    • Demonstrated commitment to Ravenswatch.
    • No doubts regarding loyalty or willingness to game with the community.
  • Admission:
    • Council or any of their delegates may admit a new Member using their judgment if the criteria are met.

1.5 Council

  • Description: The Council comprises senior leadership members who lead active divisions and are responsible for major decisions within the community. They ensure that the community’s direction aligns with our goals and values.
  • Permissions:
    • Voting rights on all community and game matters.
    • May expel Members from the community.
  • Appointment:
    • Council Members are added or removed through a 3/4 majority Council vote.
    • Must be a representitive or leader of an active division within the community.
    • There are 2x as many Council seats as there are active divisions.
    • These procedures and limitations are not applicable to Founders, and Founders do not count towards the number of Council seats.
  • Notes:
    • If a Council member’s game is no longer active, their seat is dissolved.
    • Council Members must have a note indicating the game they represent.
    • All official community services, including in-game guild ownership, community assets, servers, Discord, or any other platforms, must be owned or directly controlled by a Council Member, except if the Council grants an exception.

1.6 Founder

  • Description: Those foundational members who laid the groundwork for Ravenswatch or who have made significant contributions to the community.
  • Permissions:
    • Founders are permenant Council members and inherit all Council permissions.
  • Appointment:
    • Founders are permenant positions and cannot be removed, except through resignation.
    • Additional founders may be appointed by unanimous Council vote as a honorary title for a member who has made significant contributions to the community.
    • There will be no more than 3 founders at any time.
  • Notes:
    • Founders may choose to be identified by a unique title or role, at their discretion, otherwise they are simply considered Council members.

1.7 Other Elevated Roles

  • Description: Functional roles that may be assigned to members who have demonstrated a commitment to the community and are actively engaged in specific games or platforms. These roles are not official ranks but may be necessary for certain games or situations.
  • Permissions:
    • Varies by game and role.
    • Council may delegate specific permissions to these roles at their discretion.
    • Voting rights or the ability to permenantly expel members may not be delegated.
  • Examples:
    • In games like ESO, someone who may withdraw items from the guild bank.
    • A squad leader in a game like Star Citizen who is responsible for organizing a group of players.
    • A moderator in Discord who can help remove spam or unwanted content.
    • A recruiter who can add new members to the community.
  • Process:
    • Elevated roles are assigned at the discretion of the Council or in-game leadership.
    • They may be temporary or permanent, depending on the situation.
  • Notes:
    • Titles and permissions will vary on a case-by-case basis to suit the specific requirements of the situation.

2. Voting Procedures

Overview:

Voting is an essential part of our community governance, allowing members in leadership roles to have a say in decisions that affect Ravenswatch. This ensures transparency and collective agreement on important matters.

2.1 General Guidelines

  • Duration:
    • Standard votes are open for 72 hours to allow ample time for participation from all eligible voters.
  • Participation:
    • Non-participation in a vote is considered an abstention.
    • Vote outcomes are determined solely by the participating voters.
  • Process:
    • Official votes are conducted via a poll in a Council-designated location.
    • Voting options typically include Yes, No, and Abstain.
  • Expectations:
    • Council Members are expected to honor the results of all votes, maintaining integrity in our decision-making process.

3. Divisions

Overview:

Divisions are the cornerstone of our community’s structure, representing the games we play and organizing our members around shared interests. They allow us to coordinate effectively within games and enhance the overall gaming experience.

3.1 Active Divisions

  • Definition: Active Divisions are games that the community regularly plays and actively recruits for.
  • Orgnaization:
    • Each division leader is granted freedom to organize their division as they see fit, including the creation of events and other resources, within any constraints that may be set by Council.
  • Leadership:
    • Each Active Division is led by a Council Member who serves as the guildmaster or principal leader in that game.
  • Considerations:
    • When establishing a new Division, consider the impact on leadership roles, community resources, and the potential for growth.
  • Purpose:
    • Active Divisions receive dedicated channels and resources to support their activities, fostering teamwork and community growth.

3.2 Inactive Divisions

  • Process:
    • A Division may be marked inactive by a Council vote if it no longer has significant community engagement.
    • Upon deactivation, all associated services, channels, and other resources will be removed to ensure the community stays focused on active games. However, limited resources may be retained per the Other Games guidelines.
    • In-game guilds or organizations may be retained for possible future use.
  • Purpose:
    • Ensures that community resources are focused on active and engaging games.
  • Notes:
    • Before marking a Division inactive, ensure that all members understand that most channels will be deleted, not archived or mothballed.

3.3 Other Games

  • Participation:
    • Members are encouraged to play any game they wish, even if it’s not an Active Division.
  • Organization:
    • Games not designated as Active Divisions can use community channels or any other designated channels to coordinate play.
    • Council may designate specific areas for these games to help organize them.
    • Council may santion some games as Community Games that are regularly maintained by the community as a whole, but do not have the same structured format as an Active Division. These may be dedicated persistent game servers that we host for the community to enjoy or any other something similar.
  • Leadership:
    • These games do not necessarily have a dedicated leader. Any member may adopt a leadership role in these games, but this does not confer any special permissions or authority.
    • Council may also appoint a member to lead these games if they are actively recruiting or organizing events.
    • If a game becomes popular with a significant number of members, it may be considered for promotion to an Active Division.
  • Community Engagement:
    • This allows members to share their interests and possibly foster new Divisions in the future.
  • Purpose:
    • The flexibility ensures that Ravenswatch remains inclusive of various gaming interests and encourages exploration of new games.

4. Code of Conduct

At Ravenswatch, we are committed to creating a positive and enjoyable gaming environment for everyone. Our Code of Conduct outlines the expectations for all members to ensure a respectful and fun community. These rules are essential for maintaining harmony and ensuring that all members have a great experience.

4.1 Be Respectful

  • Do not be excessively rude, disrespectful, or intentionally problematic.
  • Treat others how you want to be treated.
  • Purpose: Fosters a welcoming environment where all members feel valued and respected.

4.2 No Spam or Unauthorized Promotion

  • Refrain from spamming, self-promotion (including server invites, advertisements, etc.), or any other commonly unwanted posts without permission from a Council Member.
  • This rule also applies to direct messaging fellow members and actions taken in voice channels.
  • Purpose: Keeps our channels focused and free from unwanted or disruptive content.

4.3 Promote Teamwork and Fair Play

  • Work together so that everyone can have a good time.
  • Actions such as sabotaging a game, griefing, leaking battle plans, etc., are prohibited and may result in a ban.
  • Some games or events may have additional rules to support this goal.
  • Purpose: Ensures fair play and a positive gaming experience for all members.

4.4 No Illegal or Prohibited Content

  • Do not engage in sharing illegal content, participating in illegal actions, or willfully violating any Terms of Service.
  • This includes violations within any game or platform.
  • Purpose: Protects the community from legal issues and maintains our integrity.

4.5 Agreement to Charter

  • As a member of Ravenswatch, you acknowledge and agree to abide by the guidelines, roles, and processes outlined in this charter.
  • Members understand that failure to comply with the charter may result in disciplinary actions, including removal from the community.
  • Purpose: Ensures that all members are aware of the community’s expectations and guidelines.

4.6 Enjoy Your Time Here

  • This may seem obvious or even cliche, but we are all here to have a great time. While the overall tone of this charter is serious, its important to remember that everyone is here to play games together. Let’s not take things too seriously.
  • We want to work with everyone to ensure they enjoy their time here, but if you’re constantly bringing a bad attitude or negativity, you may be asked to take a break or leave.
  • Purpose: To promote open communication and ensure all members enjoy their time here.

5. Amendments

Overview: This charter is a living document and may be amended as needed to reflect the evolving needs of the community. Amendments can be proposed by any Council member and must be voted on by the Council.

  • Process:
    • Proposed amendments will have a period of at least 72 hours for discussion and feedback.
    • A Council vote will be conducted to determine if the amendment should be adopted.
    • A 3/4 majority is required for an amendment to pass.