Proposed 09 August 2023, D&I Chief Officer
Seconded by Gettysburg, NEPA, and Minnesota.
Summary: Policy - Adds a National Code of Ethics for use, guidance, and enforcement. This Code of Ethics will be included in the Alliance Rulebook for publication.
Change:
Adds:
Code of Ethics
No matter who you are portraying or how you support the game, all attendees must abide by our Code of Ethics. This includes player characters, non-player characters, staff members, and everyone else at every Alliance event.
Part of being all that you can't be is that we allow and encourage players to portray a wide variety of characters. This includes characters who do not share your assigned gender at birth, sexuality, or other characteristics. In Alliance you can be all that you can’t be. Part of that is an opportunity to be who truly are in a safe and welcoming environment.
However, it must be noted that there is no free pass for bad behavior. If a person were to exhibit repeated or egregious offensive behaviors, they would no longer be welcome at Alliance games. Also, there are behaviors and terms that are outright racist, sexist, or homophobic. There is no grace for overt or repeated bigotry.
If you feel safe and comfortable expressing to a fellow player why their behavior is uncomfortable or harmful, help them understand. If you are given an opportunity to grow by being informed that one or more of your actions has caused harm or discomfort, listen openly and take the opportunity without judgment. Everyone is on a different part of their journey, understanding that goes both ways. A player shall not be ostracized or retaliated against when they are making an honest attempt to learn.
Where possible, include all individuals without targeting any particular player based on their out of game race, gender, sexuality, or disabilities. Even with good intentions, this can be isolating and alienating. Treat all individuals with dignity, respect, and empathy. We meet our players where they are at.
We do not tolerate exclusion of players with disabilities which would still allow them to safely play the game. We do not tolerate intentional misgendering and calling individuals by a “dead” name (a name they no longer go by.) Any intentional disrespect or attempts to make others feel unwelcome are not tolerated. Willfully or knowingly causing out-of-game emotional, psychological, or physical distress is not tolerated.
We have adjudication systems in place, but arguing with staff and marshals regarding rules calls on the field is disruptive to the game. Using skills, magic items, and consumables you do not have or are not qualified to use is cheating.
Remember that we are not enemies off the field, and the field can be physically hazardous at times due to the nature of the game environment. Call out environmental hazards such as trip hazards, let your fellow players know if you see them moving into unsafe terrain, be mindful of where your props and weapons are.
Any player is empowered to call a hold or ask for unsafe behavior to be stopped.
This means looking at needed changes and adjustments and giving them a chance for consideration. We have room to grow and change, even if something has been done the same way since the start of the game. Facing forward means looking for the changes that can take us to the next level, and striving toward stability through excellence.
Speak up and empower others to submit their suggestions. Consider how changes impact the health of the game, not just what it means for you. As individuals and as teams, we can incorporate change into intriguing and immersive storylines as the game grows with us.
We do not tolerate personal attacks on people proposing changes. Give space for proposed changes to be considered without belittling the proposal.
Implicit boundaries do not have to be stated to be respected - for instance, unless a player consents to be touched more than brief contact, body contact should be limited. When a player gives their or their character's pronouns, an implicit boundary exists that they shall not be expected to respond to other pronouns.
We are mindful of the boundaries of others and understand that consent can be revoked at any time. We do not tolerate harassment, coercion, or coaxing.
We all have different upbringings and ideologies. When we are together in the world of Fortannis, consent is a key part of respecting boundaries of others.
Consent should be:
Vote: Establish Alliance Official Code of Ethics [PASS]
The following chapters voted for this policy: Crossroads, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Gettysburg, Wisconsin, Northeast PA
The following chapters voted against this policy: None.
Synopsis of Conversations: Brief conversation was positive, pointing out that the Code of Ethics follows established best practices and professional standards for modern organizations.
Seconded by Gettysburg, NEPA, and Minnesota.
Summary: Policy - Adds a National Code of Ethics for use, guidance, and enforcement. This Code of Ethics will be included in the Alliance Rulebook for publication.
Change:
Adds:
Code of Ethics
No matter who you are portraying or how you support the game, all attendees must abide by our Code of Ethics. This includes player characters, non-player characters, staff members, and everyone else at every Alliance event.
Our Ethics
This Code of Ethics is from a standpoint of good faith and decency. If you are not willing to act in good faith, that is a breach of the Alliance LARP rules, with consequences up to and including removal from the game.Part of being all that you can't be is that we allow and encourage players to portray a wide variety of characters. This includes characters who do not share your assigned gender at birth, sexuality, or other characteristics. In Alliance you can be all that you can’t be. Part of that is an opportunity to be who truly are in a safe and welcoming environment.
Be Gracious
We are all learning and developing every day. If honest attempts are made to accept fault, grow, and develop from a situation please react graciously. As we are all a work in progress, we will be looking for that same grace at some point down the road.However, it must be noted that there is no free pass for bad behavior. If a person were to exhibit repeated or egregious offensive behaviors, they would no longer be welcome at Alliance games. Also, there are behaviors and terms that are outright racist, sexist, or homophobic. There is no grace for overt or repeated bigotry.
If you feel safe and comfortable expressing to a fellow player why their behavior is uncomfortable or harmful, help them understand. If you are given an opportunity to grow by being informed that one or more of your actions has caused harm or discomfort, listen openly and take the opportunity without judgment. Everyone is on a different part of their journey, understanding that goes both ways. A player shall not be ostracized or retaliated against when they are making an honest attempt to learn.
Be Inclusive
We accept and acknowledge players where they are in terms of needs, capabilities, and comfort. We strive to create stories that are accessible to the widest range of our player base and make reasonable accommodations whenever possible. Allow players to pivot off potentially triggering modules, and inform players of potential physical, emotional, or psychological triggers associated with modules or encounters.Where possible, include all individuals without targeting any particular player based on their out of game race, gender, sexuality, or disabilities. Even with good intentions, this can be isolating and alienating. Treat all individuals with dignity, respect, and empathy. We meet our players where they are at.
We do not tolerate exclusion of players with disabilities which would still allow them to safely play the game. We do not tolerate intentional misgendering and calling individuals by a “dead” name (a name they no longer go by.) Any intentional disrespect or attempts to make others feel unwelcome are not tolerated. Willfully or knowingly causing out-of-game emotional, psychological, or physical distress is not tolerated.
Act With Integrity
This is a game based on an honor system. We expect players to act with integrity and to play fairly for the sake of everyone’s fun. Take your hits, mark off your used daily abilities on your battle board, destroy or turn in spent item tags appropriately, and follow the rules.We have adjudication systems in place, but arguing with staff and marshals regarding rules calls on the field is disruptive to the game. Using skills, magic items, and consumables you do not have or are not qualified to use is cheating.
Play Nice
Fighting can be safe and fun. We watch each other's backs to make sure that there is no danger to other players. We are in this hobby to nurse fictional injuries in the tavern, not real ones.Remember that we are not enemies off the field, and the field can be physically hazardous at times due to the nature of the game environment. Call out environmental hazards such as trip hazards, let your fellow players know if you see them moving into unsafe terrain, be mindful of where your props and weapons are.
Any player is empowered to call a hold or ask for unsafe behavior to be stopped.
Face Forward
We look toward progress and developments that help us move forward as an organization.This means looking at needed changes and adjustments and giving them a chance for consideration. We have room to grow and change, even if something has been done the same way since the start of the game. Facing forward means looking for the changes that can take us to the next level, and striving toward stability through excellence.
Speak up and empower others to submit their suggestions. Consider how changes impact the health of the game, not just what it means for you. As individuals and as teams, we can incorporate change into intriguing and immersive storylines as the game grows with us.
We do not tolerate personal attacks on people proposing changes. Give space for proposed changes to be considered without belittling the proposal.
Respect Boundaries
To respect boundaries, it is important to understand explicit and implicit boundaries within the rules system and with fellow players. Review the rule on Body Contact in the Alliance Rulebook. Other explicit boundaries include Chapter policies about physical roleplay and romantic roleplay negotiations and consent, as well as a player's stated boundaries.Implicit boundaries do not have to be stated to be respected - for instance, unless a player consents to be touched more than brief contact, body contact should be limited. When a player gives their or their character's pronouns, an implicit boundary exists that they shall not be expected to respond to other pronouns.
We are mindful of the boundaries of others and understand that consent can be revoked at any time. We do not tolerate harassment, coercion, or coaxing.
We all have different upbringings and ideologies. When we are together in the world of Fortannis, consent is a key part of respecting boundaries of others.
Consent should be:
- Freely Given
- Reversible
- Informed
- Enthusiastic
- Specific
Vote: Establish Alliance Official Code of Ethics [PASS]
The following chapters voted for this policy: Crossroads, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Gettysburg, Wisconsin, Northeast PA
The following chapters voted against this policy: None.
Synopsis of Conversations: Brief conversation was positive, pointing out that the Code of Ethics follows established best practices and professional standards for modern organizations.