August Squires [continued]

Once a member has proven himself to the best of his ability in the Squires, an August Knight will motion for a full membership vote. This will be followed by a discussion regarding the Squire's qualifications for Knighthood. If and when the Chief Executive Officer is satisfied with the discussion, he will initiate a vote. In order for the vote to qualify, a minimum of 80% of active August Knights must participate. The options will be the same as a Squirehood vote: Yea, Delay, or Nay. For a Squire to be Knighted, he must receive unanimous Yay votes. Failing that, if a majority of the non-Yea votes are Nay, the Squire will be permanently rejected. Otherwise, the Squire will be eligible for another full membership vote when those who were in favor of a delay are ready to vote in the affirmative or negative.

August Knights

Once a member has achieved Knight status, he is guaranteed that position for the rest of his life, so long as he stays in good standing with the organization. Knights are expected to continue to participate in the organization, particularly in the forums. Knights are given all the rights and privileges that the August Knights has to offer to standard full members. These include access to the private Staff Meetings forum, membership on the Knights mailing list, and considerally more influence in the operations of the August Knights. For instance, Knights are given the right to participate in Squire and Knight votes, as well as various issue polls which shape August Knights policy.

In the event that a Knight acts in a manner unbecoming Knighthood, he will receive counsel by his superior officer. If a Knight displays a pattern of unbecoming behavior, a disciplinary hearing will be convened at the order of the Council of Elders.

Participation in Other Gaming Organizations

While not encouraged, the participation of August Knights members in gaming activities with other organizations is not expressly prohibited under most circumstances. Unfortunately, there are often periods in which no single game strikes the fancy of a majority of members. During these times, it may be impossible to organize the requisite number of members for a competitive ladder or MMO guild. Thus, it may become necessary for members to seek other organizations which can fully satisfy their gaming needs, and this is allowed. However, joining a different organization to participate in a game that the August Knights is actively playing as a group is prohibited, and may warrant expulsion from the August Knights. Members who join other gaming organizations are expected to have the common decency to inform the membership via the forums.

Disciplinary Hearings

Disciplinary hearings are to be used sparingly as a remedy for conduct unbecoming a Knight. A disciplinary hearing is a very serious matter and will almost certainly tarnish the reputation of any Knight or Squire who is found in need of this course of action. To initiate a disciplinary hearing for a Knight:

-A member must be found to have a pattern of unbecoming behavior.

-Evidence of this pattern must be included in a recommendation presented to the Council of Elders. This recommendation should also include proposed actions that should be taken in the event of a guilty verdict in the hearing.

-The Council of Elders will consider the recommendation and vote on whether there is a basis for proceeding with a hearing. A unanimous vote with 100% participation is required to move on the recommendation.

To initiate a disciplinary hearing for a Squire:

-The Chief Recruiter will have found that the Squire has exhibited behavior unbecoming the Knighthood.

-Evidence of this pattern must be included in a recommendation presented to the Council of Elders. This recommendation should also include proposed actions that should be taken in the event of a guilty verdict in the hearing.

-The Council of Elders will consider the recommendation and vote on whether there is a basis for proceeding with a hearing. A simple majority with 100% participation is required to move on the recommendation.

The procedure for a disciplinary hearing is as follows:

-The Chief Executive Officer will preside over the proceedings, which will be held in a private Ventrilo channel or a temporary private forum.

-The member under review will be expected to represent himself in the hearing.

-Council members will question the member under review and decide upon an appropriate course of action.

-For Knights, a revocation of membership can only occur with a unanimous vote. For Squires, revocation can come with a simple majority.

Inactivity

Knights and Squires are expected to maintain a minimal level of activity--posting in the forums and/or playing online games with other members--in order to remain in good standing with the organization. Thus, a Knight or Squire may be removed from the organization without notice after one or more years of inactivity.

Domestic Tranquility

The August Knights is an adult organization of gamers. Hence, many of our members are likely married or otherwise engaged in meaningful relationships with members of the opposite sex. Additionally, many members have parental responsibilities that should not be ignored for the sake of participating in any AK function or online resource. For the sake of ensuring the domestic tranquility of our membership, we strongly encourage our members to take at least two days per week away from the computer, away from the games, and away from the boards, and spend that precious time with those that should matter the most in our lives. The August Knights have no desire whatsoever to have the blood of a failed relationship upon our hands, so let’s all remember to put family first.