CHARTER - Puddlebean Ornithological Society

1. Purpose.

• To promote the study and enjoyment of birds among interested citizens of the Lok'groton Islands.

2. Objectives.

• Maintain standards of scientific credulity.


• Promote the study and enjoyment of birding among Fellow ornithologists and nonmember amateur birders.


• Protect members and nonmembers of the birdwatching community from dangers associated with birding, through education and through self-defense.


• Promote a positive image and reputation for the Society within the Community of Puddleby.

3. Membership and Leadership.

• Members shall be identified as Fellows (rank and file members) and Peers (members of the Ruling Council of Peers).


• All members shall be ornithologists of reputable standing.


• The first seven Society Founders shall form the Ruling Council of Peers, within which all decision authority, except Charter revision, shall be vested. Decisions shall be by majority vote (no less than 4 Peers consenting), except as specifically noted in this Charter.


• Should a Peer depart the Society, or choose to vacate his or her position on the Ruling Council of Peers to become a Fellow, the remaining Peers, upon unanimous consent, shall elect a replacement Peer from among Society Fellows.


• Fellows shall be admitted to the Society upon unanimous consent of the Ruling Council of Peers. Only individuals of high repute, competence, and credibility shall admitted.


• The Ruling Council of Peers shall select, from their own ranks and by majority vote, one individual to serve as Spokesperson. Term of office shall be until a majority of Peers select another Spokesperson. The Spokesperson shall serve at the pleasure of the council to:


• Serve as the Society's Ambassador of Good Will to such organizations, institutions, and Government as may exist within the Community of Puddleby.


• Represent and carry out the will of the Council of Peers in all matters.


• Schedule and chair meetings of the Council of Peers, guiding discussion and maintaining order.


• If a Peer is not available to attend a meeting, and an issue requires unanimous consent, the issue shall be deferred until the Peer may cast his or her vote.


• All decisions of the Council of Peers shall be posted on scrolls for viewing by Fellows and Peers.


• Fellows shall have the right to petition for decisions from the Council of Peers.


• The Council of Peers may meet in closed or open session, not needing the attendance of Fellows, as it determines by majority vote.

4. Standards of Comportment.

• Fellows and Peers shall refrain from engaging in actions, behavior, or words which bring discredit to the Society, harm its reputation, or detract from attainment of Society objectives. Fellows and Peers shall, by their actions, present a positive image for the Society and for the study of birds.


• All writings for publication regarding the areas of interest of the Society (e.g. the study of birds and any ancillary topics) shall be submitted for Peer review to the Council of Peers. A majority vote to approve such documents is required prior to publication.


• Members shall refrain from engaging in violence against other citizens of Puddleby, except as justified by self-defense or with advance consent of all participating parties.


• The Ruling Council of Peers is the authority which shall judge members accused of violating the Standards of Comportment. Censure shall require a 5/7 majority vote of Peers; removal from the Countil of Peers shall require a majority vote of all Peers minus one; expulsion from the Society shall require unanimous Peer consent.


• Neither the Society nor The Ruling Council of Peers shall attempt to rule the lives of its members, save as it bears upon the study of birds and the advancement of Society objectives as explained in this Charter. Strong central authority within the Society is established for the sole purpose of assuring that appropriate standards are applied to ornithological pursuits.

5. Finance and Property.

• The Ruling Council of Peers shall have the authority to collect modest fees from members and contributions from nonmembers, for the purpose of obtaining such properties as are determined to be required by the Ruling Council of Peers. Mandatory fees may be imposed only through the unanimous consent of Peers. Voluntary donations may be accepted without a vote.


• The Ruling Council of Peers shall appoint a Financial Officer from among the membership of the Society. The Financial Officer shall safeguard all coins collected to service needs of the Society, shall apply funds in accordance with direction from the Council of Peers, and shall maintain an accounting of coins collected and disbursed. If a non-Peer is selected for this position, the Financial Officer shall attend meetings of the Ruling Council of Peers as a non-voting advisor, as directed by the Spokesperson.


• Buildings and personal property owned or leased by the Ruling Council of Peers shall be managed, safeguarded, and allocated by the Financial Officer as directed by the Council of Peers.

6. Charter Amendments.

• Amendments to this charter shall be approved upon, first, ratification by no less than 5 of 7 Peers and, second, by no less than 2/3 of Fellows.


• Amendments to this charter may be proposed by any Fellow or Peer.

7. OOC - Multiple Characters.

• A single player may enroll more than one character in the Society, following the Charter procedure for admission.


• A single player who enrolls one or more characters in the Society shall be free to play other characters who are not members, or are even members of other clans or organizations.


• If a player has enrolled more than one character in the Society, only one of those characters may vote on any one issue. The other characters shall abstain.


• A single player may have a maximum of one character on the Ruling Council of Peers.


• No more than 20 players shall have characters who are Society Fellows or Peers. We seek to excel through quality, not quantity.

8. OOC - Out of Character Discussion and Conduct.

• Players are encouraged to role-play, and have fun role-playing.


• OOC discussions are permitted _if_ handled discreetly. Preferentially, such discusions shall take place in the Fairgrounds or via \thinkto sunstone messages or \whispers. If engaging in OOC discussions in any other manner, care shall be taken to assure that participants in the discussion are willing to partake of it, and that casual passers-by are not subjected to OOC discussions.


• An exception: it is permissable to warn nearby characters if a player is experiencing "bad weather" (serious lag and screen locks may be mentioned). This is permitted because such "weather" can mean impending disconnection and can affect the safety of the individual experiencing the "bad weather" and the safety of those nearby.

9. OOC - Pursuit of Excellence.

• Fellows and Peers shall be selected in part on their demonstrated pursuit of excellence in the Clan Lord world. Excellence is demonstrated by:


• Demonstrated ability to advance in abilities above the norm.


• Demonstrated ability to role-play and add to the enjoyment of other players.


• Demonstrated good citizenship: sharing with and \thanking those who help, assisting others, courtesy, kindness. This does not mean that members must be gregarious - some may prefer to hunt solo often, and that is acceptable - but it does mean that their social interactions are characterized by good citizenship.


• A well-honed sense of humor is an absolute requirement for Fellows and Peers in the Puddlebean Ornithological Society, and is considered a primary trait of Excellence. We desire to associate with people who want to have fun and who enjoy laughter. Grim, irascible, and asocial people are not welcome, regardless of their other qualities.