OkinawaJET.com Forums Code of Conduct

PREAMBLE

The OkinawaJET.com Forums are a space in which members of OkinawaJET can come together in a virtual space to discuss, debate, ask advice, and interact. This Code of Conduct outlines unacceptable behaviour on these Forums. If you are a registered user you are expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct. Failure to do so could result in your account being terminated and, in extreme cases, will result in disciplinary action being lodged against you through official channels.

It is recommended that you periodically review this document in order to keep up to date with changes. Please note that it can be changed at any time and without notice by the moderators.

This document works together with the Terms and Conditions (hereafter "T&C's" ). Being a member of these forums, you have automatically agreed to both. While the T&C's act as a set of rules, this code of conduct acts as a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and guidelines upon which to base your behaviour.

Note also that ignorance is no excuse. If you fear that you are about to violate either the T&C's or the Code of Conduct, consult both documents to check.

HOW ARE THESE FORUMS LAID OUT?

The forums are divided into several sections. Some of these sections may interest you more than others. We recommend that you take the time to read the description of each forum section, and post your topics in the relevant section. The "Other Useful Stuff" section is there for you to post threads which may not fit into any of the other categories. This does not mean, however, that you can therein post threads which may contravene the T&C's. Repeated postings of threads in the wrong section could result in a warning from a moderator.

WHAT CAN I POST ABOUT?

You can post about pretty much anything that isn't illegal and doesn't contravene the T&C's. Feel free to add to existing topics in a positive manner.

Whilst a small amount of drifting off-topic is frequently allowed, if it happens too much it is a) annoying and b) likely to attract the attention of the moderators. You can safely meander off-topic in part of a post whilst still contributing something of value to the rest of your post. Take a moment to read over your response before you post it. If it contributes nothing towards the rest of the thread, would it perhaps be better as a new thread?

So, who decides what's offensive and what's not? Well, if you're thinking of starting a topic that you know is likely to offend people because of its content, think twice. Do you really need to post it? If it would make for a good discussion, perhaps consider your wording. If you are wanting to post a potentially-offensive image, we request that you post a link to it, with a warning, rather than the actual picture. This also does not give you the right to post images which are wholly offensive, non-constructive, or which contravene the T&C's.

To answer the question – you decide what's offensive. If you feel another user has made a post which has broken the T&C's or Code of Conduct, feel free to report the post to the moderators.

The most important thing to remember is that YOU are held accountable for what you post. If you make a libellous statement about an individual or organisation, it is YOU who will be held accountable, and YOU who can be prosecuted.

WHAT LANGUAGE CAN I POST IN?

Any language you like, but we request that you provide a full English or Japanese translation. English, though, is the lingua franca of these Forums.

AM I ANONYMOUS?

Absolutely not. Do not assume that because you're posting under a user name, you can create an alter ego or act out of character - particularly not in a negative manner. Just because you are not physically talking to a person, it does not give you the right to be rude to them. Remember that, unlike other Internet Forums, the moderators of the OkinawaJET.com Forums have full access to all your contact details, and that other members do know who you are.

USER 'X' IS CAUSING TROUBLE! WHAT CAN I DO?

Firstly, don't get involved in a hysterical argument with them. This is only likely to make things worse, and make you look bad in the process. If talking rationally does not help, feel free to report the offending post/s to the moderators. You can do this by clicking on the "report" button on a thread and filling in a report form. Please be sure, though, that what you are reporting is legitimately offensive.

THE MODERATOR DIDN'T DO WHAT I ASKED!

Just because you don't immediately see results, don't assume that action is not being taken. When you post a complaint, the mods will discuss the matter via email. This gives all moderators a chance to weigh in and offer advice and, if necessary, call a meeting to discuss the matter. Please give the moderators, at most, a week to resolve the problem. One of them will email you and explain what they have done and why.

WHO ARE THE MODERATORS?

Currently, the moderators are Lynn Miyahira (PA), Gabriel Crawford (PA), Chris Madole, Mick Lumsdon, Vaughn Weiss and Jacqui Toulson.

They are moderators because they hold an administrative role in the website. These moderators will change as people arrive on and leave the JET Programme, and take on different roles within the JET Programme.

HOW DO I BECOME A MODERATOR?

In one of two ways:
1)You become PA.
2)You get invited. Current moderators will decide whether they need more people to deal with increased traffic or services on the website. If you ask to become a moderator, you are also asking to become actively involved in the maintenance of the OkinawaJET website, including work on the website and occasional web team meetings.

THE MODERATOR DID SOMETHING BAD!

Moderators are bound by this Code of Conduct, too. They are expected to be respectful, level-headed and fair. They also have to act as two separate personalities: their normal user, and a moderator. When posting as a moderator, they will generally post in italics. Keep this in mind when responding to them either as a moderator or a user.

If you feel a mod has been rude or posted something inappropriate, feel free to go through the normal channels of reporting them. But please don't complain if a mod has not done something you asked them to. Remember that the reports go to all the moderators (and the PA's, by extension), and that they have all been consulted before going ahead with an action.

IN THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT, I SAID SOMETHING I REGRET. WHAT CAN I DO?

Think before you post next time. If you have a good reason, you can email one of the moderators asking for your post to be removed, and outlining the good reason.

I DID SOMETHING BAD. WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO ME?

Firstly, there will be a comment in the relevant thread.
If it was something serious, or a second offence, you could get an email or a phone call from a moderator or PA.
Continuation may result in you having your OkinawaJET.com publishing abilities removed, or being banned from the website altogether.

In very serious cases, such as where you have broken the law, you may be subject to JET Programme disciplinary procedures. Remember that neither OkinawaJET nor the JET Programme will protect members from civil or criminal charges.

WHAT AM I MOST LIKELY TO GET WARNED FOR?

The most common "warnable" offences are:
1)Going off-topic repeatedly and deliberately.
2)Being highly insulting and rude whilst not contributing constructively at all.
3)Offering or requesting copyright or otherwise illegal materials.

A FINAL NOTE

Remember that the moderators are not infallible, but that six different people have discussed any decision to which a moderator has arrived. Also that all of the moderators do have day jobs and separate projects on the go, so are not available to police the forums 24/7. As such, we request that you police yourself and your own behaviour as you would in any public situation.

This Code of Conduct stands to protect both the user and the moderator. Feel free to act in a manner which you deem appropriate, but do not complain if you get called up on any unacceptable behaviour. It may seem strict, but this document has only been drawn up because circumstances have arisen which deemed it necessary.

Having said all that, please have fun on these Forums, but remember that you are talking to real people while doing it!