Since our AGM at last year's JAE, the committee has been reviewing the club's policy on the issue of permanent bans to errant members.

 

Having carefully considered the policy, we are united in the opinion that the notion of a permanet ban from the club is an absolute last resort; and one course of action reserved for when nothing else is appropriate in the circumstances. Hence we have decided to retain the notion of a permanent ban where the action is in the best interests of the club and its membership; as there are already finite bans in place with fixed terms - eg. of 1 week, 1 month, 1 year etc etc.

 

However we have all agreed that even if a permanent ban has been issued, sometimes some people deserve a second chance. Consequently anyone issued with a permanent ban (past or present) will now be permitted to apply to the committee for their return to the forum after a period of 12 months from the issue of their ban.

 

It's a bit like parole - one applies to return, the committee takes a vote and lets him or her know. If the application is successful, then the former banned member is permitted back onto the forum on a probationery period of 6 months. Conversely if a person's application is denied; they remain banned - although they are still eligible to apply to have their ban overturned in another 12 months. And so on.....

 

The present system of appealing against a permanet ban still remains the same - once a member is permanently banned from the club, they have the usual 7 day period to appeal against the committee's decision. As said, a permanent ban is always a last resort; we do not like having to take such drastic action against our members unless we are faced with no alternative option. And whilst the permanent ban does remain in place (when necessary), we are willing to reconsider each individual situation at some point in the future!

 

Richard

For the committee

i know the committee has a job to do with the members that have been banned but why can it not be up to the Club members as well to vote to have that user back on the fourm

as after all its the Members of the forum that make it what it is ... with the help of the ppl that keep it running

 

all so if a member has done something wrong with a Committee persons that person should not be involved one bit in the decision to if that member gets any type of ban

Be nice if we can have a thread like this that doesn't deteriorate into a point scoring exercise, its things like this that do not help in the slightest, there is a time for banter and a time for just a good old fashioned discussion, where points are made and views put across where everyone respects everyone else, instead of someone standing there trying to stir the pot.

 

Every banned members application will be looked at on a per case basis and whether or not its going to be detrimental to the forum and its members, the committee will then vote and they will either have their ban lifted, or it will stay, its that simple.

 

i cant believe this thread has got to this.

 

I can!!! Ironicly iff this was being discussed at JAE over a burger and a tin of beer ime sure it would be cool and so relaxed. Maybe top of the list at the AGM so we all voice our concerns, opinions, and ideas were body laungage and banter is so much more civilised than forums can ever be.;)

i know the committee has a job to do with the members that have been banned but why can it not be up to the Club members as well to vote to have that user back on the fourm

as after all its the Members of the forum that make it what it is ... with the help of the ppl that keep it running

 

all so if a member has done something wrong with a Committee persons that person should not be involved one bit in the decision to if that member gets any type of ban

 

Totally agree mark, it would easy to just allow the membership to vote via annynomus poll.

i know the committee has a job to do with the members that have been banned but why can it not be up to the Club members as well to vote to have that user back on the fourm

as after all its the Members of the forum that make it what it is ... with the help of the ppl that keep it running

 

all so if a member has done something wrong with a Committee persons that person should not be involved one bit in the decision to if that member gets any type of ban

 

because half the time club members do not know the full story behind the ban.

ok that may be true and correct ..

 

so on that vote page all the True facts on both sides should be presented for all to read Only ..

with the Voting option

 

if there is a clear vote win/loose then the committee should take action on that if its split

then the final decision it taken up with the committee

 

that way on all partys if the fair way

Edited July 8, 201312 yr by MarkDerby

i agree with mark for once, lol.

 

the committee are only a small part of the club so for them to decide who gets banned is a bit unfair, us as members should be able to decide who we want on our forum. a majority vote wins. cant get fairer than that really

 

so let the forum self-regulate and lay off the committee as they become redundant is what you mean:rolleyes: You just like myself read and agreed to the forum rules before you joined..hell you even payed good money it was that great at the time,so why now after you agreed to the rules you want to start changing the "core structure" of the club...

sorry Guys disagree a little on this, you need moderation otherwise it would turn into a blood bath, there does need to be somebody to control things...

 

however, I do think sometimes people just need to re read their posts and think is that pot .... kettle.... lol.....

 

agree with moderation, disagree a little with how its been done recently..

 

JAE over a burger is definately the best idea as things get misconstrued over typing...

ZNUT cooking the burgers then... :laugh:

so let the forum self-regulate and lay off the committee as they become redundant is what you mean:rolleyes: You just like myself read and agreed to the forum rules before you joined..hell you even payed good money it was that great at the time,so why now after you agreed to the rules you want to start changing the "core structure" of the club...

 

Don't think it's as cut and shut as that mate. There's nothing wrong with progression, it's not about changing core structure it's about the membership having their say.

sorry Guys disagree a little on this, you need moderation otherwise it would turn into a blood bath, there does need to be somebody to control things...

 

however, I do think sometimes people just need to re read their posts and think is that pot .... kettle.... lol.....

 

agree with moderation, disagree a little with how its been done recently..

 

JAE over a burger is definately the best idea as things get misconstrued over typing...

ZNUT cooking the burgers then... :laugh:

 

you bet..Looking forward to this year as i missed the last. Mustard or ketchup matey???:clap:

I genuinely think the mods and committee have a tough job. And to be fair to them. They are dammed if they do and dammed if they don't.

 

So I think we need them.

 

I do think that they should 'consider' what the forum have to say on some matters though. So perhaps allowing the forum to vote is also a good thing. But don't allow the names of who voted for and against on the poll's. When I first recommended something like this was because in Si's case, the main reason given was due to members wanting him gone, so perhaps if members want him back...

I can!!! Ironicly iff this was being discussed at JAE over a burger and a tin of beer ime sure it would be cool and so relaxed. Maybe top of the list at the AGM so we all voice our concerns, opinions, and ideas were body laungage and banter is so much more civilised than forums can ever be.;)

 

Agreed. Not been for a few years, but hope I can make it this year.

 

For the record: Im always cool and relaxed :p

i'm not saying that we should get rid of the committee it was directed at the Unban Procedure and how it would make it more fair for all partys involved

 

a probationary time could be implemented if a Ban has be removed .. maybe ?

you bet..Looking forward to this year as i missed the last. Mustard or ketchup matey???:clap:

 

Im a ketchup man... lol..

you bet..Looking forward to this year as i missed the last. Mustard or ketchup matey???:clap:

 

Really, it's about time you made a proper appearance.

Agreed. Not been for a few years, but hope I can make it this year.

 

For the record: Im always cool and relaxed :p

 

Look forward to meeting you Dave and chewing the cud:)

OK guys, back on topic please!!

 

A lot of feelings have been made clear in this thread - and constructively so - and for the most part, the discussion has gone as positively as I intended. Committee members (ie those voting on each application) have not, as far as I'm aware made their feelings known; as Stella says, he is Head Moderator and not on committee - so whatever his personal feelings are, have no bearing on any application to return to the fold!!

 

It seems, though, that we have come a long way from my original post - to the point where people have forgotten what I said!!

 

i'm not saying that we should get rid of the committee it was directed at the Unban Procedure and how it would make it more fair for all partys involved

 

a probationary time could be implemented if a Ban has be removed .. maybe ?

 

....Case in point above......

 

Since our AGM at last year's JAE, the committee has been reviewing the club's policy on the issue of permanent bans to errant members.

 

Having carefully considered the policy, we are united in the opinion that the notion of a permanet ban from the club is an absolute last resort; and one course of action reserved for when nothing else is appropriate in the circumstances. Hence we have decided to retain the notion of a permanent ban where the action is in the best interests of the club and its membership; as there are already finite bans in place with fixed terms - eg. of 1 week, 1 month, 1 year etc etc.

 

However we have all agreed that even if a permanent ban has been issued, sometimes some people deserve a second chance. Consequently anyone issued with a permanent ban (past or present) will now be permitted to apply to the committee for their return to the forum after a period of 12 months from the issue of their ban.

It's a bit like parole - one applies to return, the committee takes a vote and lets him or her know. If the application is successful, then the former banned member is permitted back onto the forum on a probationery period of 6 months. Conversely if a person's application is denied; they remain banned - although they are still eligible to apply to have their ban overturned in another 12 months. And so on.....

 

The present system of appealing against a permanet ban still remains the same - once a member is permanently banned from the club, they have the usual 7 day period to appeal against the committee's decision. As said, a permanent ban is always a last resort; we do not like having to take such drastic action against our members unless we are faced with no alternative option. And whilst the permanent ban does remain in place (when necessary), we are willing to reconsider each individual situation at some point in the future!

 

Richard

For the committee

 

...I have not singled out Mark for any reason other than the (brilliant:lol:) idea ha came up with above was already included in my first post!!

 

The thing is, the rest of the committee and I have reviewed the present system and updated it to take into account that people/circumstances/times change. As Stella says, any member serving a permanent ban is eligible to reapply to return to the forum after 12 months; all they have to do is e-mail me or another committee member and we will vote on all applications. It is an obvious fact that some will be successful and others will not - for example someone who ripped off members will probably find it harder to get their application approved.

 

And as for the notion that the membership should have the vote on who returns, please remember that membership changes each and every year; members come and go, so as said above, the members are not always in possession of the full facts. But that does not mean the committee is unwilling to hear the memebrs' opinions. We are - hence the very reason we have reviewed the whole permanent ban system now!!

 

Hope that makes sense - and please do keep posting your thoughts; we do care what you all think!!

 

Richard:thumbup1:

Doh! Missed that :) lol

At last years JAE AGM, the members who attended had the chance to voice any opinions or gripes, but nobody said a dicky bird. Is it that we have so many keyboard ninjas offering an opinion of how the club should be run, but dont have an opinion on the day for some reason or other?

 

We are all here for the love of the zed and wholly have the same interest and the interests of the club at heart, so i would suggest that everyone who can make JAE this year do so, not only to enjoy a fabulous weekend, but to get the chance to voice concerns in person.

We, on the committee and mods are all very much approachable and welcome any comments at the AGM so that we can clear up any misunderstandings, myths, rumors or behind the scenes goings on.

 

We will be frank, honest and open and have nothing to hide or any ulterior motive to any decisions made on behalf of the club.

 

It appears on occasion that posting on the forum about certain agendas, either the wrong end of the stick or mis-information seems to be interpreted in any way, apart from as it is meant.

 

In an ideal world we shouldnt have to ban anyone, we are all adults after all and there will, be differences in opinion, but unfortunately there are the select few that cannot comprehend the rules on how they should conduct themselves or business in a community of like minded people and tend to go beyond what is deemed acceptable.

 

Posting a possible ban up for the members to decide, would not work, some may be friends or feel the need to support said banned member, put yourself in a situation that has arisen from being ripped off, or not given a second thought in a transaction, how would you feel, personally?

 

One side of a story gets heard on another site and people make their opinions based on that alone, and because they may have been banned for whatever reason, the rest of the posters feel sympathy with the banned member and voice an opinion in support of them, without hearing the whole story, then state how unfair we have been. Also bear in mind most of the committee have changed personnel in the last couple of years, so although the committee may have changed, the same rules still apply to the way we have to operate and we cant all be wrong in making an important decision like banning a member.

 

To get real here, no one person has a say in who gets banned, its a majority decision based on facts and what is best for the members in the future within the club. We do not and cannot simply ban someone, because we may not like them, in life there are many people that you may not get on with or like, but are very unlikely to go over and punch their lights out for the hell of it.

 

We all want harmony in the zed community, well as i see it, thats unlikely at the moment, all the while we have disgruntled or banned members from here opening another forum up, then complaining about .co.uk and you want us to be friends and welcome with open arms:nono: and wonder why the community is split :blink:

 

There will always be renegades, people who think they know better, thats something we have to deal with if it affects the running of the club, but for god sake in real life, everyone, probably would all get on like a house on fire so no need to take so much to heart and be proactive.

 

End of rant :biggrin:

I've got an idea ( it's not a serious idea) we could vote like on X factor....

 

The members vote for who they would like reinstated from a list of banned members.

 

It's then anounced who ( in no particular order ) are the most popular ex members,

 

The committee then vote who to save and who to throw back in the banned bin

 

 

On a more serious note, great idea committee

Agreed. Not been for a few years, but hope I can make it this year.

 

:p

 

Don't tell me the zed will be ready?

We all want harmony in the zed community, well as i see it, thats unlikely at the moment, all the while we have disgruntled or banned members from here opening another forum up, then complaining about .co.uk and you want us to be friends and welcome with open arms:nono: and wonder why the community is split :blink:

 

 

Relations will never improve unless steps are taken towards building bridges. 99% of the Zed community simply don't care about the politics. The UK Zed community isn't large enough to sustain two clubs/forums without it always being based on personal gripes rather than just a different choice of forum. If you're banned from one forum, you're going to moan about it on the other, that's a given.

 

Personally, I find this fractured & acrimonious situation in the community very disappointing and no doubt it's all rather puzzling to the casual bystander, too. This public thread is making a solid step towards rectifying that, given that the majority of banned members this applies to will be on the other forum. I can see no reason for any negativity, nit-picking or Power-To-The-People type suggestions this early on, personally speaking. It's a Good Thing whichever way you look at it, but it's ultimately up to the committee to decide who gets a reprieve as they are the ones chosen to run the club we all subscribe to :)

Relations will never improve unless steps are taken towards building bridges.We have built bridges and have a very good relationship with the Zclub

99% of the Zed community simply don't care about the politics. Very true, unfortunately its the 1% that bring it up

The UK Zed community isn't large enough to sustain two clubs/forums without it always being based on personal gripes rather than just a different choice of forum. There are many Jap forums/clubs in this country which have z32 owners, who we never see here or at meets

If you're banned from one forum, you're going to moan about it on the other, that's a given. True

 

Personally, I find this fractured & acrimonious situation in the community very disappointing A lot of us do

and no doubt it's all rather puzzling to the casual bystander, too. True

 

This public thread is making a solid step towards rectifying that, given that the majority of banned members this applies to will be on the other forum. I can see no reason for any negativity, nit-picking or Power-To-The-People type suggestions this early on, personally speaking. It's a Good Thing whichever way you look at it, but it's ultimately up to the committee to decide who gets a reprieve as they are the ones chosen to run the club we all subscribe to :)

 

 

 

We are always open to ideas on ways to move forward :thumbup:

I have an idea, why don't you all look at the banned members and see who you would reinstate. I just worry that you'd go through all of this, then the committee wouldn't vote favourably on any1. I guess we'll just see what happens but I'm thinking maybe a pro-active approach might be better rather than waiting to see if anyone comes back just to be turned away

I have an idea, why don't you all look at the banned members and see who you would reinstate. I just worry that you'd go through all of this, then the committee wouldn't vote favourably on any1. I guess we'll just see what happens but I'm thinking maybe a pro-active approach might be better rather than waiting to see if anyone comes back just to be turned away

 

Lee in the time its taken me to read your post ive just thought of at least 10 ex members who were banned and they have no connection with the zed scene at all anymore..also what date in the past would be the cut off point to start sending them invitations to a party celebrating there return. Mate anyone who are banned and want to genuinly return and put themselves up for a committee vote then as been said contact Richard Smith...easy:)

As Brian said there will probably be very few who even bother to appeal, however the new rules have been established for current and future members that may be unfortunate in getting banned and offers a chance to come back after 12 months of being issued a permanent ban.