Rule Interpretation - SC/GC roles - PCJC2019-3
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<![endif]-->The COURT
Pegasus Command
Ref: PCJC2019-3 6th September 2019
Rule Interpretation
How far can an SC go in direct command of a Game Guild, since SC's are bared by Rule to be a GC and GCs by rule have full command of a Game Guild subject to SC General Orders. So the issue is where is the line and what would that line look like?
The Court considered a number of sources of evidence, including current rules, general orders, the old Pegasus Command website (not regarded as legally binding), and the insight from the judges, one of whom is a GC.
· Basic principle of the SC / GC relationship is that the SC issues orders to the GC, and the GC decisions how to carry out those orders.
· Excessive direct interference from an SC in some circumstances could diminish the importance of the GC role
· All active Peg Com citizens are bound by the founding principle “we are nothing without our members”. No citizen can be expected to follow an instruction that contradicts that.
· SCs should primarily direct GCs via GOs, however there are circumstances in which these should be regarded as guidelines, not rules. There can be immediate and pressing needs for a GC to disregard a GO.
· SCs should establish a precedent for some protocols / rules during their term.
· An SC can influence how an OP is structured and run as long as that’s before the OP has started.
Example 1 – SC participation in an OP
· Where a GC is leading an OP, and an SC joins after the OP has started, it would not be reasonable for the SC to unexpectedly relieve the GC. By that point, pre-OP briefings will have been given and the other players will be used to taking instructions from the GC.
· If an SC collaborates with a GC before an OP starts, and the SC has an adequate level of expertise, it would be reasonable for them to lead an OP.
· The appointment of GCs isn’t merely for the division of labour for running the many games in Peg Com, but for the GC to also bring expertise to that game. There are so many games in Peg Com it would not be reasonable to expect an SC to have a comprehensive working knowledge of all of them. Typically, they may be avid players of only two or three.
· If an SC with significantly inferior knowledge of a game were to forcibly seize control of an OP that was underway, this would damage the image of the Guild. For in-game decisions unique to the game, an SC should usually defer to the expertise of the GC where their views conflict.
· The judges considered the merits of introducing a new rule that would require an SC to have a specific length of service in a game before they had the authority to seize control of an OP that was underway.
· The existing rule regarding active OPs is still fit for purpose; where a GC is unable to complete an OP that they’re leading, the lead role will default to the next highest ranking person in the OP. That would be the SC if they were in the OP.
· There are no reasons why a GC shouldn’t be able to voluntarily hand control of an OP to an SC. The judges’ focus on the above points in this example was on the GC being relieved by the SC during an OP.
Example 2
· The SC can be expected to challenge the poor performance or decision making of a GC but this shouldn’t be done in public, if avoidable, so as not to humiliate a GC. This would also be uncomfortable for some other players.
Example 3
· Theoretically an SC could forcibly remove a GC mid-OP by publishing a GO there and then, to this effect. If that were to happen, the GC would have recourse to appeal that action to the Court.
Example 4
· Recruitment is always done according to guidelines from The President not the SC. Theoretically a GC could decide that recruitment isn’t a priority for them. The SC can’t directly interfere with that, but this could be a reason for the SC to dismiss the GC from their role.
· It’d be preferable for the SC to work with the GC to establish the best way of recruitment and the SC would of course be welcome to directly undertake recruitment activity for any game, within the recruitment guidelines.
Signed,
smearcampaign (Chief Judge)
Joe4play (Judge)
Snow (Judge)