Community Guidelines for Dystopia Rising
Dystopia Rising New Jersey is a part of the Dystopia Live Larp Network, and we take the safety of our players seriously. The full community guidelines for the network can be found here. We’ve also included an abbreviated community guidelines below, with an explanation of the process at DRNJ.
Corrective Actions
Corrective actions are the disciplinary measures used when the actions and choices of a player step over the line. Each branch within the Dystopia Rising Live Larp Network has the right to refuse service to a person. Refusal of service is our last resort, which is why we have a formal set of corrective actions that allow players to recognize and correct their problematic actions. Corrective actions are a procedure used when the infraction is not egregious, and that a player may be reasonably expected to correct their actions and rejoin the game.
A Corrective Action because a player’s actions have been determined to be detrimental to the well-being or safety of the local chapter, or the well-being and safety of the national community of Dystopia Rising Live Larp. Corrective Actions are left up to individual chapters, and may range from verbal conversations, all the way up to a refusal of service at Dystopia Rising.
Corrective Actions may be given out for actions undertaken at DR events, or on official DR methods of social media or communication [which includes but is not limited to the community Discords, Facebook groups, etc]
Example: If a regular attendant is found to habitually posting discriminatory memes and posts on Facebook, the community manager or conflict resolution person at their branch may message them to ensure they are aware that such behavior is not welcome or encouraged at an event.
Corrective Actions are intended to ensure that players understand how their actions were harm, so they can adjust their behavior moving forward. They are not intended as a punishment. Instead they are used to ensure that all participants at DRNJ can safely enjoy themselves without worrying about the behavior of other players.
What May Warrant a Sanction or Corrective Action
In an effort to ensure players are as well informed as possible, the Dystopia Live Larp Network has put together a list of behavior that may warrant a corrective action. Corrective actions are set on a case-by-case basis, where context and severity of behavior is taken into account. The below list in a general guideline for possible reasons for corrective actions. It is not an exhaustive list, and should not be regarded as such.
Not complying with federal or state law.
Discrimination in the form of race, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
Sexual misconduct including harassment and assault.
Threats that affect or are perceived to affect the safety, health, or well-being of another person at or pertaining to an event.
Possession of a dangerous weapon, concealed or unconcealed, at an event including social gatherings run by the franchiser. This includes all guns, explosives, or other devices which in the manner used or intended are capable of causing death or bodily injury.
Incompetence or negligence which leads to harm or harassment of another person or the community as a whole.
Possession of narcotics, alcoholic beverages or other unlawful drugs including smoking while under the legal age. This also includes attending game events and social events in which alcohol is not allowed, while under these effects, even if taken at an off-site location.
Dishonesty to a Guide about issues or while inquiring into a corrective action. This also includes misrepresenting yourself as operating in an official capacity.
Theft of any kind including the out of character theft of personal and game property.
Any Guide accepting anything of any perceived value for their influence or judgment.
Using one’s position for personal gain including the use of confidential information received through one’s position to obtain any favor, financial gain or social status.
Inappropriate handling or release of confidential or un-authorized documentation of IP material.
Repeated or purposeful missing of NPC, Clean Up or other community activities without a clearly communicated and approved reason.
Conviction of a felony.
Inappropriate use of language towards any Guide which impedes operations or interferes with the ability to maintain their function.
Failure to act safely or use safety equipment which can result in endangering self or others.
Failure to abide by game rules or genre breaches that impact the quality of the game as a whole.
What Does Not Justify a Sanction or Corrective Action
Corrective actions are used as a way to ensure the safety of our players and nationwide community is upheld. They are only used when necessary. The below actions are examples of what does not warrant sanctions.
Personal Dispute, related to past grudges, ending friendships or the general dislike of an individual.
Romantic Relationships, relating to the ending of a partnership and the feelings associated to this.
While the above are not grounds for corrective actions, they may still result in local staff requesting someone not to attend events run by the branch in question, or not to be a Guide, or Freelancer. While these are not worthy of removal as a network, Dystopia Rising Live Larp asks all parties to respect that events run by each chapter are a workplace for staff, and they are required to attend. If a personal relationship impacts a staff member to a point where they cannot maintain a professional in shared space, we ask the staff member’s desires are respected, so they can still complete their job to the best of their abilities.
Levels of Corrective Actions
Below are the levels of corrective action that a player may receive. Please make sure that you are fully aware of what the consequences are of these corrective actions when speaking with your local branch.
Warning:
A Warning is a gentle reminder of how to act in regard to the community standards. It could be as simple as “Check your swings” or even “We don’t talk about that topic here.”
Everyone slips up and that is fine. Warnings should be taken as strong advice and actions adjusted accordingly.
These are issued by Guides at any point after the infraction.
Violation
A Violation is much like a Warning but here it is clear that this was an improper action and not a misunderstanding. It could be a matter of intention, previously being informed and repeating the behavior, or how the severity of it affected the other party(s).
This is still a gentle reminder but should be accompanied with a full explanation of what happened, why it is an issue and asking for an assurance that it won’t happen again.
If a Guide is given a Violation then they cannot be a Guide for any event for the duration of that Violation, which is to be determined by the local branch they received the Violation from. This is due to Guides only being allowed to hold that position if they are in good standing in the network. This includes Guides given Violations at events where they are not a Guide.
These are issued by Guides at any point after the infraction.
Suspension
A Suspension is a player not being allowed to attend DR events, be they games or social events, for a period of time that can be durations of 3 – 12 months based on the severity of the offense.
Suspensions are not taken lightly. This action should be used if the player has exhibited a pattern of behavior that Warnings and Violations have not changed. It could also be used to demonstrate the severity of the offense.
The hope is always that this player will take this time and removal from events and officially run community functions to rethink the behaviors and actions they have taken so they can return as a better community member.
Suspensions can only be issued by a local branch’s Conflict Resolution Lead, and can be handed out at any point after the infraction.
Suspensions are issued at a local level for a single branch only. If you receive a suspension you are required to contact the local branch you wish to attend for the duration of the Suspension before attending, as it is in the purview of the local branch if they wish to not uphold the suspension.
Indefinitie Suspension
An Indefinite Suspension is much like a Suspension only it hinges on the player fulfilling some kind of condition before their return.
This might be an apology to the person they wronged, a conversation with the issuing branch demonstrating their understanding of the issue and a promise to not repeat it, the fulfillment of an agreed upon obligation or fulfilling a missed event payment.
This stipulation is not a punishment but a reasonable solution to a problem the player can work on.
Indefinite Suspensions can only be issued by a local branch’s Conflict Resolution Lead, and can be handed out at any point after the infraction.
Indefinite Suspensions are issued at a local level for a single branch only. If you receive a suspension you are required to contact the local branch you wish to attend for the duration of the Suspension before attending, as it is in the purview of the local branch if they wish to not uphold the suspension.
Suspension Pending Investigation
This is to be given to a player who has been accused of something that if true would make them worthy of a Suspension, Indefinite Suspension or Refusal of Service.
This is to give the local branch time to gather their facts, talk to all of the involved parties and make a decision while still removing a possible harmful or toxic player from an event in the meantime.
If it is seen that a player is withholding information in order to draw out the time the Suspended player is removed, they may be allowed back in play while still compiling evidence.
Indefinite Suspensions can only be issued by a local branch’s Conflict Resolution Lead and can be handed out at any point after the infraction.
Suspensions are issued at a local level for a single branch only. If you receive a suspension you are required to contact the local branch you wish to attend for the duration of the Suspension before attending, as it is in the purview of the local branch if they wish to not uphold the suspension.
Refusal of Service:
Any business has the right to refuse service to any customer as long as it is not because of discrimination as defined by local, state and federal laws.
If a local branch decides to refuses service be aware that while this is just for the one branch, any other branch may also reserve this right.
If someone are refused service at any branch you are required to contact any other branch you intend to visit through email if, at least seven days before attending their event to allow them time to make their decision.
Refusal of Service can only be issued by a local branch’s Conflict Resolution Lead or owner at any point after the infraction.
Refusal of Service are issued at a local level for a single branch only. If you receive a Refusal of Service you are required to contact the local branch you wish to attend, as it is in the purview of the local branch if they wish to not uphold the Refusal of Service.
Removal of Guide or Freelance Position
An action which is worthy of a violation or suspension also will result in that player being removed from the position of Guide. A violation will remove the guide for the duration of the violation. A suspension is a full removal of the Guide title, though a player may re-apply for the position. Approval or denial is in the purview of the local branch.
A Guide is trusted to hand out certain corrective actions and be positive members of the community who represent the game’s best intentions, and writers are trusted to know what a positive play space is and create it for the players. If a Guide is seen by the community to not be trusted or represent the ideals we hold as a community then their dismissal from this position might be necessary.
A freelancer, be it writer, crafter or other, must not be in bad standing with the network as a whole to do business. This means that someone should either have never attended an event (and therefore is not in good or bad standing) or is not currently under a corrective action.
This is given in conjunction with another corrective action.