Disclaimer
The following is in the process of being updated. If you have any questions about the following, please refer and to a SFC command officer for more info.
Preamble
We, the original founders hereto, do hereby create and constitute this organization known as Starfleet Command. Starfleet Command an independent entity from its original founders.
Purpose
Starfleet Command is an entity formed for the purpose of bringing together individuals who enjoy multiplayer games on the Internet with a role-playing type theme. Starfleet Command, as an entity, is constituted as a military organization with its many members holding various military ranks.
Article I
Starfleet Command Structure
Starfleet Command is too large for any one person to oversee directly. SFC's day-to-day operations are conducted by a five members group known as the Command Council. Each Council Member has his/her own sphere of authority in SFC.
The Command Council of Starfleet Command shall be known (Hereinafter "CC").
The following positions are created by this charter and the following individuals assigned to each rank:
Chief-in-Command (CnC)
Executive Officer (XO of SFC)
Chief of Operations (COO)
CO of Personnel (COP)
CO of Public Relations (COR)
The Command Council are chosen from among SFC's most capable and experienced officers. Whenever a vacancy exists among the CC, the rest of the Command Council choose a qualified candidate to fill the position. A unanimous vote from the CC is needed to ratify any new appointments to the Command Council position. Typically, a CC is chosen from among SFC's most qualified admirals.
The name "Joint Chiefs of Starfleet Command" refers to an organization which is currently considered the "Command Council of Starfleet Command". Any references to either body in the charter reflect the same organization. The official name of the said body of people, run by the CnC of Starfleet Command and working together for the betterment of Starfleet Command(SFC) will be decided by the current CnC upon their acceptance of the post. Neither name holds any more sway in SFC than does the other and any decisions made by the body while acting under either name is wholly valid and to be upheld as long as it does not contradict the charter or a decision that supersedes it in importance. The name the CnC decides to call the ruling body does not need to be announced and it should betaken within reason that either name may be used when addressing the fleet in general. Disobeying the ruling of the body while is know by any other name is the same consequences as outlined in the charter and regulations. (Rev. Passed CC 091206)
Administrative Position Descriptions:
The Chief-in-Command (CnC) oversees and coordinates all of SFC's operations. The Chief-in-Command shall also have the responsibility for the day to day operation of Starfleet Command and is empowered to take all actions he may deem necessary to protect the health and integrity of Starfleet Command, including the power to declare War on another Fleet without a vote from the Command Council, if he deems such action necessary for security purposes.
In addition, the Command-In-Chief is responsible to handle all investigations and resolving disputes either through the Chain-of-Command typically, or if no clear resolution can be reached a formal inquiry may be conducted
All Starfleet Command operations are decided in meetings of the Command Council. Each Division brings it's concerns and requirements to the meeting for discussion. There, members of the Command Council discuss the relative merits of the request, and then they prioritize the requests. Once a decision has been made, the Chief-in-Command enforces the council's decision.
Any issues may be bought before the Command Council for discussion. The CnC or XO may decide that the issue needs a final decision. All final decisions are made by the Command Council members by a vote of one member one vote. A simple majority is needed for the motion to pass except the disbandment of SFC herself where a unanimous vote is required. If the event of a tie the CnC will make the final decision.
The Executive Officer (XO) oversees fleet deployments, personnel assignments, and is responsible for overseeing and coordinate all gaming activities as well as appointing qualified individuals for Starfleet Command positions. The XO also oversees the application process and reserves the right to deny an application if deemed necessary even if the Personnel department staff approves it.
The Executive Officer also works in close relationship with the CnC for overseeing day-to-day operations. In case the CnC has to go on leave, the Executive Officer will assume command of the fleet until the CnC returns from leave.
The Chief of Operations (COO) oversees and coordinates all SFC Web Operations, which include but are not limited too dealing with technical related issues and acting as the CO of Gaming Services. In case the CnC and/or XO has to go on leave, the Chief of Operations will assume command of the fleet until either the CnC and/or the XO returns from leave.
The CO of Personnel (COP) oversees the application process of new or returning members to SFC and also leads as CO of the Academy, developing training events, briefing new members about SFC and other related activities. In the rare case the above three senior officers have to go on leave, the CO of Personnel will assume command of the fleet and work closely with the Divisional Command staff members until the highest level senior officer returns from leave.
The CO of Public Relations (COR) oversees internal and external relations with other clans within SFC. Works closely with staff members within the clan to promote recruiting, by leading the effort in recruiting campaigns using members and resources we have available to accomplish the tasks. In the rare case the above four senior officers have to go on leave, the CO of Public Relations will assume command of the fleet and work closely with the Divisional Command staff members until the highest level senior officer returns from leave.
All Starfleet Command operations are decided in meetings of the Command Council. Each office brings it's concerns and requirements to the meeting for discussion. There the other members discuss the relative merits of the request, and then they prioritize the requests. Once a decision has been made, the Chief-in-Command enforces the council's decision by announcing and new changes or provisions to the Fleet.(Rev. Passed CC 071507)
Article I; Subsection I
Appointment of Officers
In the event of a position of high authority becoming open for any reason, the appointment of a replacement officer is voted on by the Command Council. In order to appoint a replacement in the most agreeable fashion, the following procedures are to be followed.
Any of the residing members of the Command Council may make a recommendation for the placing of an officer. All recommendations are to be formally submitted to the Commander-in Chief and is presented to the Command Council.
The Commander-in-Chief is obligated to present the recommendation to the council regardless of his/her feelings about the recommendation. The recommendation cannot be dismissed out of hand.
If the Commander-in-Chief or any other member of the Command Council feels that the officer recommended is not qualified (for any reason), the reasons should be stated before the council as to why you feel that person is not qualified.
Once that the Command Council is satisfied that the issues have been sufficiently debated, a vote should then be called. All positions of high authority require a unanimous vote from all Command Council members. If someone feels that a person is not qualified, then a nay vote from one person would keep that officer from being posted to the position.
All promotions to the rank of Rear Admiral or above shall be made only by majority vote of the Command Council. Promotions to the rank of Divisional Admiral may be approved only by the CnC, and promotions to the rank of Captain may only be made by the CnC, XO, or by a vote from the Command Council. Thereafter, promotions may be made in accordance with such policies as are set forth by the Command Council.
The Command Council are declared to be the highest decision making authority of Starfleet Command. Except in emergency situations, the power to declare war, to make treaties or other alliances, to amend or make additions to these articles and to set major policy goals for Starfleet Command is the sole province of the CnC or his he/she sees fit to bring a vote to the Command Council. The CC are also conferred with the power to discipline ANY member of Starfleet Command in accordance generally with the guidelines set forth in the regulations of any officer below their rank.
Starfleet Command is deemed to exist independently of any of its members. Accordingly, no member, regardless of his/her rank, shall have the authority to disband Starfleet Command for any reason. The sole authority to disband Starfleet Command resides in the Command Council. The motion to disband the fleet must be submitted to all members of the Command Council and must receive the affirmative vote of four members of the Command Council, two of whom must be the affirmative vote of the CnC and XO. If both contingencies are not met, the "Motion to Disband" fails.
All officers of Starfleet Command shall be subject to and shall follow the chain of command at all times. All officers of Starfleet Command shall carry-out or perform the orders, directives, and/or assignments issued to them by an officer superior in rank to them.
No officer is permitted to publicly question the propriety or wisdom of an order or directive issued to him/her nor is any officer permitted to privately question OR TO EVEN DISCUSS an order issued to him/her with any person not a member of Starfleet Command.
If an officer is troubled by an order, directive or assignment issued to him/her, they are to immediately state their concern to the issuing officer, who shall note such concerns and then either withdraw or affirm the order. In the event the order is affirmed, the officer to whom the order, directive or assignment is issued shall diligently perform the duties required of him/her until the assignment is completed. In no event may the officer delay in performing an confirmed order he/she questioned to seek redress from a higher authority. Such delay shall be considered insubordination, even in the event the order itself is eventually withdrawn.
Officers of Starfleet Command are strictly prohibited from ever disclosing the source of an order, directive, assignment, or policy position to any person not a member of Starfleet Command for any purpose and at any time. This provision shall be deemed to be an implicit part of each order issued by any officer of Starfleet Command. No officer of Starfleet Command is permitted to issue an order, directive, or assignment in the name of Starfleet Command nor is any officer permitted to post a message in the name of Starfleet Command unless such has been specifically authorized by the Command Council. General Orders, directives and assignments from the Starfleet Command Council are binding on all officers. Insubordination during time of war shall be cause for immediate dismissal, this dismissal may be effected without the officer in question being afforded the opportunity to explain his action to a trial board.
All members of the Command Council are required follow the chain of command to any orders which may be issued to them by officers superior in rank to them in the same manner as any other officer of Starfleet Command.
Article III
Discharge of Duties
All officers of Starfleet Command are expected and required to complete any task, order or directive assigned to them and to discharge all of their duties diligently and expeditiously. All officers are expected to appear in an online gaming venue with regularity and to maintain their skills and competence with respect to such game(s) at the highest possible level.
Officers who may find themselves unable to appear in an on-line gaming venue with regularity are required to make a formal Request for Leave to their Commanding Officer.
Failure on the part of a Starfleet Command officer to discharge his/her duties as indicated in this Article shall constitute cause for transfer to Inactive status or may constitute grounds for a Category II offense.
All commissioned ranked SFC members are required to respond to all fleet wide roll calls. No one is exempt from this requirement. If any member misses two consecutive fleet wide roll calls the member is considered an inactive member of Starfleetcommand. If any member hasn't visited the forums for two months their account will be saved as "Guest_member" only and their rank removed as well. If anyone who has been placed on the "inactive" list wished to return as an ranked SFC member they will have to repost their oath and will usually be given the rank of crewman unless changed at the discretion of the command council.
Article IV
Resignations and Returning SFC members
Retirement status is only for officers who reach the commissioned rank or Lieutenant or higher. Anyone below Lieutenant will be discharged as a Guest_Member.
Returning SFC members rank policy is as follows:
1. If an Officer resigns he may request to return but MAY not return above the rank of captain once their resignation was accepted. Any rank above this MAY not be restored unless voted on by the Command Council, this is due to others being promoted to fill his role and hard working officers that stayed in Starfleet Command. In addition any returning member must post their SFC oath again as well.
2. Those who retire due to real life concerns or any other reason and wish to rejoin SFC will not be subject to any rank reduction unless their rank exceeded captain as imposed by condition #1.
3. Those who left on bad terms, were kicked out, or resigned to join another conflicting on-line gaming fleet will receive demotions - either 1 or two ranks.
4. The CC retains the right to review and adjust any returning SFC member at it's discretion with due cause.(Rev. Passed CC 091406)
I do hereby acknowledge that I have read, understand and agree to be bound by the above related provisions of the Starfleet Command Charter, in addition to any revisions, or additions which may be lawfully voted into existence by the Command Council. I pledge my loyalty to Starfleet Command and agree to subordinate my personal interests to those of the fleet. I pledge to uphold and defend the principles, policies and directives of Starfleet Command above all other tasks. I pledge my best efforts on behalf of Starfleet Command in discharging my duties as an officer herein.
Accordingly, I agree to post a message of the Starfleet Command sub-space communications array affirming my acceptance of this Charter and these Articles in these words:
I _______________ do solemnly swear to uphold the principles of Starfleet Command, as well as to obey the Starfleet Command Charter and Regulation Code and do hereby agree to be bound by them.
By becoming a member of Starfleet Command you have automatically accepted and agreed to the terms and conditions in the Charter and the Regulations Code.
