Charlotte Separatists
Yarael Poof Lives!
Author Topic: Welcome to the Charlotte "Separatists" Fan Force - Please Read
Jada 
Title: Chapter Rep
Charlotte, NC

Registered: Apr '06
42108_Deliah Blue
Date Posted: 8/21/07 12:43pm Subject: Welcome to the Charlotte "Separatists" Fan Force - Please Read - Date Edited: 8/21/07 2:29pm (2 edits total) Edited By: Hama
Hello There!

Welcome to the Charlotte Fan Force aka Charlotte Separatists - The Star Wars Fan Group for the Greater Charlotte Area.

Please feel free to join in our forum.

All new members should go here and tell us a little bit about yourself.

You should also take the time to review the CFF Charter below. It applies to all our members.

We hope to see you at our next event/meeting!

Have Fun!

Jada grin
Chapter Representative

 

-----signature-----
Ward 316 | Proud member of Donkey Squad!
Honey, you forgot your pants! ~ TK-2970 love
DZ-5232 Old Mother Tusken
Carolina Garrison Charlotte Regional Representative
http://www.heroes4heroes.org
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Jada 
Title: Chapter Rep
Charlotte, NC

Registered: Apr '06
42108_Deliah Blue
Date Posted: 8/21/07 12:43pm Subject: RE: Welcome to the Charlotte "Separatists" Fan Force - Please Read



Charlotte Fan Force
Club Charter – Originally Adopted October 2006


Mission Statement
By-Laws
I. Name and Date of Club Formation
II. Policies
III. Membership
IV. Membership Dues
V. Official Meetings
VI. Voting Regulations
VII. Misconduct
VIII. Underage Members and Consent Forms
IX. Promotional Release
X. Vehicle Use Policy Statement
XI. Spoiler Policy
XII. Dissolution of the Club

Mission Statement
We, the Charlotte Fan Force, are a non-profit club comprised of individuals who enjoy the Star Wars films and other aspects of the Star Wars franchise. Our club was created in order to give Star Wars fans in the Greater Charlotte Area a chance to socialize and engage in activities relating to the varied aspects of the Star Wars franchise. We strive to keep Star Wars alive in the eyes of the Charlotte community, and endeavor to give back to the community through charitable events. The Charlotte Fan Force is the officially recognized Fan Force chapter for Charlotte.

By-Laws

I. Name
The name of our club shall be the Charlotte Fan Force “Charlotte Separatists”.

II. Policies
The Charlotte Fan Force is not affiliated in any way with Lucasfilm, Ltd., or its subsidiaries. The Charlotte Fan Force does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, religion, physical handicap, sexual orientation, race, nationality or ethnicity.

III. Membership
Membership is open to everyone over the age of 13 in order to comply with COPPA laws. To become a member you simply need to post on the boards. There are two classes of membership:

Active Membership: Active membership is attained when a member lives in Greater Charlotte Area, posts on the forums regularly, and attends the majority of our meetings and events. Active members have full voting privileges. Active members are also eligible to serve as officers of the club.

Honorary Membership: Honorary membership is open to anyone regardless of geographic residence. Honorary members are allowed to post on our forums, receive our newsletter, and attend meetings and events of their choosing, yet are not eligible to vote on any club issues. Honorary membership may often be bestowed upon "celebrities" in the Star Wars community such as Star Wars actors, authors, those working for LFL etc.

IV. Membership Dues
We have no membership dues. Becoming an member is free, and as a member you will never be obligated to pay anything. However, some things do require money. In these circumstances, the Treasurer will collect money on a voluntary basis. Each member can choose to contribute or not, and can contribute as much as they feel comfortable with. The Treasurer will record who paid and what amount, so that if the total amount needed is not reached, every member who paid will get their money back.

V. Official Meetings
We will have an official meeting approximately per month. Additional meetings may be called when there is a need. Meetings will either be a pot-luck affair, or we will ask for a small donation to defray the cost of food and drinks.

VI. Voting Regulations
All active members will be allowed to vote on any issues brought up at a General meeting or any issue being voted on the forums. Guests of members, first time attendees, and members not living in the geographic area of Greater Charlotte Area will not be allowed to vote.

An exception will be made for those members who are residents of Greater Charlotte Area yet are currently attending elsewhere, provided their breaks are spent in the Greater Charlotte Area. An exception will also be made for persons whose permanent residential address is in Greater Charlotte Area, but whose jobs might not permit them to be in area most of the time, such as those in the military.

All elections will be won by a simple majority either by the show of hands, or by PMing your vote to the designated person on the forums.

VII. Misconduct
While it is hoped that no member must be expelled from the group, it is prudent to have measures in place should the need arise. If any member of the club feels that another member or officer should be expelled, that person is encouraged to approach any officer they feel comfortable approaching with his/her complaint.

The complaint must be in writing and delivered via PM, email, or written letter to the officer. The officer receiving the complaint must present the complaint to the council of officers within 24 hours.

At that time, the council will begin an investigation and discussion of the complaint, and determine the best course of action.

General Misconduct:
· Any person attending a CFF meeting or event who acts disorderly or is in any way disruptive will be asked to leave the meeting or event.
· Consumption of alcohol or other illegal substances, or the possession of firearms at an "official" CFF event are not allowed. The only exception to this is events for older members only.
· Any violation of the Terms of Service at Fan force will be considered a violation of CFF by-laws. If a permanent ban vote is passed by 2/3 of the officers' council, that member will be banned from attending all future meetings/events, and banned from posting on the Fanforce, CFF, and the MySpace page. The CFF will actively seek a restraining order against any member if deemed necessary to protect the other members.

Conduct that justifies expulsion:
· Engaging in any illegal activity while attending a club function
· Threatening another member with physical violence on the forums or during a meeting or event
· Committing physical violence against another member
· Harassing or stalking another member via email, phone, PM, instant messenger, or written letter
· Repeated unsolicited sexual advances toward another member.

The CFF reserves the right to call in local law enforcement officers to enforce these rules.

VIII. Underage Members
Anyone over the age of 13 may become a member, post on the forums, and attend official meetings and events. Children under 13 are not allowed to post online because of the Federal Trade Commission’s Child Online Protection Act of 1998.

However, anyone under 18 years of age will be required to fill out a Parent Consent Form to participate in any CFF meeting and event. The form the parents will be asked to fill out is as follows:

Parental Consent Form
Star Wars has always been a story for all ages. The Charlotte Fan Force is comprised of members that reflect all ages. However, it is important for parents to be aware of several things if they choose to let their minor child join the club.

1. No one will be supervising minors. While it is never the club's intention to allow a minor to get into trouble, the responsibility of the child's actions lay with the child and his/her parents or guardians.
2. The club encourages parents to attend meetings and events to get to know the members of the group and what types of activities the club engages in.
3. While no alcohol will ever be served or consumed at any official meeting by a club member, be aware that an official meeting or event may take place in a venue such as a restaurant where alcohol is being served to others.
4. The group attempts to maintain all discussions at the PG level. However, some inappropriate language might inadvertently be used.
5. Members of the club will not be responsible for transporting a child to meetings and/or social events. If a parent chooses not to attend a meeting or event with his/her child, it is the parent's responsibility to ensure that the child has a safe mode of transportation to and from the meeting or event.
6. A parental waiver must be signed by a parent or guardian and the child before that child is allowed membership in the club.
7. The parents must provide the club with a current address, home phone number, work phone number, and cell phone number. The parents must also provide the phone number of a family friend or relative not residing in the same household.

Parental Consent, Release and Waiver of Liability
Being the Parent (or Guardian) of ________________________________________ (Name of minor child), I acknowledge that I have read the Underage Member Policy and the Charlotte Fan Force By-Laws, and hereby agree to his/her participation in the Charlotte Fan Force Club Events and declare as follows:
1. I understand and agree that the minor participates in the Charlotte Fan Force Events at his/her risk and without liability on the part of the Charlotte Fan Force.
2. I understand that I may participate in Charlotte Fan Force Events and monitor e-mails sent on the e-mail list at any time.
3. I understand that it is my responsibility to arrange safe transportation to and from Charlotte Fan Force Events for the minor.
4. I am satisfied that if I am not present, the minor is sufficiently responsible and experienced to assume full and entire responsibility for his/her own safety during Charlotte Fan Force Events, and to remove himself/herself from any situations in which he/she feels uncomfortable.
_______________________________________________
Signature of Parent or Guardian
_______________________________________________
Emergency Contact Phone-Number

Minor’s Acknowledgement of Underage Member Policy
I __________________________________ (Name of Minor) have read, or have had read to me, the Underage Member Policy of the Charlotte Fan Force, and the waiver that has been signed by my parent or guardian. I understand that:
1. I will not be supervised during Charlotte Fan Force Events and that my parent/guardian will be responsible for anything that happens to me during these events.
2. There are adult members of this group and that it is my responsibility to speak up if I feel uncomfortable about anything occurring at the Charlotte Fan Force Events and to contact my parent/guardian to come get me.
3. The Charlotte Fan Force has invited my parent/guardian to participate in Club Events and to read the e-mails that are sent out on the Charlotte Fan Force e-mail list.
4. I am to have safe transportation pre-arranged to get to and from Charlotte Fan Force Events.
_________________________________________________
Signature of Minor
_________________________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian as Witness

IX. Promotional Release
Members of the CFF often will be photographed and videotaped while out in public at events, or at club meetings. Below is the Promotional Release Form for the CFF:

I, the undersigned, hereby consent to the use of any videotapes, photographs, slides, audiotapes, or any other visual or audio reproduction in which I may appear by the CFF. I understand that these materials are being used for promotion of the CFF, which includes recruitment and fund-raising efforts. I release CFF from any liability connected with the use of my picture or voice recording as part of any promotional, recruitment, or fund-raising program.
Date
Signed

X. Vehicle Use Policy Statement

Everyone is responsible for their own transportation to and from events and meetings. If a member accepts transportation from another member, he/she assumes full responsibility of the risks incurred. The Charlotte Fan Force will not be held liable for any transportation mishaps.

XI. Charlotte Fan Force Spoiler Policy

Because many people have different feelings on how much they like to know about a movie, book, comic or even game before they play it, we try to make the CFF as friendly to all as possible. What you might consider to not be a spoiler might be a spoiler to another person.

What is a Spoiler? Giving away the movie, book, comic, etc. Or, as Wikipedia says:


A spoiler is a summary or description of a narrative (or part of a narrative) that relates plot elements not revealed early in the narrative itself. Moreover, because enjoyment of a narrative sometimes depends upon the dramatic tension and suspense which undergird it, this early revelation of plot elements can "spoil" the enjoyment that some consumers of the narrative would otherwise have experienced.


As a courtesy to all board members if you have ANYTHING that might be considered a spoiler you must Highlight-To-Read [HTR] tags by using [hl= Black] and [/hl]. Example:

This is an example of how to use Highlight-To-Read [HTR] tages

It doesn’t take much to use the markup codes and if you have a question about how to use a markup code please PM the Chapter Representative or the RSA [Regional Support Administrator].

The Literature Board of the JC has more information on Book and Comic spoilers:

http://boards.theforce.net/literature/b10003/23738504/p1/?52


Definition Of A Spoiler
A "spoiler" is considered any information about any unreleased Star Wars property (film, TV, novel, comic, etc.) which has not been specifically mentioned by LFL or one of its designated licensees. So if LFL tells us in an official capacity that Han Solo will be sporting a kick-butt new goatee in the next Star Wars novel, it's not a spoiler, but finding out that information from a non-official source is considered a spoiler.


Acceptable Use of Spoilers in the Literature Forum
Despite what we said above, we don't mind the use of spoilers in the Literature forum but there are very specific conditions for their use.

1) Any thread which does not contain a spoiler warning tag (e.g. "Luke Skywalker pwns! (ROTJ Spoilers)") may not have any visible spoiler posted within it, but may have spoilers posted within the thread as HTR (highlight-to-read) only. Any thread with a tag of "[thread title] (No spoilers!)" or the like may never contain any spoiler within it whatsoever (HTR or otherwise).

2) Any thread which DOES contain a spoiler warning tag may contain spoilers within for the source mentioned and for any source no longer bound by spoiler rules. As a courtesy, you may opt to use HTR by using [color= Black] and [hl= Black] tags if you wish, but it is not required.

3) Thread titles THEMSELVES should not contain spoilers within them, even containing the spoiler warning tag. Thus, "Han Solo Dies in TUF (TUF Spoilers)" would not be acceptable, but "Major Character Death!!! (TUF Spoilers)" would be permissible.

4) If you receive an advance copy of the novel in some official capacity (e.g. reviewer, translator, etc.), the posting of MAJOR spoilers (major character deaths, major secret plot points, etc.) from that source prior to the release date is forbidden. Small spoilers and tantalizing details will be allowed (e.g. "dp4m, give us a spoiler PLEASE!" "What, like the fact that the Imperial Remnant has been hiding an SSD this whole time?"), but the staff will be using their judgment to try and preserve as much of the "surprise" as possible. If you receive your copy via purchasing from a legitimate source (e.g. Amazon, your local bookstore, Half.com, etc.) in prior to the release date, you are free to post spoilers provided they follow the other rules listed in these guidelines.

5) As always, OFFICIAL information released (either via press release, web posting or forum posting by an LFL- or licensee-employee) is not considered a spoiler and may be posted without usage of spoiler tags. However, as a matter of courtesy, you may wish to obfuscate this information in certain threads.

Punishments for Violation of Spoiler Policy
Much like those people who wished to remain "Spoiler Free for Episode III," trying to not read about spoilers before the reading of an EU source is a personal choice and one we support. As it is much easier to close the barn door before the horses escape, it is far easier to have rules in place to prevent spoilers from being accidentally viewed than it is to deprive our users of coming here for all of the other discussion.

So, that being said, we take the posting of spoilers without warning in the Literature Forum very seriously. While you may inadvertently post minor details which may only receive an edit and/or a warning, if you post some major spoiler without any warning please expect to be banned from the forums for a decent period of time.

As the moderators are not completely omniscient yet, if anyone sees something that they believe to be a spoiler please let one of us know about it and we will take care of it (if necessary). As always, your own definition of "spoiler" may differ from each other but we will be following the above rules as a "lowest common denominator."

XII. Dissolution of the Club
If, for any reason, the Charlotte Fan Force should ever disband, the officers shall be charged with the liquidation of all club assets, settlements of all liabilities, and taking down the website.


Updated August 2007

 

-----signature-----
Ward 316 | Proud member of Donkey Squad!
Honey, you forgot your pants! ~ TK-2970 love
DZ-5232 Old Mother Tusken
Carolina Garrison Charlotte Regional Representative
http://www.heroes4heroes.org
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History
Jada 
Title: Chapter Rep
Charlotte, NC

Registered: Apr '06
42108_Deliah Blue
Date Posted: 8/21/07 1:06pm Subject: RE: Welcome to the Charlotte "Separatists" Fan Force - Please Read
A History of the Charlotte Separatists Fan Force

Back in 2002 when folks where eagerly waiting for Attack of the Clones to come out a few individuals met on theforce.net boards and formed the original Charlotte Separatists Fan Force. This happened in March of 2002 according to this thread. The original members were RidingMyCarousel (first Chapter Representative), anakin_girl, ole_okey_doke, EagleIFilms and Q187.

The name of the group was almost the Carolina Corellians but the name Separatists won out.

RidingMyCarousel stepped down as Chapter Representative in April ’02 and anakin_girl stepped up and led the Separatists until June ‘04. The group participated in a midnight release party for AOTC and in ConCarolina that year. Along the way they had many gatherings and fun times. EagleIFilms was the 3rd Chapter Representative for the Separatists. The group got together for the ROTS Midnight screening.

After that the group was quiet as fandom took a moment to realize that the movies were over.

In August ’06 Jada who had just moved from the Tucson Fan Force took up the mantle of Chapter Representative and started a monthly book club and game nights.

The group also organized a successful food drive around the One Man Star Wars show in February ’07.

 

-----signature-----
Ward 316 | Proud member of Donkey Squad!
Honey, you forgot your pants! ~ TK-2970 love
DZ-5232 Old Mother Tusken
Carolina Garrison Charlotte Regional Representative
http://www.heroes4heroes.org
Locked Topic | Active Topic Notification | Private Message | Post History