[snip]

Scenario 4 (James - please answer this question first; other candidates can answer after James):

A new member has been kicked off their ship by the CO because the CO and the member have been clashing about the member’s struggle in learning STF’s style of role-playing. The CO contacts the Academy Commandant to see if the new member can be placed in the Academy, although the new member doesn’t seem that enthusiastic about joining the Academy and has been really enjoying the sim on the ship in question. The FComm was monitoring the ship, and tells the CO to reverse the decision and help mentor the new member instead. The CO complains saying that they have been doing a lot of other work on the ship and does not have time to mentor a new member. The FComm says their decision in final. The CO complains to you about the FComm’s decision.

What is your authority in this situation as President? What decisions can you make? Is there a procedure for this scenario?

Well the CO can remove a player from their ship at any time for any reason. Sometimes this is harsh in the fallout it can occur. I’ve personally often tried to use it as a last resort finding other means to mentor or help the player in question improve on their posting or what they need to do at their current level of rank, etc.

If the CO replied to the Fcomm that they don’t have the time I would hope the FComm tried to get a mentor involved that may be on the ship. Or delegate to the XO etc. My responsibility in this case though wouldnt play a factor unless it reached me up the chain of command though I would hope by that point something had gotten resolved. by other means. Though to my knowledge beyond the standard chain of command for appealing things I dont think there is anything else.

Robert Archer

Rob, is there any specified role in our rules for a President to interfere with a dispute between the CO and FComm over the removal of a player from a ship?

Daniel

The chain of command would state that if there was a dispute between co and fcomm over removing a player (i’m assuming here its not the CO) then the chain of command after going through the afcomm and vice prez would go to the prez who would have the final say if i’m understanding right what youre asking.

Does this help?

Robert Archer

It does, but I’m concerned by that answer. While the chain-of-command generally goes from Cabinet to President (it does not have to go through the VP first unless the executive sets it up that way), there are very specific bylaws that say that in many scenarios the Cabinet member’s decision is final. The President should not get involved in certain decisions made by their Cabinet member. Instead, if the Cabinet member is making bad decisions, the President should consider a replacement.

To be frank, that was kind of the whole theme of my questions in this thread: identifying when a President has authority to get involved, what procedure they are to follow, and what type of presidential decisions can be reviewed.

The dispute between a CO and a member in removing a member from a ship is not an uncommon occurrence in STF, and FComms have had to get involved. Given that it is not uncommon, are there any official rules about when a President can get involved in this type of dispute?

Daniel

Ok after some digging I think I’m seeing what youre asking for now if I’m not mistaken then youre referring to the powers section in FCOMM (https://www.star-fleet.com/library/bookshelf/charters/charter-fleets.html) stating:

The CO also has the power to dismiss members of their crews if they determine that such action is necessary to preserve or restore the ability of the ship to function effectively. A member dismissed from a ship may appeal the decision to the FComm (or AFComm if the CO in question is FComm). Should the FComm (or AFComm) support the decision of the CO, the ruling is final. Should the FComm overturn the ruling, the CO may appeal to the President (or the Vice President if the President is the CO in Question); in this case, the President’s (or Vice President’s) decision is final. Other powers may be specified by Edict or by the Fleet Commander.

this? In this case the prez could get involved if the CO appeals to the president who then has the final say.

Robert Archer

Hi Rob,

Your answers throughout this process are concerning to me. While I am mostly “retired” (or at least will be in a few weeks), I can’t really sit and watch this. You have demonstrated, by answering these questions, that you have the ability to read through discrete parts of bills and apply them very statically to situations. You have not demonstrated an ability to understand the intention, implications, and application of critical thought to situations. Perhaps this is intentional, which brings me to my question.

Do you feel that the President should stick to their interpretation of discrete pieces of written law, or do you feel that the President should be expected to understand and apply critically not only the words but the intention, of complete pieces of laws to situations that are often complex and emotionally charged?

Thanks,

I feel that the president should have a basic grounding of where to look for things or who to ask for help in searching out such information. No president I think will ever truly know every bit and detail unless they have been president for many times in a row or such. I admit I struggle with such things, but I also am determined to learn and to do my best for stf to the best of my ability. I think every president in turn will have their own interpretations of the written law and it comes up to how they view those wordings that set president or standards for others to follow, but again even that is open to interpretation to some degree.

Hi Rob,

I am still waiting on an answer to this.

Thanks,
-Thomas

I apologize for the delay Thomas I had some work to take care of in life and didnt have time to get to this after everything else stf wise the other days. I hope this answers your question.

Robert Archer