Presidential Edicts
August 4, 2018 to April 6, 2019
Every president must have a motto
Every president must have a motto
Edict #1
August 18, 2018
And so it begins.
Last weekend Brady McGuinn had a private message conversation with AJ Paulson on Discord in which Brady was trying to send money to AJ to do something nice for him. Despite repeated attempts by AJ to decline the offer, Brady continued to insist on this unusual offer. During these attempts Brady also called AJ a vulgar name while threatening that if he wanted to he could run AJ through the National Crime Information Center. AJ felt threatened by the conversation, so he brought this to my attention, shared screenshots of the conversation with me, and filed a complaint.
STF?s Terms of Service state that we want each visitor to STF and all of our members to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Because of this the Terms of Service prohibit a variety of harmful behaviors, including threatening and harassing people. Failing to drop a matter after repeated attempts by another person to stop it is harassing. Suggesting to someone that you could conduct a search on them to see if they have a criminal record is certainly threatening.
This is only one instance of inappropriate behavior out of many from Brady McGuinn while using Discord in recent weeks. After I learned of the situation with AJ, additional conduct of Brady?s came to light. At my request, Brady was temporarily banned from Discord to give me a chance to consider an appropriate response. I was deeply concerned that Brady?s behavior would cause other STF members to feel unsafe and I felt immediate action was required.
After having been informed that he was temporarily banned, Brady sent screenshots that matched AJ?s and defended his actions. He denied that he violated the Terms of Service and denied that he harassed or threatened AJ. He then made an implied threat he would take legal action against STF in the event he was punished.
I am concerned that Brady?s continued presence would hamper the abilities of other STF members to safely participate in this community. His failure to acknowledge his own wrongdoing troubles me, as I expect that if he were to return later after an absence that there would be no change in his behavior. As other Presidents have previously, I take the threat of legal action against the club seriously. Unfortunately, I see only one appropriate course of action. For threatening and harassing behavior in violation of STF?s Terms of Service, Brady McGuinn is hereby permanently banned from all STF controlled resources, including chat platforms.
I am grateful for the assistance of Discord channel operators in this case. Also, I want to encourage the members of the club that if you are having difficulties with someone on Discord, to bring it to the attention of one of the operators. Usually if someone is behaving inappropriately with one person they are doing the same with others, but it is difficult to take action to address it if no one brings it up.
Adam W.
President
Edict #2
August 18, 2018
Let?s do something on a little more positive of a note, shall we?
I am pleased to announce the Cabinet for this term.
Foremost Fleet FComm - David Eads, appointed
Pioneer Fleet FComm - Kate O?Neill, appointed
Meridian Fleet FComm - Steven Sigle, retained
Black Fleet FComm - Ray Branch, retained
Infinite Fleet FComm - Krys McLean, appointed
Academy Commandant - Kat Dedul, retained
Personnel Director - Daniel Lerner, appointed
Gamemaster Director - Lindsay Bayes, retained
Engineering Director - Robert Archer, retained
Congratulations to those who were selected. This club can?t function without volunteers and I appreciate your willingness to serve. There were also a number of others who were willing to serve in the Cabinet if needed and were qualified to do so, and my hope is that they will be able to plug in elsewhere. I?m glad to have an opportunity to appoint a couple brand new FComms as I believe that will be beneficial long term for STF.
Thank you to those who will no longer be serving in the Cabinet. All of you have been recognized for your contributions in those roles by at least one previous President, and your efforts have been appreciated.
Members of the new cabinet, please announce your assistants in Command in the next two weeks.
Adam W.
President
Edict #3
August 29, 2018
Brian Richards had to step down from his position as CO of the Constellation due to other time commitments. This gives me the opportunity to name a new CO to my favorite comedy themed ship.
Based on the recommendation of the Fleet Commander of the Infinite Fleet, and because of his recent and quite hilarious contributions to the ship, by the power vested in me I hereby pronounce Fleet Captain Russell Watt to be Commanding Officer of the USS Constellation. Welcome back to the captain?s chair, Russ. I can only hope your new role doesn?t prevent the ship from having a Chief Nasal Officer. I would certainly hate to see a regression in nasal health of the Connie crew.
Adam W.
President
Edict #4
October 10, 2018
I haven?t been able to get in touch with David Eads and I suspect life has gotten busy for him lately. I?m relieving him of the position of Fleet Commander of the Foremost Fleet.
That leaves an open spot in the cabinet that needs to be filled. Given the two dozen mugs currently crammed into my kitchen cabinet I don?t have a great deal of experience with solving the problem of figuring out what to do with an open spot in a cabinet, but I think I can figure it out in this case. I am pleased to announce that David Shotton is appointed Fleet Commander of the Foremost Fleet.
Congratulations David! Please have your assistant named in the next two weeks.
Adam W.
President
Edict #5
October 23, 2018
Ray recently needed to step down from his role as CO of the Challenger, leaving us a key position in the Academy we needed to fill.
Based upon the recommendation of the Academy Commandant, I name David Shotton Commanding Officer of the USS Challenger. Congratulations David. I know you?ll do well.
I?m not going to make any promises on having a third edict in a row about you, but I?ll see what I can do.
Adam W.
President
Edict #6
October 28, 2018
Recently Rob Archer, after something like 47 terms as Engineering Director, unfortunately had to step down from that role due to time constraints. Thank you, Rob, for all that you?ve done over the years in that department.
This means I have another cabinet spot to fill. I hereby appoint Captain Philip Graham as Engineering Director. Congratulations Philip!
Adam W.
President
Edict #7
November 22, 2018
Steve Johnson needs to step down from his position as CO of the USS Chimera at this time. Thank you Steve for the hard work you put into the ship.
This means we have another vacancy to fill. After an application process that featured as many well-qualified candidates as I?ll have choices of pie to eat later today, a decision has been reached. I?m going with the apple pie. Yes, I know I ate some last night. But unless chocolate peanut butter cup pie is present I think it?ll be the best choice. Who decided this holiday is about pumpkin pie instead of chocolate peanut butter cup pie anyways?
Wait, that isn?t the decision you?ve been waiting for. Based upon the recommendation of the Fleet Commander of the Infinite Fleet, Captain Philip Graham is appointed to position of Commanding Officer of the USS Chimera. Congratulations Philip!
Adam W.
President
Edict #8
November 22, 2018
There are many time-honored traditions associated with this day in my fine nation. It?s a day of thankfulness. And a day where the amount of food eaten is only surpassed by the volume of football watched. It?s a day where the truly brave among us plan their shopping adventures in conditions no one would want to shop in at times when no one would want to shop.
On Thanksgiving in the United States the President has an important duty to perform, one which I feel compelled to perform now. I, of course, am speaking of the pardoning of the turkey. In the tradition of my country, I use my authority as President to pardon Mike Montemayor.
Adam W.
President
Edict #9
November 24, 2018
As someone once said, contradictions are the spice of life. Or were roleplaying club edicts the spice of life? Something like that.
To avoid a potential future contradiction, Hemmingway Edict #18 is amended with this addition. In the event there exists a bylaw that indicates an executive assistant is to coordinate the STF Awards, the responsibility of administering the STF Awards and determining the exact awards, the nomination procedure, and the voting procedure will be that executive assistant?s responsibility instead of the Office of the President?s responsibility. The executive assistant with that responsibility can delegate some or all of the responsibilities related to the STF Awards.
Adam W.
President
Edict #10
December 16, 2018
We just had a new bylaw create a new Executive Assistant position. So we should formalize who will be doing this role, even though in reality she?s been doing the work for quite some time already.
Lindsay Bayes is hereby appointed as our Community & Marketing Manager. Thank you Linds for modeling what this role will be. So far this term there?s been a great variety of community events to participate in and personally I?ve found that quite enjoyable. Thanks to all who have helped make that happen.
Adam W.
President
Edict #11
December 16, 2018
The recent passing of Jeremy DeSpain has impacted STF in many different ways. One difficult aspect is that some who counted Jeremy a close friend have found themselves in the position of needing to replace him. One such position is his role as CO of the USS Manhattan.
I think Jeremy would be proud to see us use the CO position he held to give an extremely promising newer member a chance to shine as captain for the first time. Based on the recommendation of the Fleet Commander of the Foremost Fleet, I hereby promote James Sinclair to the rank of Captain and assign him the position of Commanding Officer of the USS Manhattan. Congratulations James! Well deserved!
Oh, and don?t forget about the rule where the newest captain brings the President donuts when they hand in their ship report.
Adam W.
President
Edict #12
January 7, 2019
Russell Watt has unfortunately needed to resign from his position as CO of the Constellation. Without Russ undoubtedly the nasal health on the Connie will be in danger.
But behold! I bring you good tidings of great joy. At least it brings me great joy. Based upon the recommendation of the Infinite Fleet Commander, Louis Harvatt is promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned to the position of Commanding Officer of the USS Constellation. Congrats Louis!
For those scoring at home, we?re currently at 17% of the edicts this term containing the phrase ?nasal health.? What can I say? It?s important!
Adam W.
President
Edict #13
January 9, 2019
Julia, after a very long service as captain of the USS Genesis, is stepping down from that role as she is unable to continue at this time. Thanks Julia for your part in creating the fantastic reputation the Genesis has. Fortunately I think we?ve found the perfect person to keep things going there in your absence.
Based upon the recommendation of the Fleet Commander of the Black Fleet, Luke Hung is hereby named Commanding Officer of the USS Genesis. Welcome back to the center chair Luke and congrats!
Adam W.
President
Edict #14
January 9, 2019
I think I?m deciding I love doing this kind of edict. Time for another big promotion!
D has decided she needed to step down from the Olympic at this time. This leaves me one more CO vacancy to fill.
This is a long time coming. So long, in fact, it really could have happened a decade ago. Based upon the recommendation of the Fleet Commander of the Black Fleet, not to mention the impressively high praise from everyone I?ve heard talk about him, Commander Christopher Bennett is hereby promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned the position of the Commanding Officer of the USS Olympic. Congratulations!
Adam W.
President
Edict #15
January 20, 2019
Krys is deciding to step down from her position as CO of the Chernov at this time. Thanks Krys for the work you?ve put into the ship.
Based upon the recommendation of the Fleet Commander of the Meridian Fleet, Captain Travis Good is hereby named Commanding Officer of the USS Chernov. Congrats Travis!
Also, in an act of benevolence, I?m sparing you all from the truly weird example of my sense of humor that this edict was going to end with. You?re welcome!
Adam W.
President
Edict #16
February 7, 2019
Recently Daniel was forced to resigned his position as captain of the Endeavour due to other his other time commitments. I suggest all of you draft letters to send to the boss at Daniel?s workplace suggesting greater allowance for Star Trek roleplaying be made there. I?m sure Daniel will greatly appreciate that.
Fortunately we?ll be able to keep my first ship in great hands. Based on a rather glowing recommendation of herself from the Academy Commandant, not to mention my familiarity with working with her both in the Academy and when she?s in command of a ship, I declare Admiral Katherine Dedul to be the Commanding Officer of the USS Endeavour.
Congrats Kat!
Adam W.
President
Edict #17
February 17, 2019
Time flies when you?re having fun. The conclusion of my long-awaited presidential reign is nearing. I know how sad that must make all of you, but we?re in a democracy so we best get ourselves ready for an election.
Joe P. will be continuing in his role as Election Coordinator in the upcoming STF presidential election. Katherine Dedul is named Assistant Election Coordinator for the upcoming STF presidential election. Joe, please announce the election timeline as soon as you are able to do so.
Adam W.
President
Edict #18
April 1, 2019
This is the edict you?ve all been waiting for I?m sure.
In the event there exists a bylaw which establishes an STF Dictatorship, the first dictator of STF shall be Adam W.
In the event Adam W. is not available to serve as dictator, that honor falls instead to Kat Dedul, whether she likes it or not.
Adam W.
President and Future Dictator
Edict #19
April 1, 2019
There?s no better way to end speculation than to address it before it actually starts.
I just want to clarify, for the record, that there is nothing in existence called the STF President?s Book of Secrets. There are no series of riddles that will help you to find it. There are no posts containing the riddles that will end up leading you to discover the President?s Book of Secrets that were posted on the Starbase 157 board on December 18, 2018.
Adam W.
President
Edict #20
April 1, 2019
After thoroughly studying the edict archive, I have found something that I believe needs to be addressed.
[Archer Edict #8](https://www.star-fleet.com/prez/edicts/archer/#e8) states the following:
?As per the recommendations of FComm 6 Julia K, CO Terry of the USS Vanguard is hereby rechristened the USS Wolverine NCC 99199 and to the ship class Brazen destroyer escort.?
After closely studying this language I have determined that the USS Vanguard was not rechristened in this edict. Instead it actually was Terry Sullivan of the USS Vanguard that was rechristened. I?m quite intrigued by this concept and suggest that future Presidents also rechristen STF members to have ship names.
The STF member formerly known as Terry Sullivan is hereby unrechristened as the USS Wolverine NCC 99199 and that honor is instead given to USS Vanguard, in keeping with the original intent of the edict.
Adam W.
President
Edict #21
April 1, 2018
Hmm, I didn?t see the widespread opposition coming to the unrechristening of USS Wolverine NCC 99199?s name back to Terry. I had best move on to something we all can agree on for the betterment of our community.
Due to the popular demand of the club membership, and because I?d like to curtail all rival claims on being STF?s ultimate authority, I find myself with little choice other than to issue this edict. From this point in time forward, all Fridays are to be cookie day. And none of that low-fat cookie nonsense either. We?re far too serious for that.
Adam W.
President
Edict #22
April 1, 2018
While on the whole the members of Star-Fleet.com do an excellent job appreciating bacon, it has been brought to my attention that there have been those among us who refer to non-bacon foods like tofu bacon as bacon.
Effective immediately all non-pork fake bacon is to be referred to as facon. For example, this would be an acceptable usage: ?Someone actually eats tofu facon. Do you believe that?? To accommodate our members outside of the United States, alternate spellings of facon shall be acceptable as long as they do not contain the letter ?B.?
Adam W.
President
Edict #23
April 3, 2019
The significant club structure change we made this term was a continuation of a role transformation that began last term, changing the Marketing and Advertising Coordinator into a Community and Marketing Manager. If we want this club to be a place that people come to and continue to stay a part of, it?s really important to focus building our sense of community. Combining these aspects together has been modeled wonderfully for us by Lindsay Bayes. Linds led the way as a number of volunteers made many community events happen this term. I know I really enjoyed getting to participate in several of them myself and I?m certain others did as well.
For her pioneering role as our Community and Marketing Manager, Lindsay Bayes is awarded a Presidential level commendation.
Adam W.
President
Edict #24
April 3, 2019
One of the major goals I had for this term was to get the Personnel Department to be staffed by multiple people. In recent terms the work of that department has often primarily fallen on one person, with who that person is shifting. Having a department where responsiveness is vital be carried by one person does not turn out well.
I appointed Daniel Personnel Director, trusting he would properly staff the department. Thanks to Daniel?s leadership, all term the department was in better shape than it had been the prior year.
For his efforts this term getting the Personnel Department healthy and functioning well, Daniel Lerner is awarded a Presidential level commendation.
Adam W.
President
Edict #25
April 3, 2019
At the time of it's posting I believed [DeSpain Edict #31](https://www.star-fleet.com/prez/edicts/despain/#e31) to not be proper, as there is no provision for an STF President to promote a club member to a rank less than that of Captain. I raised no objection at the time, however, as I deemed the public recognition for hard work to be very appropriate. This arguably invalid portion of this edict is something I would like to correct now that I'm in a position to do so.
Owen Morgan's volunteer efforts have also been recognized in at least three other presidential edicts for his work as a TECH member, as a member assisting TECH, as Academy Fleet Liaison Officer, and as SOX. Owen's hard work continued this term as he rejoined TECH as a member and continued his contributions in the Academy and in X-Fleet. He approached members, including myself, offering to improve static pages and MOTDs.
For his exceptional service to the club over the last couple of years, Owen Morgan is hereby promoted to the rank of Captain.
Adam W.
President
Edict #26
April 3, 2019
I think it?s really important to recognize those in our community who not only volunteer, but continue to do so over a long period of time. I don?t think I could come up with all the roles this person has had since her last promotion in 2011. She?s had AFComm or FComm roles with most of our fleets since then. During a very busy stretch in her own life she hopped into the Vice President position mid-term at a critical time for the club right before the Exodus launch, finely walking the line of questioning the President?s sanity while also doing a great deal to maintain the President?s sanity. She made significant contributions to the Personnel Department the last three terms, often becoming the point person for the department even if that wasn?t how things were supposed to go, like she did this term when Daniel was unexpectedly knocked out by an illness. She?s always willing to be helpful, whether a task needs to be accomplished or someone just needs a listening ear.
Her work this term, last term, and probably every term before that she was around for has been exceptional, above and beyond what has been required. For her efforts this term as Assistant Personnel Director that were instrumental for the department?s success and the many contributions she has made in a variety of roles over the years, Cale Reilly is hereby promoted to the rank of Commodore.
Adam W.
President
Edict #27
April 4, 2018
Well, it sure was interesting being President of STF during what was by far the most bizarre eight month period of my life. As much as I?d like to chronicle all my adventures here, that?s not what this space is for.
There are many people to thank this term that I haven?t covered yet. One person doesn?t run STF on their own. A great many of you volunteer and because you do this website functions in all the ways we want it to. I?ll start more broadly and go on to more specific people.
STF Membership
Thanks to the entire STF Membership. This term went very smoothly, which has a ton to do with how civil everyone was in their interactions with each other. Also it was wonderful to see our community support each other as we worked through a shared loss this term. Several people, including myself, went through some challenging times in addition to that. Thanks to those who leant me a listening ear when I needed it and thanks to the club for being patient with me when I was largely out of commission in September and October.
Cabinet Members, Assistants to Cabinet Members, Executive Assistants, TECH members, EGOists, and Discord Operators
Thank you to all of you who had official roles. Many of you put in a lot of long, hard work and a lot of that goes largely unnoticed. Thank you all for the amazing job you do.
Crew Members of Outpost 42
I brought my A game to being a CO a rather small percentage of this term I felt like. I was thrown off in September and it?s been a challenge for me to get back in the swing ever since. Thanks to my crew for continuing to be fantastic even when I wasn?t as active as usual.
Former Presidents of STF
Thanks to all those former Presidents who answered my question before the term about what the one thing the STF President needs to keep in mind. All the advice I received was great and it shaped my perspective on the presidency for the better.
Kat Dedul
Thank you, Kat, for always being a go-to person for me when I needed to discuss something. I always appreciate your perspective, your advice, and your willingness to listen.
Russell Watt
Thank you, Russ, for helping to maintain my sanity at odd times when everyone else is sleeping.
Kate O?Neill
Thank you, Kate, for being a great friend, for keeping me sane, and for being a supportive XO and FComm when I needed it as a CO. Also, thanks for volunteering to be the official lyricist for future STF dictators. I can think of no better person to fill that void.
Joe P.
Thank you, Joe, for taking me up on my suggestion to give me unsolicited advice when I needed it. Thank you for always setting the bar of expectation high as I think it pushes people to try to reach it. And thank you for helping me navigate through the trickier things of this term. Your passion for doing things the right way makes STF better and I appreciate getting to observe it.
Thomas Bates
Thomas has a great deal of wisdom that I really appreciated being able to rely on both before the term and during it. He was quite helpful as we sorted out how to handle a challenging issue at the beginning of the term and he stepped up when I was out due to a family emergency, leading the club through the beginning discussions of the Community & Marketing Manager proposal he drafted while I was unavailable. He helped me lead the club through a term that was calm and yet found us continuing to build on the foundations of recent terms. Thank you, Thomas, for all your help and support ever since we quickly threw together our last minute campaign. Thanks for helping nudge me into giving this a try.
Jeremy DeSpain
Early in the term I was having a challenge figuring out who would take one of the cabinet spots. I approached Jeremy and he turned me down, which I respected and understood considering his circumstances. He came back to me later and told me he?d be willing to do it. He believed in training people up and he wanted to act on that even if it wasn?t convenient for him. When I settled on who to put where it worked out that he could train from an Assistant FComm position, which he agreed to do.
Also this term Jeremy was going to step down from the roster I oversee as CO. He changed his mind and stuck it out just because he knew it would make one of the other players happy if he stayed.
I could also go into Jeremy sticking up for me when I found myself in a messy situation as a CO even though it cost him something to do so. Suffice it to say, Jeremy would put the needs and wants of other people ahead of his own. He lived out what he believed in and I loved having the opportunity to witness that. I?m hopeful that having seen how he conducted himself it will influence me to be a better member of this community and a better person as well.
Thank you, Jeremy, for being who you were. I, along with many others, miss you greatly.
Adam W.
President
Bill #1
December 1, 2018
?CMM?
Community & Marketing Manager
Supersession of Previous Edicts
Edict Hemenway #43 - MAC - is hereby rescinded & replaced by this bill.
Establishment of the Community & Marketing Manager
An Executive Assistant position is hereby created known as the Community & Marketing Manager (or ?CMM?).
The CMM may appoint Assistant Community & Marketing Managers as necessary to fulfill the responsibilities outlined within this bill. Assistants answer directly to the CMM. The CMM may enlist volunteers to help with community events, activities, and other marketing needs.
Responsibilities of the Community & Marketing Manager
The Community & Marketing Manager shall be responsible for the following:
Maintain a schedule of community events for STF
Coordinate major club-wide events for STF, including the STF Awards. Events may also be organized by other club members with or without the assistance of the CMM
Manage a team of assistants and volunteers to run events
Coordinate with outside resources to host events and/or represent STF
Create & manage marketing materials, including but not limited to press packs
Moderate & utilize out of character posting board(s) as necessary
Maintain community resources, including the Writer?s Hub and other workshops
Collaborate with Departments and Fleets to facilitate events and maintain club resources
Provide quarterly reports regarding the CMM?s activities
Coordinate with TECH to host material on the STF site and utilize club software as necessary and possible
Serve as a point of contact for questions about the club and its community
May be called upon to consult in organizing both in and out of character club events
The Community & Marketing Coordinator may call upon the services of other Departments and Executive Assistants to accomplish their responsibilities.
The President may assign additional responsibilities to the Community & Marketing Manager as required.
Restrictions
The Community & Marketing Manager may not enter into any formal agreements with another club or organization. Any agreements with other clubs or organizations must be entered into edict by the President.
Adam W.
President
Bill #2
January 20, 2019
The entire section titled ?Yearbook? is removed from the Personnel Department edICT (PDICT) bylaw.
Adam W.
President
----
Very well, I hereby Veto Adam W. Bill #2, for the following reasons:
1. The best example I found in my research of a removal of a section of bylaw, was DeSpain Bill #1. There was replacement text going in of course, but the entirety of the section was changed enough that, in my opinion, it was essentially a new section of a bylaw.
2. It is the opinion of this panel that your wording as it stands is not making it very clear how the bylaw is now supposed to be read, as well as not really explaining why the change was really necessary (ie: poor wording, changing wording to reflect a change in department struction, etc.). Remember these bills need to survive historical tests, that is, someone reading this 10 years down the road when everyone who discussed it is gone (or can't remember the discussion entirely, both of which are completely possible scenarios) may misinterpret. That is why bills should include a changelog that identify, as best as possible, WHY the change is being made.
-Kat
To keep this clean. I second this veto of Adam W. Bill #2.
Steve Johnson - EGO
Bill #3
January 22, 2019
The following text, which is the entire section titled ?Yearbook,? is removed from the Personnel Department edICT (PDICT) bylaw:
?Yearbook
The Personnel Department will maintain the STF Yearbook. The Yearbook is a place where any member can submit a real life photograph of themselves, and a bit of personal information about themselves. All information given is strictly voluntary, though a photograph is required for participation. Any photograph or information may be added or removed at any time by the Personnel Department for any reason. Any member may request that their photograph is added or removed for any reason. All photographs and content must adhere to the STF Terms of Service.
The Yearbook shall be maintained by the Personnel Department who shall be responsible for maintaining the outward appearance of the Yearbook, updating the yearbook with new submissions, removing inappropriate submissions and ensuring that each standing gallery folder is accurate in placing Gatherings, Current Members and Past Members.
The Personnel Department shall be responsible for providing a monthly status report for publication by the Personnel Department as a part of their own monthly Departmental update report. This will include, but is not limited to, number of submissions within the previous 30 days and status of any current efforts to increase submissions.?
This causes the section titled ?Access Levels? to be immediately followed by the section titled ?Statistics.?
The purpose of removing this section is that there hasn?t been any interest, aside from the occasional member requesting something be removed, in having an STF Yearbook maintained. The popularity of social media websites like Facebook has rendered the Yearbook obsolete.
Adam W.
President