Help-Com Guiding Policy

CHATNET HELP COMMITTEE ("Team Help") INTERNAL POLICY [11/13/99]

"In the Pursuit of Perfection"

Written by Warlock, Charles White [charlie@lod.com]

[ INTRODUCTION ]

The ChatNet Help Committee ("Team Help") is a committee formed to bring together the Administrators, Operators, and Users of ChatNet who have a strong desire to help the users of ChatNet. It is an organized effort to make the ChatNet Help System the best it can be. Our slogan "In the Pursuit of Perfection" is a relentless task. A task we strive for in bringing our users the most comprehensive help possible. From security related matters, Virus removal, IRC related help, servers to Network operation and everything in between. No question or problem is too simplistic or insurmountable to answer or assist with if it's important to our users. It is the responsibility of the Help Committee to see to it that each and every user receives prompt and desirable help, in any situation. This includes but is not limited to: *Running and maintaining an up-to-date HelpBot, *Maintaining a clean and helpful Team Help homepage, *Acting in a helpful and professional manner at all times, and *Always solving and/or answering any and all questions and/or problems that the users of this network may have if at all possible. To maintain a helpful and professional environment there must be rules and guidelines set "in stone", to ensure that rules/guidelines that could be interpreted differently, are eliminated. Since the center of Team Help revolves around the channel #Help, additional rules and guidelines may be found in the Official #Help Code of Conduct. The ChatNet Help Committee, "In the Pursuit of Perfection", will see to it that the Help System of ChatNet is always top priority, and will also ensure that all efforts to help users reflects on the ChatNet IRC Network, and makes it shine.

[ MEMBERS ]

- "Chair" - [#Help Access Level: 501] In the ChatNet Help Committee there will be a single person who takes the overall responsibility of seeing to it that the main motives of the team is always directed in a strive for excellence. This person will be named the Chair and will take the full responsibility and commitment of any and all Team Help tasks upon his or her shoulders. Initially this position will be filled by the founder of the committee; however, in any case that the current "Chair" is to fail in fulfilling their position, a new "Chair" will be elected by the Senior Ops of the committee.

Voting issue - Although the Chairman of the ChatNet Help Committee has the authority to put in the last word when needed in Help Committee issues. This individual is not "GOD" of the Committee and can NOT make sole decisions nor close votes based on his or her opinion. The Chair's vote counts the same as any Senior Ops and does not constitute a final decision just because it fits his or her wishes. The main tasks and responsibilities of the Help Committee Chair: The Chair is responsible for hosting any and all Help Committee services. This includes the "Team Help" homepage, the Official #Help HelpBot, and any other services and/or tools that may be used by the Help Committee to further enhance the help provided to our users. If the Chair does not have the resources to personally host these services, it is his or her responsibility to see to it that a host for these help tools are found as quickly and as painlessly as possible.
* Leading any and all Help Committee activities.
* Taking the first step in settling any and all Help Committee disputes and problems. (This includes internal disputes between Senior ops, helpers, etc.. Although it is hoped that the Senior Ops are mature enough to settle most disputes on their own, if a final word is needed, the Chair will ultimately be responsible for resolving the dispute.)
* Representing the ChatNet Help Committee in a professional manner at ALL times.
* Taking sole responsibility for all actions taken, and services provided by the ChatNet Help Committee.
* Making the final decision concerning any and all Help Committee votes in which there is no possibility of decision by vote, or in the event there is a tie in the vote by the Senior Ops.

Senior Ops - [#Help Access Level: 500] The Senior Ops of the ChatNet Help Committee are considered to be the "elite" of the ChatNet helpers. These individuals always make an sincere and honest effort to help the users of the ChatNet IRC Network at all times. These individuals always take the first step when situations arise that a user may be in need of help. Senior Ops understand and accept that they are representing the ChatNet Help Committee and ChatNet at all times, and they will act in a helpful and professional manner. Senior Ops are responsible for any and all votes that take place within the ChatNet Help Committee. This includes replacement of the Help Committee Chair position at such time the current Chair is no longer capable of fulfilling the position. The position of Senior Op will initially be filled by the individuals who originally helped in forming this committee. The current Senior Ops and Chair as time progresses will decide on all other future Senior Ops. The normal process will be for a user to start as a trainee and work their way up to this position as seen fit by the Committee.

- Helpers - [#Help Access Level: 450] (This includes IRCops and Server Administrators) Helpers of the ChatNet Help Committee are the individuals who put forth the time and effort to assist and help the users of this network, and who put forth a sincere effort to help the ChatNet Help Committee in their "Pursuit for Perfection". Helpers, like Senior Ops, understand and accept that they are representing the ChatNet Help Committee and ChatNet at all times, and they will act in a helpful and professional manner. Helpers must always make helping the users of this network their first priority and must always take an ACTIVE role in #Help, and Help Committee activities if they wish to maintain their status within the committee. Furthermore, Helpers MUST and WILL take their jobs seriously if they wish to keep their positions in the committee. If the Chairman of the committee or one or more Senior Ops observe that a Helper has become a problem or has become inactive, or is not representing the committee and this network in a helpful and professional manner, these Senior Ops may propose that the helper be removed. When a Helper is removed this individual will not be offered a position in the ChatNet Help Committee again, unless under special circumstances, or a significant change is seen in the individual. Helpers like the Chairman and Senior Ops of this committee, represent this group and this network and are expected to act the part without fail.

*IRCOps and Server Administrators who wish to actively participate in the ChatNet Help Committee are initially added as "Helpers" and do not have to start as trainees, as it is hoped the individuals in these positions already know the material and carry the roles that it takes to be a Helper in this committee. If an IRCOp or Server Administrator becomes inactive or impugns the reputation of the Help Committee, they may be removed from the Channel and the Committee by vote of the Chairman and Senior Ops of the Committee. The Help Committee has the right to veto any initial addition of an Oper/Admin as a helper.

- Trainees - [#Help Access Level: 200] Trainees in the ChatNet Help Committee are individuals who are sincere in their efforts to help the users of this network and are being screened to see how much material they know and if they can contribute to the ChatNet Help Committee. Although the position is defined as "Trainee", these individuals are to maintain the same professional standards as are maintained by the Helpers, Senior Ops, and Chair of this Committee. If a Trainee is found to be unable to fulfill the position as a helper after a probationary time period, or the Trainee is seen to have caused problems, or improperly represented the ChatNet help Committee, they will be removed and will not have the opportunity to be screened again for a period of one year.

[ MAILING LISTS ]

ExecHelp@lists.chatnet.org - This is a closed list where the Chairman and Senior Ops of the committee will discuss any and all issues regarding #Help and the ChatNet Help Committee. All final votes regarding the committee will take place on this list. TeamHelp@lists.chatnet.org - This list will serve as a place for discussion and opinions regarding certain ChatNet Help Committee issues. All members of the ChatNet Help Committee will be added to this list (excluding Trainee's which are not considered full members until such time they are added as a Helper).

[ PROCEDURES ]

Voting process - Any thing related to the ChatNet Help Committee may be modified by a simple majority of voting Senior Ops (including the Chair). Votes occur as follows: There will be three days for discussion. Once discussion has completed, the chair will post the issue for a vote. The post shall consist of the tracking number, the begin date and time, the end date and time, the issue being voted on, the choices/selections for the vote, and any special voting instructions. The vote lasts four days.

Amending Formula - These rules and guidelines may be modified at any time, but requires a two-third's (2/3) majority of Senior Ops (including the Chair) for any change to be effected.