Standard Operating Procedures

1. Index / Intro: 1.1 Mission; 1.2 Purpose; 1.3 Overview; 1.4 Proviso

2. Membership: 2.1 Recruitment of New Members; 2.2 Conventions of the Watch; 2.3 Alternates; 2.4 Absence / Leaving the Watch; 2.5 Retirement; 2.6 Open Door Policy

3. Positions and Ranks: 3.1 Promotion and Rank; 3.2 Demotions; 3.3 Command Positions in the Regiment; 3.4 Command Positions in the Company

4. Company Operation & Growth: 4.1 Company Creation; 4.2 Company Operation; 4.3 Integration of Other Guilds into Watch Structure

5. Communications Standards: 5.1 General Guidelines for Public Communications; 5.2 Communication Etiquette

6. Miscellanea / Conclusion: 6.1 Miscellanea; 6.2 Final words

1.1 Mission

The Royal Black Watch mission is to foster a family of people are dedicated to a safe and fun atmosphere of online game play. In game, the unit's mission is to assist the forces of good and order to the gaming world.

1.2 Purpose

The Royal Black Watch Standard Operating Procedures is a guide for all members of the Watch and all prospective members. This document gives a snapshot of the Watch and its innermost workings. The Officers of the Watch are responsible for the Regiment as a whole and this SOP provides consistency and continuity to the Regiment as a whole. It is expressly written to help lower-level officers make decisions on the fly. To that end, it is not just a reference but a living document, and its purpose must at all times be reflected in the decisions made by Watchers. It is the responsibility of all members to understand the Guild's policies and procedures, to empower their leaders to use it to make wise decisions, and to support their leaders in the upkeep of the Watch.

1.3 Overview

The Watch is a Regiment that has: 1 Headquarters Company (of a flexible size) that oversees 8 Line Companies. Each Company deals with an individual game or two related games and it consists of a minimum of 5 members & a maximum of 150 members.

1.4 Proviso

In all cases, Guild officers are empowered to make changes on the fly as they see fit. Recruits that do exceptionally well may have their recruit period shortened, for example. In all cases the ranking guild officer's word goes. Decisions in the field should be made in the spirit of the Guild Mission (see 1.1) over the letter of the law. When in doubt, use common sense!

2.1 Recruitment of New Members

Any member past the recruit level can sponsor an applicant for membership.
Applicants are invited by other Watchers to seek membership. Those seeking to join must submit an application through the Regiment Website at http://www.royalblackwatch.net/roster/application.php
Once the application is approved online. Once the application has been submitted by the applicant and approved, the applicant is made a recruit. The applicant automatically receives a letter of acceptance and an assignment to a Company.
Each recruit will serve in one Company at the pleasure of the Company Commander, who is to ascertain the character of the recruit and may refuse or dismiss the recruit. The recruit's primary responsibilities must include at least one event per month of training or combat. The typical period of recruit status is thirty (30) days.
During the recruiting period, other members of the Watch should discuss the recruit's behavior to the Company Commander. It is important that serious character flaws be discovered early and reported, so as to assure quality membership in the Watch. Upon completion of the preceding steps and ensuring the Recruit has a good attitude, the Company Commander will cut orders admitting the Recruit as a full member of the Regiment, making him or her a Private (see below).

2.2 Conventions of the Watch

Each Watcher has a unique name. The Company Commander is to be informed of name changes. The request must include the original name, requested name, reason for change, current company, rank, and position. If approved, the name change takes up to 24 hours to accomplish. Names may be disallowed for reasons of decency or duplication of a current Watcher's name.
To switch between main characters in game, both characters must be in the Watch for a 15-day period, after which they are swapped out.
Watchers are encouraged to be courteous to fellow Watchers, to greet them in game, to lend assistance when at all possible, and to use the Forums for communications. Above all, the goal is for everyone to have fun!

2.3 Alternates

Each member will have one primary character in the Watch, and this will be the member's handle for all communications in the Watch.
Members are allowed to have alternates in the Watch. Members are encouraged to put all their alternates in the Watch, under the Company and/or the game they are playing. All normal alternates of members of the Royal Black Watch maintain the rank of Alternate with the benefits of the rank of Private. Alternates may enter and leave the Guild at any time.
The Force Commander may allow senior officers to have Officer Alternates. All Officers of the Watch with declared Alternates in a game should maintain them in guild for the sake of guild loyalty and command coherency.
The actions of alternates reflect the member in any and all games in which the member plays. If an alternate behaves in a manner unbecoming, this reflects upon the member. This includes "shared" alternates which are played by Watchers and non-Watchers of the same family.

2.4 Absence / Leaving the Watch

Each Company Commander decides the length of time a character needs to be absent before being removed from the company. To avoid being removed, the member requests leave from the Company Commander.
The Force Commander then places the member in the IRR for as long as the member has a working e-mail address. Bounced e-mails are grounds for dismissal from the IRR. The member's Rank is frozen.
The Regiment Adjutant maintains the IRR. The Regiment Commander has the discretion of refusing authorization for any former member to rejoin the Watch.

2.5 Retirement

An officer may be considered for retirement only with express permission from the Regiment Commander. This is a reward for service to the Watch. Retired officers retain an honorary (non-authority) rank equal to their active rank. They may still attend events. At the RC's approval, they may be fully reinstated.

2.6 Open Door Policy

Each member of the Watch is entitled to certain rights and benefits.
Anytime members attempt to resolve a problem through their Chain of Command and cannot find resolution or satisfaction, they have the right to approach the Regiment Commander directly.
No adverse action or retribution shall be taken against a member of the Watch who approaches the Regiment Commander in confidence, as long as the member tried to go through her or his Chain of Command first.

3.1 Promotion and Rank

Although promotion in the Watch is in most cases a function of time, a meritorious Watcher may always be promoted early or denied promotion at the discretion of command staff. Promotion is a privilege, not a right.
Ranks represent time and service spent. Positions are game-specific and reflect core duties required by individual games.

3.2 Demotions

An enlisted member of the Regiment may be automatically reduced in rank for gross misconduct.
A commissioned officer of the Regiment may be automatically reduced in rank for conduct unbecoming an officer, direct violations of this SOP, violation of the policies of the Regiment headquarters.

3.3 Command Positions in the Regiment

A full list of the positions is provided at http://www.royalblackwatch.net/roster/positions.php
Regiment Command Staff are tasked with specific jobs; however, outside of these they are free to play in any game at any time or supplement any combat team.
All positions open in the Watch will be offered to individuals in order of date of rank, or the position will remain vacant until a qualified member can be selected. The structure of the Watch depends on filling positions!

3.4 Command Positions in the Company

Company Staff are tasked with specific in-game jobs; however, outside of these they are free to play in any game at any time or supplement any combat team.
All positions open in the Watch will be offered to individuals in order of date of rank, or the position will remain vacant until a qualified member can be selected. The structure of the Watch depends on filling positions!
Minimum Company Staff: one Company Commander, one First Sergeant. All other positions are based upon the specific needs of the company game and the Company Commander can request these positions from the Force Commander. If approved, these positions will be added to the roster.

4.1 Company Creation

In order to establish the guild in a new game, 5 Watchers must transfer from their existing company to form the framework of the new company. If fewer than 5 current members (non-recruits) are interested, then the Watch will not be formed in said game and not recruit for this game. Any non-recruit will count towards the total five people.
Each new company must submit a company name and emblem within 30 days of creation.
Each new company has 90 days to fill Company Commander and First Sergeant. If this is not deemed possible, a 90-day extension may be granted.
Special rule: fly-by-night companies of a theme and for entertainment purposes solely are allowed with the consent of the Force Commander. These companies will not be tracked like regular companies.

4.2 Company Operation

All companies are required to have a minimum of 3 events per month, preferably on a company's planned night. These events must be listed on the calendar and NOT coincide with other events of Companies in the same Battalion. Reminders for calendar events should be sent out on the mail string 1 week and also 1 day in advance.
Epic roleplay companies (Ultima Online $amp; Neverwinter Nights) have a different criterion for events, and will have one epic event per month.
Each company is required to develop its own company name (moniker) and emblem.
Companies may have up to 150 enlisted members, and companies are encouraged to add NCOs and officers as the company grows.
Squads are groups within companies that adventure together for long periods and form small family units. The ideal size for squads is 9 people, but team limits in game may alter this dynamic.

4.3 Integration of Other Guilds into Watch Structure

Upon approval of the RCO, friendly and neutral guilds may be absorbed into the Royal Black Watch Regiment. The leader of the absorbed guild will be granted the rank of Lieutenant. The absorbed guild leader's officers will be granted the rank of Corporal after a 30 day trial period.
All other members of the other guild are treated exactly as any other new member.

5.1 General Guidelines for Public Communications

At all times, remember that you are a member of the Royal Black Watch. Comport yourself with the pride and professionalism that inspired your mentor to support you.
Respect should be maintained at all times. Remember that there are people of all ages, races, sizes, creeds, etc. who will be using this chat room. Members are not to use vulgarity of any kind (including net abbreviations such as WTF) in any form of Regimental Communication.
Vulgarity is defined as the Motion Picture Association of America's (MPAA) rating of PG-13.
All spam or any form of communication intended to flood a text buffer, is prohibited.
Defamatory, slanderous, libel, racist, or otherwise hate-fostering statements are prohibited. This does not include in-game content humor; e.g., "Stupid trolls." Do not harass, threaten, embarrass, or cause distress or discomfort upon another chat participant, individual, or group.
Humor, jokes, sarcasm, and rhetoric are allowed so long as it obeys all other areas of policy. However, consideration must be given to those who may not be aware of such humor.
With the above guidelines, ensure that such policy minimally impairs free communication. The guidelines should make every effort to avoid censorship.
Private communication is not included in this policy.

5.2 Communication Etiquette

Greet your fellow Watchers when they join a chat area. Be respectful and avoid all profanity. Provide exact information as economically as possible.
Guild Chat applies only to communication between members of the Regiment. When addressing someone of senior rank in the Regiment, respect must be maintained at all times, although slight harassment in the spirit of camaraderie (i.e. "Connor, move your walker faster, these orcs won't kill themselves...") is acceptable. Be professional at all times. No snide comments are to be allowed. Do not instigate arguments over guild chat. If you have a problem with a member then address their Company Commander or address the member in tells!
Alliance Chat is restricted to those who hold the rank of Staff Sergeant or Higher. Alliance chat is to be used only for those things which benefit or are of utter importance to the alliance. Remember the difference between alliance (external) and guild (internal) chat. In Alliance chat you should not say anything that does not benefit or promote the purposes and spirit of the Alliance, or reflect negatively on the Watch or its members.
The Message of the Day (MOTD) is only to be used to announce events or upcoming raids. Do not post anything on MOTD that is meant to be funny or unconstructive. Be professional, polite and to the point on all MOTD postings.
Keep Public Broadcasts on topic. If someone responds to your request, then take the discussion to private messages.

6.1 Miscellanea

Members are strongly encouraged to use the forums for discussions and social interaction. They are a great way to share vital information. Any member can post an event on the calendar, even if they are not Company-sponsored events. This can be used for parties, get-togethers, or one-night special events on non-supported games.
Members are strongly encouraged to use the map pointer on the RBW page to show where they live. As with any online communication, actual street addresses and other personal information should not be disclosed.
During the holiday season, we will take a pause in required duties to allow our members to attend to festivities and activities with the member's families. From the Sunday before Christmas to 2 January, required activities will be minimal. Although you are free to schedule events during this time, they shall not be mandatory.

6.2 Final words

We hope that you take this SOP in the spirit that it is meant: a basic tool to help you share in the ideals and general guidelines of guild operation. Officers can also consult the Officers Guide for more specific information.
If there is anything that you think would make this tool better, we want to hear from you. Any time, any place.
Remember that the serious business of this Watch is having fun and acting like a family. We hope we can be that family to you. Hail to the Watch, and keep having fun!

Ivan the Mad, Captain, RBW
Regiment Loremaster

Connor Altinus McLeod, Colonel, RBW
Regiment Commander

Return to the roster of the The Royal Black Watch.