My Role: Ombudsperson

[mnemosyne]

Hey folks,

We have Werewolf and Mage sorted out now. I'll tackle Vampire next, and would like to hear from more players with characters in the system - so please get in touch with me or post to the thread I started in the vampire OOC.

In the meantime, I want to let you know that I've come to the conclusion that keeping the lights on means more than just literally paying the bill when it comes due, and tending to the site's innards (which: obviously, Noel is handling since I know nothing about that stuff) but also mediating other issues when they come up and as they come up. Here I don't mean necessarily just the major stuff, like harassment, abusive behavior, or violations of the code of conduct, but also lesser concerns.

I do not plan to interfere with the way the admins run their systems, but I also don't want concerns, complaints, and other issues that the admins themselves might want to hear about and might want to address, to fester beneath the surface because it is difficult or uncomfortable to bring your concerns to someone in a position of authority.

So: Please see me as the site ombudsperson. What do I mean by that? Well, here is the definition of ombudsperson, lifted directly from some dictionary on the 'net:

A public official who acts as an impartial intermediary between the public and government or bureaucracy, or an employee of an organization who mediates disputes between employees and management.

The Swedish legislature first created the position of ombudsperson in the early 1800s; the literal translation of ombudsperson is "an investigator of citizen complaints." This official was considered to be a person of "known legal ability and outstanding integrity" and was chosen by the Swedish parliament to serve a four-year term.

- and, that is pretty much what I mean by it.

I do not intend to interfere with the way the admins run their systems. However, I do want to make sure that they have the chance to address player concerns and complaints, whether or not those concerns or complaints rise to the level of something that should be dealt with 'officially.'

I spoken with the admins and asked them to address a few of those of which I was aware. If you guys have other concerns, now or in the future, please feel free to bring them to my attention, informally if you wish, formally if you believe the concern is sufficiently serious.

Cheers,

Liz

[UKrose]

In the past, on another site I'm a member with the admins/STs whatever had their own bit of forum that was private and known only to them so that such matters as you've outlined were dealt with. That way, grievances are aired privately and problems are dealt with by those best suited to doing so. But I don't envy you your task and I hope that you don't find it an ordeal.