The Clan Creche

Introduction

Newbies, when confronted with so much information of Internet forum sites, can get very confused and start to withdraw due to pressure. The goal for the site is to encourage newbies to be able to learn the ropes in a laid-back manner and still have fun at the same time. In order to do this, the Clan Creche is here for newbie preparation for entering the board fray as experienced members instead of confused newbies. If you want to join the Clan training system, read on; if you are not interested, you do not have to read on. IT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR NEWBIES TO TRAIN IN THE CLAN SYSTEM; HOWEVER, IT IS RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO WANT SOME HELP LEARNING ABOUT THE FORUMS.

The Rundown

Newbies, do you feel that you need help understanding the boards, but are unsure of how to do so? We would like to hear from you so that we can help you out! Please post in this thread that you would like to be trained in the ways of the forums, and the staff will assign you to a Clan, a group of newbies (overseen by a couple oldbies/Staff members) that get to know the boards through a series of tasks and practice skills in a special Clan-specific board.

What are Clans?

Clans are specialized groups created just for newies to enter. As a clan member, newbies can learn how to post, start threads, vote in polls and do other things that are featured here on Pit Droid Cafe. Each Clan will have a different interest field (such as a Clan for those interested in talking about movies, or those interested in hanging around in the Cafe Community, and so on). This way, the overseers can plan tasks and challenges for the newbies that relate to the things that they will find in the forums. after a period of time, there will be a "graduation" of sorts, where newbies that have completed their assigned tasks/show comptency in being a master of the boards will "graduate" to full members.

Rules

In order to keep the Clans for newbies, no oldbies are allowed to go through the training process. Since there is no definition for "oldbie", just consider members who have been registered over 2 months to be "oldbies", and thus cannot go through the training process.

Clan boards are to be posted in by Clan members and authorized overseers only! This keeps out all non-Clan discussion, and keeps the newbies from getting confused by older members of the boards. Once a Clan member "graduates" from the Clan, then they are not allowed to post in the Clan board, because they are no longer a member of that training Clan. Those that violate these rules are subject to administrative action.

Also, make sure that the discussions in the Clan forums are on-topic and/or are not against the ToS. We don't want newbies breaking the forum rules in the Clan, so overseers will watch for inappropriate material.

The Process of Naming Overseers

To be named an overseer, a member must be:

- A Staff Member, or
- A member of over 2 months

To become an overseer of a Clan, one must fit into one of these two categories (although regular members are usually the overseers with staff support). Second, the overseers will be chosen through a vote by the staff members as to who they think will be the best. DO NOT ASK TO BE AN OVERSEER, because this is frowned upon and will lessen your chances of becoming an overseer. The Staff is looking for members who show quality in not only their posting, but their behavior and posting presence. In other words, you must work and prove your mettle to become an overseer, just as if you wanted to be a Staff member.

Overseer Responsibilities

Overseers are to:

1. Be positive to newbies, and provide encouragement/help if they are stuck on a task.

2. Open topics in their Clan board that can help newbies learn how to make a good forum presence.

3. Follow the ToS at all times. You need to set a good example, so don't think that you are immune from the rules.

4. Report inappropriate material to a Staff member. Do not get into a duel with a newbie over a rule; a Staff member will assist you if you need help with a problem Clan member. However, do not use this rule to settle a grudge; otherwise, your intentions will be suspect, and you can lose your position as overseer.

5. Commend newbies for a job well done.

6. Be able to write posts out for newbie "graduation".

7. Be welcoming of all new Clan members.

For Newbies:

Newbies, make sure that you explain which forum(s) you are most interested in learning about; this will help the Staff assign you to the correct Clan group.

What to Do If You Want to Be in a Different Clan:

If you feel that you want to join a different Clan because you have changed interests since you were assigned to one, the you will have to PM an Administrator explaining which Clan you are in, which one you want to join, and why the staff should let you move to a different Clan. It is possible that your request will be denied (due to large numbers in the Clan you want to join, lack of members in the Clan you intend to leave, etc.), but the Staff will see what it can do about allowing you to switch Clan memberships.

Rules about Switching Clans:

If you want to switch Clans, you must:

-Send in the information listed above in a PM to an Administrator.

- If you leave a Clan, YOU MAY NOT POST IN THE BOARD OF THAT CLAN. Since you are no longer a member, your post(s) will not be welcomed, and you will be subject to administrative action for breaking the rules.

-If your request is denied, do not go complaining about it. Just live with the decision, BECAUSE STAFF DECISIONS ARE FINAL. Do not start PMing Staff members begging to be moved to a different Clan; they have the power to ban you, so do not do that.

Conclusion

After a newbie has "graduated" from their clan (which can take about a month to a month and a half on average), they will be considered Clan graduates, and their names will be taken off the official Clan rosters. At this time, they will be expected to understand the rules of the forums and to be good role-models for other members. Also, the point of the Clan Creche is to allow newbies to gain friends on the forums in the relaxed Clan system and to learn the rules/features of the boards at the same time.

Well, that's all there is to know about the Clan system and its rules.

Happy posting!

Shock Trooper ~ Administrator

The Official Clan Roster


Boga Clan (Representing Saga & EU):
Overseers: Shock Trooper



Mynock Clan (Representing Cafe Community):
Overseers: Blue_Lightsaber42



Bantha Clan (Representing RPG):
Overseers: windu4



Ewok Clan (Representing Fan Fiction):
Overseers: Lolly_Tolly