User blog:Wingstrike/Overhauling Our System

Hey guys, in light of the Book 1 disaster and several staff starting to go inactive on us, I feel we need to rethink how we run our events. Currently a fair number of RPs are still moving on because they're only between a few people and generally community-organised, a model I want expand on.

Until now, larger-scale RPs have been managed solely by the Events and Development department (basically AZ). The moment it ground to a halt, no-one knew how to fix it because all power and responsibility had been over-centralised. Under this new system, any user of a determined rank (somewhere between 1-3 I think) can suggest a scenario for users to take part in. Applications would be then vetted by the newly formed ARPW Community Management Department, essentially the EnD, User Support Department and elements of the Administration Department formed into a single group. Community Management would be given a synopsis of the plot the user wants to run, any specific locations it's going to run in, NPCs and factions involved and potential outcomes. Naturally certain ideas would be outright banned, such as "killing the Avatar.", and Community Management may ask a user to elaborate on specific points.

Small-scale events would be overseen by a mod or rollback, while larger RPs may need admin and bureaucrat support. If approved, Community Management can also give the user NPCs, locations and extras (real characters which are acting as background characters) to use as well as coordinate the RP with faction leaders if required. Once an RP has been approved, it will be down to the applicant to decide which user does what, however, they themselves will be most likely the ones leading the RP event, with a Community staff member ensuring they stick to the agreed rules.

Some users who have technical capabilities may elect to work in the Wiki Maintenance Department, however, no staff members will be exempt from helping approve both characters and RPs. Users who are also faction founders/leaders are expected to work with applicants in creating their RP. Requesting a particular faction to take part will not automatically guarantee that it will happen, but faction leaders are expected to consider the request seriously.

In the case that a wiki-wide RP has been launched, at least one other member of the CMD must know at least the basic storyline, so that it can be continued in case the original user running it goes inactive without warning.

The CMD would consist of three Super Admins (Admins with Bureaucrat status), three regular Admins, Six Rollbackers and any Chat Mods/Forum Moderators. At least one Super and one regular Admin must oversee the WMD along with any approved staff members.

This would mean AZ, Hydro and Bird are essentially co-ruling almost the entire wiki with equal footing, with Wind, Riri and Orbit's replacement as second in commands. If one of the top three goes inactive, the other two will co-rule. If only one Super Admin is active for an extended period of time, then the three regular Admins will take a stand-in role for the two missing members. This prevents a single top-level admin from acting entirely by themselves.

This merge will hopefully prevent the Wiki from stalling when a certain staff member leaves and will allow for more user-generated content. If you have any comments or questions, leave them below.

If it seems like this will be well received then I will put this to a policy vote.