Expectations

It is understandable that you will not be able to work on this site every day. Heck, there may be an entire week where you just may not be able to work on the site. However, as a staff member we expect you to make meaningful contributions to the site. We do not wish to force any staff member to do work. In fact we'd rather not force anything upon anyone. However, if nothing gets done then the site becomes stagnant, old, and stale. I think that I speak for everyone when I say that I certainly do not wish for such a state to occur.  To counteract that, I wish that everyone strives to reach a goal. This goal is something that you set up between you and your supervisor (editor, director). Strive to reach these goals. Think of all the fresh content we'd have if everyone was able to do just a little bit each week. We'd have a bright, fresh site. It'd be amazing, and it isn't possible without everyone on staff helping out.

Being a staff member gives entitles you to staff privileges. If on staff, it is expected of you to use these staff privileges to perform your staff responsibilities. Solely being a active member of the RF Generation Community does not entitle you being a staff member.

We also wish that staff members be a part of the community. You guys are the face of RF Generation. For this reason, be present in the community. Don't be the creepy next door neighbor you never see. You know, the one with the glass eye, always staring at you. Be present in the community. It may even make your experience as a staff member better.

Guidelines

Guidelines are a necessary evil. As we grow we need to maintain standards through out the site. Unfortunately, it can be a real pain in the ass, but, it needs to be done. As a staff member you are expected to follow the guidelines in any submission you make or review. If something is not up to the guidelines, you are expected either to edit it to make it proper or reject the submission. Please reject as a last ditch effort, and if you reject a submission please be kind and notify the user as to why the submission was rejected.  Remember that submissions take time, and we should not be hasty to reject submissions because of this fact.

Staff Descriptions

We have many classifications of staff members, and it helps to give everyone a good idea of what is expected. Please note that while you may be a specific staff type, you still are welcome to assist in other areas; however, keep in mind that your primary focus should be to that which you are assigned.

DB Staff
The DB Staff ensure that the database is always growing through submissions. Depending on their classification, DB Staff may be expected to review submissions as necessary. Our DB Staff is based on three levels:

• DB Editor: These are the people responsible for caretaking and leading our databases to greatness, and are provided with the tools necessary for the task. A DB Editor has the same permissions for the Blog as a Blog Writer.
• DB Reviewer: These are the members of the database staff that have shown dedication to our database's growth on a consistent basis. As such, we trust them with the ability to review member submissions in addition to the ability to make submissions. They are members of our staff that can be trusted to maintain our site's vision and goals. DB Reviewers have the same permissions for the blog as a Blog Writer.
• DB Contributor: These members of our database staff are people that can't commit the time or energy to consistently fulfill the duties expected of our DB Reviewers. While the submissions they make still adhere to our standards, they are not required to review submissions. DB Contributors do not have access to the staff forum. It is the entry level position for the DB Staff track.

Bloggers
Bloggers are those staff members that have the wit, skill, and mastery of the English Language necessary to entertain our readers with interesting and exciting material. Their realm is our front page and features sections, and they hope that your time on those pages is enjoyed. Our Blogging Team is based on three levels:

• Blog Editors: Blog Editors are the caretakers and leaders of the Blog. They have the power to edit all articles and delete any comment. They also have the new power to review articles submitted by the people to be classified as "Blog Writer" in addition to promoting those community articles that stand above the rest. Blog Editors are trusted members of the site that we can trust to complete their tasks on a consistent basis. They have the same right for the databases as a DB Contributor.
• Blog Contributors: Blog Contributors are those bloggers that have shown literary precision, wit, and intellect in the blogs, and can be trusted to put out a great product consistently. Blog Contributors do not have to have their articles reviewed by a Blog Editor. They have the same right for the databases as a DB Contributor
• Blog Writers: Blog Writers are those members of staff that either aren't quite up to the expectations of our Contributors. Their articles are reviewed by a Blog Editor before Submission, and rejected for revision if necessary. Blog Writers also may be those people whose schedules do not allow the consistency expected of a Blog Contributor. Blog Writers do not have access to the staff forum, and they must use the submit info script to make DB Submissions. It is the entry level staff position for the Blogger Track.

Editors
Editors act as the leader of a section of the site, being the motivating force behind the growth of the site. Editors motivate, inspire, and lead. They ensure that their section is growing and successful. They also work to solve problems and establish goals for the growth of their section.

Directors
Directors are responsible for ensuring that the site as a whole moves forward and continues to be successful. The ultimate responsibility of the site lies with them, for better or worse. Directors strive to promote community, harmony, and goals on this site. In addition, directors make sure that any negative energy is directed to them rather to the staff members of RF Generation. No staff member deserves to deal with negativity, and directors will also strive to ensure that RF Generation is a positive community and place to work.

Specialized Positions
We reserve the right to create specialized positions as deemed necessary.

Inability to meet goals or needs of staff
If at any time a staff member feels that they are unable to continue duties as a staff member, we ask that the staff member consider placing themselves on Hiatus. Hiatus lets everyone know that the staff member needs time off, and during the time on Hiatus nothing is expected of the staff member. Staff members on Hiatus retain access to staff communication.

It should be noted that Hiatus is not intended to be a permanent classification. If someone is on hiatus they are expected to return to regular staff duties in a reasonable manner. It is encouraged that a staff member entering Hiatus give the Directors an expected date of return. This date of return is the date that the member On Hiatus expects that they'll be able to resume their staff responsibilities. Once a member is On Hiatus, they will be first contacted one week into Hiatus to see how their Hiatus is progressing. After the first contact, they will be contacted every two weeks to determine the status of Hiatus. If a Hiatus is not accompanied by an expected date of return, the Hiatus shall lapse after six (6) months. Similarly, Hiatus will lapse for a staff member who gives a date of return on that date of return. If a staff member On Hiatus hits their date of return or six months pass for those who do not give a date of return, the Directors of RF Generation will quietly discuss their future as a staff member on RF Generation.

If it becomes apparent that a return to staff duties is impossible, we ask that the staff member resign their position.

We ask that you always inform your editor or a director of any time where you feel you will not be able to fulfill your duties. Such an action ensures that we can plan accordingly and make sure that no section of the site becomes neglected.

Resignation from staff
If it becomes apparent that you will not be able to continue your role as a staff member, and hiatus is not a viable option, you may want to resign. Please inform a director of any time where you feel you may want to resign. We'll always try to see if there is anything we can do to keep you from making that decision; however, there may not always be a viable solution. Regardless of if there is or is not a viable solution, we'll always try to find a work out a solution for you.

Placement onto Hiatus
If it becomes clear that a staff member is consistently not performing their duties as a staff member, they may be placed onto Hiatus. Being placed onto Hiatus is a last resort type of solution. Directors and editors will always work to keep a staff member from reaching that point. Any decision to place a staff member onto Hiatus will be completed by a group of three (3) peers. No single person will ever decide the fate of a staff member. A staff member will receive a final warning two weeks in advance of any possible placement onto hiatus. There may also be warnings prior to that final warning. As such, one should know when they are on the verge of being placed on Hiatus.

Removal from Staff
Being removed from staff is an absolute last resort action. Any decision to remove one from staff will be well thought out by a group of at least three (3) peers, and will only be considered if all other actions have failed. Many, many, warnings signs and actual warnings will occur before this action is taken.

Comments and Feedback
If at anytime you feel that there is something that needs to be addressed by an editor or director, please let us know. Please make sure that the appropriate mode of communication is chosen. For example, any "I hate your guts" messages probably should be sent via personal message, as should any comments and feedback that may affect your status as a staff member for better or worse. Things such as "This needs to be fixed" can be posted in an appropriate forum thread. The moral of the story is that we encourage that if you have any comments, feedback, or issues that you let us know. We won't be able to rectify any situation unless you let us know. Additionally, we ask that you please use the appropriate manner of making your issues, feedback, or comments known.

Stressing the importance of Comments and Feedback
Please, please, please let us know of any problems or issues that you may have while on staff. We'll always try to make things better, and we want everyone to have a positive experience on staff.

Reserved Rights of the Site Directors and Editorship
In extraordinary circumstances, we retain the right to place a staff member on hiatus if it is determined by a group of three (3) peers that such placement is warranted. Any decision will always be discussed personally with the staff member.