Official Regarding communication with staff

[VaMStaff]

Hi Everyone!

We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you that we continue to be committed to maintaining a respectful and collaborative environment on both the Hub and Discord.

Recently, certain situations have highlighted the need for clarifications on our policies regarding interactions with staff and moderators. This post outlines the updated guidelines and the reasoning behind them to ensure transparency and fairness for all members.

"Staff" for the purposes of this policy include anyone on this list as well as anyone with a Moderator, Developer, or Admin role on our official Discord Server.

Expectations for Member Behavior​

To ensure smooth communication and moderation, the following expectations are now in place:

1. Members must engage with staff or moderators if contacted regarding moderation issues.
2. Blocking or ignoring staff on the Hub or Discord is prohibited and may result in consequences.

Respect for Staff and Moderators​

Our staff and moderators work hard to support the community and enforce policies fairly.​

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As representatives of the team, they must be treated with respect at all times.​

Ignoring or blocking staff or moderators, whether on the Hub or Discord, is against our community guidelines and will not be tolerated.​

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Additionally, if we find evidence of 3rd party tools being used to mute/block a staff member on VaMHub, this will result in serious consequences as it also violates our Terms, specifically: 6.2 (d) users must not use any device, software, or routine that interferes with the proper working of the Website.​

Blocking Moderators on Discord​

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While Discord allows users to block others, this feature does not exempt members from complying with moderation requests. If a moderator or admin contacts you regarding an issue, it is your responsibility to respond appropriately. Failing to do so due to a block will not be considered a valid excuse, and actions may be taken to ensure compliance.​

How to Raise Concerns About Staff​

If you have a concern about the actions or behavior of a staff member, you may submit a support ticket.​

These tickets are visible to all staff and admins, allowing the team to address the issue collectively.​

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Our policy is simple:​

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• Members must attempt to resolve concerns directly with the staff member when possible. You may do so by addressing the staff member directly through a Support Ticket.
• Complaints about staff will only be considered if the member has made a good-faith effort to resolve the issue with the staff member.

We are a team, and no staff member will act in isolation or allow members to bypass team decisions through private messages.​

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How to file a complaint​

• If you have made a good-faith effort to reach a resolution and still wish to file a complaint, you may do so by opening a new Support Ticket.
• Please note that under no circumstances will a member be permitted to continue blocking or ignoring staff as a result of their complaint.
• Valid complaints will be addressed through internal processes, which may include requiring the staff member to issue an apology or correcting any public actions they took.

If a member files a support ticket regarding a staff member but refuses to communicate with them, the member may be muted and have posting privileges suspended until a decision is made.​

If your complaint is not resolved​

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If our team decides to reject your complaint then the decision is final. Any attempt to circumvent the team's decision may result in consequences.​

If your complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction, you have the following options:​

• You may voluntarily leave the community
• You may choose to remain, but you will be expected to respond and comply with any requests or communication from any staff member

Consequences for Non-Compliance​

Members who block, harass or ignore staff will face disciplinary actions, which may include:​

• Muting on Discord.
• Suspension of posting privileges on the Hub.
• Temporary restrictions while their case is reviewed by the team.
• Repeated or serious offenses could result in disciplinary action up to and including a ban

Conclusion​

We value each and every member of our community and are dedicated to maintaining a space where everyone can thrive. These updates are intended to ensure fairness, respect, and accountability for all.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we implement these updates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out through a support ticket.

Sincerely,
The VaMHub Team