View source for PD-BOD-0010 Membership Policy

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'''PD-BOD-0010 — Membership Policy''' is a governing document of the [[Board of Directors]] of [[TRMN]].

==PD-BOD-0010==

===Policies===
:1) Pursuant to the bylaws, qualifications or requirements for membership in this organization shall be defined and codified within one of the supplemental governing documents designated by the Board of Directors. Dues owed by members shall also be defined and codified within one of the supplemental governing documents designated by the Board of Directors. (Article I).

:2) Membership in TRMN is a privilege extended by the Board of Directors to any eligible person regardless of race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, ethnic background, or any other protected class.

:3) To become a member of TRMN requires the following information:
::a) Legal name (pseudonyms can be approved by the 5SL if a distinct need is shown for them)
::b) Address, for mailing necessary organizational material
::c) Email, for the online list-serve, database access, and TRMN forum access
::d) Date of Birth
::e) Branch the individual wishes to join
::f) Desired Chapter (if known)
::g) Phone number is requested but optional.

:4) All members must be 18 years of age unless a parent/guardian is currently a member.

:5) Interaction with and activities by any member under the age of 18 shall be governed by youth related policies. ([[PD-BOD-0011_Youth_Policy]])

:6) The following documents and databases are to be considered confidential and shall be controlled in distribution and shall be known as “The Official Secrets Act”:
::a) The online membership database – All members shall only have access based on the needs of their position within TRMN. Each member will have access to view all their personal information collected/stored by the organization.
::b) Financial Documentations – These documents will only be made available to those in leadership positions as needed and as directed by state and federal law, except for the Board of Director’s quarterly financial reports filed by the treasurer and made part of the Board’s minutes.  These shall be made readily available to the membership.
::c) All BuTrain answer keys and student’s work – Access will be determined by BuTrain based on staff position requirements. No course documents shall be shared with anyone who has not successfully completed that course, except with those engaged in the education process.
::d) Any additional documents relating to membership records or member finances deemed to require extra protection to ensure the safety of TRMN membership’s personal and financial information.
::e) Any documents provided to TRMN by BuNine, Words of Weber, or David Weber’s representatives, and deemed as covered by the Board of Directors.
::f) Any additional documents or systems approved and communicated by the Board of Directors.

:7) The following rules shall be followed by all members and be known as “The Code of Conduct”:
::a)I will respect the rights of all members.
::b)I will never let personal or societal prejudices color my interactions with other members.
::c)I will strive to never bring dishonor upon the Royal Manticoran Navy or its subgroups.
::d)I will maintain an appearance appropriate to my duties and never bring dishonor to the uniform.
::e)I will treat those who report to me with dignity.
::f)I will respect those to whom I report.
::g)I will abide by the Official Secrets Act.
::h)I will strive to defuse confrontations, not cause them.
::i)I will be the first to offer praise and always the last to criticize.
::j)I will always praise in public and criticize in private.
::k)I will always work to be part of the solution, never the problem.

:8) TRMN Maintains zero tolerance for harassment. Those found to be in violation will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for action.
::a) If an incident occurs at an event with TRMN personnel, the person who noticed the harassment, or to whom it was reported, should report the incident per the policies and procedures in place for the event/convention in which the harassment occurred and should also pass the incident on to the highest-ranking TRMN Officer present at the event. .
::b)If an incident occurs between TRMN personnel outside of an event, the person who noticed the harassment, or to whom it was reported, should report the matter to an appropriate higher authority (e.g., CO, XO, echelon command, etc.) up to and including the Chief Legal Officer and/or the Chair of the TRMN Disciplinary Committee.
::c) If the harassment results in criminal or civil findings, in an appropriate criminal or civil court, and the harasser is a TRMN member, disciplinary proceedings will be started per TRMN’s disciplinary policy.
::d)TRMN will always strive to create a safe space during all of its events and parties. These spaces should be labeled as such. A "Safe Zone" is defined as any TRMN area with a “Safe Zone” sign. This can include the Party Room, any established TRMN Lounge, and the TRMN Recruiting table or Booth if it is signed as such.

:9) Physical or psychological hazing and initiations are prohibited and may not be included as part of any TRMN activity.

:10) TRMN does not allow any internal ‘secret organizations’ as part of its fan experience. Those found to be in such a group will be referred to the Disciplinary Committee for action.

:11) The organization does not discourage membership with other Science Fiction Fan Groups except if the group is openly hostile toward this organization, in which case you shall be asked to choose which you prefer to be a member of.
::a)“Openly hostile” is defined as any action which is directly detrimental to TRMN via words, actions, or any media or violates any of the legal rights TRMN maintains over its property.
::b)The Board of Directors will determine when there is open hostility.

:12) Individual members are allowed to create Fan Fiction and Art. However, due to our unique relationship with David Weber and based on his wishes, the organization shall not post or reproduce any Fan Fiction on or in any of its materials, including web pages, newsletters, and any other publication.

:13) The Board of Directors and Disciplinary Committee reserves the right to suspend or deny membership to any person for any cause it deems just. This includes, but is not limited to; commission of a crime, being placed on probation or parole, violations of bylaws, policies or admiralty orders, dangerous behavior toward other members or non-members, or actively and knowingly working to damage TRMN financially, physically, or by reputation.

:14) The Board of Directors and Disciplinary Committee reserves the right to tailor suspensions or denial of membership to the circumstances presented, and issue suspensions or denials if it feels appropriate given the particulars of any complaint in front of it.

:15) The Royal Manticoran Navy, The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, is an apolitical organization dedicated solely to the enjoyment of the Honor Harrington series of novels by David Weber. While we respect and acknowledge the rights of all persons; it is not appropriate to advocate for a politician, political position, or politically charged cause while engaged in TRMN activities or wearing a uniform.

:16) Background checks will be required for all members who have additional permissions in MEDUSA that meet the following criteria:
:: a. Members who can see more than one unit (chapter).
:: b. Members who are in command of a unit with greater than 25 members.

===Governance and ‘Role Playing’ Policies===
:1) All members will belong to only one Branch within the organization.

:2) New members will be assigned the lowest rank based on their Branch and age.

:3) Excluding the lowest rank, obtaining any rank is a privilege and not a right.

:4) All members, except those in the most senior-level leadership position, shall be attached to a chapter and shall be only attached to a single chapter at a time. This does not preclude additional assignments that members may fill in the organization

:5) As long as membership within the organization is free, there shall not be honorary membership.  However, the Board of Directors may grant honorary ranks, peerage titles, and other such privileges at their discretion.
::a) Honors may be given to those who have contributed to the organization and/or Honorverse on a scale befitting such special recognition.
::b) Members with an honorary rank or title gain all the rights and privileges of such a position, though honorary peers (known as ‘Life Peers’) may not be seated in the House of Lords.
::c) Honorary ranks and peerage titles are static and cannot be promoted through BuPers or through the peerage elevation process, though the Board may act to increase/upgrade honorary ranks and titles.  Ranks and titles may be lost due to disciplinary action.
::d)All rank-based honor designations are recorded as follows:
:::   i. David Weber - Prime Minister of Manticore
:::  ii. David Weber - Fleet Admiral of the Green, RMN (retired)
::: iii. Martin Lessem - First Lord of the Admiralty
:::  iv. Martin Lessem - Fleet Admiral of the Green, RMN (retired)
:::   v. Martin Lessem - may present awards at any official ceremony he sees fit to attend in person as the duly appointed representative of the Sovereign.
:::  vi. Martin Lessem - signature shall appear on all Star Empire of Manticore Armed Forces and Civil Service award certificates, alongside that of the issuing authority, as the duly appointed representative of the Sovereign.
::: vii. Thomas Pope - Commander,  RMN
:::viii. William Edwards - Lt. Commander, RMN
:::  ix. Eric Flint - Senior Analyst, SIS
:::   x. Timothy Zahn - Fregattenkapitän, IAN
:::  xi. Jane Lindskold - Ranger Lieutenant Colonel, SFC
::: xii. Joelle Presby - Lieutenant (senior grade), GSN
:::xiii. Scott Bell - Rear Admiral of the Red, RMN
::e) All peerage-based honor designations are recorded as follows:
:::   i. Baroness Silver Heath - Gena Robinson
:::  ii. Baron New Mimas - Timothy Zahn
::: iii. Baron Highview  - Thomas Pope
:::  iv. Baron New Arlington - Chris Wueve
:::   v. Baron Runnymead Fields - Mark Gutis
:::  vi. Baron New Kasserine - Andrew Knipe
::: vii. Baron Brentwood-upon-Tweed - Scott Bell

:6) Members are allowed to transfer their membership between Branch and Chapters at any time.
::a) There shall be a 3-month waiting period imposed after any transfer.
::b) Certain positions (i.e., chapter triad, etc.) will require a delay in processing of any transfer until after a replacement is established.
::c) Time in grade will be reset upon completion of transfer to the new Branch.
::d) Transfers must be submitted to BuPers (or via Medusa) by the individual in question.
::e) Some chapter transfers will be automatic for certain high-level positions.

:7) Specific Branch membership shall never be a prerequisite to hold any position in this organization except for Branch Heads, their deputies, sub-branch heads, and/or the senior enlisted in each branch (e.g, SMCPON, etc.).  These must be members of the branch or sub-branch they plan to lead and serve. 
:8) No member may wear more than two “hats.”
::a) All positions within TRMN will be rated for the number of hats they involve (0 to 1.5 in half increments).
::b) General rule for number of hats:
:::  i. 1.5 hats for Branch and Bureau Heads and their Deputies
::: ii. 1.0 hat for Chapter Leadership, Academy Administrators, Fleet Commanders and their Deputies, and Bureau and Service Staff
:::iii. 0.5 hat for Academy Instructors, Chapter, Fleet, or Branch Staff, and members of the House of Commons (MPs)”
::c) BuPers will maintain a list of all billet hat assignments. Individuals will have their hat assignments determined by agreement of the direct supervisor and the head of BuPers when filled.
::d) The final arbiter on if someone is exceeding this rule will be the Head of BuPers.
This document will supersede/replace the following Orders and Directives:
AO0801-01, AO0801-03, AO1102-03, AO1201-01, AO1206-01, AO1412-02, AO1511-07, AO1602-02, AO1707-02, AO1707-03, AO1408-03, AO1103-01, AO1009-06, AO1009-05, and JCD 2401-01



==Record of Changes==
Amendments may, from time to time, be proposed to, or by, the Board of Directors. Any amendments will be considered and voted on as necessary. All amendments that have been passed will be noted below.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Effective Date !! Subject !! Proposed By
|-
| data-sort-value=01-12-24 |  || Initial Approval || Board of Directors
|-
| data-sort-value=01-12-24 |  || Changing 6b to allow sharing of quarterly financial reports || Board of Directors
|-
| data-sort-value=01-12-24 |  || Adding #23, removing 16, updating 7b || Board of Directors
|-
| data-sort-value=01-12-24 | 01 December 2024 || Added AO 1401-02 to #24 || Board of Directors
|-
| data-sort-value=07-09-25 | 07 September 2024 || Added Roleplay point 5 on Honorary Ranks and Peerages (all numbers after that increased by one).  Corrected numbering of point Policies 16, added additional superceded AO and directives.  || Board of Directors
|-
| data-sort-value=13-03-26 | 13 March 2026 || Amend Roleplay point 7 on Branch requirements for Branch leaders, change all references to Division to Branch || Board of Directors
|}


==Link to PDF Version of the Document==
:[https://drive.google.com/file/d/1p7DTUueV7Tz0Y7ROQ6kGQOs-PfJNqB1Z/view?usp=sharing PD-BOD-0010 Membership Policy PDF]

==Source==
Transcribed from [https://wiki.trmn.org/index.php/PD-BOD-0010_Membership_Policy PD-BOD-0010 Membership Policy] on [https://wiki.trmn.org Mantipedia], the official TRMN wiki.

[[Category: Policies]]
[[Category: Governing Documents]]
[[Category: Organization]]