Procedures for Replacement of Moderators of Soc.Sexuality.Spanking

1. Terms of Service

1.1 The normal term of service for each moderator of Soc.Sexuality.Spanking (SSS) shall be two years, except for two of the initial set of moderators, whose terms shall be one year, in order to ensure that thereafter the terms of all moderators do not terminate simultaneously.

1.2 The maintainer of the robot moderation software shall not have a fixed term. Replacement of the 'bot maintainer shall be performed, if necessary, only according to clause 3, in the event of a resignation, or clause 4, in the event of inappropriate behaviour.

1.3 Replacement of the two moderators whose terms are to terminate on each anniversary of the creation of SSS (May 12, 1997) will be organized by the three (two + maintainer of robot software) continuing moderators, and should be completed before the anniversary, so that the new moderators may begin their terms on this date.

2. Replacement Procedures

2.1 A call for volunteers will be posted on SSS, requesting new moderators. The call will be posted twice, over a one-week period. Moderators whose terms are terminating can respond to this call, and are eligible for further terms.

2.2 The continuing moderators, after satisfying themselves that the volunteers have the time and commitment to the job of moderation, will select the two volunteers they believe to be most suitable.

2.3 The names of the proposed new moderators, along with a brief rationale for their selection, and the names of all other volunteers, will be posted on SSS, twice, over a one-week period. Comments and objections will be solicited. If any significant objections are made, either on SSS, or by e-mail to the continuing moderators, the continuing moderators will attempt to address these. In the event that such objections to the proposed new moderators cannot be resolved, the continuing moderators will select one or two different new moderators from the list of volunteers.

2.4 The process of selection and proposal in clauses 2.2 and 2.3 will continue until two new moderators are proposed to whom there are no significant objections. In the event that there exist residual objections to all proposed new moderators, the continuing moderators will be free to select their preferred candidates, without requiring a further proposal and solicitation of objections.

3. Resignation

In the event of the resignation of a moderator before the normal completion of his/her term, replacement shall be performed according to clause 3, with the modification that only a single moderator will be solicited from the group. The replacement moderator will serve out the remainder of the original term, and may then be eligible for further terms, under the normal replacement procedures.

4. Replacement due to inappropriate behavior

Should it be the opinion of four of the five moderators that the fifth moderator is not performing appropriately in the task of moderation, and refuses to resign, they may post a call for votes on SSS, requesting permission to replace the fifth moderator. The call will be posted twice, during a one-week voting period. Votes will be collected by the four moderators, and posted on SSS. If a majority of voters votes FOR removing the fifth moderator, and the FOR voters include each of the other four moderators, the fifth moderator shall be replaced, according to clause 3. Otherwise, the fifth moderator will continue. Another such vote shall not be requested for at least one calendar month.

5. Two month exception clause

In the event of there being a need to replace a moderator due to resignation, or dismissal for inappropriate behaviour, within two calendar months of the date of normal moderator replacement, the replacement may, at the discretion of the remaining moderators, be deferred until that date, and occur at the same time as the normal replacement of other moderators whose terms have ended.