# GSC ## Home - [Welcome to Our Handbook Website!](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/home.md): Please visit the Respectful Conduct page to review your Chain of Command and follow the proper reporting procedures. ## The Moderation Handbook - [Escalation](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/escalation.md): **Contact Senior Staff if:** - You are unsure what to do - Another staff member is involved - There is suspected cheating/exploiting - A permanent ban may be required - The situation is serious or complicated - [Moderator Responsibilities](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/moderator-responsibilities.md): - Enforce server rules. - Handle player reports and tickets. - Investigate rule violations. - Collect evidence. - Record punishments. - Assist players. - Escalate serious situations to Senior Staff. - [Staff Conduct](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/staff-conduct.md): - Stay professional and respectful - Remain fair and unbiased - Never argue with players - Never abuse staff permissions - Keep staff information confidential - Treat everyone equally - [Common Violations](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/common-violations.md): **Moderators may deal with:** - RDM — Randomly killing players - VDM — Using vehicles to kill players - FailRP — Poor or unrealistic roleplay - Combat Logging — Leaving to avoid RP consequences - Metagaming — Using OOC information in RP - Powergaming — Forcing actions onto another player - FearRP — Failing to value your character's life - [Reports & Tickets](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/reports-tickets.md): **When handling a report:** - Listen to both sides - Gather evidence - Check logs if available - Determine if a rule was broken - Take the appropriate action - Log the outcome - [Punishments](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/punishments.md): **Depending on the severity:** - Verbal Warning - Warning - Kick - Temporary Ban - Permanent Ban - Management Review **Do not create punishments outside the server's approved guidelines.** - [Staff Abuse](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/staff-abuse.md): **Never use staff powers to:** - Help yourself or friends - Win an RP situation - Give yourself money/items - Punish someone for personal reasons - Troll players **Staff abuse may result in a strike, suspension, demotion, or removal.** - [Golden Rules](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/golden-rules.md): - Be Fair - Be Professional - Gather Evidence - Don't Abuse Your Powers ## The Administrator Handbook - [Admin Golden Rules](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/admin-golden-rules.md): - Be Professional - Be Fair - Use Evidence - Don't Abuse Permissions - Protect Confidential Information - Support Your Staff - Follow the Chain of Command - Escalate When Unsure 🛡️ **Final Statement** *Admins are trusted with greater responsibility and permissions. Always use your position to protect the community, support your staff, and maintain a fair roleplay environment.* - [Admin Strikes](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/admin-strikes.md): **Admins may receive disciplinary action for:** - Staff abuse - Inactivity - Unprofessional behavior - Repeated mistakes - Breaking staff rules - Leaking confidential information - Favoritism **Possible action:** *Warning → Strike → Suspension → Demotion/Removal* - [Escalation](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/admin-escalation.md): **Contact Management when:** - A permanent ban is being considered - There is serious staff abuse - A staff member is involved - There is a major exploit or cheating issue - A situation involves multiple staff members - You are unsure how to proceed *When in doubt, escalate.* - [Staff Complaints](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/staff-complaints.md): **When a complaint is made against a staff member:** - Review the evidence - Hear both sides - Remain neutral - Document the investigation - Escalate serious cases to Management **Never allow personal relationships to influence the outcome.** - [Staff Supervision](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/staff-supervision.md): **Admins should monitor:** - Moderator activity - Staff conduct - Ticket handling - Reports - Staff complaints - Rule enforcement Admins should help Moderators improve rather than immediately punish mistakes. - [Punishments](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/admin-punishments.md): **Admins may issue punishments according to server policy:** - Warning - Kick - Temporary Ban - Permanent Ban - Staff Escalation *Do not exceed your authorized permissions or punishment limits.* - [Reports & Investigations](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/reports-investigations.md): **When handling a serious report:** - Listen to everyone involved. - Gather evidence. - Check logs where available. - Determine which rules apply. - Take appropriate action. - Log the outcome. **If you are personally involved, another Admin or Management member should handle the investigation.** - [Admin Responsibilities](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/admin-responsibilities.md): **Admins are responsible for:** - Enforcing server rules. - Handling serious player reports. - Supervising Moderators. - Reviewing punishments. - Handling difficult tickets. - Investigating serious rule violations. - Assisting with staff issues. - Escalating major situations to Management. - [Admin Conduct](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/admin-conduct.md): **Admins must:** - Remain professional. - Treat everyone fairly. - Stay calm during conflicts. - Follow the chain of command. - Keep staff information confidential. - Lead by example. - Never show favoritism. ## The Management Handbook - [Chain of Command](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/coc.md): - Founder / Co-Founder - Management+ - Head Administrator - Senior Administrator - Administrator - Senior Moderator - Moderator - Trial Moderator **Staff should normally follow the chain of command when requesting assistance or escalating issues.** - [Golden Rules](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/mgm-golden-rules.md): - Lead by example - Stay professional - Be fair - Don't abuse your position - Keep information confidential - Don't show favoritism - Support your staff - Follow the chain of command - Make decisions based on evidence - Put the community first 🏛️ **Final Statement** **Management is responsible for setting the standard for the entire staff team. Every Management member is expected to act professionally, fairly, and responsibly.** - [Management Meetings](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/management-meetings.md): **Management meetings may be used to discuss:** - Staff performance - Promotions - Demotions - Complaints - Server issues - Rule changes - Upcoming events - Staff activity - Community feedback **Important decisions should be recorded for future reference.** - [Leadership Standards](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/leadership-standards.md): **Management members are expected to:** - Lead by example - Help lower-ranking staff - Communicate clearly - Accept constructive criticism - Admit mistakes - Make decisions based on evidence - Put the server's interests before personal interests - [Major Decisions](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/major-decisions.md): **Management should be consulted before:** - Permanent staff removals - Staff blacklists - Major policy changes - Large-scale bans - Major server changes - Serious staff investigations **When possible, major decisions should be documented.** - [Confidentiality](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/confidentiality.md): **Management must not leak:** - Staff discussions - Internal reports - Punishment logs - Private tickets - Staff complaints - Internal decisions - Private staff information **Leaking confidential information may result in disciplinary action.** - [Conflict of Interest](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/conflict-of-interest.md): *Management members must step away from cases where they are personally involved.* **Examples:** - Personal disputes - Friends involved - Family members involved - Complaints against themselves **Another Management member should handle the situation.** - [Staff Complaints](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/mgm-staff-complaints.md): **All staff complaints should be:** - Reviewed privately - Supported by evidence where possible - Investigated fairly - Discussed with the involved staff member - Resolved by authorized Management **Staff members should not investigate complaints against themselves.** - [Staff Strikes](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/staff-strikes.md): **Management may issue strikes for:** - Staff abuse - Unprofessional behavior - Repeated mistakes - Inactivity - Breaking staff rules - Disrespect toward players or staff **Possible progression:** *Warning → Strike → Suspension → Demotion/Removal* **Management may adjust this depending on the severity of the situation.** - [Demotions & Removals](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/demotions-removals.md): **A staff member may be demoted or removed for:** - Staff abuse - Repeated misconduct - Inactivity - Leaking confidential information - Favoritism - Serious rule violations - Failure to perform their responsibilities **Serious incidents may result in immediate removal.** - [Promotions](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/promotions.md): **Staff promotions may be based on:** - Activity - Professionalism - Leadership - Knowledge of rules - Quality of work - Teamwork - Reliability **Promotions should be based on performance rather than friendships.** - [Staff Management](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/staff-management.md): **Management should regularly monitor:** - Staff activity - Staff performance - Ticket handling - Reports handled - Staff conduct - Rule enforcement - Complaints **Management should provide feedback when staff members need improvement.** - [Management Conduct](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/management-conduct.md): **Management members must:** - Remain professional - Treat staff and players fairly - Keep internal information confidential - Avoid favoritism - Remain calm during conflicts - Lead by example - Follow server rules like everyone else - [Management Responsibilities](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/management-responsibilities.md): **Management is responsible for:** - Overseeing the staff team - Managing staff promotions and demotions - Reviewing staff complaints - Handling serious player issues - Enforcing staff policies - Managing staff strikes - Reviewing bans and appeals - Supporting Moderators and Administrators - Making major server decisions - Maintaining staff professionalism ## Privacy Policy - [Garden State Collective — Privacy Policy](https://handbook.gardenstatecollective.com/our-privacy-policy.md): How Garden State Collective collects, uses, and protects player information including connection data, platform identifiers, and Discord information.