Dan,
I can see your point on this... but in some cases I have to disagree. Allow me to bring an example...
Currently, there is no rule defining what would allow the removal of domain status from a domain. Now, I am *not* using Pittsburgh as this example... just as a note.
You have a domain, where the members are constantly arguing over their email lists, which officers and members outside the local domain can see. It is not just one or two, but well over half the domain. The domain has shown it's inability to work with each other, and with those outside the domain. Prior to getting their domain status and for the first 6 months, this domain was very good. But, somewhere along the lines, something went wrong. In addition to that, the same domain also began to have reporting issues. Votes of no confidence are being run every other week. All in all, there is cause to remove domain status and send them back down to independent chapter until they can get their collective selves in order.
Because there is no hard and fast rule saying that domain status should be removed, this would say that the domain would remain a domain irregardless of the things they have done.
Another example...
A domain, normally otherwise good (Again not using Pittsburgh as an example as I have not seen you guys do any of this), decides as a whole to start abusing mid approval priviledges and powers on both sides of the chain. They use their power to approve DST approvals to bring things into play that otherwise should not be as it is unbalancing for the domain and any who might come in. The coordinator approves a great deal of open prestige, all within caps, questionable, but within caps. People's MC jump like wildfire to 8. They use the points to pump up characters that are already unbalancing. Regional & National catch on to this and remove the coordinator and DST and have elections. They desanction all the inappropriate approvals and audit the prestige logs o the entire domain. They domain elects a new pair and they do the same thing... they are removed... another sweep of desanctions and audits occur and a new set elected... and they too do the same thing. At what point, since there is no hard and fast rule, does it end? At what point should domain status be removed?
My point here is, just because there is no hard and fast rule, doesn't always mean there should be one... and here is why...
Example #1 - Turns out that apparently one member has an issue with another. People start taking sides. Regional and National step in and deal with the issue first. The problem dies down and goes away. Problem solved, domain remains a domain.
Same example - Same problem with people taking sides, but the domain will not stop the arguing and fighting. Domain status removed.
While it would be nice for the first to happen all the time... that is not always the case. And just because there is no hard and fast rule in the MH, doesn't mean that there should be.
Personally, I am not a machine. I am a human being. I have instincts and thoughts regarding certain things. The ability to make decisions based on information should be there. Much as with life, there is not always going to be hard and fast rules... therefore I don't feel the club should always have to have hard and fast rules. Obviously there needs to be some rules, much like life... example assault and battery being illegal in the USA... punching someone at a cam event being against the rules of the club. There are rules for those. But not everything has rules... sometimes there can only be interpretations of the rules... or even rulings made on a case by case basis (thus the concept of setting a precedent, trust me I have aided in setting a precedent before in this club).
Though, your point is well taken and I do understand what you have said Dan... I just don't necessarily agree with it. Would you be willing to agree to disagree on our feelings regarding rules? :)
Jed Stancato
US2002021727
East Central Regional Coordinator