Timeline for Removal of Steel Shadows' DST

Many of us in Steel Shadows would like to see the situation resolved to the point that we can feel comfortable proceeding. As part of our effort to piece together what's happening, I've assembled this website to serve as a reference.

Really, all we're asking for is a clear explanation of why our officer was removed which actually makes sense with the facts we have.

I hope that this will improve communication both within the domain and between us and other officers, by giving a common reference point as to what's known, and what questions still remain.

Of course, any comments or corrections would be appreciated.

FAQ

• 4/?/05: Colin Cherry, a member of the Steel Shadows domain, enters a notification in the database at the instructions of the MST
• 4/13/05:
  1. The MST posts comments on the notification
  2. Michael Strauss, ADST of Steel Shadows, posts concerns with the notification
  3. Jason Patton, DST of Steel Shadows, posts comments expressing further concerns about the notification
  4. The MST asks Michael Strauss to retract his comments
  5. The MST asks Jason Patton to retract his comments
• 4/14/05
• 4/15/05
• 4/16/05
• 4/17/05
• 4/18/05: The MST threatens to fire Patton and Strauss [Note: this e-mail is sent to the wrong address, and is resent to Patton's correct address the next day]
• 4/19/05:
  1. Michael Strauss responds to the MST [Note: this e-mail is also BCC-d to the mailing list for the Steel Shadows domain]
  2. Charles Bailey, the Club Director, sends an e-mail to Patton and Strauss
  3. Michael Strauss responds to Bailey's e-mail
  4. Charles Bailey responds to Strauss
• 4/20/05:
  1. Dale Sheldon, VST Requiem for Steel Shadows, posts concerns about the notification
  2. Jason Patton notifies Jim Kunz, CC for both Strauss and Patton, that Strauss may have violated the Code of Conduct
• 4/21/05: Jim Kunz issues an official warning regarding Strauss CC-ing his e-mail to the Steel Shadows domain list
• 4/22/05: Jason Patton responds to the MST [Note: This is not late; the version of the MST's e-mail sent placed the deadline on the 22nd because he received it one day later.]
• 4/23/05
• 4/24/05
• 4/25/05
• 4/26/05
• 4/27/05
• 4/28/05
• 4/29/05
• 4/30/05
• 5/1/05
• 5/2/05
• 5/3/05
• 5/4/05: The MST removes Jason Patton as DST
• 5/5/05
• 5/6/05:
  1. Jon Herrmann, EC RST, calls for a DST election
  2. Several members of Steel Shadows ask what's going on (Michael Krotscheck, Henry Towsner, Katie Boyd, Brian Buffalini, Dan Murphy)
  3. Jon Herrmann states that he has asked Alex T. for a public comment
• 5/7/05: Jason Patton confirms that he has been removed
• 5/8/05: Jon Herrmann announces that the MST will make a statement soon
• 5/9/05
• 5/10/05:
  1. The MST makes a statement regarding his removal of Jason Patton (forwarded by Jon Herrmann)
  2. Rachael Weldon, ADC Communication for Steel Shadows, expresses confusion over the MST's statement, and requests additional information
  3. Jason Patton denies that he did any of the things listed as reasons for his removal waives all relevant privacy rights so that the MST can provide the evidence
  4. Jon Herrmann responds to Rachael, and provides an alternate explanation for why Jason may have been removed
  5. Joy Slater, Changeling VST for Steel Shadows, requests additional information on the removal
  6. Jim Kunz clarifies that Jason Patton asked him to take appropriate disciplinary action regarding Michael Strauss' actions, and that the MST did not remove Jason via a disciplinary proceeding
• 5/11/05:
  1. The MST, via Jon Herrmann, declines to provide further information, citing Camarilla policy
  2. Henry Towsner asks for clarification regarding the cited Camarilla policy
  3. Rachael Weldon reiterates her request for additional information, and offers to work with the MST to make sure that his position is not misrepresented
  4. Jon Herrmann clarifies that the MST is declining to provide additional information based on the informal "punish in private" policy
• 5/12/05:
  1. Henry Towsner points out that the "punish in private" policy does not apply, and requests that both the MST and Jason cooperate in providing more information
  2. Jon Herrmann explains that he cannot clarify why the MST will not provide additional information, and reiterates that the MST will not be providing further information
  3. Rachael Weldon again asks the MST to cooperate in explaining the situation
• 5/13/05:
  1. Henry Towsner suggests that Jason could be reelected as DST in the absence of a clear explanation for his removal
  2. Jon Herrmann states that Jason cannot be reelected, and reiterates that he believes Jason was removed for failing to discipline Michael Strauss
• 5/14/05
• 5/15/05
• 5/16/05:
  1. Henry Towsner requests clarification of Jon's last comment, and points out that Jason referred Michael Strauss' actions to his coordinator
  2. Jon Herrmann explains that Jason and Michael are barred from holding ST office, and declines to speculate further as to why Jason was removed
  3. Michael Krotscheck expresses concern over Jason's and the apparent lack of accountability regarding it
  4. Jon Herrmann suggests that Alex T. might have reached different conclusions than Michael Krotscheck
  5. Michael Strauss gives permission for any relevant documents involving him to be made public
  6. Henry Towsner asks who barred Jason and Michael from holding office, and again asks the MST to provide more details about why he removed Jason from office
  7. Jon Herrmann states that the MST is not bound by the Membership Handbook, but adds that the Club Director may have actually barred Jason and Michael from holding office. He asks that discussion on the topic end.
  8. Michael Schaffer expresses concern with the claim that the MST is not bound with the Membership Handbook, and wonders what the point of holding an election is if the DST can be fired merely for disagreeing with the MST.
  9. Jon Herrmann states again that the MST is not bound by the Membership Handbook.
  10. Brian Buffalini points out that the Membership Handbook does define the MST position, and expresses concern that Jon is claiming that there are no restraints on the MST's power
• 5/17/05:
  1. Charles Bailey requests that this website be taken down
  2. Jon Herrmann states again that the Membership Handbook does not bind the MST, and states that the MST will not discuss the matter further over e-mail
  3. Tom Black asks whether there is any problem with taking objections directly to the MST and Club Director
  4. Henry Towsner requests more information regarding Charles' request
  5. Charles Bailey clarifies his request
  6. Brian Buffalini offers to call Alex if he is unwilling to discuss the matter over e-mail, and asks in general what medium the issue could be discussed in
  7. John Meier asks how to best contact Mike Tinney.
  8. Jon Herrmann explains that he cannot give out Alex's phone number, and states that Alex handles all Camarilla business over e-mail. He adds that Mike Tinney should be contacted by snail mail.
  9. Dale Sheldon agrees that the notification in question should not be made public, and adds his belief that it should be an approval.
  10. Dale Sheldon notifies Jon Herrmann that many members of the domain object to the DST election, and suggests that Jon could choose not to run an election
  11. Jon Herrmann indicates his support for holding the DST election
  12. Michael Schaffer expresses concern with Jon's decision to support the MST's actions over strong support for Jason within the domain
  13. Jon Herrmann disagrees with Mike Schaffer's characterization of the situation
  14. Michael Schaffer clarifies his description
  15. Henry Towsner responds to Mr. Bailey's request
  16. Jon Herrmann states that he will stop commenting for fear of legal action
  17. Henry Towsner asks Alex T. for further explanation
  18. Charles Bailey responds to Henry's explanation of the purpose of this site
  19. Michael Schaffer clarifies that he had not indicated any kind of legal threat
  20. Jon Herrmann clarifies that he his concerns do not stem from Schaffer's e-mail
  21. Michael Strauss states that Jon's legal concerns probably stem from an e-mail he sent to Charles Bailey, and assures that he did not threaten legal action
• 5/18/05
• 5/19/05:
  1. Henry Towsner asks how the domain can work with the MST to understand the MST's decision
  2. Jon Herrmann reiterates his legal concerns, and indicates that it may be impossible to reach a conclusion about the propriety of the MST's actions
  3. Jon Herrmann postpones the DST election until Sunday to give time after the domain meeting on Saturday
• 5/20/05
• 5/21/05:
  1. Donald Sheldon gives a summary of events
  2. Henry Towsner critiques Donald's summary, and offers a slightly different one
  3. Donald Sheldon disagrees with Henry's assessment
  4. Kris Borer, DC of Steel Shadows posts minutes for the domain meeting
• 5/22/05:
  1. Kris Borer states that he and the RST have worked out a revised schedule
  2. Jessica Hess points out that the schedule Kris proposed did not push off the application deadline as the domain had requested
  3. Kris Borer asks whether anyone else is planning to apply
  4. Jessica Hess states that the domain wanted the date moved until after Jason's appeal whether or not anyone else wants to apply
  5. Jason Patton posts the list of charges for which he was punished
  6. Charlie Collins clarifies the Domain's vote
• 5/23/05:
  1. Michael Krotscheck clarifies the Domain's vote
  2. Donald Sheldon comments on the charges against Jason
  3. Henry Towsner clarifies that Jason did respond within the time frame demanded by Alex
  4. Kris Borer reports that the RST is out of town
• 5/24/05:
  1. Wes Contreas, National Coordinator, relays comments (via Kris)
• 5/25/05
• 5/26/05
• 5/27/05
• 5/28/05
• 5/29/05
• 5/30/05
• 5/31/05:
  1. Kris Borer informs the domain that Jon will not be delaying the election as request by the domain
  2. Michael Struass criticizes Jon's decision
  3. John-Eric Hoffmann defends Jon's decision
  4. Donald Sheldon defends Jon's decision
  5. Jon thanks John-Eric and Don for their comments

  ---

• 6/8/05: Henry describes the steps he's taken to follow dispute resolution procedures with the MST.

  ---

• 6/27/05:
  1. Jon announces the candidates for DST
  2. Henry asks questions of the candidates
  3. Jon requests that Henry clarify his comments
• 6/28/05: Henry clarifies his criticism of Jon

  ---

• 7/16/05: Henry accidentally sends an e-mail with his views on the situation

  ---

• 7/28/05:
  1. Kris announces that None of the Above has won the election, and the start of a new one
  2. Dan Murphy criticizes Jason and Strauss' removal
  3. Mike Krotscheck outlines possible options
  4. Dan objects to Krotscheck's suggestions
  5. Krotscheck questions Dan's suggestion
  6. Dan responds to Mike's question
  7. Krotscheck reiterates the Domain's options
  8. Dan states the outcome he wants
  9. Anthony proposes that the Domain try different tactics
  10. Jon answers some questions and states his willingness to work with the domain
  11. Donald Sheldon suggests that, under the circumstances, the domain should be temporarily exempted from the reporting requirements
  12. Krotscheck suggests that Don is trying to selectively apply rules
  13. Jon responds to Don's request
  14. Michael Schaffer offers to send up DST reports informally to satisfy the reporting requirement
  15. Krotscheck responds to Dan's comements
• 7/29/05: Note: some 70+ emails were sent this day; I have attempted to include a representative sampling. If something important has been left out, notify me and I'll add it
  1. Katie Boyd asks whether the VST reports are being sent up
  2. Jon states that there is more to the DST's job then just passing on VST reports
  3. Marc Gabriele takes issue with Krotscheck's comment about selectively applying rules
  4. Thomas Bolster suggests electing an interim DST
  5. Krotscheck responds to Marc
  6. Krotscheck supports electing an interim DST until Jason's appeal is concluded
  7. Sameer remarks that he had made Tom's suggestion at the domain meeting
  8. Don argues that the lack of DST reports from Steel Shadows is objectively distinguishable
  9. Krotscheck defends the importance of paying attention to public opinion
  10. Strauss argues that Jon should file DST reports for the domain
  11. Donald argues again that the situation in Steel Shadows is a special case
  12. Krotscheck states that he believes Don of engaging in group-think
  13. Don reiterates his position
  14. Katie suggests that selecting an interim DST would be a reasonable compromise
  15. Krotscheck contiues arguing with Donald
  16. Jon explains why neither he nor the ARST-Independant Chapters can be acting DST, and clarifies when the domain will enter black status
  17. Don says what he'll do if Jason's appeal fails
  18. Sameer says that selecting an interim DST was also rejected
  19. Dale expresses skepticism regarding threats to fold the domain or shut down venues
  20. Krotscheck questions Dale's position
  21. Krotscheck clarifies his comments
  22. Henry makes several comments about the new election, and accuses Alex and Jon of lying
  23. Dale responds to Krotscheck
  24. Mike Schaffer corrects one of Henry's comments
  25. Gillian clarifies that the VST's can communicate to the RST without a DST
  26. Stu asks what's going on with Jason's appeal
  27. Henry retracts his previous comment about who can run in the new election
  28. Henry argues that Jon would be abusing his power to close Steel Shadows' VSS's.
  29. Jon requests that Henry retract his accusation that Jon lied
  30. Henry retracts his accusation that Jon lied, but still believs that Jon made "grossly negligent misrepresentations"
  31. Jesse Daniel offers to moderate a Domain meeting
• 7/30/05:
  1. Strauss proposes that Jason be allowed to serve until his appeal is finished, as a compromise
  2. Jon announces that he will no longer actively read the list in response to Henry's accusations
  3. Thomas Bolster suggests that an interim DST may be more acceptable now
  4. Joy asks why members of the domain are opposed to electing a new DST
  5. Charlie Collins offers an answer to Joy's question
  6. Dale offers an answer to Joy's question
  7. Matt Monroe clarifies the color system
  8. Krotscheck states that he suggested that Jon threaten the domain to get them to move forward with electing a DST
• 8/1/05:
  1. Don asks whether Krotscheck's explanation of what he said to Jon contradicts Jon's explanation of his actions
  2. Henry points out that the rules for interim officers have changed since the MH was published
• 8/2/05
• 8/3/05
• 8/4/05
• 8/5/05
• 8/6/05
• 8/7/05
• 8/8/05:
  1. Jed informs the domain that the Camarilla Council has ruled, and is presently writing up their decision
  2. Schaffer wonders why the Council hasn't talked to Jason and Strauss
  3. Jed states that he doesn't know what sort of contact the Council has had with Jason and Strauss
  4. Henry corrects some misconceptions
  5. Jed adds some advice to Henry's comments
• 8/9/05:
  1. Don responds to Jed's comments, expressing concern with unwritten rules
  2. Jed responds to Don
• 8/10/05:
  1. Dan objects to unwritten rules
  2. Jon explains why the rules regarding revoking domain status are unwritten
  3. Charlie points out the dangers of having no written guidelines at all on major decisions
  4. Jed cautiously agrees with Charlie
  5. Charlie emphasizes the importance of providing justification for decisions based on unwritten rules
  6. Jed agrees with Charlie, except in the case of disciplinary actions
  7. Charlie points out that in this particular case, the accused had requested that information about their case be made public
  8. Jed states that he will check with other coordinators about what should happen in the case Charlie mentioned
• 8/11/05:
  1. Mike Schaffer suggests that refusal to explain actions generally implies having something to hide
  2. Jed disagrees that this is happening in this case
  3. Mike Schaffer disagrees about the pedigree of the "punish in private" rule
  4. Mike Krotscheck corrects Schaffer's history
  5. Anthony asks the domain to be nicer to people from outside the domain
  6. Don is concerned that negative things are being said about our domain
  7. Jed comments on the punish in private policy, and on politeness
  8. Jed thanks Anthony
  9. Henry asks if Jon is saying that Steel Shadows has broken rules
  10. Jess requests that the domain be more civil on the mailing list
  11. Anthony responds to Don's question
  12. Jed clarifies that he not accusing members of the Domain of breaking rules, and adds that an appropriate response to the situation would be filing a request up the coordinator chain
• 8/12/05:
  1. Henry clarifies which comment of Jed's he'd been referring to, and points out that he did send a request up the chain, which Jed had never responded to
  2. Jed clarifies the comment Henry was referring to, and apologizes for not responding to Henry's request
  3. Jess requests an update on when the Council will be ruling
  4. Jed states that the NC is presently drafting an opinion

  ---

• (Note: E-mails below list authors, but no longer have summaries, due to the maintainer's lack of time to keep writing them. However the items do have navigation links that make it easy to read them in order.)
• 8/16/05: Jed Stancato says stuff
• 8/17/05:
  1. Jason Patton says stuff
  2. Michael Shaffer says stuff
  3. Dan Murphy says stuff
  4. Dale Sheldon says stuff
• 8/18/05:
  1. Dan Murphy says stuff
  2. Michael Krotscheck says stuff
  3. Don Sheldon says stuff
  4. Michael Krotscheck says stuff
  5. Don Sheldon says stuff
  6. Michael Krotscheck says stuff
  7. Don Sheldon says stuff
  8. Michael Krotscheck says stuff
  9. Dale Sheldon says stuff
  10. Mathew Monroe says stuff
  11. Dan Murphy says stuff
  12. Michael Krotscheck says stuff
  13. WVM says stuff
  14. Henry P Towsner says stuff
  15. Michael Krotscheck says stuff
  16. WVM says stuff
• 8/19/05
• 8/20/05
• 8/21/05
• 8/22/05
• 8/23/05
• 8/24/05
• 8/25/05
• 8/26/05:
  1. Kris Borer says stuff
  2. Michael Shaffer says stuff
  3. Kris Borer says stuff
  4. Michael Shaffer says stuff
  5. Brian Buffalini says stuff
  6. Jameel says stuff
  7. Anthony says stuff
  8. Dan Murphy says stuff
• 8/27/05:
  1. Michael Shaffer says stuff
  2. Anthony says stuff
  3. Michael Shaffer says stuff
  4. Dan Murphy says stuff
  5. Anthony says stuff
  6. Anthony says stuff
  7. Michael Shaffer says stuff
  8. Henry Towsner says stuff
  9. Dan Murphy says stuff
  10. Jed Stancato says stuff
  11. Tom Black says stuff
  12. Jed Stancato says stuff
  13. Tom Black says stuff
  14. Don Sheldon says stuff
  15. Anthony says stuff
  16. Charlie Collins says stuff
• 8/28/05:
  1. Thomas Ian Bolster says stuff
  2. Dan Murphy says stuff
  3. Jessica says stuff
  4. Don Sheldon says stuff
  5. Anthony says stuff
  6. Dan Murphy says stuff
• 8/29/05:
  1. Don Sheldon says stuff
  2. Charlie Collins says stuff
  3. Henry Towsner says stuff
  4. Katie Boyd says stuff
• 8/30/05: Jed Stancato says stuff
• 8/31/05:
  1. WVM says stuff
  2. Tom Black says stuff
  3. Jed Stancato says stuff
  4. Jed Stancato says stuff
  5. Don Sheldon says stuff
  6. Jed Stancato says stuff
  7. WVM says stuff
  8. Jed Stancato says stuff
  9. Henry Towsner says stuff
  10. Dan Murphy says stuff
  11. Don Sheldon says stuff
  12. Don Sheldon says stuff
  13. Jed Stancato says stuff
  14. Jed Stancato says stuff
  15. Jed Stancato says stuff
  16. Jed Stancato says stuff
  17. Jed Stancato says stuff
  18. Dan Murphy says stuff
  19. Wes says stuff
  20. Henry Towsner says stuff
  21. Don Sheldon says stuff
  22. Dale Sheldon says stuff
  23. Dan Murphy says stuff
  24. Jed Stancato says stuff
  25. Dan Murphy says stuff
• 9/1/05
• 9/2/05:
  1. Wes says stuff
  2. Wes says stuff
• 9/3/05: Henry Towsner says stuff
• 9/4/05
• 9/5/05
• 9/6/05
  1. Wes says stuff
  2. Don Sheldon says stuff
  3. Gillian says stuff
  4. Henry Towsner says stuff
  5. Wes says stuff
  6. Wes says stuff
  7. Henry Towsner says stuff
  8. Henry Towsner says stuff
  9. Wes says stuff
  10. Wes says stuff
  11. Henry Towsner says stuff
  12. Charlie Collins says stuff
  13. Dan Murphy says stuff
  14. Wes says stuff
  15. Wes says stuff
  16. Karl says stuff
  17. Gillian says stuff
  18. Wes says stuff
  19. Wes says stuff
  20. Henry Towsner says stuff
  21. Charlie Collins says stuff
  22. Mathew Monroe says stuff
  23. Wes says stuff
  24. Wes says stuff
  25. Wes says stuff
  26. Don Sheldon says stuff
  27. Wes says stuff
  28. Don Sheldon says stuff
  29. Henry Towsner says stuff
  30. Wes says stuff
• 9/7/05:
  1. Wes says stuff
  2. Karl says stuff
  3. Wes says stuff
  4. Dale Sheldon says stuff
  5. Dale Sheldon says stuff
  6. Wes says stuff
  7. Jed Stancato says stuff
  8. htowsner says stuff
  9. Charlie Collins says stuff
  10. Wes says stuff
  11. Wes says stuff
  12. Henry Towsner says stuff
  13. Charlie Collins says stuff
  14. Wes says stuff
  15. Dan Murphy says stuff
  16. Wes says stuff
  17. Tommy Newcomer says stuff
  18. Wes says stuff
  19. Wes says stuff
  20. Dan Murphy says stuff
  21. Tommy Newcomer says stuff
  22. Wes says stuff
  23. Wes says stuff
  24. Karl says stuff
  25. Wes says stuff
  26. Dale Sheldon says stuff
  27. Tom Black says stuff
  28. Wes says stuff
  29. Wes says stuff
  30. Dan Murphy says stuff
  31. Tom Black says stuff
  32. Wes says stuff
  33. Henry Towsner says stuff
  34. Wes says stuff
  35. Rachael says stuff
  36. Michael Strauss says stuff
  37. Wes says stuff
  38. Dan Murphy says stuff
  39. Wes says stuff
  40. Dale Sheldon says stuff
  41. Anthony says stuff
  42. Wes says stuff
  43. Dan Murphy says stuff
• 9/8/05:
  1. James Kunz says stuff
  2. Wes says stuff
  3. Charlie Collins says stuff
  4. Wes says stuff
  5. Mike Prettiman says stuff
  6. Henry Towsner says stuff
  7. Dale says stuff
• 9/9/05:
  1. Josh Benjamin says stuff