Organized Play Manager
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I returned to the office on Tuesday and my first priority was to resolve the outstanding issues in North Carolina. While on the road, I’d had some conversations and communication with relevant parties, but I needed several uninterrupted hours to pull the edges together. To all involved, thank you for your patience while I was out of the office.
Resolution of this issue takes several forms. First, we need to make some changes to the organizational structure of the involved area. Second, we need to make changes to the program in general, including new processes and standards. Third, we need the cooperation and support of members of the affected community in embracing these changes and moving forward.
First, let’s talk about the structural changes, which are happening immediately.
1) We are reinstating Michal Eshleman to the role of Venture-Lieutenant working with Venture-Captain Landon Hatfield. Michael will oversee operations at Atomic Games. There is a pending application for Venture-Agent of Atomic that is being processed by David Shaw.
2) We are collapsing the Southeast Region and replacing it with two new regions. The first is the Appalachian Region, which includes the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. David Shaw, who has been with the campaign for many years as both Venture-Captain and Venture-Lieutenant, will oversee this region as Regional Venture-Captain. The second is the Gulf Region, made up of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina. Del Collins will move to RVC of this region.
Next, let’s talk about the changes to Paizo organized play in general.
1) We have reiterated to all RVCs that the NDA only applies to Paizo business operations, not to individuals or their experiences.
2) We are spinning up a task force to look at documenting the heretofore-unwritten policies and procedures of being a Venture-Officer. This document, a Venture-Officer Handbook, will be driven by venture-officer input and reviewed by myself and Paizo. My timeline for this document is the end of year 2018, though I would love to have it completed sooner.
3) We are reevaluating my tasks and responsibilities to allow me to become more available to the community and more able to engage with volunteers and participants to address concerns raised by the community.
Finally, let’s talk about what we need from you and the rest of the community.
I ask that we all come together to heal the region and the program and work toward making organized play what we want it to be: the best living campaign in the world! Disciplinary actions are being taken as appropriate, but we do not and will not discuss these actions publicly. We remain dedicated to open dialog with our players and volunteers. We encourage anyone who has an issue to report it to their next highest Venture-Officer. Alternatively
we are continuing to keep other avenues of communication open and organizedplay@paizo.com (for Pathfinder Society and Starfinder Society issues) and community@paizo.com (for other community issues) are methods of communication available to anyone for any reason.
—Tonya Woldridge
Organized Play Manager
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Tonya,
Many thanks for giving this situation your attention & resolving it in a way that addresses many of the issues involved. I know that my gaming friends & I will gladly welcome Michael back to the fold at Atomic Empire. To be honest, it'll be like he never left.
Joe
RPG Superstar 2013 Top 8
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This was a painful process for all involved, but I look forward to to continuing my service to the campaign as a VL and making PFS the best it can be.
Over the last week I've been in communication with the gaming director of Raleigh SuperCon, to offer 15 tables of Starfinder Society alongside D&D Adventurer's League.
I'm also continuing plans to bring the AtomiCon Mini model to the rest of the triangle, with the first Retail Support Con scheduled for September 28, 2018 through September 30, 2018 at Event Horizon Games.
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Thank you Tonya for your diligence, attention, and solution to this matter. I will vouch that, as a player in the Triangle gaming area, Michael Eshleman has been a fantastic Venture Officer, and I have no reason to doubt that this was a good, worthwhile and positive decision.
I appreciate the reconstitution of stability that this decision will provide for the two new Southeastern regions, and for your willingness to work with involved parties and Venture Officers to ensure the success of our gaming community in these areas.
I believe you've made good choices about good people. You and they each have my support as a PFS player.
Venture-Captain, New Zealand—Dunedin
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I love my North Carolina peeps. I love me some Del C as well. Welcome back, Michael. Welcome to the RVC ranks, David.
And now the APL is appropriately part of the Appalachian Region - all's well that ends well.
Happy to help with the VO Handbook as I may.
-Dink
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Thank you, Tonya. I am especially glad to see your commitment to drafting a VO Handbook and seeking greater engagement with the community. I am very pleased by your decision and will do my best to help heal the rifts in our community, some of which I caused and for that, I am sorry. Thank you.
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Next, let’s talk about the changes to Paizo organized play in general.
1) We have reiterated to all RVCs that the NDA only applies to Paizo business operations, not to individuals or their experiences.
Saying this, even multiple times, in this format, is not binding. Forum-speak does not modify contractual language. Until the NDA is revisited, NDA-based paranoia is subject to continue. Tonya, can we expect the NDA wording to be changed?
2) We are spinning up a task force to look at documenting the heretofore-unwritten policies and procedures of being a Venture-Officer. This document, a Venture-Officer Handbook, will be driven by venture-officer input and...
This is not a job for volunteers - this project should be placed squarely in the lap of Organized Play leadership. Alternatively, how about we just treat people well? When people aren't treated well, have an appeals ladder. That's all that's needed.
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Next, let’s talk about the changes to Paizo organized play in general.
1) We have reiterated to all RVCs that the NDA only applies to Paizo business operations, not to individuals or their experiences.Saying this, even multiple times, in this format, is not binding. Forum-speak does not modify contractual language. Until the NDA is revisited, NDA-based paranoia is subject to continue. Tonya, can we expect the NDA wording to be changed?
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I don't believe that is true. A public statement by Tonya (the person in charge) carries a great deal of weight in terms of how the NDA should be interpreted.
Even in law RAI is important :-). And now the intent has been clarified
Edit : I am not a lawyer and I've only rarely played one in RPGs
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Next, let’s talk about the changes to Paizo organized play in general.
1) We have reiterated to all RVCs that the NDA only applies to Paizo business operations, not to individuals or their experiences.Saying this, even multiple times, in this format, is not binding. Forum-speak does not modify contractual language. Until the NDA is revisited, NDA-based paranoia is subject to continue. Tonya, can we expect the NDA wording to be changed?
2) We are spinning up a task force to look at documenting the heretofore-unwritten policies and procedures of being a Venture-Officer. This document, a Venture-Officer Handbook, will be driven by venture-officer input and...This is not a job for volunteers - this project should be placed squarely in the lap of Organized Play leadership. Alternatively, how about we just treat people well? When people aren't treated well, have an appeals ladder. That's all that's needed.
Point 1: I'm taking it as a good guideline to work by until further notice, and will treat with my VOs (who will invariably be 'over' me in the hierarchy as I don't have the time to help org the org) as if it is the case.
Should the need arise to raise concerns, I will be raising them, not covered by an NDA in such a fashion.
Point 2: It *IS* a job for volunteers. Each RVC, VC, VL, VA has developed their own procedures and methods as *volunteers* in PFS.
Having it tied together into one document as the 'V' Bible, much like the Player Guide is for Players, will prevent concerns in the future such as the one that sparked the many discussions around this resolution and announcement.
Having it written 'from the top' without input from the people it would be impacting the most(the volunteer leadership) would be a mistake at best, and outright thoughtlessness at worst.
It was already highlighted that the appeals ladder has some concerns with it between visibility and other issues. Having a 'unified rulebook' for V-folk to work from would be a step towards having an Organized Play, versus satrapys of the RVC with no visible oversight/accountability.
Side-issue: The hidden issue during this discussion was 'trust'. There was a lack of trust from 'rank and file' as to how the matter was being resolved, and there was 'overtrust' from the senior V levels .
To get both sides to a spot where everyone can agree "Yep, this is definitely an organizational violation" and "Nope, this is wasting everyone's time, why was this even targeted in the first place?" is an important step to foundational development of an organization.
It was lacking on some levels in the situation mentioned in several different threads, and that previous lack of clarity is dangerous in a growing group.
Thank you very much for your time.
May we all grow in wisdom and sanity in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.
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North Carolina and Georgia in one region, South Carolina in another?
Ooo-kay...
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Regional Venture-Coordinator, Baltic
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North Carolina and Georgia in one region, South Carolina in another?Ooo-kay...
Appalachian RVC lives in Georgia
Gulf Coast RVC lives in South Carolina.
Still nothing compared to the patchwork Dave, Dan and myself have over here! ;-)
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Venture-Captain, Germany—Rhein Main South
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Still nothing compared to the patchwork Dave, Dan and myself have over here! ;-)
North Carolina and Georgia in one region, South Carolina in another?Ooo-kay...
Appalachian RVC lives in Georgia
Gulf Coast RVC lives in South Carolina.
Auke I do not know what your problem with Dans region is, it is continious and makes (somewhat) sense to be put together.
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Regional Venture-Coordinator, Baltic
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Auke I do not know what your problem with Dans region is, it is continious and makes (somewhat) sense to be put together.Still nothing compared to the patchwork Dave, Dan and myself have over here! ;-)
North Carolina and Georgia in one region, South Carolina in another?Ooo-kay...
Appalachian RVC lives in Georgia
Gulf Coast RVC lives in South Carolina.
Yes, but I've got regions to the North, East, South and West of his and Dave has surrounding regions too, so hence the patchwork remark.
There is reasoning behind all of it, but if you don't know the reasons it might seem like we are playing a game of Risk.
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Auke I do not know what your problem with Dans region is, it is continious and makes (somewhat) sense to be put together.Yes, but I've got regions to the North, East, South and West of his and Dave has surrounding regions too, so hence the patchwork remark.
There is reasoning behind all of it, but if you don't know the reasons it might seem like we are playing a game of Risk.
If that's the case Dan is in some serious trouble. I think Auke is coming in for the kill. Hope Dan has some matches to turn in...
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If that's the case Dan is in some serious trouble. I think Auke is coming in for the kill. Hope Dan has some matches to turn in...
Auke I do not know what your problem with Dans region is, it is continious and makes (somewhat) sense to be put together.Yes, but I've got regions to the North, East, South and West of his and Dave has surrounding regions too, so hence the patchwork remark.
There is reasoning behind all of it, but if you don't know the reasons it might seem like we are playing a game of Risk.
It is to keep either one of them from collecting the big bonus for all of Europe or Asia.
Meanwhile Stephen White has been getting two extra armies a turn and quietly building up his stronghold in Australia.
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Saying this, even multiple times, in this format, is not binding. Forum-speak does not modify contractual language. Until the NDA is revisited, NDA-based paranoia is subject to continue. Tonya, can we expect the NDA wording to be changed?
The language in the NDA was vetted by the lawyer. It’s not the fault of the language if people chose to misinterpret how to apply it. Now that it has been clarified to the people who may have been using it incorrectly, there should be no further action required.
This is not a job for volunteers - this project should be placed squarely in the lap of Organized Play leadership. Alternatively, how about we just treat people well? When people aren't treated well, have an appeals ladder. That's all that's needed.
Actually it makes perfect sense that the group who will be governed by the rules should have a say in what the rules are. Rather than dictate what the rules are by the OP!, why not have a selected group of volunteers weigh in on what they think is fair and present it to her for consideration?