RP 3-1, Proper Participation and Use of the RallyPoint Answers Forum

MAJ Laurie H. — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 15:33:44 -0400

Thanks to the input of several of our Member Administrators we are publishing our first RallyPoint Regulation. We expect this document to be extremely helpful not only to our Member Administrators, but also to anyone who uses the Answers forum and want to see RallyPoint become an increasingly valuable resource for all service members and Veterans.

As always we welcome any and all feedback and suggestions for changes. This is a living document and the latest version will always be available on our share drive.

** Updated 09 December, 2014**
RP 3-1, Proper Participation and Use of the RallyPoint Answers Forum: http://rly.pt/RP3-1v2

RP 3-1 Proper Participation and Use of the RallyPoint

RallyPoint Regulation 3-1 19 April 2016 Proper Participation and Use of The RallyPoint Forum RallyPoint Networks, Inc. 23 Main Street, Suite 301 Watertown, MA 02472 SUMMARY of CHANGE RP 3-1 Proper Participation and Use of The RallyPoint Answers Forum This ad...

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Jun 27 at 2014 4:10 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:10:37 -0400

Thanks for all you do Laurie!

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Jun 27 at 2014 4:17 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 16:17:55 -0400

I do believe that we, as a community, have grown to the point where some standard guidelines such as this are needed. Thanks to you and the other admins for putting this together!

Response by SGT Kevin Adams made Jun 27 at 2014 6:49 PM

SGT Kevin Adams — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 18:49:53 -0400

I do feel this will make rally point a more positive networking site.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 27 at 2014 7:05 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:05:14 -0400

Very nice, and in the nick of time. Well written and easy to understand. Thanks to the RP Team!

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2014 7:34 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:34:58 -0400

1LT Deitmeyer,

The document is a little long with no distinction between petty issues and major issues. Maybe a one to three page executive summary hitting the high points would be helpful.

This could be in the form of ten to twelve commandments ". . . thou shalt not . . . ."

It might help to proofread the document - for example: RP RP Reg. 3-1 (27 June 2014) 3-2 " . . . Questions within the same them . . ." maybe meant to use the word "theme" ?

RP Reg. 3-1 (27 June 2014) 7-4(f) "Members will not post links to any illicit material." Question: What kind of illicit material is intended to be covered? The OED defines illicit as "Not authorized or allowed; improper, irregular; esp. not sanctioned by law, rule, or custom; unlawful, forbidden." Maybe use of the word illicit might be a little vague? Some examples?

Maybe there should be some mention of copyrighted material restrictions. Also a definition with examples of what may be considered "fair use" on this website.

Finally if a high ranking (multiple star) administrator edits something - it might be a good idea to note at least the posting was edited and maybe who edited the posting so that the sentiments of high ranking administrators are not mis-attributed to the original user.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 27 at 2014 10:26 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 22:26:23 -0400

LT, Will you be posting that link right on the support or how to use page, some of us "aged" people are lucky if we remember where the sock drawer is.
Thanks

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Jun 27 at 2014 10:38 PM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 22:38:07 -0400

Thanks for posting this. I think the guidelines are a good idea. And, as I promised in my fundraising thread (which I now see is explicitly prohibited), I will change it to discussing mustaches if desired. :-)

[EDIT: I can't find the post in question, so I am going to assume that a helpful admin already brought me into compliance. Thanks and my apologies.]

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2014 11:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:23:59 -0400

So when does the power point presentation come out?

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Jun 27 at 2014 11:34 PM

1LT Shawn McCarthy — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:34:13 -0400

Should be "theme" I'm guessing.

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Jun 27 at 2014 11:42 PM

1LT Shawn McCarthy — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:42:53 -0400

Could I have some elaboration on the following?:

a. Titles will not be non-specific, generic titles that do not provide insight into the actual
content. Examples of improper generic question titles include the following:
● What do you think of this?
● What would you do in this situation?

Some of the most engaging discussions have been moral dilemmas (What would you do in given situation?) and general thought sharing (What do you think of X, Y and Z?)

Is that sort of content meant to be prohibited or is this a question formatting nuance that I missed?

Response by 1LT Shawn McCarthy made Jun 27 at 2014 11:53 PM

1LT Shawn McCarthy — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 23:53:51 -0400

Also, what exactly is meant by the following:

7-2 Appropriate Discussions

b. Discussions will maintain the professionalism associated with military life.

And the reference to "vulgar" content.

We are all adults here, and we all know that the military life includes profanity and vulgarity.
There are a few different levels of self-censorship that we all employ on varying occasions.
Is this, 'Sending out a broadcast on the company net,' or 'Official Army email,' level censorship?
I was assuming something closer to 'off duty discussion with my team, perhaps over a beer,' level of censorship.

Obviously we can't have blatantly vulgar posts, but one man's obscenity is another man's funny meme.

Where is the line?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2014 8:36 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 08:36:45 -0400

MAJ Laurie H. you all did an amazing job with this product and I felt privileged to have collaborated on this project. RP is the most unique site I have been to that provides a place for like-minded (military) to come together and share experiences. I'm just sorry I'm going to miss the inaugural RPx Conference! I had to choose between my spouse's 40th B-day and the RPx for my R&R time (couldn't do both). I love you RP, but I have to live with Household 6 and she would NEVER forgive me LOL! But I should be there next year.

Response by SGT James P. Davidson, MSM made Jun 29 at 2014 1:16 PM

SGT James P. Davidson, MSM — Sun, 29 Jun 2014 13:16:30 -0400

I believe this to be an outstanding guideline for the users here. It will prevent this page from becoming a 'facebook-esque' site. Very good!!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2014 4:50 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 16:50:58 -0500

I love reading these.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 10:31 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 22:31:13 -0500

If it's living we need to send it to the TMC for SRP and make sure it's up to date on dental and immunization. Can't have it's MEDPROS out of date! :D

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Feb 14 at 2015 4:50 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 16:50:20 -0500

Great product and is necessary for the command and control of a professional site like RP.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 14 at 2015 5:13 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 14 Feb 2015 17:13:02 -0500

MAJ Laurie H. could we consider placing this where it is easier to find? Maybe somewhere next to the "Start a Disscussion" amongst all the advertisements? Members keep saying they didn't know about it.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made May 5 at 2015 5:16 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Tue, 05 May 2015 17:16:36 -0400

After reading posts using self serving religious and false science post that promotes hate and prejudice towards our service members that are gay or lesbian I am grateful for these regulations. We in the military community need to recognize that Freedom of Speech withing a military community needs to be respectful towards all service members and that we have no authority to judge others, specially when they are in-compliance with service regulations.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 5 at 2015 7:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 05 May 2015 19:27:50 -0400

You will get a RP promotion!