Ship's Articles -- Table of Contents

All references to people in this document are male for simplicity of language. There is no intention whatsoever to slight or accentuate any gender.
These articles describe the organization of the chapter, outline the ground rules upon which the club will be run, and provide orderly rules for the administration of the ship. 

Article V: Leadership

Our Executive Board, known as the Command Staff, are elected: they are responsible to the crew members below them, not the person above them. We must make a good effort to remember that we are here to have fun, but not at the expense of anyone’s enjoyment of Star Trek.
To avoid any appearance of favouritism or nepotism, the three members of the Command Staff should not be immediately related to one another (Spouse, parent, sibling, or child).
V.1   The Captain
Office
The Captain is the President of the Ship and shall be regarded with the prestige and dignity of this position. He holds the ultimate responsibility for the running of the Ship, and therefore holds authority over all of its decisions and activities, under advisement from the First Officer and Senior Officers. It should be remembered that the Ship is still essentially a democracy, and the CO is representative of the Ship and serves at the pleasure of the membership.
Qualifications
In order to qualify for election, the candidate for Captain must fulfill the following criteria:
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of the election.
  • Meet the current STARFLEET requirements for holding the position of Captain; and
  • Have been an active member of the ship for at least one year and have attended at least half of the last six meetings.
 Authority
In as much as the Captain has the ultimate responsibility for the well-being of the Ship and its members, likewise authority has been granted the Captain to meet these responsibilities. Therefore, the Captain has authority over all decisions made by the Ship, her Officers and Crew, including the act of Command Decision and pre-emptive action without the consent of the Command Staff, within the limits of these Articles and the General Orders.  It is strongly advised that the Captain seek counsel in all matters from the Senior Officers, in order that justice is served, and the individual rights of the Ship’s members are not violated.

The following powers are granted to the Captain:
  • He may delegate responsibilities for various aspects of the Ship’s activities to any willing member of the ship, including but not limited to those serving as the First Officer or as Zampolit. The designee may choose to refuse the responsibility.
  • He may, at any time and for whatever reason, reward any member without the prior consent of the Senior Officers.
  • He may, at any time and for whatever reason, call for the temporary or permanent removal of any member from a position of authority within the Ship.
  • Notwithstanding the above provision, the Captain should be aware that any crew member has the right to approach him/her directly for a decision on any matter concerning Ship’s business, in order to facilitate the communication process.
Responsibilities
The post of Captain carries specific, real-world responsibilities.  Failure to carry out these responsibilities may be grounds for removal.  These responsibilities include:
  • Ensuring that STARFLEET is provided with monthly reports on Ship’s activities in a timely and responsible manner.  It is strongly suggested that the Captain encourage all ship’s crew, as well as the Marines’ Officer-in-Charge and the M.A.C.O.’s Team Leader, to submit reports monthly, in order that a fair and accurate account is submitted to STARFLEET.
  • The Captain is legally responsible for the administration of Ship’s funds.  He has the authority to disburse funds relating to the day-to-day running of the Ship.  Any disbursements not relevant to routine Ship’s operations must be approved by the Command Staff.  Any funds disbursed prior to such approval are at the Captain’s own financial risk.  The Captain shall inform the Ship’s Company of the balance of the Ship’s ledger.  Unauthorized disbursements of Ship’s funds may be grounds for disciplinary procedures and/or a vote of confidence.  Refer to Article II Section 2.02 (a) “Fiscal Liability.”
  • The Captain shall require that all ideas impacting Ship activities, events, operating procedures, and grievances be submitted through the chain of command.
The Captain is accountable to the crew for any actions which impact the Ship as a whole.  Like any other crew member, he is subject to the provisions of Article X.
Accountability
Since the Ship is basically a democracy, the Captain is accountable to the crew for any actions which impact the Ship as a whole. Like any other crew member, he is subject to the provisions of Article X.
Disciplinary Action
Since the actions of the Captain reflect on the entire Ship’s crew, a vote of confidence may be called whenever the actions of the Captain are deemed to have a serious detrimental effect on the operation of the Starship. A request for vote of confidence may be submitted according to the procedure put forth in Article VII, Vote of Confidence.

The guidelines for a vote of confidence are as follows:
  • A vote of confidence may not be called for a period of three months after a
  • general election, to allow the new Captain time to get his bearings in the position.
  • A vote of confidence may only be called once in a four-month period.

If the vote of confidence does not support the Captain, the Ship shall immediately hold elections for a new CO, following the procedures in Article VI, Section 6.03. If the Captain does not relinquish control based on the vote of confidence and election, a letter signed by the majority of International members should be sent to STARFLEET Headquarters, via the Regional Coordinator, for action by the Admiralty Board.

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V.2    First Officer
Office
The First Officer is the Vice-President of the Ship and shall be regarded with the prestige and dignity of this position. In the Captain’s absence, the First Officer will perform the duties of the Captain. The First Officer serves at the pleasure of the crew; see Article VI.
Qualifications
To be eligible to become First Officer, the member must fulfill the same requirements as a candidate for Captain.  See Section 5.01 (b), above.
Authority
The First Officer serves mainly as backup and assistant to the Captain, filling in when he is absent and helping him run the ship. When acting as Captain, the First Officer has the same authority as the Captain (see above).
Responsibilities
Notwithstanding the fictional nature of this Ship, the post of First Officer carries specific responsibilities.  Generally speaking, whereas the Captain’s duty is to the Ship, the First Officer’s duty is to the crew. Failure to carry out these responsibilities may be grounds for removal.  These responsibilities include:
  • The First Officer manages the Promotion Scheme, tracking and recording Experience Points.
  • The First Officer chairs the Ship’s Awards Committee, as directed by the Captain.
  • The First Officer shall require that all ideas impacting Ship activities, events, operating procedures, and grievances be submitted through the chain of command.
Notwithstanding the above, the First Officer is accountable to the Captain and the Ship’s Company for any actions which impact the Ship as a whole.  Like any other crew member, he is subject to the provisions of Article X.
V.3    Loyalty Officer (L.O. or “Zampolit”)
Office
The Loyalty Officer, or “Zampolit” is responsible for ensuring the loyalty of the officers and crew of the ISS Kidd to the Empire and the Emperor.
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve as a Loyalty Officer, one must fulfill the following criteria:
  • Be at least 18 years of age at the time of election.
  • Be an International Member of the member of the ISS Kidd for a minimum of three months
  • Be an active member of the ship (have attended at least half of the last six meetings).
Responsibilities
Notwithstanding the fictional nature of this Ship, the post of Zampolit carries specific responsibilities.  Failure to carry out these responsibilities may be grounds for removal.
  • Whenever the Command Staff make a decision, the L.O. serves as the “third vote.”
  • As the master of propaganda, the Loyalty Officer directs the efforts of the Communications Officer and any members of the Communication Team.
  • Additionally, the Loyalty Officer directs and runs any Vote of Confidence for either the Captain or the First Officer, as well as any general election.  (If a Vote of Confidence is called on the Zampolit, the First Officer will direct and run it, as well as any general election for the L.O.)
  • Notwithstanding the above, the Zampolit remains accountable to the Captain and the Ship’s Company for any actions which impact the Ship as a whole.  In addition to being subject to Votes of Confidence, like any other crew member a Loyalty Officer is subject to the provisions of Article X.
V.4    Officers
Definition
An officer is any crew member who holds the grade of O-1 or above.  See Article VII for Information on the Experience Point tables.

Promotions to the grade of O-1 or above shall be contingent upon the successful completion of STARFLEET Academy Officer Training School (OTS) and earning the required number of Experience Points. Members who wish to follow the Officer track while serving aboard ISS Kidd will start as O-0, “Midshipman”, in either Fleet or SFMC ranks

​Merely taking OTS will not “force” the member into becoming an Officer. It is a highly recommended course.

Rank is mostly for roleplay purposes, and indicates a member's experience in STARFLEET and on the Starship Kidd.
V.5    Enlisted Crew
Definition
An enlisted crewperson is any crew member who holds the grade of E-1 through E-9. See Article VII for information on the Experience Point tables.

Enlisted Crew
Members who wish to follow the Enlisted track while serving aboard ISS Kidd will start as E-1 “Crewman Recruit” (Fleet) or “Private” (SFMC). Promotions to higher ranks are based on time-in-grade, earning Experience Points, and passing the required Academy courses.

At any time, an Enlisted crew member may "go Maverick" and become an officer. His XP carries over, but he is required to pass the required courses to be promoted to the rank indicated by his XP.

Rank is mostly for roleplay purposes, and indicates a member's experience in STARFLEET and on the Starship Kidd.