USS Tiburon General Orders

Section II: Code of Conduct

The USS Tiburon recognizes that its costumes represent STAR TREK™ characters from the films and television shows, and as such, costume-wearers carry the responsibility of representing these characters professionally and tastefully while in public. For these reasons, all members are prohibited from acting in a manner disrespectful towards the image they are portraying, fellow organization members, or the public at large while in costume at any event where the USS Tiburon and its members are official participants.

The USS Tiburon maintains that part of the fun of Cosplay is to be able to do so in reasonable safety. It is the intention of the Tiburon to provide an outline of behavior wherein it has a Code of Conduct for the safety and security of its members. The Tiburon defines these behaviors as those thought by society to be violent, illegal, or antisocial in nature. It is not the intent of the Tiburon to abridge the standard rights or practices of the individual member, but rather to protect all members against suffering from the defined behavior. In any event, common sense must prevail.

The USS Tiburon does not tolerate harassment, discrimination or hate speech pertaining to any group, including but not limited to race, sex, gender, political/economic standing, orientation or creed. In addition, it is expected that all members are to represent the Tiburon in a professional and polite manner, and inappropriate conversations in public spaces will not be tolerated.

While some actions may require immediate removal from the Tiburon, there are other behaviors that do not require such extreme actions. It is the intent of the Tiburon to reduce the number of cases requiring removal where other less extreme actions can and will suffice.

Membership in the USS Tiburon is a privilege granted by this private organization, not a social or legal right. Membership applications may be denied due to behavior contrary to the code of conduct with permission of the Tiburon Command Staff.

• 2.01 - Major Offenses

1. 1. Violent or threatening acts against a member of the USS Tiburon. These acts are defined as:
      
      1. Physically striking another member with the intent to cause bodily harm with or without cause, unless defending oneself from a violent attack.
      2. Threatening harm against the person or property of an individual via phone/voice mail, forum, electronic social media or in writing. (Threats must be direct and unmistakable to the average person.)
   2. Members under the influence of a substance at an event. These acts are defined as:
      
      1. Arriving to an event under the influence of a substance.
      2. Use, distribution, or administration of a controlled substance during a USS Tiburon event.
   3. Violent or sexual acts against children. These acts are defined as:
      
      1. Physically attacking a member of the public under the age of consent.
         Sexual advances or sexual acts engaged in with a member of the public under the age of consent.
   4. Embezzlement of funds intended for charitable donation. While the USS Tiburon’s official policy is that all funds intended for charity must be submitted by the donor directly to the charity of choice, it has been concluded that on some rare occasions, money will be given directly to a representative of the USS Tiburon. Embezzlement is defined as:
      
      1. Failing to ensure that funds are submitted to the receiving charity within a reasonable period of time following the event.
      2. Failing to ensure that funds are submitted to the receiving charity.
      3. Spending funds intended for charitable donations on personal or group expenses, including but not limited to patches, coins, cards, and personal expenses, including but not limited to any expense which can be viewed as a "living expense."
   5. Behavior directly resulting in the USS Tiburon being removed from any venue or event.
   6. Multiple Level 2 lesser offenses within a 12-month period of first offense, or one Level Three lesser offense.
   7. Undisclosed criminal history is defined as convictions, which are not limited to but involve the following types of crimes or attempted crimes:
      
      1. Sex crimes and/or sex offender registry entry
      2. Embezzlement and/or theft
      3. Violent crimes
      4. Crimes against and/or involving children
      5. Felony drug offenses (or felony equivalent under the convicting nation's laws)

Undisclosed criminal history may result in a default discharge upon presentation of incontrovertible proof of conviction on the criminal history. Discharging the member for an undisclosed criminal history falls exclusively to the USS Tiburon Command Staff. Discharge of said member must occur within a reasonable time frame upon discovery and confirmation. Should there be ongoing criminal cases of any kind, misdemeanor or felony, the member will be placed on administrative leave to protect the USS Tiburon.

Said member will have 10 days to respond to the Command Staff, in writing, to explain the conviction(s). After hearing the explanation, the Command Staff will make a determination if the member will be allowed to remain. This would apply to all cases except crimes against children, which would still be an automatic discharge from the USS Tiburon.

If a member is found guilty of any of the above listed items in the Code of Conduct, he or she has the option to submit an appeal to the Tiburon Commanding Officer within one week after notification of the change in status of membership. If the Tiburon Commanding Officer finds merit, s/he must call a hearing of Tiburon Command Staff to hear the appeal. The decision of the Command Staff is binding and cannot be appealed further.

• 2.02 - Hearings for Major Offenses

If a hearing is required for a major offense, a vote will be presented to the Tiburon Command Staff by the Commanding Officer. The vote for this type of hearing will include the following options:

1. 1. 1. Discharge
      2. Exoneration

A simple majority of those voting will be needed to obtain a decision in a Major Offense hearing. If exoneration is chosen by those voting, the member will automatically be placed on 1- to 2-year probation at the discretion of the Tiburon Command Staff.

• 2.03 - Lesser Offenses
  • 2.03A - Conduct Unbecoming a Member

Tiburon members are expected to treat each other, our event sponsors and the public with common sense and respect. Examples of inappropriate behavior that may result in disciplinary action include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. 1. 1. 1. Harassment of fellow members
         2. Abuse or violation of social media channels
         3. Inappropriate behavior during events
         4. Inappropriate contact with an event host or sponsor
         5. Misrepresentation of the USS Tiburon

Handling of Lesser Offenses - Per Event

1. 1. 1. 1. First Offense - verbal warning
         2. Second Offense - time out
         3. Third Offense - suspension from event (now becomes a Major Offense)

In an organization like ours, disputes and disagreements are bound to occur. With this in mind, the Tiburon requires that any disputes of a minor or semi-major degree must be resolved. Determination of the mechanism for dispute resolution resides with the Tiburon Command Staff. The policy in reference to alternative dispute resolution is contained below.

• 2.04 - Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative dispute resolution is used when a disagreement arises between two or more members. The Commanding Officer or Command Staff may recommend moderated mediation. All parties involved must agree to actively participate in good faith in the process in order for alternative dispute resolution to be effective.
The procedure for alternative dispute resolution is as follows:

1. 1. The member(s) or Commanding Officer must submit a request for a hearing in writing to the Tiburon Command Staff.
      T
   2. he Commanding Officer or Executive Officer will monitor and moderate all discussions.
   3. Members are free to discuss their issues without prejudice.
   4. The Commanding Officer or Executive Officer will provide methods to enable resolution.
   5. Resolution may be:
      
      1. mutual agreement of the parties involved
      2. an arbitrated settlement proposed by the CO, XO, or Command Staff and accepted by the members involved in the dispute
   6. Failing alternative dispute resolution, the Command Staff or the affected member may request a disciplinary hearing only after all other avenues have been exhausted.

• 2.05 - Disciplinary Hearing Procedure
  • 2.05A - For lesser offenses, a disciplinary hearing shall follow the steps below:

1. 1. A written complaint is filed with the Command Staff.
   2. The Command Staff will investigate and assess the merits of the charges.
   3. The Command Staff, upon satisfactory determination of merit, will open a hearing.
   4. The complainant(s) or their representative(s) will present the charges and evidence. Witnesses may be called to provide additional testimony.
   5. The defendant(s) will present their defense. Witnesses may be called to provide additional testimony.
   6. A discussion phase will follow, where members of the Command Staff may address questions to the complainant(s) and defendant(s).
   7. At a time determined by the Command Staff, the discussion phase of the hearing will be closed.
   8. The Command Staff will then take a vote to determine the defendant's guilt or innocence.
   9. If the defendant is found innocent, then they are exonerated of all charges, with no penalties. The hearing is concluded.
   10. If the defendant is found guilty of violating the Tiburon Code of Conduct, the Command Staff will decide on a sentence. At the conclusion of the sentencing, the Command Staff shall inform the defendant of the sentence and shall carry it out, effective from the date of the sentencing.
   11. Any sentence duration may be reduced by up to one half, at the discretion of the Tiburon Commanding Officer.

• • 2.05B - The sentencing vote shall contain the following options:

For a defendant's first guilty offense:

1. 1. 1. 1. Six month probation
         2. One year probation
         3. Six month suspension
         4. One year suspension

For a defendant's second or subsequent guilty offense:

1. 1. 1. 1. Six month probation
         2. One year probation
         3. Six month suspension
         4. One year suspension
         5. Two year suspension
         6. Cancellation of membership

Probation means the member is still able to attend all Tiburon events under supervision of the Command Staff.

Suspension means that the member is suspended from attending Member-Only events and is still able to attend Open events.

Requirements:

1. 1. 1. All disciplinary actions taken by the Command Staff must have the approval of and notification provided to the Tiburon Commanding Officer.
      2. The Commanding Officer and Executive Officer must be made aware of any appeal in writing.
      3. All hearings and alternative dispute resolution meetings must take place privately.
      4. Any member may appeal disciplinary actions to the Tiburon Commanding Officer. If s/he finds it has merit, s/he must call a hearing of the Tiburon Command Staff. The decision of the Command Staff is binding and cannot be appealed further.

• 2.06 - Administrative Leave

In order to protect the Tiburon and its membership from involvement in real-world legal proceedings, the Tiburon will not be involved in any legal action between or involving members and may take action necessary to protect the safety of the Tiburon and the membership. Any such actions will be at the discretion of the Tiburon Commanding Officer, with the consent of the Tiburon Command Staff, and may include placing members on temporary administrative leave and suspending hearings until such real-world legal proceedings are complete. Administrative leave will be the functional equivalent of "retired status" and will end when the member has finished their involvement in the legal proceedings.

The use of administrative leave is not intended to impact a member's status negatively or permanently and is meant only to be used as a temporary action to protect the Tiburon and its membership from undue involvement in legal proceedings. While on administrative leave, your Tiburon membership is held and, on positive resolution of the real-world legal proceedings, extended by the amount of time of the administrative leave. This administrative leave does not pertain to a member’s STARFLEET membership.

Section III: Members’ Creed

The USS Tiburon expects its members to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, and to that end the Tiburon has, in addition to its Code of Conduct, adopted the following creed:

• • I will always behave in a manner that brings credit to myself and the USS Tiburon
  • I will always praise in public and critique in private
  • I will never assume, but always verify
  • I will be resolute in the performance of my duties and execution of USS Tiburon policies and procedures
  • I will always defuse confrontations and not cause them
  • I will listen to both sides of a dispute and act upon fact, not innuendo
  • I will strive for impartiality and fairness in judgment and disqualify myself from decisions where my judgment may be compromised
  • I will be the first to praise and the last to criticize
  • I will always strive to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Section IV: Promotion and Review

• 4.01 - Guidelines

Promotion aboard the USS Tiburon is based on performance and participation, rather than longevity and test scores, although these count too. Upon receipt of a completed STARFLEET application, promotion points begin to accumulate. Ability and willingness to follow instructions and procedures are very important elements of a performance review. A member who constantly challenges or questions procedures or instructions, or who requires constant prodding to provide information, return forms, renew dues, etc. is not likely to “make rank” and may actually lose points.

• 4.02 - Ranks and Titles

Ranks exist within the USS Tiburon in a reward capacity only. This means that a member’s rank holds no bearing within the chain of command and may not be used to dictate authority over another member of the USS Tiburon.

Because those carrying a higher rank should be more knowledgeable about the USS Tiburon and its inner workings and should be able to answer more questions to new and prospective members, many ranks require the completion of Tiburon Institute exams which are designed specifically for the purpose of teaching members about the inner workings of the organization.

• 4.03 - Rank Procedure

A member whose dues are received more than sixty (60) days after membership expiration may lose promotion points earned and may be reinstated as a crewman recruit.

Each member’s file will be reviewed at least twice a year (December and June). Promotions earned will be awarded in January and July. Except in special cases, notice of promotion will be made. Status reports of points earned at other times may be requested from the Chief Operations Officer.

• 4.04 - Ranks and Points

Below you will find the charts showing the various ranks the USS Tiburon recognizes and the requirements necessary to obtain that promotion.

• • 4.04A – Cadet Ranks

Cadet Ranks
Cadet 4th Class	Age 4 - 7
Cadet 3rd Class	Age 8 - 11
Cadet 2nd Class	Age 12 - 15
Cadet 1st Class	Age 16 - 18

• • • Children under the age of 4 do not hold rank.
    • Cadets do not earn points until they reach the rank of Cadet 2nd Class. Once the cadet reaches the designated age, they will be awarded the rank they have earned.

• • 4.04 - B - Introductory Ranks

Introductory ranks are designed to allow the new member time to learn about the USS Tiburon before choosing their path (Enlisted or Officer).

Fleet Rank	Abbr.	SFMC Rank	Abbr.	MACO Rank	Abbr.	Pts	Reqs	Test Reqs	Other Reqs
Crewmen Recruit	CRR	Private	PVT	Private	PVT	0
Crewmen Apprentice	CRA	Private 1st Class	PFC	Private 1st Class	PFC	100
Crewmen	CR	Lance Corporal	LCPL			200

• • • Upon joining, a member is automatically assigned the rank of Crewman Recruit by the Chief Operations Officer.

• • 4.04C - Enlisted Ranks

Fleet Rank	Abbr.	SFMC Rank	Abbr.	MACO Rank	Abbr.	Pts	Reqs	Test Reqs	Other Reqs
Petty Officer 3rd Class	PO3	Corporal	CPL	Corporal	CPL	400
Petty Officer 2nd Class	PO2	Sergeant	SGT	Sergeant	SGT	700
Petty Officer 1st Class	BAC	Staff Sergeant	SSGT	Staff Sergeant	SSGT	1100	1 Assist
Chief Petty Officer	CPO	Gunnery Sergeant	GSGT	Sergeant 1st Class	SGT1C	1600	2 Assists
Senior Chief Petty Officer	SCPO	First Sergeant	1SGT	Master Sergeant	MSGT	2200	1 Lead
Master Chief Petty Officer	MCPO	Sergeant Major	SGM	Sergeant Major	SGM	2900	2 Lead