Astrological Research and Technology Initiative / ARTI

The Astrological Research & Technology Initiative (A.R.T.I.) intends to provide an enjoyable and effective adult community for its members.We will maintain an efficient command structure, while putting emphasis on free flowing communication across all membership. We will maintain Operational Security and educate our members on establishing safe practices in the verse. We will maintain the highest standards as it relates to human interaction, both in and out of the verse. We will establish and maintain a thorough foothold in a sector beyond the reach of UEE law. We will never Warmonger, yet we will never back down from an entity that threatens our daily operations. We will maintain a strong security presence in our sector. We will establish local and regional authority in economics and security. We will provide sanctuary to allies, and swift justice to our enemies. We will succeed.

Bylaws (Article 1)
1.1 Behavior Expectations: Each member of the Initiative will be required to abide by the following expectations. These are the base requirements of A.R.T.I. membership, each Division has the right to post additional requirements in addition to these that are easily accessible via the appropriate Spectrum section on the Organization’s Official page.

No Racial/Religious/Gender/Sexual Orientation slurs will be tolerated. The only exceptions would be use of official lore in RP, or slurs in common usage that are relevant to the verse such as “Rats” instead of saying Alien NPC’s.

No member will harass or stalk any Initiative member in game or in Meta.

No member will be allowed to practice behaviors that are generally referred to as trouble making or disruptive to Initiative operations.

All non Star Citizen or Organisational relevant conversations will be restricted to the Garbage Dump channel in Discord. We will maintain a light moderation of this channel. This channel is elective. If you no longer wish to have access to this channel please talk to your Chain of Command for removal.

Members will refrain from using group @ commands in Discord without Official purpose.

Members will restrict excessive Meme posting to Garbage Dump.

Adult content will NOT be tolerated in Discord whatsoever. To include nudity, and graphic violence.

A.R.T.I. will maintain a mature environment Any action deemed interrupting to daily operations, communications or the general peace, will be met with a Court Marshall.

Members will not share operational details/structure/or plans of the Initiative without their division’s UR-4 approval.

Members who will be unable to perform their duties for a period of time exceeding seven days must report a leave request to their Chain of Command.

Replacement of a UR-5 Official will be the discretion of the remaining UR-5’s. Board Staff will be given one week to consult on their wishes before a UR-5 is named.

Members will maintain strict radio edicate in the voice channels labeled “Frequency.” These are dedicated to live missions. All banter and fun chatter should be reserved for “Hangout” voice channels. Push to talk is required in “Frequency” channels.

All references to a command level vote, or any votes regarding UR-3 ranked members will be counted in the following manner: Each Division will gather its UR-3 ranked members. They will collectively vote on the agenda item. The majority vote will then counted as one vote for that Division. If a tie vote should occur, the UR-5 of that Division will cast both the UR-5 vote, and the Division Vote.

All references to votes will be required to wait a minimum of 24 hours before a vote can pass or fail. The only exceptions to this rule would be mathematical victory regardless of the absent votes, or an explicit exception layed out elsewhere in the charter.

1.2 Court Marshall: A Court Marshall is a formal grievance against a member. This is to officially communicate a suspected breach of the Initiative’s Charter. A Court Marshall should be filled out by the members immediate Chain of Command and delivered to the UR-4 of the supervising branch. The UR-4 Officer will then decide what actions need to be taken. If a member has a grievance with someone in their Chain of Command, they may communicate the wish for a Court Marshall to the Officer that is directly above the suspected member. If that member is a UR-4 or Higher, you may communicate your concern to a UR-5 of another Division. If you feel your grievance is not being heard, you may contact a UR-5 with your concerns and documented attempts at utilizing the proper Chain of Command. A member that receives a Court Marshall will be immediately stripped of rank and duty status pending the result of the Chain of Commands findings. Command will take no more than three days to resolve the Court Marshall or schedule a Tribunal. If a Court Marshall remains unattended for a period of four days, the charges will be dropped and the member returns to full status within the Initiative. Tribunals will be scheduled immediately following the next scheduled Discord meeting. The UR-5 of the suspected member may schedule the Tribunal sooner at their discretion.

1.3 Tribunal: A Tribunal is a three person board that will consist of members holding a superior rank over the suspected member. The purpose of Tribunal is to offer both the suspect and the person who has filed a grievance an opportunity to plead their case. The Tribunal may be handled on several levels based on the reported grievance. The UR-5 of suspected member will decide if the Tribunal should consist of Unit, Branch, or Initiative level members. While it is important to maintain rule of law throughout the Initiative, we reserve the right to clean up our own messes within the Chain of Command. If a Tribunal finds the accused innocent, the member will be returned to active status and the issue should be considered resolved. Upon dissemination of the Tribunals findings, they will declare the punishment and the period of time for punishment with the guilty finding.

If a member is found guilty, they may request a one time deferment to a UR-5 Tribunal. This request will be reviewed and will require a ⅔ vote by the UR-5 to hear the case.
Should a UR-5 be in question, The two remaining UR-5 will randomly select three UR-4 members from a hat. Those five members will then hold Tribunal over the UR-5. A UR-5 member who has been put to Tribunal has no recourse for deferment.

1.4 Amendments: Command Staff may amend, but not destroy any section of this document with a ⅔ vote per amendment. Amendments will be filed at the bottom of the document with pertinent references found within the main body of the document should it be required for ease of understanding. These references will provide the amendment section and date of amendment.

Structure (Article 2)
2.1 Rank Structure:

UR-5: Triarch Member

This member is a Division head in the Initiative. They are the command authority over their respective Divisions. They are the final say in Divisional matters and a leading voice in all Initiative matters. UR-5 will be required to be reachable within a reasonable timeline to handle Initiative matters unless on leave.

UR-4: Board Member

This member is an assistant to the Division head. They are responsible for the operation of their respective Department within the Division. They are the highest ranking members within their Department. They are a leading voice in all Initiative matters. UR-4 will be required to be reachable within a reasonable timeline to handle Initiative matters unless on leave.

UR-3: Commissioned Officer / Manager

This member has Command Authority . They are responsible for the operation of their respective Unit/s within their Department. They are the designated leadership within their Department. They are a leading voice in all Divisional matters. UR-3 will be required to be reachable within a reasonable timeline to handle Initiative matters unless on leave. A UR-3 rank will consist of step 1-3. Assignment of steps and their respective duties are at the discretion of the Divisions UR-5.

UR-2: Non Commissioned Officer / Supervisor

This member has Command Authority over their Unit . They are responsible for assisting in the operation of their respective Unit within their Department. They are a leading voice in all Unit matters. UR-2 will be required to be active four days a week to handle Initiative matters unless on leave. A UR-2 rank will consist of step 1-3. Assignment of steps and their respective duties are at the discretion of the Divisions UR-5.

UR-1: Member

This is the core membership of a unit. They are responsible for carrying out assignments in their respective Unit within their Department. UR-1 will be required to be active three days a week to handle assigned tasks unless on leave. A UR-1 rank will consist of step 1-3. Assignment of steps and their respective duties are at the discretion of the Divisions UR-5.

UR-0: Recruit

This person has begun their recruitment process . They are responsible for carrying out their training assignments within BEDSSS. UR-0 will be required to be active during their recruitment phase. Members will be promoted and assigned accordingly after finishing their BEDSSS courses.
2.2 Promotions / Demotions: Each division defines it’s criteria for promotions and demotions. The Triarch is the ultimate deciding factor for these criteria.

2.3 Special Group Formation: It is possible that the need may arise for a specialised group that spans divisions to meet the Initiative’s needs. Any member that identifies such need may go through their chain of command to notify the Triarch. At such a time, a UR-5 may delegate the formation of a special group. This group will be assigned an appropriately ranked Officer to oversee its functionality. Groups are allowed to pull membership from each Division, as long as it does not interfere with their previously assigned duties. Membership into a special group across divisions needs approval from the individual’s commanding officer. This special group can be removed or modified at the discretion of the approving UR-5.

Basic Exploration Deep Space Survival School (Article 3)
3.1 Basic Exploration Deep Space Survival School (BEDSSS): Is a multiple part test and training exercise, administered by the United Materials & Power Consortium (UMPC) a division of ARTI, used to determine qualification for enlistment in all three divisions. Testing consists of an interview and written exam to better determine the recruits non-combat skills. While the training covers the minimum requirements for Civil Defense Force membership as well as basic skills required of URS-1 in each of the divisions. Upon completion of BEDSSS recruits will be offered positions among the three divisions depending on their performance during BEDSSS and the available positions within the Initiative. The Triarch may defer BEDSSS training to a later date, if/when the organization does not have the necessary staff or resources to conduct the training.
3.2 Application: To begin BEDSSS training all recruits will fill out an application containing basic Discord/RSI user information, time zone, interests, skills and referrer. An exam will follow the application which will test users on mathematics, problem solving and Star Citizen knowledge.
3.3 Interview: The interview portion of the BEDSSS will take place after a recruit has finished their application. An interviewer will schedule time with the recruit to go over their application, give an orientation on the three divisions as well as test the recruits critical thinking and problem solving.
3.4 Training: The training portion of the BEDSSS will take place after a recruit has finished their application. Training is conducted in a group environment, trainees will be under go basic fighter and marine combat training as well as comms and crew training.

Civil Defence Force (Article 4)
4.1 Definition: The Civil Defense Force (CDF) is a paramilitary response force that is manned and operated by the civilian sector of the Organisation.

4.2 Purpose: The purpose of the CDF is to mount an efficient and organised response to an enemy threat. Members of the CDF should be considered a reserve unit to the Military. This will allow non Military playstyles to effectively defend Organisation assets and interests without substantial diversion from their chosen role in the verse.

4.3 Membership: All Organisation members will be required to join the CDF. All members will be trained in a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Upon completion of their MOS training, CDF members will be provided an appropriate Military rank and attached to a Military unit. Upon activation of the CDF, all members will report to the command structure of their assigned units and await further orders.

4.4 MOS Assignments: MOS assignments will be offered at the end of Basic Exploration Deep Space Survival School (BEDSSS) Available assignments will be offered based on training results and available billets within the CDF.

4.5 Activation: During peace times, the CDF will not be activated more than once per week. This activation would be utilised for training or support of Organisation interests. During times of conflict or emergencies, the CDF will become activated at the direction of the Organisation leadership. This activation will remain in effect until the leadership has deemed the situation neutralised. Leadership will make every attempt at communicating known activation dates and times well in advance. It should be noted that activation is not optional. If your CDF unit is activated, you are to report immediately to your command team. We understand that life happens and the command will work with you on your personal situation.

4.6 Rank: A members rank within the CDF will be based upon personal skill, leadership qualities and BEDSSS recommendations. The majority of CDF members will hold an enlisted rank. In select situations, a CDF member may be given a commision and promoted to an Officer. A CDF Officer will have limited command authority in a Military engagement. However, a CDF Officer may be heavily leaned upon in Civilian relations missions. The rank of a CDF member will be at the sole discretion of that members Military chain of command.

4.7 Waiver: In the highly unlikely event that a waiver would be authorised, a CDF recruit may submit a waiver claim at the beginning of BEDSSS. This waiver claim would give a recruit the opportunity to exempt themselves from CDF service. Upon review, the Organisation leadership may approve or decline the waiver with a ⅔ vote. A declined waiver would result in immediate scheduling of BEDSSS courses, or removal from the Organisation recruit program. (At the discretion of the recruit)

Diplomatic Affairs (Article 5)
5.1 Alliances: The Initiative will utilize Alliances within the verse. In order for an Organisation to become an Ally, the following steps must take place:
Formal introduction to A.R.T.I. Command.
Proposed Organisation must provide a diplomatic contact that will reside in our discord alliance area for efficient communication.
A.R.T.I. Command will then vote on accepting or declining an alliance with a ⅔ vote.
A.R.T.I. will assign a diplomat to this alliance upon acceptance.
The assigned diplomat will prepare a formal agreement between Organisations.
All official communication will be maintained between the two assigned diplomats.
A.R.T.I. Command may establish a vote at any time to sever or alter the agreement with a ⅔ carry.
Any member wishing to propose an alliance should contact the Aeolian Institute Diplomacy Department with a detailed assessment.

5.2 Declaration of War: While skirmishes and allied intervention should be considered common place, a declaration of total war will be handled at the highest level of the organisation. In order to officially declare war on an entity, the Triarch must be in a complete agreement. While this vote is for Triarch members only, it will be visible to the entire Command Staff in order for them to provide consultation. In order to begin the voting process, a declaration of intent must be provided. This will dictate the circumstances of war, as well as its victory criteria. Any Command level member may submit a declaration of intent.

5.3 Ending a War: War will be ceased upon any of the following occurrences:
Declaration of intent has been satisfied and agreed upon by a majority vote within Command.
Command staff may veto the War with a ⅔ vote.
Diplomatic agreements that carry with a majority Command vote.

5.4 Editing a Declaration of Intent: A declaration of intent may be altered with a ⅔ Command vote. A formal writing of the goals for editing must be submitted prior to the command meeting to be voted upon.

5.5 Rules of Engagement: Rules of Engagement (ROE) are established under the following orders to maintain the safety of all Organisation assets.
All flagged entities in the verse are to be considered hostile and are able to be engaged at the discretion of the member.
All non flagged entities within A.R.T.I. declared space are to be given warning before opening fire. Upon direct warning by name of player or vessel in public chat, you are free to open fire after a period of one minute.
All non flagged entities in the vicinity of an official Organisation activity may be warned in public chat by the Officer in Command to remove themselves from the area. Once warned, and one minute has passed, the Officer in Command of the activity may give the order to engage at their sole discretion.
Any abuse of the ROE will be met with a Court Marshall and Tribunal. The punishment will be at the sole discretion of the Tribunal.