NEWS/NOTES: Objective/Code of Conduct

[Kasept]

This is a reprint of the announcement above each room, but thought this will provide for wider distribution and comment...


"NEWS & NOTES" (2/2/07): Our Objective and Code of Conduct..

Based on recent inquiries, I feel compelled to address our objectives at Derby Trail as a community dedicated to bringing new fans to racing. In addition, I'd like to detail what constitutes an acceptable code of conduct on Derby Trail.

It was my objective with the site, even in its' infancy on Yahoo, to create a community of fans and industry-involved individuals where the discussion would center on the mutual interest of promoting the game. As an outgrowth of the group conviviality, Derby Trailers are forging meaningful and lasting friendships in 'real life', and are regularly gathering at racetracks to enjoy our past-time together. With the creation of Dee Tee Stables, we have started perhaps the most unusual grass roots racing partnership ever. Simply put, I believe that together we have created something special, and it is the quality of the members of Derby Trail that is providing for the great atmosphere, crackling conversation and rapid growth.

With 1,000 members now signed on, Derby Trail is no longer a provincial outpost for racing chat. From the start, I have allowed the simple 'Terms of Service' at the start of the registration process serve as the lone set of standards and rules for the site. But there needs to be a more defined 'Code of Conduct' to give all Derby Trailers a clear understanding of what I believe the obligations of membership to be.

1.) PRONOUNCED PATIENCE AND UNENDING MUTUAL RESPECT (An over-riding philosophy): Anyone that has ventured to Derby Trail is an existing fan of the game or a potential fan. With our game under seige, EVERYONE here has a mutual interest in the ongoing viability of racing and is ostensibly protecting the future of the game by having an interest in it. We are all obligated to instantly appreciate that commitment by demonstrating at least the most basic social graces in dealing with one another.

That means that if you want to be a part of Derby Trail, you must have patience with those who may know far less than you do about the game or who voice opinions you think foolish. I urge everyone to show the same patience and respect to fellow Derby Trailers online that you will when sharing a picnic table with them at Saratoga. The game will survive if you help encourage people to learn more about it, as they will in turn bring more neophytes to the game. You may think I'm being utterly naive with this line of rationale, but I firmly believe that as group we can increase the popularity of racing one fan at a time by teaching each other everything we know, and sharing everything we love, about it.

2.) ABSOLUTELY NO HATE SPEECH, THREATS, HARASSMENT: There simply will be no toleration of hateful ideas or speech that display insensitivity, or worse, towards members' race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc.. While I am a firm believer in the viability of the Bill of Rights, 'Freedom of Speech' still doesn't give anyone the right to yell 'fire' in a crowded theater, and on this privately-owned site, the right to insult my guests. In addition, those that cannot stop themselves from issuing ridiculous threats of physical violence or engage in similar harassment, on the Forum or in Private Messaging, will also be removed without debate.

3.) AUTHENTIC PRESENTATION OF SELF: While the Internet is an adorable spot for presenting one's self as something you aren't, there are suitable spots for doing so. Derby Trail isn't one of them. A single, sincere profile is all anyone needs here, and anyone found to have registered multiple identities will be asked to choose one. In addition, be mindful that people misrepresenting themselves places the administrators in an awkward position in terms of our responsibility to you. I do not wish for anyone on DT to be duped, emotionally, financially or otherwise, in any dealings with other DTers. These issues have been a problem on other racing-related Forums and has ruined many of them. I will not let it undermine this one.

Derby Trailers spend a great deal of time and energy sharing their knowledge and passion through their writing of posts and response to others' posts. It is totally disengenious and the height of hubris to interact with fellow community members with the sole purpose of goading or humiliating them or creating conflagrations. It won't be abided by the DT administrators.

As someone who is available by Email all the time, through ATRAB on the radio 15 hours a week, and in-person at the Triple Crown events, Breeders' Cup and Saratoga, I am as open, real and available to people as possible. Andy Serling, Chuck Simon, Alan Klanfer and many other DTers are 'public' as well. Collectively as a community, I believe it is important that we all operate with a similar 'transparency'.

Those are the three areas of greatest concern.. I will add more as they occur to me...

GENERAL F.A.Q.'s

WHO DOES THE ADMINISTERING?: Paisjpq (Bethani) and I (Kasept), as Administrators, are generally responsible for all editing, deleting and movement of threads/posts as well as temporary or ongoing suspensions of account privledges. Ateamstupid (Joey) and My Miss Storm Cat (Gioia) are also Moderators that watch over certain rooms on the Forum and have thread/post editing/deleting control.

I can honestly say that Bethani and I never wish to ban anyone or delete posts or threads. Over this first year (8+ months), we have dropped less than 10 people from more than 1,000 registrants, and despite perceptions, rarely delete posts or threads. When we do, it is almost always because the offending posts or threads contain specific elements that run counter to the objectives of Derby Trail or contain offending or actionable verbiage directed at specific individuals. In that regard, I ask that Derby Trailers trust our judgement and respect our decisions. They are made with the greater good always top of mind.

As always, I am totally appreciative of everyone's involvement and commitment to making Derby Trail what I believe is the most unique assembly of racing-interested individuals on the Net. Questions or comments on any element of my expressions here are welcome.

Steve Byk