Group Guidelines

[seigaku]

We are not an official club
We are a small group by fans for fans. Jen started this to get fellow Anime fans in the Chicago area and close surrounding suburbs, which do not mind traveling into the city to meet up, have fun and just hang out. Although it would be cool to have this as an official club, it is not necessary. We are not interested in competition/rivalries with other local clubs, however if you'd like to network your club with ours, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Understanding how the group works
There may be some confusion as to how JAPC works and what's available to members.
JAPC has a web site, Yahoo-Group, Forum, and LiveJournal Community.

The JAPC web site
http://japc.kisekinohana.net
The JAPC web site is the home front for our group. It contains basic information on our group and lists events, links, group guidelines, and many other resources.

Yahoo! Group/Google Group
'Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JAPC
The JAPC Yahoo! Group is for event announcements and announcements of updates to the group. The email only group was once the only communication for JAPC, until the introduction of the forums. Members will not be able to post to the group. The JAPC Yahoo Group is used as a backup for when the forums crash.

Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/animechicago
The JAPC Google Group was created as a backup for when the Yahoo-Group service became unreliable in getting information to members. It serves the same purpose as the Yahoo-Group.

JAPC Forums(you are here)
http://kisekinohana.net/JAPC/phpBB3
This is the place to network with others in the group. Group meetings are posted in the Group Meeting forum, and you must request permission to view the forum here: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18


The JAPC LiveJournal Community
http://community.livejournal.com/animechicago/
This acts as our RSS feed. This is updated with events, updates, and Anime-related news from time to time.


Participation
I'd like you to understand that this group is for meeting others in a casual social setting via Internet email communication with the intention of meeting people in real life.
Participation in our forum is very important so that you actually communicate with the other members, thus the point of the group. There is no point to joining the group with the intention of not participating. It feels strange to have individuals that we do not know reading our meeting arrangements and conversations. The better we get to know you, the more comfortable members will be to exchange information and interact with you and vice versa. Members will occasionally trade and loan out their personal collections, thus trust is also important between members. Basically the more you participate, the more you will benefit from the group.

No need for chaperones
We are fine without parental supervision. If you are not old enough and/or your parents are uncomfortable with you meeting with us, please do not deceive them into thinking that we are something we are not. If you are under 18 years of age, you MUST get your parents permission to meet with us. If you parents do not approve, please follow what they say, because it will cause nothing but trouble for both you and the rest of us. We do not need the police trailing us for no reason because of an APB on you, or angry parents for that matter. Make sure you tell them where you are, what you are doing, and whom you are with, so that there is no confusion. We will under no circumstances talk to your parents to attempt to convince them to let you join us, however Jen will be happy to exchange contact information with them.

No Alcohol
JAPC has decided to firmly state that no alcohol will be available at any official function, regardless of venue. We do not wish to be saddled with the responsibilities or liabilities of it, and feel that the best solution is to simply not allow it.

Fun and Anime are our only concerns
This is not a popularity contest. We do not care how many material possessions you have, where you live, or how much money you make. We are not trying to make anyone look bad, and seriously try not to stereotype. Everyone has his or her own opinions and ideas. An open-minded person is the best company. Some people may know something that others do not, so listen carefully! Life is a learning experience and so are people. We intend on going to many different places and doing a variety of different things.

As with any group, there may be personal issues or conflicts that develop among group members. As much as we try, we do not try to mix group and personal business. This creates unnecessary conflict among group members, and will turn people off to the group. Any personal issues or conflicts are not to be included on the forum posts are to be handled personally between the persons involved. If there are any issues concerning the way the group functions, however, or other group concerns, we prefer that they should be addressed to a moderator or group council member and may be addressed on the forum rather than posting them in your web site, blog, or Livejournal. Slander regarding our group will not be tolerated and will get you banned from the group. Please take up all issues with the only parties involved via email, phone, or better yet, in person.

Group Faith and Trust
We do have one other policy. Trust. We must be able to trust you and you are able to trust us. If you commit to bringing a series or item for showing, planning an event, or offer to help with a project, then you are obligated to follow through. This is yet another issue of important trust among members so that everyone can feel confidence in the group and it’s members. Also people are here to meet real people, not internet aliases.

Communication Notes
As much as she tries, Jen cannot be everyone's communication terminal. All members here can exchange telephone numbers and information so that Jen does not have to do all the communication. Just keep her informed of the decisions made so that everyone can be doing the same thing, and thus being more coordinated. Email is not the most practical method of communication, not everyone is checking their email constantly or is on-line all the time, and we do have normal lives. It is not a problem for me (Jen) to pick up the telephone and make a call, to confirm plans and whatnot - as such, it shouldn't be a problem for anyone else, either. It becomes annoying when you become the switchboard for everyone and people are afraid to contact other members. It is your responsibility to contact people and keep in touch with them.

As a fellow anime fan and working adult, I understand that not everyone is tied to their email 24/7 and available always. This is why a more personal means of communication is encouraged among group members such as a telephone or real life meetings. Also we understand if you are not able to make EVERY meeting or event planned. All we ask is that you show your presence on the forums, and attempt contact with others by mentioning on the forums when you are available so that others may be able to contact you if they are also available. After this entire group is for meeting real people, and not Internet alias’s.

Scheduling Issues
Polls are posted from time to time to gather opinions and information. It is important that you vote, because this is considered a "majority vote decision group" where the results of the poll generally have a big impact on various aspects of the group. From previous votes in the polls, it seems that Sunday is the best day for the majority so far. But as we all know, things may change. Jen has not made any decisions here that were her own. It was usually taking in consideration everyone else's opinions and suggestions before her. As much as we try, we cannot always accommodate for everyone's schedule. If you can make it, you can, but if you cannot make it, you can't. No one will be mad at you for not being able to make it. However, if you plan to make it and you have made arrangements with someone, please try to contact that person and let them know you are not going to make it. It is really a matter of being courteous.

Disclaimer
We would like to remind you that there are certain risks associated with Internet meeting communities. There are always dangers of interacting with unknown individuals. Please be advised that we (Jen or any JAPC moderator or affiliate) are not responsible for any interactions of the individuals in our group, so please use common sense and interact cautiously. This includes, but is not limited to IRC channels, mailing lists, message boards, person email or personal meetings. We are also not responsible for any foul transactions via a link to an online shopping facility featured in the JAPC links section nor are we responsible for any personal trade agreement among members of JAPC. All transactions are you sloe responsibility.
All graphics, web design and concepts of the JAPC website and associated properties are owned and Copyright Oct 2000-2008 by Jen.

JAPC Logo design by Eric Berry.

Common-law copyright laws also apply. If you wish to use our logos, graphics, concept, or web design, you must contact us at the link below. However you may use our "link to" graphics, unaltered for a direct link to our site from your web site.

A note on plagiarism
The official definition of plagiarize from Merriam-Webster is "to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own: use (another's production) without crediting the source or to commit literary theft: present as new and original an idea or product derived from an existing source"

Any attempt to replicate JAPC or and likeness of it will be taken to the furthest extent of the law.
Plagiarism is a form of stealing. Plagiarism is a crime.

If there are any questions about any of these guidelines above, please feel free to PM me, or one of the mods.

Also if you plan on doing anything that would involve you representing JAPC in any way such as gatherings, chat rooms (this includes IRC), web sites, FTP's and other such promotion, please take into consideration that these things should be discussed with the JAPC committee/owner as well as any MAJOR issues that will involve this group.