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Topics - Dandy Lion

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Off-Topic Archive / Dandy sends her regards
2013 Jun 13, 08:22:17
First, I want to say that I am sorry for making any of the fans upset. I was never really my intention to bring all this dirty laundry for you to see, it was an act of desperation since some people on the top just won't listen. I thought, that maybe, if people from the outside would see what was going on, some people would look twice at their own behaviour and do something about it. Not for my sake, getting an apology from those that hurt me is something I've given up on, but for the project's sake.

So yes, I am sorry to the fans that you "had to" get exposed to this.

I'm still having ideas for how to fix the organizing though, and would like to tell about them.

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First thing, there is clearly still holes in the Code of Conduct. If someone feels extremely hurt because s/he got faux-kicked out of the project, as a joke, and another Team Lead defends this Team Lead by saying that there is no point in the CoC about not trolling the members, then there is clearly something that needs to be added to the Code of Conduct. The CoC will never be flawless since it's made out of people, and seeing it as set in stone after one rearrangement in the project is not gonna hold. There should be rules against treating people however you want. There should be consequences. There should be responsibilities tied to the role as a TL. If people use "Average age is 22!" as an excuse to why some people behave like jerks, maybe there should be an age limit to being a TL as well.

Idea to this: Once every half year (Or other time-lapse), have a "board meeting" to discuss changes in the project, if some rules needs to be changed, things like that. No "emergency meetings" for big dramas that then turns into drastic changes that the rest of the team haven't given consent to because the only ones allowed were Team Leads. A calm gathering to make sure that everything goes fine, everyone enjoys working on the project and things are moving forward at the speed that fits.

The first time, that meeting is going to be loooong, and might even be divided into two or three with a week's interval between. Because all suggestions needs to be discussed, and they need to be solved. Max half an hour discussion per suggestion, if nothing is solved after that, move to the next suggestion, and move back to that point once you've gone through the list. (This is a technique used to keep meetings efficient)  It's important to take concerns seriously and not brush it off as people being whiny if you don't feel that something is an issue, because you can't step into the other person's shoes.

These meetings needs to be documented properly. I could volunteer to be the secretary, swearing confidentiality (And no demand to rejoin the project, I just want to help get it working), just to have an example for future ref on how meetings should be protocolled. (I was a member of the Green Enviromental Party of Helsingborg's youth division board for 8 years, treasurer for 5 years, as well as secretary for the school board for 3 years, so I have experience)

Second, if the management is the same it was back when I left, I personally think it needs a refreshment. I do NOT mean that every Team Lead should be replaced, but the opportunity to get a more competent leader if it's needed/possible, if there is anyone on the team, since the majority of leads have been leads since I joined in August 2011, and there is people that joined during that time that could take the role as leaders. Some people that have experience in management, some that just simply are wise, some that have the maturity and humbleness for it. Having been on the project since the start does not make you the most qualified as a lead for the project.

My suggestion to that, would be to have people (in the team, team issue, not team lead issue) give anon suggestions on who they want as lead in a discipline over a set time (The notice to board meetings are set at max four and minimum two weeks prior to the meeting, so that would be a good set of time, so everyone in the team are aware and noted, and have time to consider). Every suggestion for a lead would be sent in as one suggestion, so for example, if you can think of three people that would do better as, for example Code Lead and you have one you would want to see as Sound Lead, you would send in four different notes with each person's name, not a list of these four people and that you would rather have them as a leads. You would be allowed to nominate yourself, you would be allowed to turn down the offer of becoming a lead before the voting if you didn't want to be nominated in the first place. Anyone that is suggested is nominated, so there is no veto for leads to forbid someone from taking over the role as a lead. Everyone are equal in a meeting like this.

People would be allowed to nominate and vote outside of their discipline. 2D-people might know a really humble and experienced 3D-member that they know will listen to them if there is an issue with UV-mapping and has an eye for it, or 3D knows a CA-person that they think would be the best for approving and dissaproving a picture before they get to work on it. Same reason that other disciplines needs to be allowed to vote. If you are not sure, just "vote blank", then you vote won't be in favour for anyone. Voting blank will not mean that the current lead is safer, just that you're staying out of it, it's only the yes/no-votes that are counted for a decision.

I would also suggest a nomination for a Project Manager. See the first point for what the PM's task would be.
Personally I think the project would do well with an Art Director to keep an eye on CA, 2D and 3D. S/he would keep a better overview of the three visual departments, so that those three can work as smoothly as possible. How exactly could be discussed at the rule-meeting if necessary. Preferably a person that can do all three of the areas.

You would only be able to be voting if you are attending the meeting (Your nominations are still valid though), which is why the 2-4 weeks note is so important, so everyone that want their voice heard have the chance to attend. It would be the responsibility of everyone that every team member is informed about date and time and what is to be discussed.

There also needs to be a rule to how few is allowed to be on the meeting for it to be postponed, this is to prevent that it's just a selected few that will be able to attend, when it should ideally be as many as possible. Otherwise, whoever is making up the date could plan times they know certain someones wouldn't be able to attend. (Like on a Tuesday because someone they know they don't like whose opinions is always offline on Tuesday nights)

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I hope this will be helpful in getting things in order
Best regards,

Dandy Lion