BL Training Course:
The Block Leader is the very foundation upon which a Neighborhood is built. Strong and effective block leaders ensure that the neighborhood itself is strong and well founded. It is the purpose of this document to help and guide block leaders in that which makes a strong block, and to inform them of policies and requirements of them as Block Leaders.
A strong block is built upon the concepts of communication, training, hard work, and leadership. Communication is essential in any team framework including the team. Without communication we are greatly reduced in our effectiveness. As a Block Leader, communication is necessary for the health of block and hood.
Block Leaders are recommended if not required to keep in touch with their Neighborhood Deputy by using the box message system, to keep the ND updated of any changes and things that occur within this block. This is then brought together at the end of each week by the BL report which is sent to the NL and ND so that an overview can be kept of how the block is doing, and if problems arise, how we can ~ as a team ~ resolve them.
Block Leaders must also communicate effectively with their block staff for a fun and effective block, as such; the Block Leader is strongly recommended if not required to communicate at least three times a week with each Block Deputy on their block. This communication may include but is not limited to box messages, meetings, email, and Instant messaging Programs.
Training is how staff members know what is required of them. Neighborhood Deputies are required to train each of their Block Leaders at the time of hiring, to ensure that each Block Leader is aware of all of their duties, and can perform them sufficiently. A trial period of two weeks shall be instituted for all new Block Leaders in which training, and evaluation of the Block Leaders effectiveness shall take place.
Training for Block Leaders is to take place in the following areas: Policies and procedures within Adventure Colony and their Neighborhood, Block maintenance and controls, Recruiting, training of Block Deputies, Security procedures, HTML for messages.
Policies and Procedures:
Security Check
A security check is required of all staff prior to employment, for Block
Leaders to have their Block Deputies checked; they need to either leave a message with the Neighborhood Leader, or their Neighborhood Deputy. No persons with a security record shall be employed in Adventure Colony. A record includes Bans and Jail time.
Free Spaces
The maximum number of free spaces to be opened within a block at any one time is two (2). These are to be opened only by the Block Leader. Free spaces should be rotated regularly, meaning that not the same one be left open for long periods of time.
Deletions
Deletion of 'dead' houses (houses for which the owner has not visited for 32 days)
DO NOT DELETE ANY HOMES AT ALL (this can only be done by the Colony Leader)
Communication
Block Leaders are required to leave box messages for both their Neighborhood Deputy and their Block Deputies three times a week.
Milestone Announcements
Milestones consist of Virtdays, Birthdays, Anniversaries, Experience Points, and other achievements.
It is the BL's responsibility to post these events on the Colony, Hood, and Block message boards. If
a resident is inactive (has not logged in for 32 or more days) than posting an announcement for that
resident is unnecessary. It is a good idea to maintain a list of all block residents along with
their milestones and last access dates. It is much easier to review a list and see if a milestone is
coming up than to visit each house. Milestones can usually be found on a resident's house or listed
in one of their boards.
A Virtday is a resident's immigration date.
Experience Points Milestones occur when a certain level is reached.(ex. 1,000 5,000 10,000 25,000 etc.)
Obscene
All staff should bear in mind that they are representatives of Adventure Colony and their Hood, and as such, their behavior reflects upon the Colony as a whole. Any staff which is found to have used obscenities to express themselves, flooded, or been banned for disruptive behavior shall find their employment terminated.
Block Maintenance and Controls:
Access Rights
The only part of the access rights screen that a Block Leader is authorized to change is where the Block Deputies are declared. Changing any other part can make the block inaccessible.
Message to All
This feature is used to send a message to the message boxes of everyone living within the block. Please remember that once the message is sent, it cannot be corrected or erased.
Update
The update feature is used to open free spaces in the block. Only the Block Leader is to use this function. The Block leader may appoint a trusted BD to do that function.
A free space is opened by checking the tick box, and pressing the gray, square update button under the map. To remove a free space, simply uncheck the tick box, and press the gray, square update button.
Check
The Check feature is used by both the Block Leader and the Block Deputies to check the resident's 2-d images. The guidelines for these images are no porn, no nudity, as well as no images depicting illegal activity. The image should be something you would not mind an 8-year-old or your mother seeing.
Message Board
The Message Board is the communication center for the block, therefore; it should be well maintained. Messages need to be deleted after 30 days, and the links on the board kept up-to-date, and on topic. It is recommended that all staff read the block, hood, and colony messages
In box
Every Resident has an inbox. This is where personal messages are left.
Every new resident to the block should be left a welcome message in their inbox.
Also once a week, the Block Leader should leave a message for residents in their inbox, to keep the resident informed, and to provide interaction with the resident. If a Block Leader or a Block Deputy recruits a newbie, they should inform the newbie of their inbox, and how to use it.
House Deletion
Block Leaders see this function on the right hand side of the screen, under each resident's box, and message board. This function is used to delete 'dead' houses of inactive residents. A house is considered dead if it hasn't been visited by the resident for 32 days. If a house is dead the BL's immediate supervisor must be informed.
SPECIAL NOTE
DO NOT DELETE ANY HOMES AT ALL
Information
The information board for each resident is found by clicking the button above the box labeled Information. The resident can customize the Information board, therefore; it needs to be checked by the Block Leader, or one of the Block Deputies. No obscenities or porn are allowed on the Information board.
Links
The links button is found under the Message Board for each resident. As the links can be customized by the resident to show, they need to be checked by the Block Leader, or a Block Deputy for appropriateness, and content.
Online Alert
In order to be notified when someone comes online, Block Leaders should configure their Online Alert feature. To do so, click on the citizen's online link, go to the bottom of the list, and click on Configure. Enter the names of the people you wish to be notified for, and press update. Block Leaders should use this function to personally welcome new residents to their block.
Security and Security Procedures
It is of the utmost importance for Block Leaders to know, and be able to follow the defined Security procedures in case of security problems within their block, or where they are chatting.
Flooding, Swearing, or Inappropriateness in Public Chat
In the case of a person being obscene or behaving inappropriately in a public chat room, the correct response is to, first inform the person that what they are doing is not right, and politely ask them to refrain from what they are doing. Often times a polite request will solve this problem. If the person ignores the request to cease, the one should contact Security. To do this, go to the Citizens Online link and at the bottom of the list there is a Security Alert button. Press this, and into the message box, enter what is happening, and where you are and press send. You may be asked to supply chat logs or screen shots of what was said or done.
Inappropriate Pictures, Links, or Information Boards
If the Block Leader or a Block Deputy finds inappropriate pictures, links or things on the information board, they need to take a screen shot, and contact their Neighborhood Deputy. If the Neighborhood Deputy is unavailable, they should attempt to contact either the Neighborhood Leader, or an Adventure Colony Deputy. If it is an inappropriate picture, the Block Leader or Block Deputy should make sure it remains locked. Then the resident should be left a polite message saying that the image, link or information board is inappropriate, and they have 48 hours to change it. A copy of all correspondence should be kept as a text file and send to the Neighborhood Deputy who will send a copy to the Neighborhood Leader, and the Colony Deputy.
Bots
If there should be a problem with how a bot is programmed, the Block Leader must inform their Neighborhood Deputy, and leave a polite message with the resident saying that the bot is inappropriate for a family oriented place like Cybertown, and they have 48 hours to change it.