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PostPosted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 5:14 pm 
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Rules Revision MDT Post

Gentlemen of the ACWGC.

The Cabinet has unanimously approved presentation of the following rule changes to the Club Membership. Proposed additions to Sections 5 and 3.4 of the Rules are shown in bold underlined text, deletions in bold italicized underlined text.

The primary purpose of the rule changes is to eliminate the ambiguities between Section 3.4 which is to establish procedures for addressing personal grievances (including disputes over house rules) and disputes related to gaming which shall be brought forward under Section 5.

Comments on these proposed changes will be accepted until March 26, 2022 and considered by the Cabinet in its preparation of a final version which shall be presented to the Club Membership for approval by majority vote.

My best regards to all.


_________________________________________________

Draft Proposed Rules Changes – Presented to Club Members for Comment.

5.1 Battlefield Conduct (Code). The following rules should be followed in all club sanctioned games, unless there is prior agreement of all those engaged negating them.

5.1.1 Wagons will not be used to cut off enemy retreat.

5.1.2 Lone officers (that is, any number of officers not stacked with at least one cavalry, infantry, or artillery unit) will not be used in front of your lines as scouts to determine the position of enemy forces. Positioning any officers on high ground behind your lines to better view the battlefield, however, is perfectly acceptable.

5.1.3 Lone officers (that is, any number of officers not stacked with at least one cavalry, infantry, or artillery unit) will never be used to cut off an enemy retreat. (Sometimes it may seem your opponent has done this, but there may be an unseen enemy unit exerting a ZOC on the hex.)

5.1.4 Withdrawal of all (or a substantial portion of) forces from the battlefield, unless specified in the scenario as a victory condition, will cost the withdrawing player a 2-step reduction in the level of victory. Removal from the map of individual units, routed behind enemy lines by the game engine, is allowed. (This rule is waived in the case of campaign scenarios.)

5.1.5 Routed units will not be moved in such a manner as to cut off an enemy retreat deliberately by the player. Units moved by the computer are exempt from this restriction.

5.1.6 If conducive to a routed unit’s survival, the unit should be moved towards their own lines (except when such a move would violate item 5.1.5 above).

5.1.7 All club members will treat each other with courtesy. [covered in 3.4]

5.1.7 Club games should be responded to in a timely manner. (“Timely manner” to be determined and documented mutually by the players involved.

5.1.7.1 If for some reason this cannot be done it is the duty of the player who cannot do it to inform his opponent of his inability. If this is not acceptable to the opponent then the player should either concede the game at the current level of victory or find a level of victory mutually agreeable to his opponent. In the absence of an agreement take a 2-step reduction in the level of victory currently enjoyed. (An early resignation – in writing – by one side is always scored as a Major Victory for the opposing side and a Major Defeat for the resigning side.)

5.1.7.2 If one player leaves the Club, becomes inactive, or simply stops responding for weeks at a time, the remaining player may treat the game as a Major Victory. It is normal protocol to first check with the superior officers of the opponent before declaring this type of victory.

5.2 Violations In the absence of prior agreement, should an officer believe his opponent has violated any of the sections of this code he should first address his concerns with his opponent.

5.2.1 If this fails to bring satisfaction, the offended officer should discreetly bring the apparent violation to the attention of his own AC (chain of command is to be bypassed in this instance), who will open negotiations with the AC of the offending officer.

5.2.2 Should the offending officer be found in violation of the code, an appropriate discipline will be determined by the two AC’s. At NO TIME will either the charge, the inquiry, or the results be made public knowledge.

5.3 Mirror Matches

5.3.1 Definition A mirror match is a game that is played twice, with the two opponents switching sides for the second game. The two games of a mirror match may be played at the same time.

5.3.2 OBD Points. Points will be awarded for both games of a mirror match. If the match is between officers of different military groups, full points will be awarded. If officers from the same military group are on opposite sides the games of the match will be considered maneuvers and the points awarded divided by 2. (Exception: Tournaments approved by the CoA’s of both military groups may use mirror matches that count as regular battles even though, during certain matches of that tournament, two officers of the same side may end up facing each other.)

5.4 House Rules. Many officers prefer specific ‘house rules’ when they play. All house rules are optional and must be agreed to ahead of time by both players. The Club does not require that any optional rules (either house rules or those provided within the games) be used. Disputes over house rules shall be brought forward under Club Rule 3.4.


New Section 5.5 Cheating. Cheating is the deliberate premeditated action by a game player to subvert the official game rules or to manipulate “stock” in-game Parameter Data Tables (PDT)to obtain an unfair advantage over an opponent or opponents. A player cheats to gain intelligence when he manipulates or replays his move to discover the location of opposing units, thereby allowing the more effective movement of the cheating player’s units. A player cheats to gain move favorable combat results when he manipulates the official game Parameter Data Tables (PDT) and/or repeats his move to obtain and “save” desired fire or melee results.
5.5.1 When a player believes his opponent has cheated his allegation shall be submitted to one of his own sides Cabinet Officials who shall then present the case to the full Cabinet.
5.5.2 At no time will the specific details of the charges, the inquiry, or the outcome be made public unless the Cabinet votes to expel the member under Rule 2.6.4. In this case, the Cabinet may decide to publish the outcome of the proceeding under Rule 3.3.1.2 (a).

3.4 Personal Grievances. If a club member has a personal grievance against another member he should first remember that we are portraying gentlemen, in an era of chivalry. Grievances should be worked out between or among the members involved, privately. If they cannot resolve the matter themselves, they may appeal to their superior officers for assistance. (Refer to Section 5.2 for specific rules pertaining to resolving game conflicts.) If they cannot reach an agreement in this manner, the matter may be brought to the attention of the Club President for resolution. The Club President may, at his option, involve the Cabinet in resolving the conflict. At all times, these discussions should be private and the grievances are not to be carried out in open forums. At no time will the specific details of the charges, the inquiry, or the outcome be made public unless the Cabinet votes to expel the member under Rule 2.6.4. In this case, the Cabinet may decide to publish the outcome of the proceeding under Rule 3.3.1.2 (a).

____________________________________________________

_________________
Walter A. Dortch
Commanding -/4/V AotP
UA Cabinet Secretary

UA Operations Officer
UA Wolverine Team Leader


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PostPosted: Sat Mar 19, 2022 6:13 pm 
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In regards to the proposed change to Rule 5.1.7 I have the following comments, specifically in regards to documentation.

During normal games the slow return of files is a damnable nuisance (unless there is good reason [e.g. illness of an opponent]). However, I usually resolve such a problem by never playing against them again and/or by posting a comment on their tardiness in CSA-only forums for the advice on others on our side of the Club. Such tardiness often seems to be the result of an opponent being in a position where they are losing the game.
1. Does this Rule change require a person/s to specifically state (via the Opponent Finder or in an email) the time by which a file should be returned when they initiate the game?
2. Does the other person/s need to specifically state that they accept the statement or is playing the game after the proposal [made in 1.] sufficient to indicate their acceptance of such a condition (i.e. silence is acquiescence)?


However, during Tournament games, the failure to promptly return files is not only a nuisance but is detrimental to the possible outcomes of the Tournaments themselves. it should be realised by all those who sign up to a Tournament that they must mostly return files within twenty-fours of receiving their opponent's move to ensure that some games can be completed within the time limit. The reason for this is as follows:
Most Tournaments have a time limit of three months (approximately 90 days);
A game of 40 turns will require 80 moves in total (i.e. 40 turns for each player); and
If each player takes one day to return a file then the full game will take 80 days to complete (which only leaves about 10 days for occasional and unavoidable delays).

I would consider the Tournament Rules (and published time limits) to constitute the documentation required by the proposed rule change. It should have been obvious to all that if the two opponents each take three days to return a file then a full 40-Turn game will take about eight months to complete! Regrettably, some take a minimum of three days to return a file and it is far from unknown to wait a week, or longer, for a response.
3. Are the Tournament Rules (including published time limits) sufficient to constitute the requirement of 'timely' as "documented" (i.e. a 40-Turn game must have file returns within twenty-four hours)?

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Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 2:22 pm 
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Can someone from Cabinet please explain what is meant by the proposed rule change of “Timely manner” to be determined and documented mutually by the players involved".
Specifically:
1. Does this Rule change require a person/s to specifically state (via the Opponent Finder or in an email) the time by which a file should be returned when they initiate the game?
2. Does the other person/s need to specifically state that they accept the statement or is playing the game after the proposal [made in 1.] sufficient to indicate their acceptance of such a condition (i.e. silence is acquiescence)?
3. Are the Tournament Rules (including published time limits) sufficient to constitute the requirement of 'timely' as "documented" (i.e. a 40-Turn game must have file returns within twenty-four hours)?

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Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia


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PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 2:42 pm 
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1. The new rule does not require any pre-arranged time schedules. The club has never asked members to agree on a timetable and it is, in the opinion of most, preferable not to have one as real-life issues may always pop up at inopportune times. Using a failsafe rule to penalize a member for such unanticipated events, while completely within the rights of two members to use and set if they wish, is not in the best interest of the members as a whole in my view (other can speak for themselves if they wish).

2. If you do wish to implement a hard timetable rule into your game, you must have a written acceptance of the proposal by your opponent. This eliminates any future conflict.

3. No. Tourney timetables are not set in stone and may be changed at any time. In each tourney I have done, and am doing, I have expanded out the timetables to accommodate as many members as I can. While each tournament game should be completed promptly, I do not want to penalize members who are unable to complete their game on time. An eventual 'end date' is in place for each tourney, but that date is always fluid and will only be strictly enforced at my discretion (or whoever the tourney director is). All of these conditions were in the tournament rules which players agreed to at the start. Those who do not agree should not volunteer to participate. My goal is not to run a tourney with hard dates and to enforce them with a heavy hand. My goal is to encourage members to have fun, play some games, introduce members to one another, and to encourage the playing of unique and different scenarios members may not have played before.

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Gen. Blake Strickler
Confederate General-in-Chief
El Presidente 2010 - 2012

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PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 4:11 pm 
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Thank-you, mush appreciated.

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Paul Swanson
Lieutenant-General
First Division
First Corps
Army of Northern Virginia


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