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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jeffh" data-source="post: 2215989" data-attributes="member: 2642">I wrote the following at a time when I was frustrated with both my groups, several of the below issues having happened in each group within a two week period. I've edited it down, and cut out the intro which basically said I thought all of it was simple common sense, but apparently some of it wasn't. I did not and will not actually hand it out, as things improved on their own and it reads a lot harsher than I really wanted it to. Nevertheless, this gives a pretty good idea of what I expect.Attendance•    Attend every session unless there is a very good reason to do otherwise.•    If you can’t make it, call me or e-mail the list at least 48 hours before the game if possible.•    In general, if two or more people can’t make it, I will call the session off. However, if I only find out at the last minute that we’re going to have that problem (i.e., people are already on the way), we may go ahead and play.The Mailing List•    Ideally, check the mailing list at least three times a week. One of these should be just before leaving for the game, to make sure there wasn’t a last minute change of plans.•    Each week, I will try to e-mail the list at least 72 hours before the game. Please respond to this message, even if you think I already know your answer.o    If it’s less than 72 hours to game time, and you don’t see such a message, feel free to post one yourself, preferably insulting me in an amusing manner in the process.Lateness and Leaving Early•    If you’re going to be more than an hour late, or leave more than an hour early (I realize the latter is a tough call), let us know as soon as this becomes obvious.•    If you anticipate arriving within an hour of the scheduled start time, don’t sweat it. If that’s the worst problem I have with you, you’re doing fine.Distractions and paying attention•    It’s too much to ask (and would probably creep me out after a while) to have everyone’s rapt attention at all times, but try to always be aware of at least the gist of what’s going on.•    Be ready when your turn comes in combat. It goes faster for everyone if I don’t have to update people on the situation every single turn!•    If you have to leave the gaming area during combat (nature calls, etc), the best time to do so is immediately after your turn. Do not ever do this right before your turn.•    Minimize non-game-related side conversations and keep them quiet. Never hold a non-game-related conversation “across” people who are actively playing.Rules Disputes and Failure to Agree On Reality•    Players can and do catch me in errors, even on rules I wrote.  You may question rulings and bring apparent errors or discrepancies to my attention.•    When making such complaints, follow these rules.o    Do not raise your voiceo    Do not phrase your complaint in an insulting or disrespectful mannero    Try not to take an inordinate amount of time; in particular, don’t continue to pursue complaints I have already overruled  (Exception - if you are convinced I have misunderstood the complaint. Note that disagreeing with you is not, by itself, evidence of this.)o    I sometimes make up a rule on the spot to resolve disputes. Feel free to suggest such a rule. Do not feel free to just make one up unilaterally and expect me to be bound by it!•    If you still disagree with a ruling after I’ve given your issues with it a hearing, accept it and move on unless it’s a complete game-breaker for you. Whenever possible, leave any further discussion of it until after the session at the soonest, or preferably, a couple of days later. (For one thing, see if it still seems important enough to bring up at that point.)</blockquote>

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