So I was thinking it's not fair for someone to have had a character on the board for a year and a half or something and then get sniped for prefect/head student because someone else was on first when it comes time to claim those spots in August. So I was thinking that preference goes by the date the character was accepted (and yes character, not member) so a character created August 1 trumps one created August 10. Also, I think prefects should trump non-prefects for student heads. at least bumping them up by one spot on the priority list.

So there'd be a week or so for people to sign up with a link to characters they want to be a prefect/student head, and then whoever has the highest priority gets the spot. That way whoever has been working their character towards that spot the longest gets the spot.

I kind of like the first-come-first-serve thing, if only because the date you created the character doesn't have much effect on how more or less active you are with them.

Who happens to be on at a specific time doesn't have any bearing on it, either -- and doing it by creation date seems more fair than that, or than something like post count.

We've been discussing this in staff! (:
And I'm not sure when Lola's planning to explain it in full, but we're trying for a fair method that bases selection on the most suitable characters for the position.

If anything, it won't be simply first-come-first-served.

It is a nice idea, we will discuss it :)
As of now, we were thinking of doing it icly instead of oocly. Would that be something you'd be cool with, guys?

EDIT:
OMG, MJ BEAT ME TO IT

Well, that would sort of mean I pick Ravenclaw prefects, Lexi and I choose the students heads, Lexi chooses Gryffindor prefects, Olive the Slytherins ... and no one picks the Hufflepuffs 'cause we can't keep a Hufflepuff HoH.

... or something like that.

I pick the Puffs xD

IC THINGS ARE THE BEST YAY

/useless always

I think perhaps a sign up with why you think your character deserves to be a prefect, or head boy/girl. Then Lola and the HOH players can discuss what they think. EG:

Character name: Cerideyn Bordeaux
Year: Fifth
House: Hufflepuff
Explanation: I think Ceri deserves to be the Hufflepuff prefect because she is not only an honest and true Hufflepuff, but a perfect example of what the ideal student should be. She is friendly to all, follows and understands the rules, and does well in school.

I have no real objections, although if that's the way it's decided I'd like some time to go over apps and check out some RP so I can pick the best possible candidates.

I'd also like to know WHEN we'd be doing this, since IC letters/badges for student staff positions go out at the same time as O.W.L./N.E.W.T. scores (end of July).

EDIT: About what Lexi said, I think that players should be barred from discussion about their own characters.

The application like thing would be nice, but there is a difference between me thinking that my character can get the position and what my character does IC. I think that the prefects should be choosed more based by what they show in their threads, rather than what the player thinks of the character.

I don't know how fair that is, going on that alone. Ceri doesn't get the chance to thread much, so no one would see much about her. However, you can read her app and know that she's just as I've described. Not to mention it would take an exorbitant amount of time to read over enough threads from all the potential candidates in order to pick the right one.

I'm not against the first come, first serve idea, as that's how it is for every other position and how it has been. Would this now be implemented for every position that's opened? Let's say seventh year Gryffindor prefect becomes available, should we force people to write applications for the position or read over their threads (what if a new character wants it? The character, while new on the site, wouldn't be new to the school and I feel it would be completely biased to say that a new character can't have the position strictly because they haven't had any threads to analyze yet).

The modified first come/first serve is the simplest solution, really ... because I'd definitely in picking characters ICly look more at their IC behavior in threads than their apps. Characters change from apps to behavior all the time, and even if they don't one person's perception of a trait might not match up with another's, and so threads are more accurate than apps.

It's basically like this. the players apply, give about 100 words of explanation (and not the basic thing - she is friendly etc, like the real deal breakers) the hoh's give say who they think fits most, but its lola who decides in the end.

It was done this way on 2 sites I have been on and worked WONDERFULLY

So like I'd PM Lola saying "I think Suzy Q should be the Ravenclaw Prefect because she behaves herself and is maternal enough that she seems like she'll be good at looking after the younger students."

Am I getting this idea right? It seems rather complicated.

I think this sounds perfect. Perhaps Head of Houses can give a bit about what they look for in Prefects?

So, if from the puffs Ben, Bob, George, Paul and Jack I choose that George and Bob are more suitable for the position, Lola will choose either George or Bob?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think you can send her one choice, two... however many you want. If Lola doesn't agree with you, it's ultimately her decision.

something like that

I probably missed the whole discussion here, but it occurs to me that we could easily combine the IC and OOC qualifiers... and even the first-come first-serve thing if necessary. If there was a thread where people could submit their character as a candidate, the player could list IC reasons why their character might or might not be a prefect, and then this could be taken into account along with post count or join date or what have you.

So for instance: "Ben Taylor - post count 79, accepted October 2011 - typically good attitude, great scholastics, but has been a bit moody since his dad died; IC he's a good candidate but because of the last couple months might have been passed up by someone who's more focused."

Based on that, Ben could get placed higher than someone with a lower post-count, but lower than someone who has a better IC standing, whatever whatever.

The HOH thing sounds like a lot of extra work for the players (and also potentially unfair if, for example, I'm playing the head of Sparklypuff and also have a Sparklypuff student that I want to be prefect).

Lyyyynn, where is my like button?

That's the major stumbling block with the proposed changes, since the IC aspect is supposed to make it more fair then the "whoever's on probably gets it" system we currently have running xD BUT IT IS UNDER DISCUSSION.

This is in the works and will be finalized/announced in July.

I have come bearing answers!

We'll have a panel of judges consisting of all staff members and the Head of Houses. The characters running for prefect/head will fill out a form regarding how they would be best suited for the position, with links to back themselves up, and then we'll each give them a score from 1-5 in each category. The categories being OOC and IC activity, IC behavior (do they behave like a prefect? Grades? Staying out of trouble? etc.) and probably a score on how convincing the character's entry is. Head of Houses will get a category about their IC feelings on the family/background/reputation etc. The scores will be averaged out for each character and then the highest scorer gets the position. In the event of a tie, we'll do a coin flip.

Entries will be accepted in early July, scoring will take place mid July, positions will be announced July 31st in time for NEWT and OWL scores, as badges are supposed to come in the mail at the same time as those.

Who votes IC for the Head positions?

All HoH and staff members. We would do the headmaster, but since Emily has both the headmaster and a HoH, it's just kind of repetitive I think.

I'm still at a bit of a loss regarding new members who might want their character to be a prefect. What if their characters, IC, would actually be a better fit for a prefect than one picked? I suppose in terms of seniority, it would "fair" for an older member/character to have a prefect than a newer one, but is it actually fair to new members/characters?

Also, could we have something in the thread that explains what, exactly, "acting like a prefect" is? Is it 30% good grades, 50% appropriate behavior, 20% friendliness? Or perhaps each head of house sees it differently?

New members fill out the form just like everyone else...? /doesn't understand the question >.>;

There will be an explanation when we start accepting entries, rest assured!

The way I'm interpreting this, you're asking about future new characters? In that respect, it makes more sense than perpetual upheaval. Though perhaps allowing a "we don't think this is a suitable candidate" option for the voting, not just the lesser of x number of evils so that when a suitable character does come along, all is well?

Bingo. Apologies if I wasn't being clear enough. Like, what happens if we get a new member/character in October who wants a prefect position but can't because all the old members have filled up the positions? Though, I suppose on a first come, first serve basis that could happen anyway.

Exactly. This new setup ensures that of EXISTING characters, the ones who get the position a those best suited for the part, not just those that happened to be online at the time. Really, the "what if bob wants that position" argument doesn't really work, as we can hardly wait around for all eternity in case someone 'better' comes along. NONE OF US WOULD EVER GET MARRIED THAT WAY.

If a prefect position becomes open during the middle of the year due to inactivity (or to IC shenanigans), would the process be repeated, or was whoever was "second choice" in the original form-filling-etc be given the job by default?

Second choice will be given an option to pick it up, but it'll be up to them to request to do so. The staff can't be expected to keep up with who is next in line for prefect and whatnot. So you'll need to pay attention to that position if you want your character to snatch it up. ;] Otherwise, it'll run like it is currently. If you want a prefect position that recently opened up, ask for it.

1. For the "older" prefect positions, I know that one will be open due to a student leaving, but for the others - are those applying appling to have ALWAYS had the spot, or will they be getting it for the coming years oly?

2. When I'm judging, am I judging only what the characters say about themselves, or can I take into account things that are public knowledge (like, say Evangeline wanted HG and I was actually allowed to JUDGE HG, could I be all "AW HELL NO YOU PSEUDO-HUSSY YOU, GET YO ASS OUT OF THAT PAPER", because I talk like I am from the ghetto.)

3. Can there be a requirement that you get a "passing" grade (threes across the board?) to get the position in the case of the ones without competition?

They'll be getting it for the coming years only. We can say the person who they're technically replacing just lost the position and now they would like to fill it (i.e. 5th year prefect was supposed to be 6th year prefect but lost the position, so new character wants to fill 6th year prefect position.)

Well known things will be taken into account as well, probably more so from the HoH's than the staff, but I imagine scandalous articles in the paper would be a mark against behavior/good rolemodelness.

That part I think would be up to the HoH and what kind of grade standards they want. We won't be requiring anything, but those with better grades will probably be more likely to be elected. There is also the option to just deny the only candidate for that position.

(1) Are those of us who play HoH's going to get some sort of rubric as to what each number should mean, especially for things such as class status and blood purity? For Matt, neither matters, so how would he score someone who's upper class versus lower class? Both 5s? 3s?

(2) Who votes for Head Boy and Head Girl IC-wise?

1. Yes one will be provided.

2. It doesn't say anywhere, so I'm going to say all HoH's, the headmaster and deputy head (though they already are HoH so nevermind that. xD)

Hufflepuff HoH is ineligible to vote in Head Boy and the same is true of Gryffindor for Head Girl. Ironically the Slytherin head of house cannot vote for Slytherin prefect either :P

Apparently it's going to be mostly OOC voting that'll decide it then.