Hello Steven,
I believe that all members should be held to a high standard of kindness and courtesy, especially when interacting with the public while in costume.
Clear and polite communication is essential, whether it is through digital messaging or in-person interactions. At events, members should maintain a professional yet cordial demeanor to foster a sense of camaraderie. Displaying ill temperaments while in costume can deter people from interacting with us and ultimately hurt our reputation as a fun and welcoming community.
Regarding how to address situations where these expectations are not met, the appropriate response depends on the specific circumstances:
– Minor Conflict: If members are bickering, a fellow member should either calmly attempt to mediate or ask a squad leader or another member for help to diffuse the situation.
– Serious Incidents: In more drastic situations, whether between members or with the public, the priority should be to separate the individuals involved. The squad leader, guards, or Command Staff (CO/XO) should then be informed to handle the matter.
– Professionalism Lapses: If a member is in costume and mic’ed up but begins using profane or inappropriate language, a fellow member should politely remind them that they are still audible to the public and ask them to dial back the language until they are out of costume.
While there are countless possible scenarios, I feel that a simple and direct approach is often sufficient to correct behavior. However, in rarer, more extreme cases, involving higher-ranking members of our garrison is necessary to ensure the situation is resolved and does not recur.
I hope this answers your question. If you have any further questions or would like to discuss this more, please feel free to ask.
Best regards,
Trevor Peters
