By using the forums, all users agree to abide by the following rules. Abusing the rules will result in action by either a Moderator or Administrator.

Welcome to the official Kathy Griffin Message Boards. Here are a few simple rules and guidelines, for all new and standing members, to help make everyone’s visit as fun and rewarding as possible.

RULE ALTERATION:
The moderators reserve the right to alter these rules at any time.

PRIVACY OF PRIVATE MESSAGES (PM’s):
PM's sent over the forum to moderators or from moderators are automatically deemed confidential. However, to moderate the forums, moderators reserve the right to share information with other moderators whenever needed (this includes PM's).

User to user PM's that the originator wants confidential must be clearly tagged as such in the subject line so the receiving user understands that the PM is private. Whether marked confidential or not, quoting any PM's in an open forum thread is not allowed.

USER COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEM REPORTING:
A user may report a complaint or problem, or ask a question to a moderator at any time through a PM. A user may only report a problem to ONE moderator at a time. Do not flood the moderators. Please note that virtually all moderator work is volunteer. Please allow up to one work week for a reply. If, after that time there is no response, a problem may be copied to the other moderators.

Complaints are NEVER to be lodged in an open thread or forum. PM the moderators and wait for a reply.

Give other users the benefit of the doubt. You may be misunderstanding the meaning or context of another user’s post. See if the situation resolves itself or try to work things out with the user before reporting another user. Contacting the mods should be a final resort.

THIRD PARTY COMPLAINTS: (Added July 31st 2007)
Mods can not act on complaints or problems reported on someone else's behalf. We must hear from the specific party to which a complaint effects to act on it. Please encourage the user affected to contact a mod at all times.

MODERATOR DECISIONS ARE FINAL AND NOT PERFECT:
The mods try very hard to get things as close to right as possible. You will not agree with all decisions. That is the nature of things.

ID MASKING:
A user may have only one ID. A user may open a new ID if their old one is permanently abandoned; however, they must contact a moderator to inform them of this change. Intentionally doubling up on usernames or ID’s is an “instant ban” offense.

TICKET AND ITEM SALES:
No advertising of non-Kathy related items. Items for charity are excluded; however, only one such post is allowed per month per person. Ticket sales or resales are not allowed in open threads, except where authorized.

BANNED TOPICS AND CONTENT:
The following will not be tolerated: Discussions on child pornography or pedophilia. Pornography. Nudity. Threats of violence.

DELETING POSTS OR THREADS:
Intentionally deleting or altering a post or a thread to cause confusion or bait-and-switching is specifically not allowed. Starting a thread or portion of a thread that causes a problem and then deleting your posts or information is an offense.

SIGNATURE SIZE:
Due to server constraints, signature images (if used) must be
at most 130 PIXELS HIGH by 400 PIXELS WIDE.
Since they may appear in any area, all signature images must be minor friendly.

SUBJECT LINES:
If you start a thread, your subject line must not be misleading and must be clear and specific to the topic being presented. Subject lines must be protective towards any possible minors who may stray onto the boards. IE use only non-adult language in subject lines. Remember there is no way for users to filter out subject lines.

ADULT TOPICS:
Posting a topic that is KNOWN “ahead of time” to contain adult content with a subject line that is misleading or does not imply the content contained is not allowed. If a topic subject can't be phrased to imply adult content then use an adult tag, as follows: Acceptable examples of adult labels:
Topic name: adult
Topic name: mature
Topic name: adults only

This rule is exempt when a non-adult topic turns into one, which is not the original poster's fault. This rule is exempt when the subject, on its own and obvious merits, is an adult topic.

LOCKING AND THREAD DELETION:
Moderators reserve the right to lock, delete or move topics.

ATTACKING OTHER USERS:
Intentionally attacking another user is an offense. What an attack is or is not is up to the moderators to define on a case-by-case basis. No case is the same.

These actions MAY be deemed attacks (based on context): Criticizing board members instead of ideas. Bashing, name-calling, direct and obvious personal insults, offensive orders, threats, harassment, etc. This includes using offensive images or photos directed towards a member. Be respectful of both members and their opinions. Physical threats are an instant ban offense.

RETALIATION:
If you are attacked (see above) do not retaliate. Returning fire may be deemed as an offense itself and usually interferes with the moderators’ ability to act. The best thing to do if you are attacked is to ignore the thread or PM and report the offense. There is then a clear-cut case for us to review.

TROLLING:
Posts intended solely to annoy and/or offend other members by going against the clear nature of the board are not allowed. Derogatory or inflammatory posts about sensitive topics to bait users into responding will be removed. This also includes: flame wars, hijacking, baiting, stalking, hit-and-run, and hate speeches. If you come across Trolling, please alert a Moderator. Please do not respond to suspected trolls yourself.

PERSONAL INFORMATION:
For safety reasons, addresses and phone numbers are not allowed to be posted in any thread.

SPAMMING:
Spamming is not allowed. The moderators reserve the right to determine what is spam. If you are an active and participating user of the forum, you may post your website or organization and up to a two-line tag about it in your signature--that IS allowed and is not considered spam.

OFFENSE RESOLUTION: Unless otherwise deemed as a fatal offense (moderator's discretion), a mod will contact a user via PM on the first offense to issue a warning. A user will normally be given a second chance and the benefit of the doubt.

Users must reply to a moderator warning and acknowledge it. Do not ignore a warning.

The second offense in the course of an 8-week period will incur a two-week suspension. The third offense will incur a permanent ban. Moderators reserve the right to suspend users for other reasons at their discretion.

FORUM GUIDELINES (SOME STUFF TO LIVE BY):

Post in the right place: There are descriptions under each Thread. Please read and choose one category that best accommodates your posting, and post it there once. Do not post the same topic in more than one Thread.

Research your Post: This is very important for new members. To prevent “Double Posting,” check to see if a topic similar to the one you’re going to post already exists and consider replying to that one instead of opening a new topic. “Search” function is available.

Use Clear subject titles: Be descriptive in your subject. Members should not be left guessing what they are about to read. Example: “Great show in NYC” (correct) opposed to “Woo-Hoo” (incorrect) as a Subject Title.

Stay On-Topic: Please refrain from posting subject matter entirely unrelated to the subject at hand. This is considered Hijacking. Alternatively, one can start a new thread for the new topic and link to the previous thread.

Think before you post: Please realize that you are writing for an audience. Re-read, edit, and “Preview” your message before you post. The “Edit” button should not be abused. Editing your initial post should be done before other postings or quoting have been made in response. If you are heated by a topic, cool down and consider leaving the topic. If a fight has started, remember this is text and feeding the fire will only make the fight worse. Remember, those who agree with you are probably staying out of the thread because they do not want to feed the fire.

Quoting Posts: When quoting a previous post, you should only include the relevant portion of that post you are responding to. You usually do not need to quote the entire post or series of quotes.

Political and religious topics: These topics are welcomed on the boards; however, the moderators reserve the right NOT to moderate them. Use at your own risk. Be warned that they do tend to get heated, and very strong opinions are expressed. If you are about to jump in on the conversation, be informed and know what you’re getting yourself into. Debates are fine.

Report Abuse: If you believe someone is abusing the rules and guidelines, you should not post a follow-up to the offending post. The author may not have realized his/her mistake, may be a beginner, or could be intentionally trying to disrupt the group. If someone is “trolling,” don’t take matters into your own hands (feeding the troll.) Please contact a Moderator.