This is a new system and we may adjust it over time if/when we receive feedback or find things to clarify if we ever need to put it into action. The aim of this system is to keep our members safe and comfortable within our community by letting everyone know what is/isn’t acceptable ❤️

We have implemented a strike system to more clearly define what we deem to be inappropriate behaviour, and the consequences for breaking group rules. We are only responsible for behaviour within the group or directly related to it, the group does not police the wider community, with the exception of severe and documented behaviour that breaks deviantART ToS and/or real life law. 

Please note that any list below is not exhaustive; we have provided examples of behaviour that will result in group action but we cannot cover every eventuality in this document. Warnings, strikes and bans are given at the discretion of the group; we reserve the right to issue warnings, strikes and bans on a case-by-case basis depending on the incident. The dispensing of warnings, strikes or bans by the mod team is done with a heavy heart and after much consideration. 

If you need to contact a Founder on a sensitive issue, please note the @BU-Admin account on dA, it is monitored by @DonPurrleone, @lumivarium and @Tigglesaurus

❗ Reports

If you feel a member has broken a rule or any of the general conduct rules below, please note the @BU-Admin account and we will discuss the issue privately through notes. Please under no circumstances note a private account or DM admins on discord regarding grievances, or bring your grievances up in a public manner: this causes more harm than good. We recommend in any inflammatory situation, do not respond to messages that upset you and instead sit back and either come back to it later or request some advice from an impartial person.

🟡 Warnings

If you get three (3) warnings within a year you get a strike. You get a warning for unkind behaviour, including but not limited to: entering peoples DMs without permission (in a way that makes them uncomfortable), bringing up inappropriate (but not horrid) subjects in chat, not following through on boucle or slot deals (especially if money is involved), being reported by a member for bad conduct, spamming in chat, etc. 

🟠 Strikes

Strikes are given after three warnings, or are given immediately for reasons including but not limited to: name calling; ignoring admin instructions to stop a behaviour or change the subject; sharing inappropriate art or literature (eg, pornographic or extremely disturbing); bringing up explicitly banned or horrid subjects (like animal abuse); publishing art or designs with copied, traced or stolen elements; knowingly assisting a suspended or banned member to bypass their limitations in the group.

Each strike has a penalty, and strikes are cumulative:

1 Strike: Suspended for two weeks from Discord and Group
2 Strikes: Suspended for a month from Discord and Group
3 Strikes: Suspended for three months from Discord and Group. On three strikes you are on “last chance” 

Last Chance – Any further strikes or warnings will result in a permanent ban.

While suspended the group will not process any note*, reward or submission that includes your name or any of your boucles.

When suspended you cannot:

🚫 participate in our Discord server, 
🚫 submit deviations to the dA group, 
🚫 join group events, 
🚫 register or breed your boucles, 
🚫 submit foal designs or import rewards, 
🚫 buy pralines, items and companions, 
🚫 have boucles transferred to you,
🚫 use any official group resources (like foal lines). 

*The only exception is that while suspended you can:

✅ Transfer pralines, items and companions to other members,
✅ Transfer boucles to other member,
✅ Other members can still use marked slots to your boucles.

🔴 Bans

Bans are given for a fourth strike, or any warning while you hold three strikes. 

An immediate ban will be given for behaviour including but not limited to: Breaking Discord ToS, breaking deviantART ToS, harassment, racism, homophobia, transphobia, sexism.

Bans cannot be appealed, and are permanent.

Once banned, the group will no longer process any note*, reward or submission that includes your name or any of your boucles.

Once banned you cannot:

🚫 access our Discord server, 
🚫 submit deviations to the dA group, 
🚫 join group events, 
🚫 register or breed your boucles, 
🚫 submit foal designs or import rewards,
🚫 buy pralines, items and companions, 
🚫 have boucles transferred to you,
🚫 use any official group resources (like foal lines). 

*The only exception is that while banned you can:

✅ Transfer pralines, items and companions to other members,
✅ Transfer boucles to other members,
✅ Other members can still use marked slots to your boucles.

All designs and characters stay yours, the group does not reclaim them, but you can no longer play with them in the group.

🟢 Appeals

Strikes can be appealed after a year and can be removed if no other warnings or strikes have been issued in that time.

Bans cannot be appealed, and are permanent.