Forum Policy Storm Spotter Forum Guidelines

[Shawn Gossman]

Welcome to the Storm Spotter Forum, a community dedicated to Skywarn Storm Spotters. To ensure a positive and constructive environment for all members, we’ve established the following guidelines. Please read them carefully before participating.

1. Respectful Conduct​

• Treat all members with respect. Personal attacks, harassment, bullying, or discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or any other personal characteristic will not be tolerated.
• Healthy debates are encouraged, but please be civil. Avoid inflammatory or derogatory language.

2. Stay On Topic​

• This forum's primary focus is on storm spotting, severe weather, and Skywarn-related topics. Please make sure your posts contribute to these subjects.
• Off-topic discussions should be kept to designated areas.

3. Accuracy and Responsibility​

• Always ensure that the information you provide, especially related to storm spotting reports, is accurate. Incorrect or misleading information can cause harm during severe weather events.
• If you are unsure about specific meteorological details, feel free to ask for clarification rather than guess.

4. Reporting Storm Events​

• When posting about real-time storm spotting or weather events, follow official Skywarn protocols and submit reports in the appropriate format.
• Do not exaggerate or falsify storm reports.

5. No Spamming or Self-Promotion​

• Avoid posting spam, including irrelevant links, excessive self-promotion, or advertisements. Occasional promotion of relevant services (such as weather tools or apps) is allowed in designated sections with moderator approval.
• If you're a professional in the meteorological or weather-tracking industry, contact the forum admin for appropriate advertising guidelines.

6. Use Descriptive Titles​

• When starting a new thread, use clear and descriptive titles to help others understand the content of your post at a glance.

7. No Unauthorized Sharing of Personal Data​

• Do not share personal or private information (yours or others) without consent. This includes contact information, locations (outside of storm reporting), and other private details.

8. Content Ownership and Sharing​

• Respect copyright laws. Do not share articles, videos, or images that belong to others without their permission or proper attribution.
• Original content is encouraged and welcomed.

9. Stay Safe​

• Storm spotting can be dangerous. Always prioritize your safety over making a report or sharing information on the forum.
• Never encourage unsafe behaviors or actions that could put someone at risk during severe weather events.

10. Moderator Authority​

• Moderators have the right to edit or delete any content that violates these guidelines. Persistent rule breakers may be warned, suspended, or banned from the forum.
• If you feel a moderator’s decision is unfair, you may appeal it through the proper channels.

11. Have Fun and Learn​

• The goal of this forum is to create a supportive and knowledgeable community for all Skywarn Storm Spotters. Share your experiences, learn from others, and stay informed.

Violations and Consequences​

Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in warnings, temporary suspensions, or permanent bans from the forum, depending on the severity and frequency of the violation.

Thank you for being a part of our community! Stay safe and spot responsibly.