On the Topic of Role Ambiguity

Adhara wrote: .

We will never be able to clearly separate all roles and offices we have. This isn't possible (meaning impossible) and it isn't the goal, in my opinion. The goal is to work together and give aid, as well as accept aid, to move forward.


From Adhara SIG: 'Impossible' is a word that humans use far too often. -Seven of Nine

I found this quite ironic...

TL;DR version - is this issue effecting our Temple in a way that makes it worthy of the amount of time, effort, and discussion it is taking to address? I don't think it is.

As someone who has worked in a very structured corporate environment for most of my career, I understand the need for clearly defined roles and accountability. It is necessary to remain efficient and effective and to recognize where there are shortcomings. I realize, especially as a Security Officer, how ambiguity here can lead to problems with chain of command and contradictions, especially when it comes to enforcing some pretty ambiguous rules and policies. We can certainly look at ways to incorporate some of this role organization into TOTJO's administrative structure.

That said, I feel like we're missing the big picture. This is a church, a non-profit organization, and a Temple. It certainly requires oversight, both legally and for it to run more smoothly, but this isn't a Fortune 500 business. This is a spiritual refuge from the rest of the world and a place to study so that we can improve ourselves. Hence, we are people in need of improvement. We are volunteers and we have other aspects of our lives to focus on as well. We will make mistakes and we will be inefficient sometimes, but is there really a need for efficiency at the cost of the humanity of this place? Is the Temple really so bad? Have we committed such horrible offenses that now we must institute oversight of every tiny detail of the operation? I feel like we're looking for things to complain about and change rather than see how successful this place really is as an online meeting place for a lot of great people. It's like focusing on what the ingredients of a hot dog are instead of just enjoying it for what it is, a moderately unhealthy yet delicious snack.

I guess my questions are these. Is anything going on here really so important that we have to debate it in a thread for three days? Are Officers and volunteers overlapping in duties on a regular basis? Is this to our detriment? Did the updates to the library do anyone any harm? Is the Temple operating any differently than it was before these updates? Did the majority of the Temple membership even notice it happening? Is it worth holding on to the negativity over something that could easily be seen as trivial? Should we as volunteers deny ourselves the pleasure of serving and deny this Temple our service simply to point out weaknesses in a place we are supposed to support, especially as Knights and above?

Whether it be updating the library or checking IP journals or writing a Pax Templi or fixing a site crash, volunteers here are offering the skills they have and acting in a way they believe will benefit this place and its members. The intentions are well meaning and the actions are good, regardless of who took the action. Nitpicking those efforts or starting turf wars only adds to the inefficiency and strife here. Think of all of the other tasks here we could have accomplished instead of taking the time to respond to this very thread. We should be grateful for all of the efforts made and we should practice patience and forgiveness when the inevitable overlapping occurs. Work with me, people, and I will work with you.