TOTJO- Proposals and issues for 10 th Feb`09

I'll toss my opinions into the ring.

On improper posts. We are all adults and should be aware of what is expected of us. I have no issue with being held accountable for what I say and how I say it. As a Jedi I should be able to control my emotions enough to not lash out in anger.

On being able to edit posts, I would like to see a grace period. There has been more than one post that I looked at after it went and said \"oops.\" A short time period is acceptable as usually things are realized shortly after posting.

On training. I found the early lectures interesting, but supporting documentations about how they apply to Jedi training is lacking for newcomers. Setting up a more formal layout for new Jedi would be benificial. It would not only help new Jedi, but it would convey a more professional atmosphere to people visiting our temple.

Just my thoughts for consideration.

MTFBWY

OwenShea wrote:

I'll toss my opinions into the ring.

On improper posts. We are all adults and should be aware of what is expected of us. I have no issue with being held accountable for what I say and how I say it. As a Jedi I should be able to control my emotions enough to not lash out in anger.

On being able to edit posts, I would like to see a grace period. There has been more than one post that I looked at after it went and said \"oops.\" A short time period is acceptable as usually things are realized shortly after posting.

On training. I found the early lectures interesting, but supporting documentations about how they apply to Jedi training is lacking for newcomers. Setting up a more formal layout for new Jedi would be benificial. It would not only help new Jedi, but it would convey a more professional atmosphere to people visiting our temple.

Just my thoughts for consideration.

MTFBWY

Exactly my sentiments Br. OwenShea! What is said reflects on our Temple. Also what is said is supposed to serve as spiritual, moral, physical and intellectual food. That is one good reason that such language will not be tollerated. These remarks and the persons saying them damage our Temple and I for one will sit idly by and watch. Of course a lineancy will be granted according to the nature of what is said. After all we all make mistakes. There will always be a warning. But blatent cussing versed toward our Temple, Doctrine or members cannot be tolerated. Also threats like \"I`m a good hacker and will get into your system\" will not be tollerated considering that this is also a federal offence.

Just an un subtle reminder of the next meeting

TODAY 1900 GMT (1300 SERVER-TIME) )

[b]Meeting Held On Tuesday February 10th 2009 @ 1900 GMT[/b]

Those in attendance :-

Kana-Seiko Haruki (Chair)
BrJohn
Sarus
Kira
Fr.Jon

Pre-meeting (advance) apologies :-

None

Post Apologies :-

None

Matters Discussed:-

Security issues -

(which are not going to be noticeable to the wider community)

Just to inform the EC and wider that several ideas are being looked into in order to seal the holes in our security - namely banned members getting back in simply by creation of a new account.

The ideas include implementation of IP address bans (thereby not even a new account can be created from a banned IP address)

Other ideas - whilst more involved to implement - include new membership involving a writen email to the admins (this way an IP can be gleaned from the new members email) and thus multiple accounts spotted - perhaps making the process part of the existing yet seperate application form - this would entail much more work for admins but ultimately a mre secure site.

A matter raised in the meeting but not considered an EC matter (just generally discussed) is one admins over riding the decision of another, either by accident or design . I personally (Rich/Kana) would like to request the EC set down rules for such actions - having already asked for a procedure to be followed in admins section of the forum.

We must all pull together as admins in order for standards to be maintained - one example who has been banned from chat and the site on numerous occasions only to be unbanned by another - this only causes confusion not only to the admin team but the wider community - as a result the admins now have a formal; procedure to follow which has been passed by the EC.

Youth Officer Proposals -

It is proposed that the youth team be beefed up somewhat - it is increasingly apparent this is necessary, especially with Master Anora's (April's) current internet connection troubles - I offered to step in for April on a temporary basis to which she agreed however during the meeting we decided things needed a more permanent solution and thus a permanent future-proofing.

As Master Sarus) is on regularly in chat along With Senior Knight Karol Fett - it is recommended/proposed that Jake and Karol (as assistant to Jake) take on these and assist April (on her return to full time usage of totjo). This is also a reasonable proposal as Jake is currently an/the Intake officer.

Knight Marshal/SAA becomes TSO

Related too but somewhat separate - is the position of Knight marshal and the generic SAA office. It is proposed that these two positions be replaced with a two or three person team of Temple Security Officer's (henceforth TSO). The Current nominations for these are Kana-Seiko Haruki, & Sarus (for the above reason - ie activity in chat) with Karol Fett as a junior assistant. The junior would not necessarily have to be made an admin in order to fulfil their duties - they can act as eyes and ears and give 1st cautions to offenders and if this isnt taken heed of - then the Junior officer reports to either or both senior officers (should that fail - the EC deal with the offenders or I propose that the EC set out a set of rules guidelines or indeed authorise the TSO a certain degree of actions eg 1 week bans - before the EC need to be involved)

The EC recently proposed a full set of rules for chat etc and a set of consequiences which can be used as the main base of the TSO tools. On this point - id also like to propose that there be a 'ranking' of admins - ie a non EC admin cannot ride roughshot over an EC member Admin when it comes to a decision on a ban - doing so is in itself grounds for official actions from the EC - this further demonstrates the need for the forum list of bans and other actions etc recently set up - this must be kept upto date and filed immediately following action by an admin, TSO etc etc - even if its a PM warning - it doesnt take a minute to do this and saves a lot of confusion and toe treading in the long run.

On a sub note - karol fett must obviously be consulted on these positions for him - we must not rail road anyone into a job(s) they are not happy/able/willing to carry out.

ADDENDUM - I am happy to say Karol Fett has graciously accepted these roles and has been granted full administrative powers in order to fully accomplish said tasks effectively.

Knight Marshal - A New Job Description.

Knight marshal now becomes a member of the IC (Intake Class) team. Their role is to ensure that initiates have completed the lessons asked of them - once they are satisfied this is the case - they will report to the BrJohn (or whoever is head IC member) - this will make it possible for the teachers) to concentrate on teaching/guidance and provides an extra level of insurance that initiates are not conning anyone. Again - Karol Fett has been proposed along with Daniel L and Cygnus.

Obviously - the current status of master Kana-Seiko Haruki as Knight Marshal is no longer applicable as the job title is now Temple Security Officer.

The final decision as to whom will be offered the job of Knight Marshal has yet to be decided (at time of writing) by the members of The EC and perhaps current active staff of the IC (Initiates Class).

The Current Initiates Course

It has been noted that the current initiates class/course has a high drop out rate. The causes are numerous but it is felt the primary cause is that as it stands - it is a little too hardcore/challenging for everyone and that maybe some/many initiates fail to understand the significance (or the point) of for example 'The Book' to Jediism.

This is by no means any form of criticism to Grand Master BrJohn and the IC team - we must all remind ourselves that we have only recently really started the IC system and as such -its a new idea and we all acknowledged early on that it would probably need a review.

Kana-Seiko Haruki has offered to devise a new course which would obviously be agreed upon by the IC and the EC before general use.

Kana suggested two routes which are as followed

#1 That the current course not be initiates level work at all and replaced with a simplier 16 teachings, code, creed, oath etc etc etc style course.

#2 That the IC adopts a University style 'credits' system - in order for an initiate to be passed for apprenticeship, they must satisfactorally complete pieces of work - each is allocated a credit value and iun order to pass - they must achieve a certain number of credits.

For example - The credits needed for a pass would be 10 - the book is woth (for example) 5 credits (not republic credits) and each of the campbell lectures worth 0.5 credits - the code, creed and oath each worth 1 credit and so on.

The initiate can then choose which pieces they choose to do - they can do lots of small works or a few big ones.

This system could also be used to allow for example - under 18's only need 10 credits to pass - over 18's need 15 credits to pass.

As a side point that was discussed - it was suggested that ALL teaching masters have pieces of work that are compulsory for their apprentices to complete before knighthood. This could include everything on the list for initiates (thus the master doesn't have to repeat if they so choose not too) and also allows for some more one to one discussions on some of the harder pieces. This also neatly ties in with previous proposals at the previous meeting regarding a 6month minimum training period for all knights.

Kana will draw up a demonstration/proposed course of each of the two systems for examination by the EC and IC to make decisions on. In the meantime the course continues as always and the expected time frame for Kana to complete this task is by 2050 - ie if your already on the current course or about to start - dont stop because the time for the second version is at this point unknown.

On this note - Kana-Seiko Haruki would like to invite all Knights and masters to pm him with ideas of what they'd like to see as a part of this new structure - ideas for content and the like.

This concludes the summary of the recent meeting

MTFBWY - A

I would like to commend all involved on the improvements over the past month or so. After all the chaos we had, it appears we are on the track to stability and teh temple appears to be progressing to a true working community.

I look forward to the time when I complete my apprenticship and can become more involved in the community.

Keep up the great work, you are a credit to us all.

MTFBWY

OwenShea wrote:

I would like to commend all involved on the improvements over the past month or so. After all the chaos we had, it appears we are on the track to stability and teh temple appears to be progressing to a true working community.

I look forward to the time when I complete my apprenticship and can become more involved in the community.

Keep up the great work, you are a credit to us all.

MTFBWY

Thank you Br. Owenshea! True. Despite heavy attacks on TOTJO and its membership we are back on course, and I believe better than ever. Believe me we need you. The feeling is mutual. MTFBWY on your training.