Respect for our Ranking Members

There is a topic that I have seen touched on before but it never seems to get much emphasis. It is the subject of rank/office and the respect inherent in the station.

Many of us are friendly with and even friends with members of different rank. Here at TOTJO that should be no problem and even encouraged. But I feel that sometimes the “respect” such titles and offices incur is not granted to the individual who holds said tile or office.

I am not suggesting that we go around calling people by their ranks or title, but when a situation arises that their authority is not to be questioned… we should pay respect. I have seen in chat, in the Shout Box and in threads; on more than one occasion, when a ranking member will be completely disrespected. Granted, even I have taken the fun and games a bit too far from time to time. And for that I apologize.

And when we have guest that is giving the administration a hard time… we should back the admin and ranking members that are only trying to keep this a great place to be. Not join in with the trouble makers in banter and give in to the mob mentality. It takes quite a bit to earn, and they are earned not given, the titles and offices which are held by those individuals. And they do what they do for us.

Many will say that my stand point is merely because I am ex-service. And some of it may stem from that. But even in the civilian world there are ranks and structures that can not be crossed or questioned. Rather it is the law officials or a boss at work. I don’t know what most of you do for a living, but there are MANY companies where it is forbidden for management to casually associate with regular employees. And it is a termination offence. I only say this last part as example of how important title, positions and office are to all aspects of daily life.

I am curious as to how other members fell about this.

I agree with you, senior members deserve respect, but so do we all, for we are not in the army, nor in an enterprise where respect is the key for productivity. Respect is something you earn.

They should be respected and their title should be noticed and considered, but in my opinion that does not mean you should not disagree with them like you would disagree whith another person. I feel everybody here deserves the same amount of respect, what the senior members do deserve is that their authority is not questioned by others of inferior rank, at least in public.

An excellent point, Wes. I myself make a point to address ranking members with their titles upon first contact, and even more so when out in the forums. Clearly they have put in the time and effort here at TOTJO, and their respect is well deserved, be they Jedi or Sith or anything else. I have noticed many of the same things you have, Wes, and I'm happy to see someone bringing this up. Just because we have a superb community here doesn't mean we should dismiss people's ranks and importance. This is particularly so when attending ceremonies and live services, that we should all honour and respect each other. Even if the person doesn't have a title/rank, that's no excuse for disrespect either. But your point still stands: there are ranks for a reason, and we ought not to dismiss them.

the senior members are wise but also are the novices which do not show there knowledge. i am but a mere temple member starting my studies but i could know lots.
my point is bad.
respect your elders but they have to respect you also. its unfair on the less experienced to be looked at with little respect but mistreating masters and knights is just the same. infact we are all equal like Gandhi once said. or was it the sikhs?
and i agree with JORIZQUI, the ranks are there. it just shows that they have learned and we are the students ready to learn.

if i've just said everything the opposit to what this discussion is about, i am very sorry. please tell me via pm.:dry:

shadowmare wrote: the senior members are wise but also are the novices which do not show there knowledge. i am but a mere temple member starting my studies but i could know lots.

Agreed. Of course, ranks are not a measure of intelligence or understanding, merely of their accomplishment in undergoing the TOTJO training. I have never felt disrespected by any of the senior ranking members here, and so I don't view that to be the problem. It is the lower ranking/non-ranking members who must be patient with their own training, share their knowledge in the forums, but ultimately respect those who have come before them.

everyone here is nice. i dont see why this discussion was even started. Jedi dont disrespect people. by doing so leads to the dark side. the inner anger that holds us back from life. by being nasty your hurting yourself.

The masters are the ones with love in there hearts, who have looked over the training and helped guide us to our goal. we sould thank them.

I've just typed something not related again didnt i.(why am i mad?)even so. this is a leson to be learned.

Aceboizor wrote:

shadowmare wrote: the senior members are wise but also are the novices which do not show there knowledge. i am but a mere temple member starting my studies but i could know lots.

Agreed. Of course, ranks are not a measure of intelligence or understanding, merely of their accomplishment in undergoing the TOTJO training. I have never felt disrespected by any of the senior ranking members here, and so I don't view that to be the problem. It is the lower ranking/non-ranking members who must be patient with their own training, share their knowledge in the forums, but ultimately respect those who have come before them.

Mmm....yes and no. Yes the ranks are a symbol of your training accomplishments, but they also reflect your responsibilty and commitment. Not just everyone makes the rank of Knight and above. Actually (little TOTJO history from the old lady) most people who have earned the titles and ranks of Knight and above, have not only shown knowledge of the materials here, BUT, have also contributed something to this temple's inner workings. To get to Knight we do not expect this of you, but for the advancing to the ranks of Master and beyond (or Grand Poohbah of the Universe as Jestor has so aptly named me ) you have to have a hand in running the inner workings of the site and community. As for the responsibility portion, with each new rank comes more responsibilty. Masters are not Masters becuase we sit on thrones all day and rule the roost. We are the farmers feeding the roost, cleaning the roost, and keeping the roost safe and happy.

This question is directed to everyone:

Do you feel that novices / initiates have been disrespecting ranking members, or is it visitors who are causing problems? What are the kinds of behaviors that you consider disrespectful to ranked members, as opposed to unranked members?

In my short stay I don't believe I have met taunt nor disrespect.

As long as you guys treat us like fellow human beings we'll all be happy I mean it's not as if we didn't possess the mighty banning finger of doom