What would help the Temple Be A Better Place? Suggestions please...

Connor L. wrote:
I believe that we should still stop supplying free editions of the copyrighted material used in the IP. I know it's hard... but, we should be supporting the authors or their estates... even if they're dead. I say that as an artist who would not want my material just distributed for free without my permission. Oh.. and that supposed back room agreement John has with the publishers? idk... It doesn't sit well with me. Sorry.

While I agree wholeheartedly with this comment, you also have to think of the people who want to do the IP but are not able to afford the books. This was one of my worries when I started the IP and was glad when I saw that they were available to all. A lot of churches have libraries in it where it's members are able to borrow books to read, why can't we do that here as well? (as long as it's done correctly, of course).

If people have to pay to learn, they you will probably get lots of complaints about how "this is only for people who have money to pay for a membership" and might even give this place the horrible name of "pay to praise".

Just the way I see it

I'm pretty available, transparent, so much so that I am a ghost. I'd like to see more conversation about training materials .

Also, lack of funds ought not be an impediment to learning. We may be able to put money into a fund for the purpose of purchasing the books for individuals who cannot

Rosalyn J wrote: I'm pretty available, transparent, so much so that I am a ghost. I'd like to see more conversation about training materials .

Also, lack of funds ought not be an impediment to learning. We may be able to put money into a fund for the purpose of purchasing the books for individuals who cannot

Not a bad idea but think of all the people who get halfway through the IP and leave....it's almost a waste of money, in my personal opinion. Unless they were apprentices, that is and even then, it is risky.

Vlad,

A library system would be amazing. I'm not sure what the procedure would be in creating an actual lending library. Sharing digital copies is different than sharing physical copies.

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/brookings-now/2014/06/09/why-copyright-law-allows-you-to-borrow-a-book-but-not-share-a-digital-song/

I'd be happy to help try and figure that out... anything except this free-for-all we have going on here. It is not our information to give away for free. That's the problem. The temple has no right to really make it pay-to-play either, since they don't own this intellectual property.

If we were to create our OWN information for the IP (something also oft discussed), this wouldn't be a problem. And, the temple would never charge for that information either, which is just fine with me.

vladucard wrote:

Rosalyn J wrote: I'm pretty available, transparent, so much so that I am a ghost. I'd like to see more conversation about training materials .

Also, lack of funds ought not be an impediment to learning. We may be able to put money into a fund for the purpose of purchasing the books for individuals who cannot

Not a bad idea but think of all the people who get halfway through the IP and leave....it's almost a waste of money, in my personal opinion. Unless they were apprentices, that is and even then, it is risky.

You will find that knights often find ways to support those apprentices who cannot afford the books... Jestor chose lessons that did not require the purchasing of materials.

I feel like a lot of people may post VERY personal stuff on there and everyone has access.....maybe it can be done so that people who are, at least, initiates, can view them and not just guests.

While I understand, some of us guests have journals.. I would also caution against posting anything online anywhere that one does not want (or expect) others to read.

ah, yes, true! Internet 101, mind what you post for others to see ^^

I think the Temple as an "Entity" should have more confidence in itself.

Whilst I appreciate constantly being asked for my input - The Temple is bigger than me. We have plenty of Knights (who can provide the training an apprentice wants/needs in their own way.)

The IP is fine (as far as I know...I'm not exactly well into it) -It doesn't need to be made more detailed or varied - the apprenticeship system allows for that.

There are technical problems with the site - Everyone knows this.

I understand we do have the odd Knight step down because they decide it ain't no good- They're probably the ones you want to engage for flaws with TotJO.

For the rest of us (Me, other Members, Guests, random whackos) - I suggest a firmer hand.
Acceptance is one thing - but any parent knows at some point you have to tell the kids they can't wear batman costumes to school and there is such a thing as bed time.

I'm mildly curious as to how the council and others who are working in the administration feel about this and what more can be done on our (non-council/administration personnel) end as well. Perhaps there are things that can be done to help out or process things faster.

As to what I think could be improved, I have no response currently as I am working on what I feel needs to be changed and will wait and see what happens as a result of my efforts.

I would like to see more accountability from the top. I'd like to see discussions on how to remove problem officers from positions that have no term limits. I'd like to see discourse on term limits, perhaps, or session limits. I'd like to see us actually lay out specifics on a boatload of topics and come to generalized agreements on what the heck it is we're on about here. I'd like for us to have a working, flexible definition of "Jedi" for example, that doesn't just rely on self-labelling. I'd like to see us work toward a space where we could actually do some good, and for us to move toward the background work necessary to make that happen.

I have 2 years experience running non-profits (2 of them) and charitable groups. Please message me if the Council is in need of consultation there!