EV 3.0

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EV 3.0 is the current version of Eternal Vigilance. Eternal Vigilance was upgraded to 3.0 when significant structural changes were made to the way the guild operates.

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The Official Announcement

posted December 26, 2005 by Harelin (Praefectus at the time)

Greetings members!

I am proud to announce the latest efforts on behalf of the Legionary Council. The documents you are about to read have been reviewed and given the green light by the Triarii, therefore the new system is in the implementation process and will be considered in effect shortly.

We are considering this 'version 3' of EV - a tremendous step forward that will reshape the way we operate. Just like version 2, where we introduced the 3 Class Hastati -> Principes -> Triarii progression system, fixed our recruitment process, etc... we feel that version 3 will mark significant progress towards the 'big picture.' We aim to be a multi-gaming powerhouse, something our structure has been built for since the beginning... but we now realize we have taken the wrong approach to.

This revamp is all about writing the unwritten, in more ways than one. You will find within:

  • A clear and FAIR code of procedure to approach code of conduct violations with. This code of procedure will henceforth be known as the 'Judicial Review System' and will be elaborated on further down.
  • A slight restructure at the top of the chain of command; the addition of one seat to the Legionary Council, taking the form of a second Primus Pilus. The Legionary Council will consist of five individuals. The Primus Pilus position's duties will be adjusted accordingly to avoid conflict and provide some much needed focus.
  • A dramatic restructuring of the cohort system; how we look at cohorts, how we approach the creation of cohorts, and streamlining the system to better support further expansion into the gaming community.
  • The addition of the Tribunus Triarius position, aka the 'Triarii Chairman'
  • The introduction of the 'nonessential and essential position' concept.
  • The gradual renaming of many ranks within the Eternal Vigilance chain of command, so as to be more true to our Roman hierarchical theme. First renaming: Primus Pilus is now known as Consul.
  • Clarification of the chain of command, meaning the chain of command will be re-written in many places so as to alleviate any confusion regarding positions... and also for the purpose of updating the document.
  • Amendments to the 'Guild Charter'
  • Rectification of what we believe to be an issue stunting the progress of our election system at the Hastati -> Principes level of progression.

Now, before I go on to cover each topic individually... I want to discuss a matter that has been at the forefront of many people's minds since the conception of EV's chain of command. That is the Legionary Council and how the system governs the way the LC operates.

The truth of the matter is that we have subscribed to 'case by case basis' policymaking methodology. In a lot of ways, this will need to continue... because we feel it is of the utmost importance to have individuals at the top, not bogged down by bureaucracy when particular situations demand critical or quick-thinking action. The Legionary Council will always possess those 'emergency powers,' as we feel it is absolutely necessary to achieving a sound and stable guild. We have never been a 100% democracy, for the same reasons cited to you when you joined the guild and read the 'Join Us / About' documents. However, as still stands true today... the Legionary Council does not involve itself in traditional leadership, particularly in-game. We handle recruitment, website maintenance, structural changes, etc... but the Primus Pilus and the Legionary Executives are the ones doing the real hands on work. They're making the calls that decide whether we are a success in-game.

That said, even though you've been able to trust us thus far to not get carried away with our broad powers (and I think we have been very good about leaving the Legionary Executives to do their work), we are going to place an emphasis on 'writing the unwritten.' Take the new Judicial Review System as an example - which will be explained further on down, but bear with me... prior to this, if a member violated the code of conduct, the punishment inflicted on said member would be at the Legionary Council's discretion. Kicked from the guild, or suspension? Can he appeal? etc... the Legionary Council would decide on a case by case basis, and previous incidents would serve as no precedent. Mind you, we never abused this power... but yes, the POTENTIAL to do so was there. And yes, as long as we possess 'emergency powers' the potential will probably always be there. However, as we continue the write the unwritten, you will find that we will approach these instances in a much more structured and accountable format. You will see what I mean when I elaborate on the Judicial Review System, and when similar policies/systems come into fruition as a result of this new emphasis of ours. We think you will be able to appreciate what we've done here.

Let's start off with...

Judicial Review System

I will begin my explanation of the JRS by giving you the system itself.

  1. Discipline
    Any current member - Hastatus through Triarius - henceforth known as the Plaintiff, of Eternal Vigilance may bring suit against another member, henceforth known as the Defendant, for violation of the Code of Conduct or conduct otherwise unbecoming of a member.
    1. Invocation
      1. A Plaintiff files a complaint with the Legatus via the Judicial Review Form.
      2. The Legatus will review the charges with the Plaintiff to ensure a clear and accurate representation of the complaint has been achieved, at which point the Legatus will proceed to submit the complaint to the Triarii Roundtable.
      3. Triarii evaluate the complaint for merit, and may approve the complaint within three (3) days with a second and a third.
        1. If the complaint receives a third, the process will continue to step II.
        2. If no second is obtained within 72 hours, the complaint will be considered withdrawn.
      4. If seconded, the Defendant then will be notified of the charges levied against him.
      5. The Plaintiff and Defendant will be directed to additional forms asking a series of questions designed to assist them in stating their cases.
        1. This is optional for the Defendant and required for the Plaintiff. The burden of proof lies with the Plaintiff.
        2. Both parties will be afforded five (5) days to complete this step.
    2. Jury Assembly
      1. Simultaneous to Part (A, 5), a Consul will have five (5) days to randomly select five (5) Triarii and four (4) Principes to serve as jurors in the case.
      2. Simultaneous to Parts (A, 5) and (B, 1), the Praefectus will have five (5) days to create the necessary forums and member groups for jury deliberation.
      3. Jury Rules
        1. Jurors will be expected to not discuss the case with anyone else outside the court forum.
        2. Jurors will remain anonymous through the delivery of the verdict.
        3. A Juror will not reveal the name of another juror under any circumstances, even if another juror grants permission to do so.
        4. Violation of the anonymity of jurors will result in immediate and irreversible removal from Eternal Vigilance.
        5. After the verdict is delivered, jurors may or may not choose to reveal their own participation.
    3. Cases Presented
      1. The Plaintiff's case and the Defendant's defense will be given to the jury on the first day of deliberation.
      2. The jury of nine (9) will discuss the validity of both arguments and decide the most appropriate of the four following possible outcomes:
        1. Acquittal.
        2. Admonishment.
        3. Suspension of membership for two (2) weeks.
        4. Removal from the guild, with possibility of appeal.
      3. The jury's votes will be tallied and considered final after one (1) week of deliberation.
    4. Appeal Process
      1. Defendants who have received a verdict requiring their removal from the guild may reapply to Eternal Vigilance as a new applicant. Previous rank will have no bearing on their application's success or failure, and the defendant will start over at the rank of 'Hastatus' if their application is accepted. If accepted, the defendant will be afforded the full rights and respect inherent to the rank of Hastatus and will be considered equal to his peers.

It's rather self-explanatory. Any member may now charge another member with violations of the code of conduct (this means even if I myself as the Praefectus want to nail someone for a violation, I follow the JRS procedure). The person with the initial complaint will be known as the plaintiff, may bring charges against another member by filling out a form, the results of which will go to the Triarii (after being reviewed by the Legatus to ensure the charges have been elaborated on fully). If two Triarii second and third it, the plaintiff is in business and then must fill out a more in depth form. The defendant is also afforded the opportunity to fill out a form. These "forms" will be similar to the guild application form, and will guide the plaintiff and defendant through making a good case for themselves. They'll have one week to do this; and also during this week, a Consul will randomly select the jurors, and the Praefectus will have time to set up the court forum. Then the jury will deliberate, reach a verdict after one week, and that verdict is final. If they wish to appeal the verdict, appealing takes the form of re-applying to the guild and starting over with a clean slate.

It's all very straightforward and fairly simple. Theoretically the process would take a minimum of two weeks. When you're talking about making a punitive judgment like this, two weeks is a good amount of time to afford the defendant the fairest judgment possible (the one week waiting period from the period of invocation to jury deliberation will serve nicely as a cool down period). If the plaintiff has successfully invoked charges against the defendant, it's a serious matter and you want to take all the care you can to make sure it's handled properly. We think the Judicial Review System will serve that means well.

Restructuring at the Primus Pilus level

With these adjustments, two individuals will now reside in the position of Primus Pilus - which has been renamed to Consul (the reason for this will be elaborated on below). One of these individuals will take charge of supervising all cohorts in the FPS genre, and the other individual will take charge of supervising all cohorts in the MMO genre.

This is a very important step towards increasing productivity. We believe that ultimately your passion lies with one genre, and while you may have interest or experience in the other genre... you will be able to do a much better job if you are focusing on the genre that you spend the most of your time in. The different genres have varying needs and desires, and our new cohort structure requires more attention than one person can give it.

If you are the Consul of the MMO genre, for example, you will then be tasked with monitoring the progress of all cohorts considered to fall under that category. You will have very clear goals: ensure the happiness and productivity of all under your auspices, and expand the number of cohorts within your genre without compromising that happiness and productivity. You will be expected to develop a relationship with the leaders of your cohorts, and represent them well. There is no one higher in rank than the Consuls that deal with cohorts on a regular basis, therefore his word is gospel.

With the addition of this second Consul, the Legionary Council member count will increase to 5. We have never had an even 2-2 vote split in the time we've had only four members, but this will serve to prevent that situation if it were to ever arise in the future. Additionally, the vote of each Consul will count as two votes while the votes of the Legatus, Tribunus and Praefectus will only count as one. This will serve to create a more powerful presence on the part of the elected officials residing on the Legionary Council, considering the three non-elected officials may now be outvoted by two elected officials (3-4) should we ever encounter that situation. Again, we hope you will be able to appreciate the significance of this adjustment.

Revamp of the Cohort System

Let's get right to the point: our current cohort system is ineffective. It has resulted in debates regarding whether a cohort should be left open or closed, it has been subject to the countless bending of rules in the name of expansion, and despite all that trouble it really just hasn't left us with much. After a year, we have a lot to show for our efforts in other departments... but not a whole lot in terms of our multi-gaming aspirations. We are changing that and making the necessary adjustments so that our multi-gaming platform may thrive.

Every online game is a cohort! A 'Stage 1' cohort, that is. Every online game in existence - you name it, it's a cohort, and we'll create a forum for it. We have created a system of progression so that any game may grow and be fostered through several 'stages.'

A stage 1 cohort is on the bottom rung. It has 4 or less (or zero) members interested in it, and no Centurion/Optio duo to take the initiative and lead it. It has a subforum along with all the other stage 1 cohorts, which may be used for coordination among members that perhaps desire to increase the cohort's level to stage 2 and meet the necessary requirements. No forum membergroups are created for stage 1 cohorts, nor under any circumstances will an additional forum be created for it. There will literally be a large subsection of the forums containing boards for as many online games possible.

A stage 2 cohort has either a minimum of 5 members, or a Centurion/Optio duo. Stage 2 cohorts are given some perks, which include two new forums created on the main page of the forums - a public and private forum (Public General and EV Only - no cohort only or officer only). They don't get any membergroups, however. If the cohort has gained stage 2 by means of two members serving as Centurion/Optio, those two leaders won't receive access to the Legionary Executive forum (prevents two people from sitting permanently in the position and receiving the benefits/recognition without any work). If the cohort has gained stage 2 by means of reaching the 5 member count, they won't get to stage three unless two of them have the cojones to step up to lead as Centurion and Optio - likewise, a Centurion/Optio pair won't get anywhere unless they actively seek out (or wait) for their cohort's member count to increase to 5.

A cohort has increased to stage 3 once it has both a minimum of 5 members and a Centurion/Optio duo at the helm. At that point, the cohort is in business. Membergroups are created, they're given the full set of forums (Public General, EV Only, Cohort Only, and Officer Only), and the Centurion and Optio are now considered Legionary Executives. Once they're Legionary Executives, this means they have the full power of that status behind them... they've got access to the Legionary Executive forum (a forum that has always existed for discussion between Centurions, Optios, and the Primus Pilus), and they've got access to the Cohort Administration Center (which gives them a whole host of leadership tools including access to modify the member/officer status of their cohort members, edit the news at the top of the forum, access the Live Help program, etc.) Stage 3 cohorts are at the top level and have the full resources of the guild at their disposal.

Elections begin for a cohort once it has reached stage 3. Additionally, it should be noted that we will still be subscribing to the policy of only allowing Triarii to run for an elected position. Only Triarii may enter the position of Centurion, no matter the circumstances (running for election or starting with a Centurion/Optio duo)... but Optio is open to all ranks.

  • RTS games will fall under the FPS genre (because they are match-based and have a competitive focal point). Games that are online and possibly suitable for a guild environment, but fit outside our genre platform, will be decided on a case by case basis.

So what are the benefits of this system? There's numerous.

  • Boosts morale. Our success can no longer be judged by conventional methods. We don't have to be ashamed when the multi-gaming aspects of our guild are at a low point (such as it is as I write this). In this system, as we are right now, we'd probably convert over with one stage 3 cohort, one stage 2 cohort, and plenty of stage 1 cohorts in the works. Doesn't sound or look as bad as only one cohort making the cut, does it?
  • Much, much easier for members to coordinate, recognize similar interests in a game, get together and begin to organize something if a forum exists for it. The gap between our FPS and MMO players that rarely interact will be bridged.
  • We don't have to worry about stretching minimum cohort requirements to try to get something off the ground. Under this system, GNH, CoV, BF2, etc. will just be rated by Stage. No debates about whether they're worthy enough to exist as a cohort.
  • We will look much more attractive to outsiders. Mainly because they're not used to measuring a guild by these standards. On one hand, they won't frown upon us when they see that we as a multi-gaming guild have only one operating cohort. On the other hand, unless they're blessed with a low IQ... they won't actually assume that we have full-fledged divisions in all the cohorts we list. They just won't understand how to compare our guild to the guilds they're used to - it won't be like we're lying.
  • Because members are constantly exposed to a list of games that we don't have a presence in, they will be much more likely to entertain the thought of starting something in one of those games.
  • It ties in nicely with the creation of the second Consul position and the split between FPS and MMO games.

Tribunus Triarius Position

The Tribunus Triarius position (then referred to as the 'Aquilifier') was proposed to the Triarii back in July. The proposal passed at 60% (6 to 4 out of 10 votes), however we decided not to pursue it at the time due to lackluster interest. We believe some of the issues surrounding the Tribunus Triarius position are non-issues now, and the following topic that I will discuss (see 'nonessential position' concept) was also relevant in our decision to finally pursue this. The Tribunus Triarius position will be created in line with conditions laid out in the following proposal, and we believe that it will serve as a great boost to productivity.

Tribunus Triarius - (ie the Triarii "Chairman")

Elected...

  • by all Triarii
  • serves a term of 4 months - allowed to run for re-election unlimited times
  • election is held at the same time as the 'Triarii Entry Elections' and the main Consul/Centurion elections (thus every four months) - Tribunus Triarius and new Triarii are announced same day
  • any current Triarii may run (no nomination system)

Duties entail...

  • sparking, organizing, and leading Triarii discussion topics
  • leading optional Triarii meetings
  • organizing regular proposals for LC/LE based on Triarii discussion

In summary...

  • The Tribunus Triarius exists to ensure the productiveness of our veteran body of members does not become stagnant. This leader serves as a representative of the Triarii, taking topics provided by a leadership panel (such as the Legionary Council, Legionary Executive, cohort staff, and so forth) and forming a think tank among Triarii. Tribunus Triarius does not possess any more access/authority than a normal Triarii, but has simply been given title acknowledgement as well as the approval of his peers to be the liaison between various leadership panels and spearhead discussion on problems, solutions and ideas for the guild. This will ultimately empower those Triarii interested in playing a more active role in the guild, but with no desire to become active, direct leadership.

Tribunus Triarius is the name of the position of the Standard Bearer in an ancient Roman legion. It fits the position well, as the intent of the Aquilifer is to both inspire participation and 'take the bull by the horns', as the cliche goes.

Nonessential and Essential Position Concept

The nonessential position concept is only relevant to the Tribunus Triarius position at the moment. The application of this policy will mean that the Tribunus Triarius position is not needed for the guild to operate; it is only a bonus. Therefore, if someone does not run for it during a term, we won't stress out about it. We won't do anything about it, in fact, and the position will disappear until next term at which point perhaps someone will run for it then.

The essential position is different. We consider the Consul and Centurion positions essential to maintaining the integrity of the guild, therefore we will exercise all measures to ensure these spots are filled. If among the member base - after being provided with ample opportunity for a nomination phase - there does not exist an individual that will step forward to run for the position in an election, the Legionary Council will be forced to appoint someone. We will not lower our standards and allow Principes to run in the elections, because as mentioned before... under no circumstances may anyone but a Triarius assume Centurionship or the position of Consul now. We will just simply appoint someone. If we fail to find anyone to appoint... in the instance of Centurion elections, even if the cohort is jam packed full of members, lacking a Centurion we will be forced to downgrade the cohort to a Stage 2. If we cannot find anyone to appoint to a Consul position, an existing Legionary Councilor will be forced to step forward and assume his duties. This will mean that our election system is not thrown through a loop every time a position fails to garner enough interest - we'll be able to efficiently take care of the situation and move on in-game without losing momentum.

Renaming Ranks

In truth, our Roman themed ranks are not exactly accurate - someone well versed in Roman history would be able to spot the inconsistencies a mile away. Therefore, we will gradually phase in the renaming of most ranks until we have a permanent accurate representation that is true to our theme. Yes, this is mostly for aesthetic purposes and will bring no changes to functionality. But we feel it is important to not continue with our hastily patched together naming scheme and instead have something that we can be proud of in the long term.

Why phase it in gradually? Because we've determined the new rank names, and we can already tell it's going to be hard to get used to. So instead of slapping it on cold turkey, we'll gradually transition it in for the sake of everyone's sanity.

The first step we are taking is to call the Primus Pilus positions Consul from here on out. We now have two Consuls, not two PP's.

Code of Conduct Addendum

Added to the bottom of the code of conduct, in bold.

  1. Code of Conduct
    1. All members are expected to...
      1. to treat each other with respect. Our goal is to foster a relaxed, enjoyable and non-judgmental environment, and steps will be taken to reprimand any members that behave irresponsibly.
      2. to ensure personal decisions affecting the guild, its members, and/or the gaming community in its entirety are ethical and always in accordance to the code of conduct. Our goal is to maintain a society based upon integrity and good judgment, and immoral behavior will not be tolerated.
      3. to consider it of utmost importance to maintain a respectable demeanor in the presence of any players in the local gaming community. You are to treat all gamers with respect and represent your guild well. Remember that your every word will reflect on the guild as a whole.
      4. to remain loyal to Eternal Vigilance. All members are required to remain under the banner of Eternal Vigilance in all games we participate in. This is a blanket rule and will be enforced; however, we do recognize the need for flexibility and will therefore consider special exceptions when expressly requested.
      5. to endeavor to remain active in the guild decision-making process while it is in action; we are an extremely democratic guild that is dependant on guild participation, and therefore require that all members make their best effort to participate in guild functions (including elections, policy discussions, and so forth).
      6. to maintain an honest reputation within the guild. Intra-guild communication is confidential and should never be shared with non-members. If you find yourself in conflict with a fellow member, please do not hesitate to contact a leader to help resolve the situation peacefully.
      7. to acknowledge that real life issues always take precedent over computer games. It is strongly recommended that members always remain mindful and balance their time wisely; periodically assess the time your game consumes and make an honest evaluation of whether or not your level of participation is healthy. Above all, we are a family and care for your well-being.
    2. Members accused of breaking the Code of Conduct will be subject to a Judicial Review (See: IV. Discipline)

Chain of Command

The chain of command has been re-written/updated as follows. Not a whole lot in the way of major changes... just more so, again, 'writing the unwritten.' You will however want to read close take note of any changes we have made, as there are probably some clauses that I have forgotten to highlight and discuss here. This updated COC essentially wraps up a lot of what you have read about thus far.

  1. Chain of Command
    1. Legionary Council
      1. Office: Legatus
        1. One (1) Legatus will serve a life term until resignation.
        2. The Legatus will be charged with the overseeing of Judicial Review processing.
        3. The Legatus will be charged with the management of elections and election dates.
      2. Office: Consul
        1. Two (2) Consuls will be elected to four (4) month terms and charged with the responsibility of general management of all Cohorts.
        2. One (1) Consul will be charged with the management of Cohorts whose games fall under the MMO genre.
        3. One (1) Consul will be charged with the management of Cohorts whose games fall under the FPS genre.
      3. Office: Praefectus
        1. One (1) Praefectus will serve a life term until resignation.
        2. The Praefectus will be charged with maintenance of the Eternal Vigilance website
        3. The Praefectus will be charged with management of said guild's treasury and distribution of funds.
        4. The Praefectus will be charged with organizing guild-wide administration and Tribuni Angusticlavii duties.
        5. The Praefectus will be charged with ensuring all guild officers known their duties and responsibilities.
        6. The Praefectus will be charged with ensuring efficiency in all administerial capacities.
      4. Office: Tribunus
        1. One (1) Tribunus will serve a life term until resignation.
        2. The Tribunus will be charged with all things regarding recruitment and have full authority over said recruitment.
        3. The Tribunus will be charged with the management of gaining status as Hastatus, Princeps, or Triarius.
      5. Office: Tribuni Angusticlavii
        1. Any number of Tribuni Angusticlavii may be appointed by the Legatus, Praefectus, or Tribunus.
        2. Tribuni Angusticlavii will serve as administerial assistants to Legionary Councilors, where their responsibilities are determined by their respective Councilor.
        3. Tribuni Angusticlavii will not receive a vote in the Legionary Council, but will, however, be recognized for their service.
      6. Process: Legionary Council Deliberation
        1. When an issue is brought to the attention of the Legionary Council, and a decision is required, an informal majority vote will be required.
        2. Each member of the Legionary Council will have the number of votes as follows:
          • Consuls; two votes each
          • Legatus, Praefectus, Tribunus; one vote each
      7. Process: Disputes of Interpretation
        1. Disputes of Interpretation occur when two entities obtain two practical meanings from a clause in this document.
        2. Said disputes will be resolved by a majority vote by the Legionary Council.
      8. Process: Resignation
        1. Any of the Offices listed above may resign with no penalty.
        2. The resigning officer may appoint a replacement, subject to the approval of a majority of the remaining Legionary Council members.
        3. The resigning officer may waive the right to appoint and defer to the judgment of the remaining Legionary Councilors, in which case a two-thirds vote must be achieved on any candidate.
    2. Cohorts
      1. Each game in which interest has been shown will form a Cohort: one (1) Cohort per game.
      2. Office: Centurion
        1. One (1) Centurion will be elected to four (4) month terms and will serve as the leader and highest ranking officer of each Cohort.
        2. A Centurion will be charged with general management of his or her respective Cohort.
        3. A Centurion may appoint officers and define their responsibilities as he or she sees fit.
      3. Office: Optio
        1. One (1) Optio will be appointed by the Legionary Council to serve the same term as his respective Centurion as the second highest ranking officer of each Cohort.
        2. The Optio’s duties may vary, but will have an emphasis on recruitment.
      4. Additional Rank Pool (in order of traditional importance, with duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Centurion)
        1. Tesserarius
        2. Signifer
        3. Cornicen
      5. Cohort Stages
        1. There will be three (3) stages to a Cohort’s transition from preconception to fully functional.
        2. Stage One - A Cohort without a Centurion and less than (5) official members will be provided with a subforum only. Any game in existence may be considered a Stage 1 Cohort.
        3. Stage Two - A Cohort with a Centurion/Optio combo or at least five (5) official members will be provided with a public and private forum.
        4. Stage Three - A Cohort with a Centurion/Optio combo and at least five (5) official members will be provided with all forums and membergroups.
      6. Process: Resignation
        1. Any of the elected offices listed above may resign with no penalty.
        2. The resigning officer may attempt to appoint one (1) replacement, which will be subject to the approval of a majority Legionary Council.
        3. The resigning officer may waive the right to appoint and defer to the judgment of the Legionary Council, in which case a two-thirds vote must be achieved on any candidate.
        4. Replacement of officers and duties appointed by the Centurion will be subject to the discretion of said Centurion.
    3. Legionary Executive
      1. The Centurion and Optio of each Stage 3 Cohort, in addition to the two Consuls, will comprise the Legionary Executive.
      2. The Legionary Executive will utilize a private forum to discuss the direction of Eternal Vigilance with respect to ingame activities.
      3. The Consuls will act as chairmen for each of their respective genres.
    4. Membership
      1. Triarii - Senior Member
        1. Triarii may run for any elected office.
        2. Triarii may vote in any guild-wide election and in the elections in their respective Cohort.
        3. Triarius status is obtained through the Triarii Entry Elections (See: III, E).
      2. Principes - Full Member
        1. Principes are ineligible for elected positions, but may be appointed to any non-elected office.
        2. Principes may vote in any guild-wide election and in the elections in their respective Cohort.
        3. Princeps status is obtained through the successful completion of a Hastati Project, or after four months of membership and endorsement from a Centurion or the Tribunus.
      3. Hastati - Entry-Level Member
        1. Hastati are ineligible for elected positions, but may be appointed to any non-elected office.
        2. Hastatus status is obtained through the acceptance of an application[color=red] processed through the recruitment system.
    5. Triarii Roundtable
      1. All Triarii are members of the Triarii Roundtable.
        1. The Triarii Roundtable is a place where all constructive discussions of the guild's functionality are welcome and suggestions are taken seriously.
        2. The Triarii Roundtable is charged with voting on guild-wide measures that require their attention, i.e. amendments to the charter and Judicial Reviews.
        3. Office: Tribunus Triarius
        4. One (1) Tribunus Triarius will be elected to a four (4) month term and charged with the general management of discussions at the Triarii Roundtable.
        5. The Tribunus Triarius will be charged with the duty of organizing the results of discussions at the Triarii Roundtable.
        6. The Tribunus Triarius is classified as a nonessential position.
    6. Election Contingency
      1. In the event a position is empty at the end of an election nomination cycle, the Legionary Council will be charged with filling the position with an appointee to serve the upcoming term.
      2. This process will be subject to the same requirements as if the officer resigned and needed to be replaced.
      3. If the elected office is classified as a nonessential position, a replacement is not required and it is at the Legionary Council's discretion whether a replacement is appointed.
      4. If an appointee cannot be found for a stage 3 cohort Centurion position, the cohort will be downgraded to stage 2.
    7. Holding and Running for Office
      1. Triarii may hold up to one elected office and one appointed office at any given time.
      2. Triarii may be nominated for any elected office.[/quote]


Amendments to the Guild Charter

The chain of command, code of conduct, disciplinary procedures, etc. will henceforth be known collectively as the Guild Charter. In order to modify text within the Charter, individuals interested in making said modifications must adhere to the following amendment policies.

  1. Amendments
    1. Amendment Procedure
      1. Amendments, with the provisions provided below regarding specific topics, will follow this process:
        1. Drafting
        2. Final Draft
        3. Endorsement by a Triarius
        4. Submission, by a Triarius, to the Legionary Council via the Amendment Processing Form
        5. The Legatus will review the submitted form and evaluate it's clarity and completeness with the Triarius
        6. The amendment will either be returned to the submitter for further drafting, or a poll will be created in the Triarii Roundtable to vote on the amendment.
    2. Section I: Introduction
      1. Amendments to any article in Section I may be written by any member but must be endorsed by a Triarius and presented at the Triarii Roundtable.
      2. A majority vote among Triarii will result in the successful amendment of Section I.
    3. Section II: Code of Conduct
      1. Amendments to any article in Section II may be written by any member but must be endorsed by a Triarius and presented at the Triarii Roundtable.
      2. A two-thirds vote among Triarii will result in the successful amendment of Section II.
    4. Section III: Chain of Command
      1. Amendments to any article in Section III may be written by any member but must be endorsed by a Triarius and presented at the Triarii Roundtable.
      2. A two-thirds vote among Triarii will result in the successful amendment of Section III.
    5. Section IV: Discipline
      1. Amendments to any article in Section IV may be written by any member but must be endorsed by a Triarius and presented at the Triarii Roundtable.
      2. A two-thirds vote among Triarii will result in the successful amendment of Section IV.
    6. Section V: Amendments
      1. Amendments to any article in Section V may be written by any member but must be endorsed by a Triarius and presented at the Triarii Roundtable.
      2. A two-thirds vote among Triarii will result in the successful amendment of Section V.
    7. Recruitment System Reform
      1. Amendments to the Recruitment process may be written by any member but must be endorsed by the Tribunus prior to its presentation at the Triarii Roundtable.
      2. A majority vote by the Triarii will be required to confirm any amendments the Tribunus wishes to make in the Recruitment process.[/quote]

Hastati -> Principes Modification

We believe that many new members are getting unnecessarily hung up at the Hastati level. The Hastati level is not intended to be long-term for anyone, and at some point you need to realize you're not going to get the full experience of Eternal Vigilance by remaining a Hastati for any length of time. We also believe that the unexpectedly large amount of Hastati may be having a negative affect on our election system - something we want to garner as much participation in as possible (and Hastati cannot participate in the election system).

We do believe in the Hastati Project process. Therefore, we are keeping the Hastati Project process for individuals that want to immediately start working on their progression to Principes. BUT, if you choose not to do your Hastati Project, you will not permanently be a Hastatus. After you have been a Hastatus for four months, you will be eligible for promotion to Principes with no Hastati Project completed - IF you have your Centurion or the Tribunus willing to vouch for you and endorse your promotion. We are doing this in good conscience knowing that by the four month mark you've probably had a lot of experience and exposure to the guild... something that makes up for not doing your Hastati Project.

Conclusion

There's a lot to digest. If you have any questions, please let us know what they are, so that we can help you understand these changes. But again, this should be a VERY positive step forward for the guild and we are looking forward to seeing the new changes and adjustments in action. We believe the current system is broken and dated in many respects, and this - created after a year's worth of first hand experience - will fix it and begin a new era to launch us into 2006 with a bang.

[edit]

External Links

http://www.evcitadel.com/ev/index.php?option=com_smf&Itemid=26&topic=3042.0 - the official announcement thread

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