Let's Try This Again, Shall We?

[Captain Del]

Thank you to Pixie for being so quick in applying for the Court. You have been thusly added to the preliminary body.

...And thank you to Alice for submitting my own guild. Not so sure if to approve or not...

Please, all others interested should sign up as soon as possible, so we can properly plan and organize this all.

[Ofury/ Tom]

Your Main Pirate's Name:Tom O'fury
Name of Prospective Guild: O'fury's Court
Approximate Date of Creation:July 4th 2009
Number of Members:371

Are you the Guildmaster of the guild seeking membership within this gathering?
Yes

- If you are not the Guildmaster, please provide evidence below which states that your Guildmaster has given you permission to apply for membership. (i.e., chat logs, a sworn statement, etc.)


Should you join this gathering, please explain how you would be willing to aid in building it's foundation.
Whatever ya need O'fury's Court can back ya. Wether it be leading, graphic art, Site managing, etc. We can help.

Do you promise to uphold the Pirate Code in these times of establishment, and to work well with your fellow founders to strive toward the ultimate goal of unity?
Of course me mate!

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Your Main Pirate's Name: Tiberius Fireskull
Name of Prospective Guild: Shadow Sorcerors
Approximate Date of Creation: July 31st, 2009
Number of Members: Hovering around 350's.

Are you the Guildmaster of the guild seeking membership within this gathering?

Yes.

Should you join this gathering, please explain how you would be willing to aid in building it's foundation.

I'll be an avid contributor to The Conclave II (or whatever its gonna be called...) and will make sure that everything is going smoothly. I will assist the Conclave leader and any high council that may be created with whatever is needed... except rum related issues.

Do you promise to uphold the Pirate Code in these times of establishment, and to work well with your fellow founders to strive toward the ultimate goal of unity?

No! Okay yes. :P

If I may also make the request, I know there were some issues with people that were NOT guildmasters or Conclave Representatives coming to watch the meetings. With all due respect, I would prefer if the people who did come to the meetings would be Guildmasters and Highest officers only (Co-guildmasters, etc.) be there. This way it is just between the people that are actually in the Conclave. I understand that it is supposed to be a union of all guilds, but we should keep it at just the leaders for numbers sake and to make sure that we don't get a lot of people that shouldn't really be there.

[andyspins]

Let me start off by saying that I most likely will be th only one from my guild there, we only have 2 people on the forums, and one is also in SS, but I will try:

Your Main Pirate's Name:Captain Andy
Name of Prospective Guild:Lion Hearted Pirate
Approximate Date of Creation: December 14th 2008
Number of Members:40

Are you the Guildmaster of the guild seeking membership within this gathering?
Yes

- If you are not the Guildmaster, please provide evidence below which states that your Guildmaster has given you permission to apply for membership. (i.e., chat logs, a sworn statement, etc.)
See Above

Should you join this gathering, please explain how you would be willing to aid in building it's foundation.
I will attend meetings (whenever I can), get as many of my guildies to join as possible, and submit my ideas of how to unite the carribean.

Do you promise to uphold the Pirate Code in these times of establishment, and to work well with your fellow founders to strive toward the ultimate goal of unity?
Yes

[Ofury/ Tom]

What was the problem last time i believe was that we had no clear goal. Everyone was taking the goal a different way and was very confused on what we planned to do. So as a group of guilds what do we plan to do?

[Captain Del]

If I may also make the request, I know there were some issues with people that were NOT guildmasters or Conclave Representatives coming to watch the meetings. With all due respect, I would prefer if the people who did come to the meetings would be Guildmasters and Highest officers only (Co-guildmasters, etc.) be there. This way it is just between the people that are actually in the Conclave. I understand that it is supposed to be a union of all guilds, but we should keep it at just the leaders for numbers sake and to make sure that we don't get a lot of people that shouldn't really be there.

Yes, that is going to be one of our principle initiatives, as usually the involvement of the leader brings in his or her herd as well, per say. In order for a guild to stay as a member of this gathering, the Guildmaster or Highest Ranking Officer(s) of the guild will have to remain regularly active in attending events and meetings. The only reason a representative is needed is so that I have somebody that I can contact easily should any problems arise.

What was the problem last time i believe was that we had no clear goal. Everyone was taking the goal a different way and was very confused on what we planned to do. So as a group of guilds what do we plan to do?

Unlike last time, where the goal of the Conclave was to each of his own, we all have a set, definite goal this time around - to establish a network of guilds that will bring about a stronger, more interactive community for all pirates in the near future. This will on in the form of intermingling across many mediums of communication (as well as a forum site dedicated to this all, which will act as the headquarters/"middle ground") as well as creating a fun environment through many large and diverse events, meant to bring to pirates a sense of a higher purpose.

Also, Tom, I know you wanted me to outline the basic premises of the gathering that will spark all necessary discussion, so I'm going to that right here. Anything that may need to be discussed or devised, you can find a rough draft of below.

Basic Rules - The Future "Pirata Codex"

- Respect your fellow guilds! Pirates are expected to act appropriately around their fellow guilds, regardless of any personal issues you may have against a certain guild, or people within a guild. Any form of fighting, griefing, or other violent actions between two or more guilds may result in all guilds involved being banned or removed from the gathering, regardless of who started the discrepancy. If trouble should arise, it should be reported to me immediately.

- Guilds who join the gathering should remain regularly, if not always active. Joining this gathering should not be seen so much as a privilege as it is an honor, and it should be treated as such. Guilds who join should be regularly active in topic discussion on given sites and forums, as well as at ingame meetings and events. The Guildmasters/Highest Attending Officer(s) of a guild are also expected to regularly be involved! Periods of extended inactivity within the gathering without a valid reason (such as vacations, inner guild problems, etc.) defined by numerous weeks in a row, or sporadic activity, may result in questioning of membership.

- The gathering is not to become subject to political manipulation, agendas, or certain self-righteous goals. If a pirate/guild is suspected of trying to take advantage of membership within the gathering, or certain aspects of their membership, in order to benefit themselves or their guild over others, that pirate and their guild, or that guild in itself, may have it's membership questioned.

- Inner or outer guild disputes should not be carried over in to the boundaries of this court. The space provided for you by this gathering (in the form of forums, ingame meetings, etc.) is to ensure your guild may interact and prosperous alongside your fellow guilds. Causing unnecessary "drama" by leaking personal matters in to the confines of this court may lead your guild's membership become subject to questioning, or reprimandation.

- The disruption of sanctioned events by pirates within a guild may result in the reprimandation or elimination of a guild from the gathering, based on the severeness or continuation of the offense(s.) Guildmaster/Guild Officers are expected to privately yet immediately reprimand pirates who "act out," per say, while avoiding escalation.

- The court reserves the right to question a member guild's morale based on actions, or the actions of their members, outside of the gathering itself, based on evidence of lack of proper behavior around their fellow pirates, or towards fellow pirates. Should a guild be found unfit in terms of upholding an honorable stature, based upon a general consensus among other member guilds, they then maybe be subject to elimination from the gathering.

[Of course, these rules will be more organized and prettied up in terms of when we actually create an official thread, but for now the above GENERAL principles should be discussed. Do not focus on minor details, but instead the overall spectrum of ideas.]

Events

Events will focus on, as I stated above, giving a pirate the sense of community and being, while remaining fun and interactive.

Events will be held on both weekly and monthly bases, which often revolve around games and contests on larger scales, so they can accommodate a large number of pirates (think Feats of Strength Races, Blockades, Fleets, Ship Races, and other hullabaloo.) Events will often reflect what's going on in the Caribbean at the time - for example, if Lord Beckett begins to call out more treasure fleets, we may hold events which focus on plundering and pillaging EITC ships/fleets. We will also, of course, hold various events and parties that reflect holidays, as well as monthly contests/tournaments.

Along with this, guilds within the court are also welcome to and encouraged hold their own events within the court, so long as they do not conflict with official court events/meetings.

Ingame meetings will be held usually on a two-to-three week basis, yet often they will called off if there is simply nothing that needs to be discussed (the one thing I hate is unnecessary meetings.) Meetings may also be sometimes held before an event, as a way to kill two birds with one stone, per say.

Applications for Membership

Right now, the application we plan to use is the one which I posted on the first page of this thread, though changes and edits to it may be on the table if necessary.

After a guild applies, they will be put under a probation period of about 1 month. In this time, they are expected to act as full members of the court, partaking in discussions, attending meetings, and participating in events. Over this time they will be observed in terms of how many members from their guild attends events, how active they are, and overall how they act and interact with others.

At the end of their probationary period, members within the court will be called to vote on their membership. In order for a guild to gain entry, the vote must be an "Aye" from a minimum of 3/4ths of the voting guilds. After the first, preliminary vote, (which does not necessarily count, as it just gives an idea of pre-discussion opinions) the opposing sides of the discussion will voice their opinions, and then vote again.

Leadership/Organization/Roles

Alongside the roles of certain pirates in this court, we may also have certain special roles that need fulfillment:

Keeper of the Code - the basic "overseer" of all going-ons within the court, responsible for managing and organizing events, filing guild applications, keeping order and process over in-game meetings, and overall making sure that everything runs smoothly. Interprets and updates the rules, and makes sure that the guidelines of the court are followed, while making sure there is room for human reasoning. This role will be filled by myself.

Guildmasters/Representatives - the governing body. They are each responsible for their own guild, and are there to voice their opinion in the representation of their guild. They vote on subjects at hand within the court, and make sure that their guild and it's members are happy and enjoying their time within the court.

Scribe - Responsible for keeping records of everything that goes on and is said at meetings. This position may rotate between people each meeting, though it may eventually be decided to be appointed.

Judges/Referees - Will help myself in watching over events to make sure they run smoothly, and in order. These roles will often be asked to be filled when an event arises where they are necessary.

Event Planner - Responsible for formulating and testing ideas for games, events, and contests which may be held in the future of the court. They may also be asked at times to organize an event, and should be creative enough to do so in a fun, interactive, and attractive way. They are also responsible for helping in the execution of an event. *This job will be filled when deemed necessary.*

The Sailmaker(s) - Design/banner creators, event photographers, video creators, and other roles which will be responsible for advertising the court.


And finally, we come to the matter of discussing a name.

I want to try and sticking to the pirate theme, while not coming up with something like "The Conclave II." I myself went cruising a little, and came up with a few possible names:

The Order of the Brethren
Brethren of the Coast
Pirate Council
Pirate Confederation of the Caribbean (a little too long, in my opinion)

My personal favorite is the "Order," though other recommendations and opinions are welcome.

So, please discuss every issue I just brought up. I want everything thought over, so that way we all can go in to this knowing we aren't blind-folded.

[Ofury/ Tom]

It all sounds good to me. I'd like to help out in the creation of our own forums. I have taken a great interest in running and creating sites so I'm getting to learn alot about the coding behind it. I would not be an expert though so I wouldn't be able to code it without someone else helping me . I can most certainly help though. We could called ourselves the PCC (Pirates Confederation of the Caribbean)

[Slasher]

Really do wish I could join. Just afraid that our guild is too small. But I will try to help as much as I can. Especially when we get more members.

Your Main Pirate's Name: Richard Hexbowers
Name of Prospective Guild: The Midnite Clan
Approximate Date of Creation: 'Bout June 14, 2011
Number of Members: 3 ( )

Are you the Guildmaster of the guild seeking membership within this gathering?
Yes.

- If you are not the Guildmaster, please provide evidence below which states that your Guildmaster has given you permission to apply for membership. (i.e., chat logs, a sworn statement, etc.)


Should you join this gathering, please explain how you would be willing to aid in building it's foundation.
I will try my best to be at the meetings, along with sending my fellow GM's. I will try to do what I can in my reaches to help the Conclave..


Do you promise to uphold the Pirate Code in these times of establishment, and to work well with your fellow founders to strive toward the ultimate goal of unity?
I swear the pirates swear that I will xD

[Captain Del]

Size does not necessarily matter, as long as you are prepared to help us work towards uniting the Caribbean. As long as you and your guild are quality pirates, and are dedicated, we should have no problem in taking your crew aboard

[Tiberius Fireskull]

Are we allowed to request a position? Because I would be more than happy to be the Keeper of the Code. And for the name... I have no clue. I'm fine with pretty much any name, honestly. I do like the Order of the Brethren, though. Also, how will you be deciding the little leading Court? Will you allow applications and then choose the people you believe will be fit best, or will it be first come first serve?

[Captain Del]

Are we allowed to request a position? Because I would be more than happy to be the Keeper of the Code. And for the name... I have no clue. I'm fine with pretty much any name, honestly. I do like the Order of the Brethren, though. Also, how will you be deciding the little leading Court? Will you allow applications and then choose the people you believe will be fit best, or will it be first come first serve?

For the time being, with the size of the court and all, I will serve as the lone Keeper - of course, as time goes on and we grow, I will look for others to help.

I'll be looking over all the applications, but a little less hard on them, so I can help set up a main base of members. Once we start this all up officially, we will then begin a much more extensive membership course.

Also, please remember that once this court begins, the base members will NOT serve as a higher court - we will all be on an equal level. All they have that is special is the respect of helping found this association.

[Captain Sharktooth]

I'll sign up for a position... when the time comes. I'd be happy being the Scribe.

[andyspins]

Question: Do the first few guilds that join have to be on probation? You cant't really vote without members mate.

Name I like: I like the Council one and the Confederation one.

Job I Would Like: I'm a GM, but I'd like to be a judge first, and a video maker second, but I am very bad at banners. If I can't get a job I want thats ok (these are requests of course NOT demands)

Idea: What if we had a recruitment center, all members put in tags of what their guild is like (example: easy going, strict, easy promotions, large, etc.) and people wanting a guild can go and reveiw it to find the guild that is best for them, but only on the forum, so people dont lose recruits in-game.

Also please forgive my guild if at first event attendence is sparce, we recently restarted and aren't very organized yet, but thats my (more than) two cents.

[Chris Ironhawk]

Originally Posted by Ofury/ Tom

It all sounds good to me. I'd like to help out in the creation of our own forums. I have taken a great interest in running and creating sites so I'm getting to learn alot about the coding behind it. I would not be an expert though so I wouldn't be able to code it without someone else helping me . I can most certainly help though. We could called ourselves the PCC (Pirates Confederation of the Caribbean)

I prefer not to code sites for this, mainly because that is too much work to put into something like this... I would be more than happy to Admin a site with you. I admin the site for the Sorcerors, too. I prefer to use SMF, because it is free, and we have things to start off with. I have experience with them, as well. We can start the site as soon as we have a name.

As far as the site goes, we would leave it for open registering for all members of the Court, but we would have restricted sections for the Reps.

Also, we need no more than three Admins, so Del, you and I should be enough. We shall begin as soon as we have a name approved.

Del, all of this is alright with you, yes?

[Captain Del]

Guilds who sign up before the official launch will not go through a probation stage, but instead will be watched personally by myself to see if they are fit to stay in here. After this all starts up officially, the registration process I gave above will begin.

And yes, Chris. I'm very familiar with SMF, and I know that it's very easy to use and organize, so I would be comfortable with that as our forum choice. However, we need to realize this site must be customizable (I want a site that would be able to relatively circle around a "pirate" theme) and ready to fit dozens of pirates, so perhaps you and Tom should discuss in private which type of forum would be able to fit these needs, and then tell me when you both have made a decision.

And please remember to voice your opinion on a name ASAP, as we really need to get that done if we want to start this up.