An honours system for participation

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Estimadâs és estimats cüncitaxhiêns:

This Government is concerned about how we can encourage participation in Talossan culture and state. Accordingly, earlier this month I sent this email to the King:

Sir:

I have made it one of the priorities of my government to increase engagement of new citizens in Talossa. We are getting far too many newcomers who never actually get around to doing anything in this Kingdom. Meanwhile, important work is not done for lack of staffing.

Given this, I have I wonder whether you would see your way fit to establishing a new Order of Knighthood to encourage civic participation. Not that I want to cheapen the idea of a chivalric order, but I'm thinking of something which is more like a Scout merit badge system, in that various forms of participation would be rewarded with "points", and enough points could get you - say - "Member", "Officer" or "Commander" rank in such an order. Something like - 5 points for participating in a Provincial legislature, 20 points for becoming a Royal Civil Service Officer, 10 points for completing a Talossan language course, etc etc.

Please get back to me quickly as to whether you think such a course of action would be appropriate and effective, and we can discuss the details if you're interested.


restéu voastra,

la seneschál

As I'm sure the King would be the first to tell you, titles of nobility (which would probably include chivalric orders, given Talossan tradition) are his constitutional prerogative, so I considered it sensible to ask him first before taking steps to make this happen.

The King has not responded to my email, like he did not respond to my emails for comment during the time R. Ben Madison was reapply for citizenship, so I can only assume he's on holiday. But I know it's a "talking point" of the Opposition that my Government is inactive. Despite the bad-faith nature of such accusations, I think it's best to make this discussion a national one at this point.

Comments? Questions?

[Ian Plätschisch]

I am not opposed to having different levels of a new order (and indeed the concept of "merit badges" sounds not unlike the idea for honors in the AMP manifesto), although I am a bit concerned about the prospect of awards being based on points. Talossa is not a game show; even if the aim is to give more people some level of award, it would be better to do so in a more subjective and individual manner.

[Iac Marscheir]

Externalizing the motivation to participate feels a little wrong to me, but intrinsic motivation is a little too rare a resource to sustain a country.

[Audrada Rôibeardét]

I'm not sure such a system would work. Sure, people would want points or badges at the beginning but I doubt people would stick around just to grind for XP. If they wanted to do that, they could play a video game.

However, as always, (say it with me)...

"If it's the will of the people, I'll support it."

[King John]

Jun 24, 2019 15:43:13 GMT -6 Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN said:

Estimadâs és estimats cüncitaxhiêns:

This Government is concerned about how we can encourage participation in Talossan culture and state. Accordingly, earlier this month I sent this email to the King:

Sir:

I have made it one of the priorities of my government to increase engagement of new citizens in Talossa. We are getting far too many newcomers who never actually get around to doing anything in this Kingdom. Meanwhile, important work is not done for lack of staffing.

Given this, I have I wonder whether you would see your way fit to establishing a new Order of Knighthood to encourage civic participation. Not that I want to cheapen the idea of a chivalric order, but I'm thinking of something which is more like a Scout merit badge system, in that various forms of participation would be rewarded with "points", and enough points could get you - say - "Member", "Officer" or "Commander" rank in such an order. Something like - 5 points for participating in a Provincial legislature, 20 points for becoming a Royal Civil Service Officer, 10 points for completing a Talossan language course, etc etc.

Please get back to me quickly as to whether you think such a course of action would be appropriate and effective, and we can discuss the details if you're interested.


restéu voastra,

la seneschál

As I'm sure the King would be the first to tell you, titles of nobility (which would probably include chivalric orders, given Talossan tradition) are his constitutional prerogative, so I considered it sensible to ask him first before taking steps to make this happen.

The King has not responded to my email, like he did not respond to my emails for comment during the time R. Ben Madison was reapply for citizenship, so I can only assume he's on holiday. But I know it's a "talking point" of the Opposition that my Government is inactive. Despite the bad-faith nature of such accusations, I think it's best to make this discussion a national one at this point.

Comments? Questions?

Estimada Seneschal, I received neither email. The only email I've gotten from you recently was the announcement of the Survey Monkey survey, and that must have been auto-sent from a list of emails provided to Survey Monkey. I'm guessing you have my email address wrong. The best address to use is [e-mail].

Text messages to 303.877.2763 reach me very quickly and reliably, as well.

— John R

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Jul 1, 2019 11:11:33 GMT -6 King John said:

Estimada Seneschal, I received neither email. The only email I've gotten from you recently was the announcement of the Survey Monkey survey, and that must have been auto-sent from a list of emails provided to Survey Monkey. I'm guessing you have my email address wrong. The best address to use is [e-mail].

That is precisely where I sent the last two emails, dated 4 June and 12 June. All I can imagine is that you have an overenthusiastic spam trap. Thanks for the text number, I'll use it when I need an urgent response.

Now... about the idea of an honours system for participation!

[King John]

Well, that's unfortunate. I checked spam, and checked the trash in case I'd deleted them accidentally, and the messages just aren't here. Bah. Computers.

It strikes me as a very good idea, for the Kingdom to somehow recognize (gratefully) civic participation. My first thought is that it might be better to have some kind of Seneschal's medals, or have the Ziu give awards, rather than do it by Chivalric Orders. But I'm not sure; let's think about this.

One possible problem with a point-system might be to de-emphasize modes of involvement to which we haven't assigned point-values. Hmmm.

— John R

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Jul 1, 2019 16:34:13 GMT -6 King John said:

Seneschal's medals

Oooh, I like that one for obvious reasons

[Iac Marscheir]

Jul 1, 2019 16:34:13 GMT -6 King John said:

One possible problem with a point-system might be to de-emphasize modes of involvement to which we haven't assigned point-values. Hmmm.

Let us hope, then, that relatively high point-values are assigned to activities related to el glheþ dels Talossaes.

[Þon Txoteu É. Davinescu]

Canada has a great set of Honours Development guidelines that make sure the Honours System is throughly thought out. First step is to form a committee to develop the Order. I would humbly like to volunteer to Chair such committee as this has been the other big passion of mine since joining Talossa.

- Davinescu

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Jul 3, 2019 22:46:40 GMT -6 Þon Txoteu É. Davinescu said:

Canada has a great set of Honours Development guidelines that make sure the Honours System is throughly thought out. First step is to form a committee to develop the Order. I would humbly like to volunteer to Chair such committee as this has been the other big passion of mine since joining Talossa.

I am happy to put you in charge of developing guidelines for the awards of Seneschál's Medals for Participation in Talossa.

[Iac Marscheir]

Were such a committee to have an advocate for language-related honors, may my future self be considered?

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

Jul 4, 2019 0:28:20 GMT -6 Iac Marscheir said:

Were such a committee to have an advocate for language-related honors, may my future self be considered?

Sure, go nuts