User: jamiecotc Date: 2008-03-06 11:23 Subject: Moving Forward Security: Public

First of all, apologies for the down time.  First it was the busy schedule and then I fell under the weather.  So very sorry.

There have been some very good ideas waved around the forums about getting the Order back online and into the real world.  So, let's discuss what it is exactly we want to do and then do it.  See you at the forums.

Thank you and take care,

(Sir) Jamie

User: jamiecotc Date: 2008-01-01 23:48 Subject: Welcome to the New Year! Security: Public

It's a brand new year and hopefully, a brand new start for the Order of the Knights of Jubal. Our conclave is nearly a month old and many decisions were made that will affect us all in the new year. All the goals I stated in the last post have been addressed, with some being acted upon within the last month. First of all, we, the Knights of the Order, have decided to keep the KOJ going ... obviously. We also now have a main communications hub, a whole new KOJ Forum. Please stop by, even if you want to lurk a while. We also have branched out into the social networking scene.

Along with the Forum and this LJ we also have a KOJ Facebook account and a KOJ MySpace page. These new accounts are primarily for advertising the group. Special announcements will be made in this KOJ Community Blog, which is also on this main page, but our main discussion arena is the KOJ Forums.

There has been one main casualty in that we did decide to delete the Yahoo Group.  It was a good idea at the time, but the internet has evolved so much in the last two years that we decided to go in new directions.  A moment of silence, please. 

The last conclave we had before this last one, it was decided to raise Timber Bram to the level of Knight Grand Cross.  That act, so belated, has finally been carried out.  Timber Bram was the heart and soul of the Order.  I hope we can all follow his example and a kind and just soul and kick this Order back in gear. 

Finally, there are discussions on the forum as I type this on means to make this Order more than just virtual.  Please stop by the forum and give us your ideas.  I thank you all.

Happy New Year!!

User: jamiecotc Date: 2007-08-25 14:39 Subject: Issues for the Conclave Security: Public

Hopefully within the next month or so the Knights of the Order of Jubal will be able to have its first conclave in several years. Presently, there are several issues we need to tackle and while the conclave will only consist of existing Knights, I want the Order as a whole to have a say. Therefore I'm posting some key questions and issues the Knights should discuss.

The following questions are fundamental to the Order. In other words, most all further discussion depends on the answer of these two key questions.

1. Do we really want to restart/continue the KOJ?

2. If so, where do we go from here? What exactly to we want to accomplish with the KOJ?

Assuming the answer to #1 is yes, here are some other issues to consider. Some are more clerical in nature, but no less important.

1. We need a main communications hub. The Keenspot forums have served this purpose for years with the Yahoo Club serving as a secondary hub for more philosophical discussions. In an attempt to revive the Order I created a KOJ facebook and Livejournal. Should we keep the Keenspot forum as the main communications hub, move it to one of the new locations or create a new central forum?

2. Should inactive CIs and KIs be removed from the KOJ roster?

3. The elevation of Companions to Knighthood and beyond. I'm not sure if we ever came up with a fair and concrete system for elevating a CI to a KI. Should elevation be based on deeds, reputation, character, how they help the Order or all of the above? I do recall that our main problem was the burden of proof. How do we know this person is of good character, etc? Nevertheless a fair and workable system must be put in place.

4. Should we draft a constitution? In other words, should we have one specific page where we simply list all the rules and principles of the Order?

5. Do we need a Myspace account? I'll refrain from giving out my personal opinion on Myspace and just say that its power to reach people is unmatched by any other social network.

6. The elevation of current members to higher rank within the Order. I feel there are certain members of the Order who need to be recognized, CIs as well as KIs.

7. Cells within the Order. One of the core problems of the Order was how does it effect real life? Right before things kind of crashed the idea of Cells came into being. The idea, originally proposed by Rei, had cells being separate entities made of Companions within a local area effecting their community in some positive way. The idea is just and profound and workable, but it is also difficult. The truth of the matter is that promoting principles of any kind on the internet is easy, but in the real world it becomes a challenge. Therefore this question needs to be asked. Should we effect real life or do we want to remain a virtual community that simply upholds our principles by our own private acts? I think we can achieve both, but as it has been said, it's tough in the real world. For a overview on the whole matter of KOJ Cells, please see this thread in the KOJ Keenspot forums.

8. Finally, if anyone else has any questions or issues which need to be raised, please let me know.

And that's it. Thanks and take care,

(Sir) Jamie, KCI in the Order of the Knights of Jubal
Probi Immotiqve Este: Be virtuous and cool. PIQE.

User: jamiecotc Date: 2007-08-24 12:37 Subject: KOJ Roster has been updated. Security: Public

The KOJ Roster has been updated. There are many other names to add, but this will take time. to see the added names, go here.  Click HERE to view the updated roster.  If you see your name here and wish it removed, I will do so.

User: jamiecotc Date: 2007-08-22 13:33 Subject: Goals for KOJ Security: Public Mood: hopeful

Below are a list of goals I have set for KOJ. Some of them have already been accomplished while others are still a long ways away.

Short term goals

Get Website back up. (done)
Revive Yahoo Group. (done)
Advertise group a little. (done)
contact old members. (done)
Establish other KOJ communities ala Livejournal, facebook, etc. (done)
Have a conclave.
Elevate certain members.


Long term goals

Update roster.
Recruit new members.
Establish credible methods for CIs to rise in rank within the Order. 
Get Cells activated.

User: jamiecotc Date: 2007-08-22 01:09 Subject: Regrouping Security: Public Mood: sleepy

I'm going to give it a shot at regrouping the KOJ. I've gained some experience in cat herding ... er, people management in the past couple of years, so I'm going to give this another go. Step one was to rebuild the website. You can find that HERE: http://ivbalis.com/

Anyway, we'll give it a try and see what we come up with.