The Silver Sash is one of the most distinguishing achievements in the Brotherhood. It is given out once a year and normally only to those who have proven themselves to be as selfless and loyal as they are productive. For the recipient, it is just a token their modesty barely allows them to acknowledge. For the club, it is the ultimate recognition of one who has gone above and beyond all his peers in his efforts to better the place we call the Dark Brotherhood.
The Silver Sash is our MVP award. It goes to the one member working constantly for the betterment of those around him without whom we would be hard pressed. This year, without hesitation and with much excitement, I get to recognize my friend and colleague, Solari.
Many know him as the Headmaster. His work on the Shadow Academy is as obvious as it is ground-breaking. But for those who bear the Sash, who truly warrant it, simply doing "their job" is in now way enough. Solari is the type of member whose toil and effort on behalf of the rest of us forecasts his own success months or even years ahead of time. Simply, I knew Solari would get this award nearly a year ago.
His work on The Dark Crusade was nothing short of tireless. Another Headmaster could simply have sat back and gone along for the ride, but in Solari we found not just a Dark Councilor helping out here and there, but another event organizer. A logistician crunching numbers and making things work. Solari was easily my go-to man for TDC. Without him I would not want to face another event of that magnitude. The entire DC was outstanding, but it was clear from the start that Solari was simply operating on another level.
Whether he was he helping me pore over Novae awards and spread sheets to ensure we got them all right or organizing our submissions grading to maximize our efficiency and grading timeliness, Solari was simply everywhere at once. Without him we would not have gotten everything done as well as we did or as quickly.
All the while bear in mind he was the Headmaster. Constantly introducing new content, improved courses, and more efficient means of running the popular Shadow Academy. Solari never let one duty divert him from the other. He simply made time for all and all of us.
So he's a workhorse. Got it. But what really set Solari apart in my mind was not just his work ethic, but his attitude. All the work. All the strain. All the push-back. I've never heard a negative word from Solari on any of it. Simply: What needs to get done? Then he does it. We have had members who do a lot of a work. We have had members who have great attitudes. Seldom have we seen one combine the two so effortlessly and be such a pleasure to work with. Seldom have we seen one as selfless and dedicated as my friend Solari.
But when we do see it, we recognize it. And that recognition comes in the form of the Silver Sash. It is my absolute pleasure to award Solari with one of the highest honors our little club can bestow.
Kiwi, for your work, your dedication, and most of all your outstanding and always positive attitude, please accept this Silver Sash on behalf of a grateful club and a very grateful DGM.
Congratulations and well deserved.
-Raken, Deputy Grand Master
Over the past year Solari has revolutionized the Shadow Academy. Most notably bringing the Shadow Academy Society online, and renewing interest of the Club's members in an aspect of the Club which had, prior to his tenure as Headmaster, been starting to fade. In addition to this under his watch multiple courses were added to the Shadow Academy which had new and lasting value, specifically ones related to the use of Markdown for writing reports. Solari has brought the Shadow Academy from the ashes into a valuable tool for all members, both new and veterans.
While many would be content to relax with this significant success Solari did not. When the recruitment Tribune position opened he demonstrated the selflessness to step away from a Dark Council spot to take on this key position in our Club's future. While a bright future lays before this Club, with the new Star Wars movies starting to arrive in the next year, with Solari running the recruitment office we can all rest easy knowing that these opportunities to recruit new members will not be wasted.
Well done Solari! You have more than earned this Silver Sash!
-Valhavoc, Fist of the Brotherhood
I didn't envy the person that would receive Headmaster last time, knowing that it was a huge job ahead of them to go far above and beyond previous ones and really make the SA into something that could benefit the whole club. Solari accomplished this and more. He was also relentless as a member of the Recruitment team, constantly pouring a stream of DB information to social media to attract the attention of the current and oncoming flurry of new SW fans. Generating followers is a long term process, one that cannot be done overnight and must be kept up constantly to retain followers as well garner new ones. Solari also did this, never wavering in the campaign, something that I know firsthand is hard to do day after day.
Since he became HM I've gotten to know him a lot more, and I can confidently say that as a person Solari is one of the most helpful people in the club. Even before I became a Praetor and Herald he was always around to give an opinion or find an answer to something or just simply there to talk to. Solari has been a wonderful asset for the DB and I for one will miss him as Headmaster but I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes as Tribune. Good luck, and thank you!
~Socorra, Herald
Solari is one who I admire. His devotion to the work is inspiring. He never grandstands, he never even draws attention to the work he does, and there is plenty to point out. He has been nothing short of stellar as Headmaster, and I am extremely pleased that we have the good fortune to have him at the helm of our recruitment efforts going forward. But the work is not all we are looking at here. What is equally impressive is his demeanor, his humility, and his drive.
His humility elevates the work he does beyond mere tasks. For him, this is a passion. This is a labor of love. 'It's not about the pixels' has been a recurring theme on the Dark Council, and it is with Solari that it seems to be held most true.
Honestly, I feel that I could write for pages about the man. But this would be a disservice. It would seem to be counter to his goals, paying lip service to a man who cares naught for speeches and grandiose recognition. He would tell me that I would be better off spending my time on some other project. So instead, I offer earnest thanks and an acknowledgement that the brotherhood is indeed better for his involvement. That much, I feel, he would think as enough for him.
From a grateful Brotherhood, a thankful Dark Council, and an appreciative Grand Master, please accept our thanks and this token of our esteem.
~Muz Ashen, Dark Lord of the Sith
Lord Muz Ashen Keibatsu, 2014-04-14 02:30:55 UTC