State of the Clan Address, 2009

::bow::

My Fellow Members,

First, I would like to thank you all for the hospitality, patience and loyalty you have shown me for the greater majority of a year. When I first took the mantle of Clan Plagueis Consul, I took it with great trepidation and awe. For me - personally - it was a step away from my comfort zone. A step into my tumultuous past, with risks and rewards that ran at a staggeringly high level not only for myself, but the fate of the Clan. Honestly, I was not sure I was up to the task of breaking new ground and forging a new era in the Clan's history.

Though, I eagerly accepted, it was not without pause. Clan Plagueis has - for me, personally - been a battlefield where I have both grown and overstepped my bounds... many times. So we take each day as it comes, start each week fresh, and I lean on my leadership team to keep me honest and ambitious. And I am proud to have the leaders and role models we have.

In the past year we have done so much, but there is so much more yet to be done. The Clan Prospectus was completely retooled and is awaiting even more changes concerning the Military, Planets, etc. Our identity shifted from a loose-ended idea of working in the shadows into a military government that seized Jusadih by force militarily and economically. Soon there will be changes that bring this realization to life on a day-to-day basis within the Clan. Where your feats not only earn you promotions and awards, but status within the Clan hierarchy.

And still, there are other ideas and proposals to be made, created and implemented for the betterment of our Clan. With that in mind, I challenge each of you to find areas of our Clan that need improvement, think of ways to revolutionize pre-existing ideas and challenge the thinking of the leadership. Only when you give voice to your ideas will they have a chance at growing into something more than the whisper of a dream. Dream no longer, dare to succeed where no one else has or others have fallen short.

::pause::

I doubt I can articulate the challenges our leadership team encounters on a daily, weekly and monthly basis. I demand so much out of them that it is not rare or uncommon to see a dramatic amount of turnover at the position. They are expected to deliver weekly contact to their members, track activity, report, work on projects, remain active, run competitions, mentor and assist the aspiring... the list goes on. The fact that several of them have remained vigilant for a prolonged amount of time only speaks of their desire to see the Clan and the Brotherhood succeed.

That is why I want to thank Cipher, Callus, Famosus, Jonaleth, Godo, Strats, Julius, Derev, Rilkel, Kal, Quejo and Alex for their tenures in this past year. Each forged new ground and brought new ideas to the forefront of the Clan. They challenged the preconceived notions I held, arguing their ideas on merit and succeeding in their goals of creating a better Clan. While their tenures have concluded, they should be honored. They stepped forward and served the Brotherhood.

We should also not forget those whom are still standing. Raise your glasses for Yzarc, Alaris, Warhunter, Ralph, Vivackus and Cethgus. Each of them held a major role in our Clan and they will continue to serve at the request of their Consul. However, we will be seeing some differences in the Command Staff moving forward. These changes are not meant as a reflection against anyone, but are a scenario that, I hope, deliver the best chance for success within the Clan.

In an effort to stabilize both Houses, I am appointing Yzarc Rellik Kaeth to House Exar Kun Quaestor and Warhunter Arwan to House Satal Keto Quaestor. Both of them are savvy, veteran leaders whom will solidify our House command staffs and have excellent communication and work skills. To assist in the day-to-day efforts of Exar Kun and Satal Keto, Ralph Vundu and Vivackus Kavon will be assuming the duties of Aedile, respectively.

To fill the void of my right-hand, Alaris will have the challenge of attempting to fill the shoes of Yzarc as Proconsul of Clan Plagueis. He has served admirably within Clan Plagueis for the better part of a year and is eager to expand his skill set. Additionally, with the resignation of Quejo due to the madness of issues away from the computer... I am in need of a new Clan Roll Master. For those of you unfamiliar with the role, let me explain it. This individual is directly in control of our new member progression and the mentorship of others. They have to work continually without praise or accolades, but have - perhaps - the greatest impact on how we develop. When Quejo resigned, there was only one choice for this position. It is with great honor I appoint Cethgus into the Clan Summit.

What do all of these changes mean? This, in conjunction with a return to the basics, means that we are going to give the Clan its best year in 2009. From the drop of the ball to New Year's Eve of 2010... you are going to get our best. The Clan Leadership has undertaken an oath to execute their duties and we have established a surefire method of tracking their commitment. Be patient as we each settle into our new roles, but demand nothing less than perfection from us.

We serve for the benefit of the Clan. If we are not upholding our duties, remind us that we took an oath to serve. Yet, I urge each of you to remember that behind these leader's personas they have families, school, work and other considerations that must come before the Brotherhood, at times. So encourage them to succeed, do not plot against them.

::pause::

Expectations. Each of us has personal and group goals. We all want to get promoted, earn that next big award, get the respect of our fellow members, mentor an apprentice... we all have an inclination to succeed. And 2009 will be no different for Clan Plagueis.

No, I am not going to demean the spirit of success by saying we have to be "First Clan" or X, Y, Z. Our focus, like the year before, remains on participation. Our entire club is built upon the premise that people will trade time, money and effort for the experience that is the Dark Jedi Brotherhood. And we will honor the effort members put in by awarding them their due medals and promotions... in turn, we will honor the work leaders put in by participating in their competitions and representing them - by participating - in large events. Like... say... the Great Jedi War.

I'm not asking for you to win every event in the Brotherhood this year. I am merely asking that you reciprocate the love and respect you have for your friends in the Clan by giving what you can to the effort; participate as much as you can when your Clan needs you the most. There are very few times where your clan will need you to win, but they need you - everyday - to contribute to the activity... be it a post on the clan forum, a conversation on IRC or a clutch submission to a major competition.

Long story short... This year, honor your fellow members by actively participating. We are striving to have the most active unit in the club. We want our Battle Teams to dominate events, we want our Houses to be cohesive, we want our Clan to be the most active. Those are not lofty goals, they only require that each of us puts forth just a little bit more.

Clan Plagueis, Together wE Achieve More.

:;pause::

I want to thank anyone that made it this far into the State of the Clan Address. You deserve kudos for hearing me out in all of my long-winded glory. 2008 was a good year, 2009 can be a phenomenal year. We all just have to work together towards those ends.

One final note before I depart. I am awarding the Clan Honorific, the title of di Plagia, unto Prelate Yzarc Rellik Kaeth. By no means did Yzarc have to step down from Proconsul, he is a tremendous asset to my team and me, personally. He made his move to help settle what some had begun to cry was a pot about to simmer over. That dedication is not missed and does not go without reward. Congratulations, Yzarc.

Servant of the Brotherhood,

Braecen Kaeth

Consul of Clan Plagueis

Safeguarder of Sheep

Braecen Kaeth (Dark Side Adept) / CON-EP / Clan Plagueis

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