[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.