Brickton District Meeting #21

December 27th, 2014

Lords: N/A

Squires: N/A

Elders:

Elder Ender

Elder Madiso

Elder Penguin

Mediator: Block_Parser

Scribe: Niblexis

Block_Parser: Thank you all for coming to this special edition of the Brickton Town Meeting.

This one will be a bit different and it's not just the location, the Elders and myself will be talking as little as possible.

We only have one topic on the agenda.

We are here to listen to Brickton, over the last couple weeks, things have seeemd a bit off.

What we want to do here, is try and learn and change for the best, so, we want to hear your complaints.

We want to hear what other districts do better.

We want to make sure people feel involved, so suggestions for that would also be very welcome.

Also, if you feel you can't talk about something in this big group. Please find someone to talk to individually after. It is important everything gets out.

I think we are ready, so who wants to start?

Schacherl: I just want to say that while emotions are high, I believe I can speak on behalf of many Bricktonites that we have no lasting hard feelings toward those who have left.

Sometimes you just gotta get some air. I just wanted to set the tone so it isn't against our resigned Eldeers, who are some fine people.

computerdude05: Something that I think we should add is a day or two where someone posts a letter for ideas that we could talk about in the meeting.

Block_Parser: Like on the Letterpresss?

computerdude05: Yes.

Block_Parser: Yes, I have fallen off doing that. But I do think it is important.

Ok, so I think I would like to get one or two more people involved as a mod on the Letterpress. It could help keeping that a place where people can discuss things.

DraonEye: The Council is not communicating with the community, enough, and the community is not bringing issues to the Council often enough.

Block_Parser: Agreed.

DraonEye: Communication should be one of the front and foremost things, and Brickton has been slacking.

The Liaison was a good idea, but poorly executed.

Have someone who is both familiar with the Council and community, and who is well known.

Block_Parser: The Liaisons should not be a replacement for the Elders. If it looks that way, it is a failure for sure. So many Elders thought that many people weren't coming to them. So the hope was to give another avenue.

Lucretia23: I'm not sure what problems Elders are supposed to address?

Block_Parser: Remember, the Elders have no real power above anyone else.

Schacherl: Elders should be representatives to Roamin, in my opinion.

DraonEye: If I may add, the Elders were created to solve issues within the community.

Scarlet_Lily: Originally, the Elders were people to help organize a few things.

Block_Parser: Personally, I think more people should make up reasons to get involved with the Elders. This job is pretty boring when it is just planning the weekly meeting.

Mason97m: If it's so boring, why are Elders leaving over stress?

Block_Parser: You know, it could just be a silly thing.

Schacherl: How are we supposed to resolve infighting when we aren't aware of it?

Lucretia23: Elders can reach out to us, too.

Block_Parser: For example, I think the Elders should reach out ot Jon and other people helping with the poison stuff.

Schacherl: It did seem to me that Jon did lead the poison response.

Mason97m: So with the private meetings, is it all that necessary? Couldn't the community give valuable input?

Block_Parser: They are usually just setting the agenda for the main meeting. But I can see why it could turn people off.

Schacherl: It's probably the words "private meeting", bit off-putting. Kinda like when the Elders requested a private meeting with Roamin that one time. Afterwards, it became apparent that it was about making the Town Hall bigger and better, which hasn't come to pass.

Mason97m: Drove me insane.

Block_Parser: Yeah, nothing happened and it lasted like five minutes.

Schacherl: Okay, so, I think what seems to be the issue at the core of this is that people are frustrated that there isn't much RP in Brickton these days. The ones who want to RP tend to become the Elders.

Block_Parser: That is why I really like the poison response stuff.

Mason97m: I don't know if I can agree, most of the Elders seem to RP about the same as others.

DraonEye: If I may add, the poison response stuff is fun to do. I enjoy making the suits and updating them.

xDerpyDo: Why does Brickton need a Council?

Block_Parser: Everything on the server is for RP

Block_Parser: I think we should try and write stories, create storylines.

Lucretia23: Yes, we need more stories.

Schacherl: We shouldn't have to depend on the Lords for this, especially since they prove themselves unable to meet our demands.

Science_Friction: People should take initiative to create their own RP, otherwise LoM becomes a normal plot server. I have a tiny OOC issue to address.

I kinda feel like the poison RP got kinda stale after day two. Having experience as a roleplayer, I can say one of the worst things is forced RP.

DraonEye: Rob really has kinda forced us to do RP, and even then, he made it super hasty. And it's become pretty stale after day two, like Science said.

Niblexis: I'd like to address the horrible, horrible RP.

Block_Parser: I think the one thing that could help is to have more fun stuff at meetings in general. Meetings can be dry announcements. So more fun and communication, I think.

PikkulintuMae: I think a smaller meeting on Wednesday that would be really informal would be good.

Block_Parser: Mason?

Mason97m: Ok, two things. First, don't attack the Elders that left. But leaving, not the best way to solve issues. Take it up to the community, do something like this. But up and leaving? Possibly one of the last options. Second. More of a discussion. This group/cliquey stuff has been mentioned.

Schacherl: I feel like cliques are just a part of RP and a part of human-ness. You hang out with people who are like you, and who want to do what you want to do.

Mason97m: It caused people to think of themselves as outsiders. That in itself has proven to be good RP. But overall, it hurts the community.

Schacherl: Obviously, we can't be inclusive and make everyone an Elder.

Mason97m: But it seems that everyone in this group of people is in fact an Elder.

Niblexis: I'm not.

Mason97m: I'd disagree, at least that's how I saw things.

Niblexis: Mason, I'd like for you to explain your view. Everybody has cliques, just because a certain one has popular people does not mean that it is automatically exclusive. It means you ought' to try and befriend them. How do you think I got in? Being popular? I just talked to them one day and shoe-horned myself in.

Block_Parser: Ok, so everyone should just be more aware of this. But we can't all be friends with everyone. There is not enough time in the day.

mra626: Some kind of event may work.

Block_Parser: Mason is definitely trying to help us all with that. Ninjaguy should be starting up stuff too.

Scarlet_Lily: Okay, well. I have been wondering for a while, and especially this meeting. Why do we need Elders if we can have meetings like this? No cap, free for discussions. That makes much more sense, does it not? On top of that, it allows others to bring up issues and such.

Block_Parser: I thought about this too, but we need some structure or things go out of control.

Scarlet_Lily: We don't really need more than just a Scribe and Mediator. Because this way, we actually RP more.

Block_Parser: Elders are mostly just rotating Mediators.

Scarlet_Lily: Then what's the point in calling them Council members?

Block_Parser: Isn't that just a name, semantics?

Scarlet_Lily: Council members usually decide things. But so far, the Council hasn't really decided much. Mediators make sure the meeting goes smoothly, not take it over with announcements that we need to make up. Sometimes there is not much to say, let others speak, so far this meeting has been interesting.

I actually pay attention to this meeting much more than others, and that says something.

So, I ask again, why do we need Elders?

DraonEye: To help solve problems that involve the community as a whole.

Block_Parser: Would anyone like to add onto this topic?

xDerpyDo: I think one or two mediators and a scribe would honestly be alright. I don't think a complete council that promotes elitism really helps anybody, anyway.

Block_Parser: Ok, we should move on, but I would like people to continue thinking about this issue.

computerdude05: Why don't we have just three Elders, or three mediators, and after every meeting they stay after the meeting.

Block_Parser: Honestly, that is probably how next week will be.

Ok, so let me try and do quick epilogue here.

Nothing rash is going to be done right away, so I would like us to keep talking about things. Please come to the three Elders or anyone else with concerns quickly. I will make places in Town Hall for suggestions so we can keep the conversation going. I don't want this to be the end of this conversation.

Again, thank you all for coming. It means a lot for you to come and help us through this time.

I will end the meeting now, but CPO has something to say, so let's listen to that before we go.

cpo98: Ok, so, I have had a lot of thought. I decided it would be great to have a portal to the meetings. So, I was wondering, would anyone like to donate some gold so we can rent the portal every meeting?

Mason97m: We are pretty much right outside the Brickton portal.

cpo98: I know, but like when we do a cross district meeting somewhere it would be great.

Schacherl: Sure we could rent the mall portal, if we want randies sauntering in on our meeting, asking what's going on.

Lucretia23: Yeah, this meeting was an exception, because of the crisis.

cpo98: Thank you for listening.

Block_Parser: Drive safe!