I'm heading into this without having a really solid plan for how to write it (which is generally not good for brevity). I think I've always hoped I'd pass this position along. Passing the Amyrlin Seat means that what we've created has gotten big enough to exist without my personality and pushing behind it. I've held this Seat for a decade. This place has moved from a small tongue-in-cheek website to a non-profit corporation. My passing of the stole is not indicative of a failure; it indicates rather that we've been here a long time and we are not going away in the forseeable future. I have had the honor of leading this community for over a decade (indeed, for pretty much most of my adult life). I think that must be a significantly large enough amount of time to do what I can do to the best of my ability. That being done, this community is full of unbelievably talented individuals who have both a strong and personal understanding of our history as well as a fresh vision and unfettered idealism for our future.
According to our best practices, the Amyrlin Seat should give approximately 1 year's notice. It is my intention to have the stole passed on at 11th Anni (which hasn't been decided and announced yet). The Keeper position recently transferred with about 4- 5 months, and it felt hurried. It is my understanding that we will be opening up the application process as soon as we reasonably can (we still have some Board of Director's meetings to get through to figure out our approach to this. We have not done it before). Our goal, I think, is to allow a 6 - 9 month transition/training period. I think it is worth noting that a lot of my work cannot be easily documented by a list of responsabilities. Your next Amyrlin has people to meet and will need to establish relationships in a much shorter amount of time than I had. I want to give him/her as much chance for success as I can.
And yes. The position of Amyrlin is not (cannot) segregated by gender. We legally cannot do that as we're set up, nor should we. As for the required qualifications? I don't know yet. This is something else we need to figure out in our next Board Meeting. I think it is safe to say that it will be more stringent that the requirements for Keeper, will require a significant time spent as a member, and significant time spent as a Sr. Member. I think that experience in several departments and previous leadership experience within our community will be required. Personally, though..... off the top of my head I can think of several people who would be exceptional in carrying on the torch. I feel incredibly blessed that we have such people.
I am, btw, asking the Board on Monday to not make people who wrote in for Keeper completely redo their application if they wish to be considered for Amyrlin. That said, I am only one of three votes. Moreover, Amyrlin is a very different position from Keeper... so even if you applied, you might consider reworking it.
Speaking of Keepers, my one regret out of this is not being able to work longer with Leora Sedai. She is exceptional, and I am glad I get to work with her a bit before I retire. She was chosen, though, with the understanding that I would likely not be her only partner in crime during her term. We want to give the new Amyrlin and the new Keeper time to form a strong working relationship. In all honesty, the timing is right to turn over my position.
As for me? The extent of my future will be determined by the Board of Directors meeting next week. I think we'll get through the most of it early next week. I will be passing on the Amyrlin Seat/CEO position. I will likely be staying on the Board. I intend to remain on executive staff as an advisor, though how that will work has not yet even been discussed. I am, though, and always will be the founder of TarValon.Net. I like that.
I'll always have a place here, and I will always be a unique part of it. I will always work towards our success.
When I took on the ring and lost my initial coin toss, I had several unattainable hopes for us. They were stupidly fantastic.
I wanted to create a real life organization of Servants of All.
I wanted to create a real life "White Tower" with Aes Sedai that were recognized as such.
I wanted us to be known to RJ and those who also worked on making his world come alive.
I wanted us to be taken seriously.
I wanted us to make a significant difference in the world around us... big enough that we could all feel that together we accomplished lasting and meaningful change in the world.
I wanted us to be in the books.
I wanted RJ and Team Jordan to know us and like us.
I wanted to create a community that would help eachother in disaster, or in finding a job, or roomates, or a family.
I wanted us to throw some amazing parties.
My Children... my Sons and my Daughters.....
I have met all of my goals that I wished for us and for you. I have been blessed personally as well. Working for you and building this organization has given me more opportunities for learning and growth than anyone can hope for. I have dedicated over 10 years of my life to this place. This community has given me far far more in return, and I am the luckiest woman in the world.
I feel right in saying that I've met my goals. I feel right in making room for the next person who will bring enthusiasm and vision. I am looking forward to, for the first time, getting to be a member.
(Yes, I am still attending the Euro 10th Anni party while I hold the position of Amyrlin; I'm not backing out of it..... I've wanted to join you and celebrate with you for so long
).
Huh.
There is it.
It looks starker when it is written.
I love you.
Melissa/Eleyan
According to our best practices, the Amyrlin Seat should give approximately 1 year's notice. It is my intention to have the stole passed on at 11th Anni (which hasn't been decided and announced yet). The Keeper position recently transferred with about 4- 5 months, and it felt hurried. It is my understanding that we will be opening up the application process as soon as we reasonably can (we still have some Board of Director's meetings to get through to figure out our approach to this. We have not done it before). Our goal, I think, is to allow a 6 - 9 month transition/training period. I think it is worth noting that a lot of my work cannot be easily documented by a list of responsabilities. Your next Amyrlin has people to meet and will need to establish relationships in a much shorter amount of time than I had. I want to give him/her as much chance for success as I can.
And yes. The position of Amyrlin is not (cannot) segregated by gender. We legally cannot do that as we're set up, nor should we. As for the required qualifications? I don't know yet. This is something else we need to figure out in our next Board Meeting. I think it is safe to say that it will be more stringent that the requirements for Keeper, will require a significant time spent as a member, and significant time spent as a Sr. Member. I think that experience in several departments and previous leadership experience within our community will be required. Personally, though..... off the top of my head I can think of several people who would be exceptional in carrying on the torch. I feel incredibly blessed that we have such people.
I am, btw, asking the Board on Monday to not make people who wrote in for Keeper completely redo their application if they wish to be considered for Amyrlin. That said, I am only one of three votes. Moreover, Amyrlin is a very different position from Keeper... so even if you applied, you might consider reworking it.
Speaking of Keepers, my one regret out of this is not being able to work longer with Leora Sedai. She is exceptional, and I am glad I get to work with her a bit before I retire. She was chosen, though, with the understanding that I would likely not be her only partner in crime during her term. We want to give the new Amyrlin and the new Keeper time to form a strong working relationship. In all honesty, the timing is right to turn over my position.
As for me? The extent of my future will be determined by the Board of Directors meeting next week. I think we'll get through the most of it early next week. I will be passing on the Amyrlin Seat/CEO position. I will likely be staying on the Board. I intend to remain on executive staff as an advisor, though how that will work has not yet even been discussed. I am, though, and always will be the founder of TarValon.Net. I like that.
I'll always have a place here, and I will always be a unique part of it. I will always work towards our success. When I took on the ring and lost my initial coin toss, I had several unattainable hopes for us. They were stupidly fantastic.
I wanted to create a real life organization of Servants of All.
I wanted to create a real life "White Tower" with Aes Sedai that were recognized as such.
I wanted us to be known to RJ and those who also worked on making his world come alive.
I wanted us to be taken seriously.
I wanted us to make a significant difference in the world around us... big enough that we could all feel that together we accomplished lasting and meaningful change in the world.
I wanted us to be in the books.
I wanted RJ and Team Jordan to know us and like us.
I wanted to create a community that would help eachother in disaster, or in finding a job, or roomates, or a family.
I wanted us to throw some amazing parties.
My Children... my Sons and my Daughters.....
I have met all of my goals that I wished for us and for you. I have been blessed personally as well. Working for you and building this organization has given me more opportunities for learning and growth than anyone can hope for. I have dedicated over 10 years of my life to this place. This community has given me far far more in return, and I am the luckiest woman in the world.
I feel right in saying that I've met my goals. I feel right in making room for the next person who will bring enthusiasm and vision. I am looking forward to, for the first time, getting to be a member.
(Yes, I am still attending the Euro 10th Anni party while I hold the position of Amyrlin; I'm not backing out of it..... I've wanted to join you and celebrate with you for so long
).Huh.
There is it.
It looks starker when it is written.
I love you.
Melissa/Eleyan
