NationStates

After a few weeks of collaboration, THX1138 and I have finally finished our draft to commend another Islander deserving of a commendation. Markanite has been a stalwart member and defender within the community for the last 9 or 10 years, and has served multiple positions within XKI including three terms as WA Delegate.

The Security Council:

Recognizing that many of the nations making significant contributions to the betterment of this community, do so in relative obscurity because the nation’s name is not widely known

Believing that any nation that shows extreme dedication to its home region, with an equal dedication to international diplomacy and the protection of the founderless regions of the world, deserves recognition by this esteemed Assembly

Asserting that over ten years, the nation of Markanite has embodied the qualities of service, dedication, compassion, and loyalty that are determining in improving universal quality of life

Praising first, Markanite's exceptional dedication to their home region 10000 Islands and highlighting the variety of contributive regional roles held in past:

• Minister of Education, 4 terms, with a combined 39 months of service. In this office Markanite managed the Great Library of the 10000 Islands and 10000 Islands University. They were instrumental in keeping the beloved University active, and fostering the continuing education of regional inhabitants

• Senator for New Republica South, 3 terms for a combined 18 months of service. In this role, Markanite was charged with overseeing the region’s political parties and developing the framework for inter-party debate. They were instrumental in rejeuvenating this important aspect of 10000 Islands culture, and continue to be a champion for citizen engagement

• World Assembly Delegate, 3 terms for a combined 18 months of service. Markanite is widely regarded as the greatest WA Delegate in 10000 Islands history, serving longer in the role than any other

Appreciating Markanite’s enduring membership in, and commitment to, this Assembly, exemplified throughout their lengthy career, and most recently as Regional Chief Executive, by the recent creation of the10000 Islands WA Secretary role, dedicated to increasing WA membership in the region, and already mentoring new resolution authors.

Lauding Markanite's service to the international community, where, as a strong and cooperative voice at many early summits, they contributed to the development of the fledgling, cross-regional Embassy infrastructure, establishing the defense alliances that continue to bring stability and cooperation to the WA realm.

Applauding their further achievements as both Chief Executive over, and as a 9-year member, of TITO, where they have overseen inumerable Defenses and Liberations of vulnerable regions, with direct participation in over 200 missions; notable among them:

• deployment to the region of South America on June 26th 2010, where over 117 defenders deployed in order to save the region from invasion by an astounding 70 invader nations.

• deployment to the Sinker region Lazarus in 2015, which ultimately lead to Kazmr quelling the coup that created the illegitimate government of the New Lazarene Order.

• deployment to The East Pacific, to defend the region against the recent coup attempt, and to help reinstate the duly elected Delegate.

• numerous regional refounding missions, including Greece, Australia, and Deutschland, as well as Natan Region, and Korovia. Each of these regions went on to grow a vibrant and healthy community of nations, several that still exist to this day.

Noting that Markanite is a recipient of the Yggdrasil Medal of Honor, acknowledging their years of support and friendship to that region, and standing as but one example of their ongoing diplomatic efforts, and positive impact in the wider community

Heralding their receiving The Heart of the Islands Award, bestowed in 10000 Islands to a nation of intelligence, helpfulness, and above all, kindness toward the many thousands of nations that have graced the region’s shores

Concluding that Markanite is suitably worthy of recognition from this esteemed Council, for their many and continuing contributions to the community over which it prevails, and so,

Hereby Commends Markanite

Co-authored by THX1138

Edits 1-4: Grammar and bbcode
Edit 5: Fixed a clause
Edit 6: Fixed edit 5
Edit 7: Fixed "appreciating" clause
Edit 8: Fixed extra space
Edit 9: Removed mention of Lazarus and Osiris medals
Edit 10: Removed Osiris clause and replaced it, plus minor edits

I had considered commending Mark as well but I was going to wait until he has served his tenure as CE before approaching him about it in order to include a wider possible scope of accomplishments. He is Commend worthy though.

Looks good, can't really comment on much given the amount of XKI stuff

Appreciating Markanite’s enduring membership in, and commitment to, this Assembly, exemplified most recently, as regional Chief Executive, by the creation of the new 10000 Islands WA Secretary role, dedicated to increasing WA membership in the region, and the mentoring of new resolution authors.

If my memory serves me right, this role creation is quite new. What effect has it had? What new resolution authors have been mentored?

Also, I think you have an extra space after the Oxford comma.

• deployment to the Sinker region Osiris in 2011, to safeguard a democratic election process so that native nations could self-determine. Markanite was awarded The Osiris Defence Medal

• deployment to the Sinker region Lazarus in 2015, ultimately ending the coup that created the New Lazarene Order. For their part in returning the region to native governance, Markanite received the Lazarus Liberation Medal

For clarity, which region gave these medals? Was it by Osiris/Lazarus or by XKI but called after Osiris/Lazarus?

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Overall, looks well-written.

Praeceps wrote:

Appreciating Markanite’s enduring membership in, and commitment to, this Assembly, exemplified most recently, as regional Chief Executive, by the creation of the new 10000 Islands WA Secretary role, dedicated to increasing WA membership in the region, and the mentoring of new resolution authors.

If my memory serves me right, this role creation is quite new. What effect has it had? What new resolution authors have been mentored?

Also, I think you have an extra space after the Oxford comma.

• deployment to the Sinker region Osiris in 2011, to safeguard a democratic election process so that native nations could self-determine. Markanite was awarded The Osiris Defence Medal

• deployment to the Sinker region Lazarus in 2015, ultimately ending the coup that created the New Lazarene Order. For their part in returning the region to native governance, Markanite received the Lazarus Liberation Medal

For clarity, which region gave these medals? Was it by Osiris/Lazarus or by XKI but called after Osiris/Lazarus?

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Overall, looks well-written.

THX added in the WA Secretary clause, but you're right it's still brand new so we might need to discuss taking that clause out. As for the medals, they were awarded by TITO to Mark for his deployment to those regions during their time of need.

Praeceps wrote:

Appreciating Markanite’s enduring membership in, and commitment to, this Assembly, exemplified most recently, as regional Chief Executive, by the creation of the new 10000 Islands WA Secretary role, dedicated to increasing WA membership in the region, and the mentoring of new resolution authors.

If my memory serves me right, this role creation is quite new. What effect has it had? What new resolution authors have been mentored?

OOC: Yes, it is a new position, so no way to measure its success yet. That said, the language used makes clear that it's new, and, the clause is included to emphasize Markanite's dedication to improving Assembly involvement in the region, not to tout the position itself. There is no doubt that it will be successful in guiding new authors, and there's a fair amount of combined Assembly experience in the region to support the role: Markanite, Kuriko, myself, Sargon Reman, Mingulay Isle, Marxist Germany, Paffnia, et al.

Praeceps wrote:

Appreciating Markanite’s enduring membership in, and commitment to, this Assembly, exemplified most recently, as regional Chief Executive, by the creation of the new 10000 Islands WA Secretary role, dedicated to increasing WA membership in the region, and the mentoring of new resolution authors.

If my memory serves me right, this role creation is quite new. What effect has it had?\

Whatever effect it will have are outside Marks hands anyway. Since the process of actually getting it running is being done by Sargon and Myself.

Kuriko wrote:THX added in the WA Secretary clause, but you're right it's still brand new so we might need to discuss taking that clause out. As for the medals, they were awarded by TITO to Mark for his deployment to those regions during their time of need.

I think where the medals are coming from is important. I think it is less important given they are from XKI and probably could be excluded—the important part is the participation in the operation.

THX1138 wrote:OOC: Yes, it is a new position, so no way to measure its success yet. That said, the language used makes clear that it's new, and, the clause is included to emphasize Markanite's dedication to improving Assembly involvement in the region, not to tout the position itself. There is no doubt that it will be successful in guiding new authors, and there's a fair amount of combined Assembly experience in the region to support the role: Markanite, Kuriko, myself, Sargon Reman, Mingulay Isle, Marxist Germany, Paffnia, et al.

Aclion wrote:Whatever effect it will have are outside Marks hands anyway. Since the process of actually getting it running is being done by Sargon and Myself.

I don't believe creating positions/programs/organizations is commendable. While it may be likely that it goes well, there is no evidence yet to suggest that.

Praeceps wrote:I think where the medals are coming from is important. I think it is less important given they are from XKI and probably could be excluded—the important part is the participation in the operation.

Agree, expect an edit to either clarify or omit.

THX1138 wrote:...the clause is included to emphasize Markanite's dedication to improving Assembly involvement in the region...

Praeceps wrote:I don't believe creating positions/programs/organizations is commendable. While it may be likely that it goes well, there is no evidence yet to suggest that.

Fair comment, and Kuriko and I will discuss this.

OOC: I look at this clause in the context of the overall slow-down, and the dearth of new, trained, and engaged proposal authors. That Mark (and the Cof9) took action to create this role is one example of an ongoing commitment to the success of the Assembly, which is what the whole of the clause is about. I agree that creating a role isn't commendable, in and of itself, but the ongoing commitment to the Assembly, of which the creation of the role is part, is laudable.

Mention of the Lazarus and Osiris medals have been removed, but I still kept his deployment to the regions as I think they're still relevant. I hope those are the ones you were talking about Praetor

Other than the player's long-term involvement TITO, what else have they done to further interregional peace and goodwill? And on that point, I'd say being deployed to a region on a significant operation is rather different to leading those deployments. Did Markanite lead those deployments? And if not, do you believe then, that only being deployed on a significant operation is commendation worthy?

While it's okay to highlight the regional affect Markanite has had, I'd suggest including more than just 10KI-related achievements. I'm interested in how Markanite has affected other regions directly outside of TITO through their own personal motivations and interests, rather than a military organisation.

Yes it does. And I agree the involvement in those regions is important.

Praeceps wrote:Yes it does. And I agree the involvement in those regions is important.

Yes it does what?

And involvement solely through TITO. That's my point. The way this reads, Markanite was just following orders.

Kaschovia wrote:

Praeceps wrote:Yes it does. And I agree the involvement in those regions is important.

Yes it does what?

And involvement solely through TITO. That's my point. The way this reads, Markanite was just following orders.

OOC: Just a few minutes before I must depart for work, but I'll try to answer this, and can circle back later.

It is not uncommon for the success or failure of any deployment to come down to a single nation, and in that respect, every participating nation plays a critical role. As with any military organization, every nations starts at the beginning, but a skill set is developed over time, and that nation becomes an increasingly important asset. Markanite joined TITO 9 years ago, and with direct participation in over 200 missions, it is safe to say that their deployments have helped thousands of nations within NS - not as some abstract concept, but in a very real and tangible way.

As the text states, Mark is Chief Executive of XKI. As such, they are the highest authority in TITO, and although these classifications don't apply in TITO, think of the career-arc as going from a private to commander-in-chief of an organization. So, not just following orders.

Briefly, and to your other ask, as Chief Executive of the largest user-created region in NS, there is going to be outreach to and engagement with the wider community, almost daily. One does not achieve or maintain such a position without a variety of soft skills. There are most certainly other aspects of their work, internationally, that could be highlighted here, but for the sake of readability and brevity, we have gone on the assumption that most voters will understand what being in a position of this nature, entails.

Kuriko may wish to add more on the subject, but for now, I hope that answers your concerns.

Kaschovia wrote:Other than the player's long-term involvement TITO, what else have they done to further interregional peace and goodwill? And on that point, I'd say being deployed to a region on a significant operation is rather different to leading those deployments. Did Markanite lead those deployments? And if not, do you believe then, that only being deployed on a significant operation is commendation worthy?

While it's okay to highlight the regional affect Markanite has had, I'd suggest including more than just 10KI-related achievements. I'm interested in how Markanite has affected other regions directly outside of TITO through their own personal motivations and interests, rather than a military organisation.

So, are you saying that foot soldiers who don't lead operations are no longer commend worthy?? Thats kind of a setback from a long held belief by many that the opposite is true, where deploying to protect others even when not leading the operation is worthy of note. For the Lazarus and Osiris operations he was not a member of TITO Command, but for TEP he was Chief Executive and authorized the operation as well as deployed.

Deploying to TEP led directly to Marrabuk taking his rightful place as the lawful delegate and led to Scardino's overthrow. Defending in-and-of-itself is spreading inter-regional peace and goodwill, whether as a foot soldier or as a leader. Helping to refound regions and defend regions is in fact affecting regions outside of XKI, so I believe I've already covered those things.

Kaschovia wrote:

Praeceps wrote:Yes it does. And I agree the involvement in those regions is important.

Yes it does what?

And involvement solely through TITO. That's my point. The way this reads, Markanite was just following orders.

And? What's wrong with deploying on orders? Many others have been commended for it.

Kuriko wrote:

Kaschovia wrote:Other than the player's long-term involvement TITO, what else have they done to further interregional peace and goodwill? And on that point, I'd say being deployed to a region on a significant operation is rather different to leading those deployments. Did Markanite lead those deployments? And if not, do you believe then, that only being deployed on a significant operation is commendation worthy?

While it's okay to highlight the regional affect Markanite has had, I'd suggest including more than just 10KI-related achievements. I'm interested in how Markanite has affected other regions directly outside of TITO through their own personal motivations and interests, rather than a military organisation.

So, are you saying that foot soldiers who don't lead operations are no longer commend worthy??

No one ever pretended foot soldiers were commend worthy and pretending for them to be now is... well, pretending. Otherwise we’d be here all the time, handing out badges to every defender who participates in a liberation every once in a while.

Armaros wrote:

Kuriko wrote:So, are you saying that foot soldiers who don't lead operations are no longer commend worthy??

No one ever pretended foot soldiers were commend worthy and pretending for them to be now is... well, pretending. Otherwise we’d be here all the time, handing out badges to every defender who participates in a liberation every once in a while.

No one is pretending anything Armoros, nations have been commended before for basically being foot soldiers. Paffnia, Woonsocket, Grays Harbor were all foot soldiers at first which is reflected in the resolutions with some of the operations listed from before they took leading roles.

Kuriko wrote:

Armaros wrote:No one ever pretended foot soldiers were commend worthy and pretending for them to be now is... well, pretending. Otherwise we’d be here all the time, handing out badges to every defender who participates in a liberation every once in a while.

No one is pretending anything Armoros, nations have been commended before for basically being foot soldiers. Paffnia, Woonsocket, Grays Harbor were all foot soldiers at first which is reflected in the resolutions with some of the operations listed from before they took leading roles.

Precisely.

THX1138 wrote:

Kaschovia wrote:Yes it does what?

And involvement solely through TITO. That's my point. The way this reads, Markanite was just following orders.

OOC: Just a few minutes before I must depart for work, but I'll try to answer this, and can circle back later.

It is not uncommon for the success or failure of any deployment to come down to a single nation, and in that respect, every participating nation plays a critical role. As with any military organization, every nations starts at the beginning, but a skill set is developed over time, and that nation becomes an increasingly important asset. Markanite joined TITO 9 years ago, and with direct participation in over 200 missions, it is safe to say that their deployments have helped thousands of nations within NS - not as some abstract concept, but in a very real and tangible way.

As the text states, Mark is Chief Executive of XKI. As such, they are the highest authority in TITO, and although these classifications don't apply in TITO, think of the career-arc as going from a private to commander-in-chief of an organization. So, not just following orders.

Briefly, and to your other ask, as Chief Executive of the largest user-created region in NS, there is going to be outreach to and engagement with the wider community, almost daily. One does not achieve or maintain such a position without a variety of soft skills. There are most certainly other aspects of their work, internationally, that could be highlighted here, but for the sake of readability and brevity, we have gone on the assumption that most voters will understand what being in a position of this nature, entails.

Kuriko may wish to add more on the subject, but for now, I hope that answers your concerns.

The actions of TITO as an organisation might be commendable, but you can't commend all long-term TITO members, most of whom I assume have also held significant positions in the region as well, which is what it seems like all of these TITO related commendations seem to be driving at.

I'd like to know how Markanite has extended their own individual actions beyond the reach of XKI and TITO, rather than the actions ordered by an organisation.

Kuriko wrote:

Kaschovia wrote:Other than the player's long-term involvement TITO, what else have they done to further interregional peace and goodwill? And on that point, I'd say being deployed to a region on a significant operation is rather different to leading those deployments. Did Markanite lead those deployments? And if not, do you believe then, that only being deployed on a significant operation is commendation worthy?

While it's okay to highlight the regional affect Markanite has had, I'd suggest including more than just 10KI-related achievements. I'm interested in how Markanite has affected other regions directly outside of TITO through their own personal motivations and interests, rather than a military organisation.

So, are you saying that foot soldiers who don't lead operations are no longer commend worthy?? Thats kind of a setback from a long held belief by many that the opposite is true, where deploying to protect others even when not leading the operation is worthy of note. For the Lazarus and Osiris operations he was not a member of TITO Command, but for TEP he was Chief Executive and authorized the operation as well as deployed.

Deploying to TEP led directly to Marrabuk taking his rightful place as the lawful delegate and led to Scardino's overthrow. Defending in-and-of-itself is spreading inter-regional peace and goodwill, whether as a foot soldier or as a leader. Helping to refound regions and defend regions is in fact affecting regions outside of XKI, so I believe I've already covered those things.

Kaschovia wrote:Yes it does what?

And involvement solely through TITO. That's my point. The way this reads, Markanite was just following orders.

And? What's wrong with deploying on orders? Many others have been commended for it.

I think the draft needs less of a focus on XKI, and more of a focus on the more general interregional contributions of the nation. We can go in circles all day about the commend-worthiness of going on a lot of deployments, because we disagree.

Is there anything else Markanite has done outside of XKI?

Kaschovia wrote:

Praeceps wrote:Yes it does. And I agree the involvement in those regions is important.

Yes it does what?

And involvement solely through TITO. That's my point. The way this reads, Markanite was just following orders.

That was in response to Kuriko/bowl.

Kuriko wrote:

Armaros wrote:No one ever pretended foot soldiers were commend worthy and pretending for them to be now is... well, pretending. Otherwise we’d be here all the time, handing out badges to every defender who participates in a liberation every once in a while.

No one is pretending anything Armoros, nations have been commended before for basically being foot soldiers. Paffnia, Woonsocket, Grays Harbor were all foot soldiers at first which is reflected in the resolutions with some of the operations listed from before they took leading roles.

I didn’t support those either

I think it might be worth commending those that actually led big operations over people that participated in them and did most of the stuff we’re commending them for in a single region. I don’t think you’d have trouble to find those nations.

Kuriko wrote:

Armaros wrote:No one ever pretended foot soldiers were commend worthy and pretending for them to be now is... well, pretending. Otherwise we’d be here all the time, handing out badges to every defender who participates in a liberation every once in a while.

No one is pretending anything Armoros, nations have been commended before for basically being foot soldiers. Paffnia, Woonsocket, Grays Harbor were all foot soldiers at first which is reflected in the resolutions with some of the operations listed from before they took leading roles.

Woonsocket is Grub's alter ego are they not?

Wayneactia wrote:

Kuriko wrote:No one is pretending anything Armoros, nations have been commended before for basically being foot soldiers. Paffnia, Woonsocket, Grays Harbor were all foot soldiers at first which is reflected in the resolutions with some of the operations listed from before they took leading roles.

Woonsocket is Grub's alter ego are they not?

No, Woonsocket and Grub are two totally different people. Otherwise Woonsocket and Grub would've gotten WA banned for multying, since Woonrocket and Titanica are both WA nations.

Since I don't want to continue this in a thread that has nothing to do with Mark.

Wayneactia wrote:

Kuriko wrote:This is correct at this time. Woonsocket did once control Grub while he was Chief Executive between 2017 and earlier this year, but once he stepped down he passed it to his successor Markanite.

Woonsocket is already commended, and Kuri is trying to commend Markanite in a different draft (which imo makes it very close to a selfie). So who are we actually commending then? Seems like Grub is a placeholder nation which is being passed around, which in itself is frowned upon. Vehemently opposed based on these grounds alone.

Can you please enlighten me, and the community, on how me writing a draft for commending Markanite is a "selfy" when we're two different players?

With the note that the ship has long since sailed on Kuriko commending regionmates, or C&Cing regionmates in general.