Dark Greetings to you all,
This week has been a fantastic time for the DB. One year from our split, we have shown to be a successful organization that can carry on with stability and excellence. The Independence Games are in full force, the Dark Voice has been released, a new system has been announced, and the Loyalty of many has been awarded. With that, it brings us to the time for this week's last announcement, and it's my favorite yet.
When you look back over time at what people do, it's hard sometimes to remember all of the details; to put things into words and recognize them accordingly. So many have given to this Brotherhood over time and their hard work has been rewarded through our different systems of promotion and medals. However, there are some members that give without want of anything in return. They are unselfish, genuine and committed to the betterment of this Brotherhood. Often it can be months and even years before some of these people are recognized, a fault of this organization that today I hope to start correcting.
Since the first days of the brotherhood, the office of Grand Master has been the hardest and most time-consuming position of perhaps any online organization created. Grand Masters deal with everything that there is to deal with. From moving through the basic promotion and position approvals, to solving the different problems that emerge daily, the Grand Master's job is never done. For this reason, most Grand Masters don't make it more than nine or ten months. The position has a high tendency to burn out members and make them need to leave.
In the history of the Dark Brotherhood, it is unheard of for a Grand Master to sit on the throne for two and a half years. That span of time in the past would have normally seen up to five different Grand Masters, however, our current Grand Master has kept the position through thick and thin, setting a record for length of term in the process. Our Grand Master's legacy to this brotherhood is one of stability. His quarter decade in office have kept the Brotherhood will steady leadership. His Dark Councils have not seen a great deal of turnaround, the Consuls are lasting longer and longer, and the DB is seeing its members stay for the long haul. Without that stability, and without that leadership, who knows where we would be.
Well, without his leadership, we would still be under the stark control of the EH today. Our Grand Master's great wisdom this time last year led to the group of Seven developing the greivances. His leadership during that time brought success to our split. We would all be remiss if during this week of Celebration we did not recognize that. All of the changes and the progress in the past year would have never happened were it not for his daring.
Our Grand Master does more than most people know. His handling of political issues between people and clubs takes the pressure off of the Dark Council to get their jobs done. His approach of delegation and trusting his leadership has proven to work fantastically. No Grand Master has the time to micromanage a club, and our Grand Master has found a way to keep the momentum moving by taking care of certain things and delegating others. For instance, his constant talks with many people keep the flow of information to the Dark Council steady. He is always there to discuss ideas and approve final proposals. He is always there for advice when needed. He can always keep calm in the face of adversity.
Further, he has remained our Grand Master even through real life situations that would have taken anyone else away. Moving 3000 miles, getting married and trying to deal with a new way of life would bring any other person away from the Brotherhood.
Stability, ladies and gentlemen. That is the name of the game. The Brotherhood's greatest need, and Grand Master Firefox's greatest accomplishment.
We would not be here were it not for Firefox. So many people, myself included, gain our strength through him. He is the right leader at the greatest time in the history of the brotherhood, and for that we here today recognize him.
Firefox, your friends, allies and members all support you and appreciate what you have done. You are the greatest to ever have taken the iron throne.
Firefox, today I act in the name of the entire Brotherhood when I say "Thank you"...
...and present you with your Golden Lightsaber!
Congratulations, my friend,
His Eminence,
Lord Jac Ae-Sequiera Cotelin Taldrya-Cantor
Grand Master Emeritus, Deputy Grand
, 2004-04-17 22:00:00 UTC