Happy Holidays from the Voice Staff! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday spirit (s) and taking a much deserved break from work and school. The New Year is rapidly approaching and it will bring us a new Combat Master. After nearly 13 months in the position, Teroch Erinos has decided to step down. Take the time to thank Teroch the next time you see him on mIRC.

And now on to business, the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Master have approved the following core duties for the next Combat Master:

Nonnegotiable: The Combat Master must be a Solution Focused, Execution Oriented, Team Player. Simply stated, the CM needs to have the ability to receive broad guidance, identify solutions, and produce results. Inherent in this is the ability to argue your points, receive feedback from our club's membership, and adjust fire where needed.

Immediate Implementation:

1. Develop and publish a grading rubric to increase objectivity in the ACC.

2. Implement a two judge grading system on all matches to increase objectivity. Split judgments will be decided by the Combat Master.

3. Develop a system to certify new judges on proper ACC grading mechanics utilizing a standardized grading rubric.

4. Streamline ACC rules with an emphasis on the art of writing, not a technical write by the numbers approach.

5. Hire and train a talented staff capable of training new members and grading matches.

Future Development:

1. Develop an ACC Shadow Academy course that is a mandatory requirement to certify ACC judges.

2. Design and Rebuild: The ACC is a hodgepodge of rules left over from Dalthid and his predecessors. The ACC requires a complete review of rules, weapons, environments, character sheets, and website redesign.

3.Build User Friendly Guides: The lightsaber guide and hand to hand combat guides are perfect examples of simple to read, simple to use, and simple to implement guides for fighting in the ACC. A comprehensive guide and a streamlined basics guide must be developed to help our new members understand the intricacies of the ACC.

Those interested in applying should review the wiki Combat Master description, the recent ACC poll on the polling center, and read over the Deputy Grand Master's first report.

Applications are due by 2 January 2013 and should be sent to the GM, DGM, and Voice.

Due to the changes planned for the ACC, the Grand Master has approved shutting the Centre down for the month of January in order to bring the new Combat Master on board, train the staff, and prepare for the upcoming Vendetta season. Matches that are presently in progress will be completed by the remaining staff, but new matches should be delayed until February.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments and we will respond.