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The State of Management
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| OrionKarath | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 2:52 PM | Message # 1 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Administrators
Messages: 612
Status: Offline
| As you all are, most likely, aware despite lack of open announcement, Jace has stepped down from his position as Manager in the group. He has expressed every intent to remain an active member of the community, which I applaud him for. For those that don't know... A Galaxy At War is Jace's baby. He built it from the ground up, and from past groups he has ran and been apart of, a loyal community of members has followed him. Nearly all of us know him from another group, or have known him for several years. He is a friend and a mentor to me; from whom virtually everything I know about RP... management... being an administrator, I've learned. Were I to know him in real-life, I'm sure I would be as close to him as Karth is.
I sit here, writing this, and I'm looking over the discussion of that evening. I still, can't believe, nor comprehend, how it led into this. I think Karth and myself are still in shock, as it has been difficult for us to have managerial discussion without wanting to bring Jace into it. I guess when you spend years as a team and having a certain dynamic going, losing one part is the same as losing it all. I know the transition has been rough, and some unfortunate things have happened. I apologize for any of this on my part... it is, simply, part bad luck, and also part learning a new role. Getting comfortable in a new position. I never, not in my wildest dreams, thought I would be an Administrator of AGW. Jace always has been, and I thought he always would be. It didn't seem possible for myself, or Karth, let alone both of us, to end up Administrating the group... not without Jace.
It has been brought to my attention that, there is... well, for lack of a better term, quiet dissent brewing among the membership of the group. Ranging from general upset at Jace stepping down, to direct dissatisfaction with Karth and myself as Managers, all the way to an apparent secret petition calling for the removal Karth and myself and election of a new Management team by the membership (which apparently had the support of every individual in this group aside from us Managers and one member). I'm not angry, or surprised really... with the delayed and quiet nature that this happened, I think it ended up sending the wrong message, and gave the wrong impression. I'm being told there are some heavy words, however being thrown about, in an apparently light fashion, with no regards to weight these words may carry or the impressions they may give. So, with that in mind, I am opening the floor entirely to every individual in this group, for questions, comments, or even general statements concerning the matter. You have an opinion, let's hear it. You have a question, I, or Karth, will answer it.
AGW has always had an open nature, sometimes even more than I was ever comfortable with... but I've warmed up in some regards. In this case, we're going full throttle open. I don't care if you make a twenty paragraph rant on how I suck and should kill myself (I hope none of you dislike me so intensely), I want it here, so we can settle what ever issue is present here, and we can move on in our own family way.
Orion Karath
Manager from June 2009 to Present, Administrator from December 2011 to Present
My posts here, pre-2009 archives here
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 3:23 PM | Message # 2 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| That makes me realize how much one can miss even if they are here daily... I didn't even know Jace stepped down!
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Tremaine_Fowlkes | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 4:31 PM | Message # 3 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 881
Status: Offline
| Before I say anything, I want the management to know that whatever it is I'm about to say isn't meant to offend you guys. I'm going to be as direct as possible. So here goes. When I first heard the news of Jace stepping down, I was rather upset. I mean, this site was built from the ground up by Jace. Like you had pointed out, this is his baby. That wasn't the only reason I'm upset, that he worked too hard only to give it up.
The matter of fact is, not only does he built this site, but I believe he does a great job at being a Manager. I would say he's the best Manager I've come to known ever since I went into RPing. I'm not kidding. He does an excellent job here in AGW, of which brings me to another point. Again, don't take this as an offense, but why should a damn good Manager step down when two other Managers are particularly unreliable? Why not you or Karth step down? I'm not saying you guys are bad managers, but either you have gone through long periods of absence. I'm not faulting you for letting real-life issues take you away, but when that happens frequently, wouldn't you say It's reasonable to step down in order to give someone else a chance to help run the site?
I'm sorry but I do not think Jace deserve to step down. That's just how I feel. Any feedbacks regarding my feelings are encouraged, and I don't mind listening to criticisms.
Tremaine Fowlkes
Senator of Telos IV
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| Jamie_the_Hutt | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 4:40 PM | Message # 4 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 392
Status: Offline
| I think Tremaine lays it out very well and hits the nail on the head. I really do think Jace, Jaron and Karth bring different things to management and that his attention to detail and unbiased attitude are things which need to be treasured.
I do hate to point it out, but the rest of management has at least as bad issues with being able to be active at times, and I think it seems to be unfair that management may have expressed a lack of confidence in Jace as a manager thanks to punctuality.
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| Havoc | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 4:48 PM | Message # 5 |
 Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 539
Status: Offline
| If there is an opening, I'd like to throw my name in! Added (29 Nov 2011, 4:48 PM)
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But in all seriousness, most of us grew with each other. I myself has had the extreme pleasure of knowing Park, Karth, Jace, Dex, and a bunch others. We all stem back all the way to AGD, to temporarily jumping into micro groups (SithJedi.net, Park's group, etc.), then jumping back here to AGW. It sucks to see that this had to happen, but like a great parent, Jace wants to ensure that his baby becomes a man (or woman). Like Tremaine, I don't think Jace needed to step down. Let's face it! Jace is the brains! His group managed to keep activity after we all suffered from what I call the RP Depression. People dropping out left and right, but Jace managed to keep going! This to me shows that Jace had the heart and will to ensure that his group was successful. The sacrifices that he endured was more then any of us could gather, and it sees me sad and really afraid. Sad to see Jace go, but afraid to think that the past might repeat itself. Change and time will certainly prove that. But, as a dedicated RPer, I am here to offer my services to keep this group going.
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| Karth_DeQora | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 6:13 PM | Message # 6 |
 Colonel general
Group: Administrators
Messages: 1157
Status: Offline
| For the record - if people want me to step down then fine, I'll step down.
Let it be known, though, that we didn't force Jace into this, it was his choice and I've offered multiple times for him to rescind it, but from what he's told me he doesn't want to. I've known Jace for years, as have you all, and I'm sure eager to see his response to this thread. If Jace wants to be administrator again then he's more than welcome to... but he's tired, people. It's obvious if you take more than five minutes to talk to him. Whatever, I'll stop speaking on his behalf now, I'm sure he can articulate his feelings far better than I can.
Everyone has issues with activity at times, that's the most obvious thing I can point out. We figuratively sat down with him and had a discussion about the state of the group as a whole and in the end this is how things worked out. I can't quite remember what was said, not in any great detail, anyway... but this was a choice that Jace made voluntarily and wasn't something that was forced upon him. It saddens me that this is the perception of how things went down, and I'm glad Jaron made this thread because I don't think murmurs and, pardon the cheesiness, "backroom dealings" do anything but hurt the group in its entirety. At least now we can shed light on this, figure out the situation and what we can do about it. The whole point of keeping things quiet was that I was hoping Jace would come out with it himself, since I figured he'd want to handle it in his own way. Obviously, this has caused alot of problems.
Man, Myth, Administrative God. Also plays a mean kazoo.
Jace Varitek: In Northern California we just have gangs of vigilante interior decorators.
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| Karth_DeQora | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 6:19 PM | Message # 7 |
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Colonel general
Group: Administrators
Messages: 1157
Status: Offline
| Also, if you want to voice concerns in a private manner, I'll be on messenger for a few hours.
Man, Myth, Administrative God. Also plays a mean kazoo.
Jace Varitek: In Northern California we just have gangs of vigilante interior decorators.
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| Havoc | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 6:46 PM | Message # 8 |
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Lieutenant general
Group: Users
Messages: 539
Status: Offline
| Oh, I'll voice some concerns to you, Karth!
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| Karth_DeQora | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 6:51 PM | Message # 9 |
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Colonel general
Group: Administrators
Messages: 1157
Status: Offline
| Do you even have my new messenger addy?
jmichaud12@gmail.com
Man, Myth, Administrative God. Also plays a mean kazoo.
Jace Varitek: In Northern California we just have gangs of vigilante interior decorators.
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| Jace_Varitek | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 8:50 PM | Message # 10 |
 Generalissimo
Group: Administrators
Messages: 2245
Status: Offline
| First let me say, thank you for all these kind words about me. I do appreciate it. Thing is, I had no idea there was a problem with the Jaron/Karth team until this post and the subsequent thread surprised me today. But is there, really? I haven't said a lot about what happened because it's just an uncomfortable thing for me to talk about, but also because I think Jaron/Karth deserved a chance to be seen running the site just fine without me for awhile before it became apparent that I wasn't "in charge" anymore. I think it's useful to separate this out, guys; on the one hand, how Jaron and Karth are managing the site and, on the other, how it came to pass that I stepped down. As far as how the site's being managed, it seems to me it's been running smoothly, no?
As for me stepping down, Karth is right. I wasn't "forced" to do it. I agreed to step down. Jaron and especially Karth wanted to make sure I was comfortable with it. Whether I was or not, it's the decision I made. The reasons for it aren't as clear to me now as they were at the time, I'll admit. But I do reject the notion that AGW depends on any one person to succeed; I care about this site a lot and I don't know what I'd do without it, but it's still not "my" site. It belongs to everyone, and if I wasn't cutting it as a manager then you all deserve better, because that's what I care about more than how I might feel personally. This explanation might have confused some of you—to be honest, it confuses me too. But to reiterate; Jaron/Karth didn't "force me out." I agreed to this. I didn't know this petition was happening, but I think Jaron and Karth deserve a chance here and also credit for things running smoothly the last couple of weeks.
I hope this clarifies things. I'm a bit disoriented at the moment because I was just roused from an hour or so of sleep having not slept for 40 or so hours prior to that. Like a car running on "E," in my sleep-deprived state I apparently don't start easily after I finally do come to a stop. I think I'm coming to now, though. Either that or I'm going to conk out again unexpectedly. Either way, I'm glad I have a day off tomorrow.
Jace Varitek
Manager/Administrator from January 2003 to Present
My recent posts here, pre-2009 archives here
"When my information changes, I change my opinion. What do you do, sir?"
—John Maynard Keynes
Furthermore, a dancing Wookiee:
Message edited by Jace_Varitek - Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 9:15 PM |
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| Fajra_Merav | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 9:10 PM | Message # 11 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 258
Status: Offline
| I love you all. You guys are equally very understanding. I think I type 1 post a month lol. But when I was very active, and I talked to y'all more, I always felt at home. I wasn't aware of this either. But then again...I'm not around as much. You guys are still the A Team to me, titles or not, as long as y'all are here :).
Xoxo
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| Jace_Varitek | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 9:18 PM | Message # 12 |
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Generalissimo
Group: Administrators
Messages: 2245
Status: Offline
| Thanks Fajra. And everyone, really.
Jace Varitek
Manager/Administrator from January 2003 to Present
My recent posts here, pre-2009 archives here
"When my information changes, I change my opinion. What do you do, sir?"
—John Maynard Keynes
Furthermore, a dancing Wookiee:
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| Rath-Deschain | Date: Tuesday, 29 Nov 2011, 11:21 PM | Message # 13 |
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Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 857
Status: Offline
| Jace, we still love ya man. The fact that you stepped down without me even really knowing it puts into perspective that while I may be on here several hours per day, I don't often interact with many of the players on a personal level, especially with my... issues as of late. Either way man, as long as you stick around in one form or another, I'd say everyone would be happy.
Karth, Jaron, no doubts in my mind that y'all can run this shindig, but I'm sure I can speak for most when I say we'd love to have you around more often, specifically on the request board. :P
Rath Deschain
High Inquisitor
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| Bernard_Oriel | Date: Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011, 7:10 PM | Message # 14 |
 Colonel general
Group: Users
Messages: 803
Status: Offline
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Bernard Oriel
Senator for the Planet of Vjun
1st Earl Malreaux (Second Creation)
Vjun Delegation to the Imperial Senate
Message edited by Bernard_Oriel - Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011, 9:09 PM |
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| Jory_Carson | Date: Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011, 8:06 PM | Message # 15 |
 Major general
Group: Users
Messages: 317
Status: Offline
| As a former Manager, and one who has managed more than one group with Jace, Karth, and Orion (and more than once with all of them) I would like to weigh in. Many of you know that I myself stepped down from Management here a few months ago, not because I had anything against anyone in management or the group. At the time I expressed love for all of you and especially for the group; I still feel that love.
I can understand Jace's reason for stepping down, I have been with him before when he stepped down. The thing that members need to understand is that there is a tremendous amount of stress involved in managing a group. We, as managers (post or present) don't get to just 'pop in and post' when we have time. There are literally hours involved with reading requests and moderating disputes, and we do that because of a love for the group, but sometimes it is just too much, sometimes we need a break as I found myself needing recently.
I hate to see that Jace feels the need for said break (whether permanent to temporary) but I can certainly understand it. It is hoped (by myself, and no doubt the entirety of the group) that Jace will only take a break, if that's the case then, fantastic, I can't wait to see you back, (I say understanding that I have been absent not only from Management but from the group proper) but if not then, it has been a good run.
Now that I have made my rambling post I'd like to say this (for all it may be worth): both Orion and Karth are fully capable managers and, while I have had my share of disputes with them while managing different groups, I feel that they are plenty good enough for this group, which I have stated as being the best group I've ever Rped in. More importantly though; if Jace, who created far more than agroup here, feels comfortable with them, shouldn't that be good enough?
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