Restructuring the Templarate
Posted by Jon // Oracle
almost 10 years ago
The Athas.org Overcouncil has decided to restructure the Templarate and its role. As you might know, the Templarate was originally founded as a rules body split into bureaus. Each bureau had responsibility for the development of a certain aspect of game rules. Over time, the DS 3 Core Rules have stabilized and several of the bureaus have become silent and/or inactive. Several projects have been launched in the bureaus, though, from the Terrors of Athas supplement, to the Athasian Emporium and the Advanced Being Rules. Some projects made it to completed status, others are slowly progressing, and some have become completely inactive. All over, though, the bureau mailing lists are silent as the grave. To counter this development, it has been time to rethink the role and organizing of the Templarate.<p>
In the end, we´ve decided that the bureaus will be removed. They are restrictive towards their members activities and an unnecessary level of bureaucracy. Therefore, we are flattening the organizational structure and changing the mandate of the Templarate. The aim is to make the Templarate more attractive to new and old members alike, by giving them the flexibility to work on the projects they want to pursue - and the power to do so. Templars can initiate projects and coordinate them on their own, ranging in scope from a City-State of X project (large) to adventures (medium) or new spells and powers (small).</p><p>
The Senate still decides which projects are granted official status, and it is generally recommended to get Senate input before initiating large projects. The Senate can also provide guidance and suggest priorities if need be. Other than that, templars are free to work with what they like and how they like. In essence, the Templarate will function as a project team roster, where people can sign up for the projects they want to work on. For existing projects, a project manager decides whether there is room for and practical with new members.</p><p>
I hope these changes will breathe life back into the Templarate and make it more attractive to everyone involved. Hopefully this will spark some interest, so we can revitalize some of the projects on hold or progressing slowly.</p>
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at http://www.athas.org/news/151