- Admin
- #1
First, apologies in advance if this post is a wee bit chaotic. I've been awake most of the past 48 hours and need to wake up earlier than I do for work in order to catch an Uber to the airport in the morning. 
The stream of consciousness is real tonight, y'all. That said!
The Officer Awards are a re-worked concept in lieu of the former Keeper Awards. The focus is the same -- honoring those who have contributed to the Tower administration -- but with the split of the former Keeper role we felt it appropriate to make the awards more collaborative. This year we also added a new award; specifics on that are below.
Without further ado!
Congratulations to @Kelgan al'Moranwin, Staff Member of the Year, for his work as a Forum Moderator!
Congratulations to @Viktara Fen, Staff Member of the Year, for her work as Barkeep!
Congratulations to @Arella Mathara, Administrator of the Year, for her work as Mayor!
Congratulations to @Polegnyn Nemeara, Administrator of the Year, for her work as Marketing Project Manager!
Last, but not least, our newest award: Initiative of the Year. We have many project groups and/or teams working on things across our site. And we think it's a positive thing to have a team of people rally around a concept and work to make it awesome, amazing, and valuable for our community. We want to give kudos to those teams within our community, and honor their efforts and diligence, to pull off great things. While the Staff and Administrator Officer Awards will continue to award a Gold Merit, we decided that Initiative -- with the greater number of recipients and the shared workload -- will receive a Silver Merit that will contribute to the Alchemist Gold Merit. In order to obtain an Alchemist Gold, one must have a certain variety of Silver Merits to qualify. This will add another category in which members can get silvers to work toward that goal. Also, all recipients of Initiative of the Year will receive a commemorative Officer Awards mug, just like Staff and Administrator. (Someone share a picture! I didn't think to take one!!)
The first Initiative of the Year award is going to the Tar Valon Talks Podcast team!! @Adolla Ceryia, @Veriendha ti al’Riaha, @Thaddius al'Guy, @Dianna Melear, @Fenya al'Caem, and @Ilverin Matriam -- thank you!!
Again, congratulations people! I, and the other Officers and Directors, sincerely appreciate your work.
Y'all rock. 
Two winners were present at Spring Fling and have already received their mugs. Everyone else, Cahalan will get them to you. Send her your address!
YAY AWARDS! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
The stream of consciousness is real tonight, y'all. That said!The Officer Awards are a re-worked concept in lieu of the former Keeper Awards. The focus is the same -- honoring those who have contributed to the Tower administration -- but with the split of the former Keeper role we felt it appropriate to make the awards more collaborative. This year we also added a new award; specifics on that are below.
Without further ado!
Congratulations to @Kelgan al'Moranwin, Staff Member of the Year, for his work as a Forum Moderator!
From Tree: "In a conversation with Kelgan shortly after taking this role he shared with me that Moderation continues to be near and dear to his heart. If not those exact words, that was the sentiment. Before then, after, and up to today that has been evident in the care and work Kelgan has continued to provide to our community as an active member of our Moderation staff. It is my belief that our volunteers are what make this community work, and Kelgan's passion and care in this role underscore my point. The opportunity to recognize his work in this capacity is my honor and privilege. Kelgan, I want to take an official moment to put it on the record and tell you again that I appreciate everything you do for our community and thank you for the wisdom you have freely shared with me."
Congratulations to @Viktara Fen, Staff Member of the Year, for her work as Barkeep!
From Tree: "In her service on the City Council, Viktara had an idea, regular Discord hangouts accessible to members across the globe. So, she did it. Viktara spearheaded and hosted twice monthly Barkeeper Chats and Barkeeper Brunches to provide a space for our members to come together and create real-time connections. As a community based on connections and friendship I can think of no way better to strengthen the fabric of our community and promote our organizational goals. Aside from stealing your formula Viktara, I appreciate both your dedication to this community and your solid reminder of why we are all here. Cheers to the Barkeep!"
Congratulations to @Arella Mathara, Administrator of the Year, for her work as Mayor!
From Tree: "All of our membership groups deserve the best leadership we can provide them and as our Mayor Arella has continually been there to welcome our newest members, aid our Citizenry, and advocate for their needs. Arella is continually stepping up, presenting out-of-the-box ideas and volunteering to spearhead projects amongst her peers. She leads and motivates our City Council, empowering them to run with big ideas and advocating for broader community support for their initiatives. Arella, you have been amazing to work with, have been everything and more for our Citizenry, and I cannot thank you enough for stepping up time and time again."
Congratulations to @Polegnyn Nemeara, Administrator of the Year, for her work as Marketing Project Manager!
From Siera: "I'd be lost without Nem. She does a lot of the graphics work herself, and she keeps me organized. She's put in countless hours into making designs and giving pointers, comments and resources for every other team member. Nem is truly dedicated to the community and really does want the best for TV in every way."
Last, but not least, our newest award: Initiative of the Year. We have many project groups and/or teams working on things across our site. And we think it's a positive thing to have a team of people rally around a concept and work to make it awesome, amazing, and valuable for our community. We want to give kudos to those teams within our community, and honor their efforts and diligence, to pull off great things. While the Staff and Administrator Officer Awards will continue to award a Gold Merit, we decided that Initiative -- with the greater number of recipients and the shared workload -- will receive a Silver Merit that will contribute to the Alchemist Gold Merit. In order to obtain an Alchemist Gold, one must have a certain variety of Silver Merits to qualify. This will add another category in which members can get silvers to work toward that goal. Also, all recipients of Initiative of the Year will receive a commemorative Officer Awards mug, just like Staff and Administrator. (Someone share a picture! I didn't think to take one!!)
The first Initiative of the Year award is going to the Tar Valon Talks Podcast team!! @Adolla Ceryia, @Veriendha ti al’Riaha, @Thaddius al'Guy, @Dianna Melear, @Fenya al'Caem, and @Ilverin Matriam -- thank you!!
From Siera: "I don't know where to start here, from day one this entire team has been so freaking amazing I do not think that there are words for it. We'd be lost without Doll, who is not only a host but does the audio editing. Veri who keeps the team organized, taking notes and preparing everything for social media. Then there's Thad, who seems to know everything (seriously, I don't know how he retains it) and brought along all his gear to do a live recording at Anni and JCon. Dianna, who's the biggest Mat fan around, but has just jumped right into the podcast team with all of her knowledge and passion for the books, contrasted by Fenya who sometimes slanders Mat, who has the most adorable pugs, and loves talking Wheel of Time. Last, but not least, Ilverin who worked countless hours to help get transcripts out so anyone could read the podcast, not just listen! This team has gone above and beyond what I ever expected or hoped, and I know we're so lucky to have each and every one one of them!"
Again, congratulations people! I, and the other Officers and Directors, sincerely appreciate your work.
Y'all rock. Two winners were present at Spring Fling and have already received their mugs. Everyone else, Cahalan will get them to you. Send her your address!YAY AWARDS! YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
Especially 
