Celebrating a Milestone
An Address on Regional Activity
As of yesterday evening, August has become the most active month, by post count, that the Osiris Fraternal Order has enjoyed since our founding on 10 December 2013. As of this writing the month of August has seen 3,141 posts, surpassing the previous record of 3,014 set in December 2013, our founding month, and tied again in June 2014. There are still three days left in this month, so it can be expected that we will set an even stronger post count record before August comes to an end.
This new milestone for regional activity has been achieved as another momentous occasion is about to unfold for the Osiris Fraternal Order. Barring some unanticipated development, in a few hours the Deshret of Osiris will ratify the Declaration of War against the People's Republic of Lazarus that I submitted eight days ago. Although this will be the first war declared by the Osiris Fraternal Order, this will not be the first war that Osiris has seen. The Osiran community has previously fought for its home on three occasions: in December 2012, to restore George Holland to the Delegacy after the brief coup d'etat by the Empire; again in July 2013, to restore the Kemetic Republic of Osiris after invasion and occupation by Gatesville; and once more in December 2013, to expel the forces of the Empire and provide a more open and democratic community for the people of Osiris.
Why has the community of Osiris endured? It's not an exaggeration to say that, at times, the odds were against us. From domination by the Empire, to a month long coup, to dissolution of the Kemetic Republic and reformation of this regional community and government. Through the civil conflict that developed during the Reformation, to establishment of the Osiris Fraternal Order. Although individuals have come and gone, the continuity of our community remains. Why? It can't be credited to one individual, to a Pharaoh for example, nor even to the collective efforts of one or another government. This community has stood the test of time because of its own strength. Against the odds, this community stands strong because it has refused to stand down in the face of adversity.
The strength of the Osiran community can't truly be measured in post count. We have seen remarkable dedication from our regionmates even at times of low posting activity. Nonetheless, it is a significant achievement that after all we have endured and just a few short months after the establishment of the Osiris Fraternal Order, we have demonstrated through our activity that this community is stable and this government is strong despite the prognostications of our naysayers. Our system is working to create the open, vibrant, and active community we all wanted to create when we developed this system a few months ago, and that is a credit to all who have worked so hard to see the Osiris Fraternal Order become successful. All of us should be very proud of what we have accomplished together and never again should we be uncertain about what the collective efforts of our community can achieve.
Although this milestone is a shared achievement of the entire community, it's important to recognize individual contributions that have gone above and beyond expectations in facilitating this accomplishment. That's why I'm awarding the Scepter of Isis, for outstanding contributions to regional integration and culture, to Venico BrightAxe. There's no question that his VeniBucks idea has been the driving force in getting us across the finish line to a new activity record, and not only that, but it has actually attracted at least one new citizen and has provided a source of immediate fun and participation for several others. Venico has also made significant contributions to regional culture in the past, contributing to the development of regional roleplay. I hope you will all join me in congratulating him for a job well done over these past few months.
Every month won't be a new record for activity. We know that and we shouldn't set our expectations so high that activity becomes a burden, rather than a natural expression of the fun we're having together as a community. What we can expect from ourselves is to move forward energized by setting the new record we've set this month, and always aiming higher in our participation. August has been a great month for the Osiris Fraternal Order, a demonstration to ourselves and to the world of the strength of our community. May we look forward to many more such months to come. Hail the Osiris Fraternal Order!
