New Blood, Change and New Opportunities
Pharaoh-Emeritus Joshua Ravenclaw
10th Pharaoh of Osiris, First Elected Pharaoh of the Osiris Fraternal Order
Good Evening, Councillors of the Deshret.
I would like to spend some time tonight discussing something rather important regarding Osiris, and the community here on the topic of "New Blood, Change and New Opportunities", a topic that I think we are all definitely aware of, and of its importance to a sinker community. I will also be touching on history, and security as well as the role the Deshret plays in ensuring the region is safe. If you haven't already please make yourselves comfortable because I will be speaking at length, and will be splitting this into sections to make it easier for people to read. I have a lot to say and very few opportunities to speak in this manner. The sections are [History], [Service], [Roots] and [Security] which can be found easily by searching for them on the page.
Firstly, I would like to thank the Honourable Keeper for granting my request to speak, I promise you that I won't make a habit of this but felt that this was the best time to bring this topic into the open air.
[History]
Over the course of my tenure and career in the service of this region, I encountered a great many things which suggested that there was a lack of new blood, opportunities and chances for new citizens to carve out their reason to remain. You can spam forums, you can play diplomat, legislate in the World Assembly or the Deshret, you can roleplay or you can simply enjoy the community but I feel that everyone should have to give something to the community, and by sacrificing, or giving that aspect of their time, they are able to enjoy the community, and feel a greater part of it by not just benefiting the community as a whole, but doing their part to ensure that it remains fresh, open and has opportunities for future newcomers to follow in their footsteps.
In my case, I gave my World Assembly nation to Osiris. Thus giving me an vested interest in the security and longevity of the region, it also gave me a reason to be involved with the community, to know more about what is going on behind the scenes and to see if there was anything I could do to help. Gradually, I made friends, and even brought a friend of mine from a Guild we were part of into NationStates. Councillors, that friend I brought in, has just been elected your Pharaoh in a momentous election that I never believed I would see, and you have very much proven to me that newcomers, new people and fresh blood can be elected in Osiris, and are welcomed by the community of Osiris, and for that you have my gratitude.
12 months ago, this election would have been unthinkable. I would have been laughed out of the irc channel or forum for even suggesting that a new citizen could run for Pharaoh, it simply wasn't done, and it was considered lunacy to go against the "status quo". Of course, 12 months ago Osiris didn't have an official government, so the entire situation was moot but my point is the same.
Joshua came to NationStates at my urging, and by urging, I mean, nagging. I mean repeated nagging, along the lines of "Josh, I need more diplomats come and help me out you lazy git!!" He relented, and joined. I'm fairly sure that one day, he'll appear on my door-step and kill me for subjecting him to craziness of Biyah and co, or the insanity of Osiris, #osiafterdark and so many events that happened after he joined that didn't just pit a newcomer against a region of hot, molten crazy but a community of people who may have been divided at the time, but were welcoming and allowed him - and other newcomers - to learn more and put down roots.
History in a community is important, it shows us the gradual growth of a community over time. It shows our conflicts, our periods of unity, our successes, our defeats - everything is laid bare beneath our archives and it gives us a shared identity.
[Service]
I was honoured in the dying days of January when Joshua sacrificed his WA Mobility, something that was his main enjoyment in NationStates to serve as my Vizier, and ensure regional security and stability was kept in place at such a vital time in our development. His sacrifice at the time benefited the community, gave me some peace of mind, and allowed our Government to continue working on restoring diplomatic credibility for our community with our various sister sinkers and feeder cousins. His service allowed mine, and our government to continue serving Osiris' interests at the time. Now, nearly 9 months on from that date, we stand at the precipice of change, and it is a change that I, welcome. I am thrilled and overjoyed to see someone who was very much my most honoured and trusted friend in NationStates be selected by yourselves to serve as the Thirteenth Pharaoh of Osiris, and it brings me unmentionable joy to see it.
I think that with a fresh Pharaoh, someone who is separate from the "Old Guard", of the Kemetic Republic that Cormac and I come from, who has a new outlook on Osiris' place in the world, in how things should work is the best opportunity so far to lead Osiris in giving newcomers an opportunity to really establish roots in the community in order to allow them to carve a niche in Osiris for them; that keeps them here, that keeps them dedicated, and ready to work as part of the greater community to advance a common cause: Osiran stability, cohesion and fun.
To me that election, shows that my belief in that giving new citizens of Osiris opportunities encourages them to remain, and Osiris allowing new citizens to advance allows us to see new blood, new life and new chances - the next three months (or more) will be a time of great newness for Osiris, under a Pharaoh who will be experiencing a true mandate to promote Osiris but is unique compared to the previous for Pharaohs.
But now I think is the time where Osiris can do more for new players - encourage them to further to experience life as part of the Executive Departments, as a Councillor of the Deshret, in addition to serving with the Legion, or contributing to Osiran regional security as part of the Pharaohs endorsements, even forming a secondary group of emergency endorsements to secure the delegacy in the event of security threats. These are all events which see people put down roots, by serving Osiris and benefiting the entire community they are making it stronger and paving the way for future newcomers to experience a richer, more vibrant region than ever before.
[Roots]
Why do I constantly refer to putting down roots in a community? Everyone starts somewhere in a community, but most people don't stay for very long. For whatever reason, some people do not feel that there is a place for them to get involved, or a place to let them try something new and it can lead to a feeling of isolation, or a feeling of "I'm not appreciated here", "I don't know what to do... the people don't seem to trust me..." (that one was me in July 2012), but I managed somehow, despite the state of the community and the internal divisions to put down roots of my own, gradually I pushed upwards, and was in a firm enough position that whilst I knew Osiris was at that time a mess, it was home and I would do anything to ensure that our community stayed united against outside adversity, and I stuck to it, and quite a few of us did for a year, until problems arose in July 2013 when the community was literally torn apart.
The Community that was left didn't really start to heal, the new players that joined a lot didn't stay, there was no chance or opportunities for them to actually be involved with the community, everything was faction based, and it was a damaging time for the community which only started to heal when the Osiris Fraternal Order was formed.
Looking at names such as Andrew, Applebania, Wombat, Vaculatestar and James - people who have through one form or another positively contributed and enhanced Osiris' community, and government shows me more than ever before what Osiris is able to achieve when we are open to new talent. It is truly wonderful to see how fresh-perspectives, attitudes and people benefit our entire community, such as the people mentioned above.
I believe, and have witnessed that when we give newcomers a chance to experience new things for themselves, 90% of the time, our community benefits from it. In one large occasion in 2013 our trust was abused, and it led to an almost complete fracture of the community, which I shall talk about below in my final section.
[Security]
All in all, I am very happy with the choices for cabinet that have been presented but I would be remiss if I did not speak on the security of Osiris, and how I fear Treize Dreizehn serving as Vizier for a second term could impact it. The Deshret, in contrast to the Sepatarchy of the Kemetic Republic, is the primary body in Osiris which wields the most influence and power in how the region exists. You elect the Pharaoh, you confirm the Vizier, the Scribes, the Guardians and the Elders.
No other institution in Osiris has as much influence or as much as power collectively as the Councillors of the Deshret, led by their Keeper has over Osiran society, law and government... which makes this matter all the more important for us all.
In October 2012, Pharaoh George Holland-Stark appointed a newcomer to the role of Vizier of Culture. That newcomer later on switched to World Assembly Affairs and at the next election, in February 2013, he became Kai-Repat (Vice Delegate) to the Pharaoh. In May, following high tensions between the Pharaoh, and the Queen of Gatesville, the Pharaoh, George Holland-Stark resigned, and the Kai-Repat became Pharaoh. In June 2013 an argument in the Cabinet between him, the Minister of Security (Biyah), the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Myself), and several other members of the Cabinet turned sour. The topic was 60 random endorsements that had appeared out of nowhere since he took over (George had averaged around 100). The numbers were unheard of in Osiris at the time, and as a result his influence was sky high - and he could easily take on most of the regional heavyweights.
We found out where those endorsements came from and what the new influence would be used for, when the Pharaoh declared that Osiris was now owned by Gatesville Inc. That Pharaoh, was the sixth Pharaoh of Osiris, Treize Dreizehn who had for whatever reason engaged in a campaign of misinformation, manipulation and deceit to not just the community of Osiirs, but our allies, and our government. The damage that his actions caused will not be forgotten by those who worked against it and tried to liberate Osiris. His influence was pretty much similar to what he has now, and three months as Vizier will give him an even larger pool to work from.
Surely he'd have couped whilst he's in the delegacy now? No. He enjoys being unpredictable, couping now would be predictable as he knows that people are expecting him to do just that. He would wait until a time when people were more relaxed. He once warned us to keep him away from the Delegacy but unfortunately is in it regardless.
Am I saying that he is guaranteed to repeat history? No. I am saying that there is a risk, and it is a considerable point of concern for myself, and at least two former Pharaohs of the Osiris Fraternal Order. I am only the latest to voice my concerns about this and by no means am the only one to be thinking it.
The damage a coup could cause for Osiris is horrific. It would undo everything that has been achieved by previous governments, and the Deshret has the opportunity to ask the Pharaoh to submit a different candidate for the role of Vizier and avoid gambling with regional security. A disagreement on the choice of Vizier does not mean a disagreement on the choice of Scribe of Horus - they are separate positions and the Deshret can agree to one, but not the other at their wish.
It is rare that I must be so blunt, although I feel that the situation calls for it. Joshua has been aware of my concerns since day one. In fact, a great many people in this region, both Councillors or not have been aware of my concern - the past cannot be repeated, and all I can do is advise the Honourable Councillors of this house to consider whether they want to take a gamble on future stability and security of Osiris or choose a safer option which will soothe the reasonable concerns of a great many people who fought hard to bring you the Osiris you are able to work in today.
I would rather Osiris was vigilant and safe, than unknowingly walking into a minefield, however unwelcome my final message has been this evening I do not say it without cause - there is history behind my words. Osiris is enjoying its longest period of stability in its existence and I do not want to see that compromised or shattered by war (again!). One civil war was enough, both for me, and for Osiris.
Thank you all for your time.
Pharaoh Emeritus of Osiris, Holder of the Commendation of Osiris, Vigilant of Horus, Seal of Vigilance and Crown of Osiris
