Department of Membership (History)

General

The Department of Membership was created in 2004 to oversee the administration of all membership levels in the community.

2004

The Department of Membership was created at the 2004 Admin Meeting, when the first departmental structure was implemented for the administration of the community. The initial department was co-led by the Master at Arms and the Keeper. There was no director position for this department.

2005

The Keeper, Elyna al'Tzoran announced her retirement from the position, and Dralyn Montsier was hired as the new Keeper. The decision to form guilds was also made during this year.

2006

During the 2006 Admin Meeting, the position of Director of Membership was created. This position was created to oversee the Head of Ajahs, Company Commanders, and all levels of membership. This position replaced the Keeper and Master at Arms in their previous leadership roles in the Department of Membership. Vivianna L'antreau was hired as the first Director of Membership.

One major membership change during this year was the implementation of the Guesting System for Junior Members visiting the Ajahs and Companies. The forum structure changed to allow membership groups one “public” forum, called the Sitting Room, where guests can visit, and one private forum, called Chambers, where only members of the Ajah/Company can post.

2007

The Guesting system had a successful year and proved to be a viable program for Junior Members. The time limit for aspiring to a Community Group was shortened from 10 weeks to 6 weeks. During this year it was decided to create two new administrative positions to oversee the Junior Member levels of Accepted and Soldiers, making four total positions: Mistress of Novices, Mistress of Accepted, Captain of Recruits, and Captain of Soldiers. Valadilene Aldieb was hired as the first Mistress of Accepted, and Doneavan al'Keavin was hired as the first Captain of Soldiers.

During this year there was another major change to junior membership with the creation of the rank of Resident Citizen, for members who wish to stay in the City and choose not to join the Tower.

2008

The director position changed hands during this year, and Serenla Tamowith was hired as the new Director of Membership.

It was decided during this year that the administrative positions in this department would rotate every 18 months.

2010

During the 2010 Admin Meeting, it was decided to allow +1 bonds to people who met certain criteria. In order to track these criteria, as well as members’ service to the Tower, the Merit System was first discussed.

2011

The Merit System was officially launched during this year, with the first awards being presented at Anniversary Party 2011 in Charleston, SC. The Archivist took over the administration of Merits. The department also began an initiative for all members on the forums to have both First and Last names in their forum username.

2012

This year Sa'areah Britthorn was hired as the Director of Membership, when Serenla Tamowith was hired as the new Archivist.

2014

The major membership change during this year was the decision to proceed with full integration. This meant that the ranks of Aes Sedai and Gaidin would no longer be gendered roles in the community. Resident Citizens were also given the option of a Who’s Who profile in the Library.

2015

Integration was implemented and all community groups were open to Junior Members starting January 1. Senior Members were also given the option to demote and change tracks if desired. The Junior Member administrators were also changed and reformed into two positions: Master/Mistress of Novices and Recruits, and Master/Mistress of Accepted and Soldiers.

2017

A focus group was created to discuss additional bonds for Gaidin, and the consensus was that Gaidin groups could decide for themselves whether to implement an additional bond. All of the Gaidin membership groups decided to implement the extra bond.

2020

A new position was added to the Department of Membership after the 2020 Spring Executive Meeting. The first Tower Mediators therefore became Alyria Ess and Calen Velervron.

2021

In February, Sa'areah Britthorn stepped down as Department Director after more than 8 years in the position. She was succeeded by Alenya Al'Roran.

In May, the age requirements for some membership levels were changed - the minimum age to become a Citizen remains at 13. The minimum age to join the Tower as a Novice or Recruit is now raised to 16 from the previous 14. The minimum age to be raised to Accepted or Soldier is now increased from 15 to 18 years of age. The same month it was announced that the Bond is now open for any two Senior Members - Aes Sedai and Aes Sedai or Gaidin and Gaidin can now be bonded. The first same-path bonds were announced on June 1.

In October, a new procedure for leaving a membership group was introduced and implemented - the Senior Members who wish to change their affiliation no longer need to demote to Accepted or Soldier. Instead they will remain as Unaffiliated Aes Sedai or Gaidin. Along with this change, a change to bonding dissolutions was also introduced - there will no longer be a set time of the year where you would need to apply for dissolving a bond and the dissolutions will no longer be announced.

2022

In the first days of the year, it was announced that if a member of a bonded couple has passed away, their bond remains as an "Eternal Bond" to their living bondmate, who may choose to bond another without needing to dissolve the previous bond. The Eternal bond will remain unbroken, until the living bondmate decides to dissolve it.

In late January it was announced that the position of Tower Mediator will no longer be a part of the Department of Membership. It was instead moved outside the departmental structure and reports directly to the Cordamora.

In April, Alenya Al'Roran stepped down as Director and was replaced by Loraella Melodie. A month later Raevyn Tsornin succeeded Loraella as Mistress of Accepted and Soldiers.

In early October, Loraella also decided to step down from the directorship and the new Director, Roheryn ni Galghandhrei t'al'Djinn, was introduced in November.