Some Topics of Interest and my take on them

• Squads When any organization grows, there have to be stress points installed to keep it flexible enough to keep it from becoming unwieldy or collapsing under its own weight. In 1998 I realized as quickly as we were growing, there would be no way to keep the group together with the distances separating our members unless we sub-divided. The roads back to Rome were getting too long to expect absolute loyalty. A local chapter would allow members to solve the two problems of how to let members focus their work on something local they could take pride in AND stay with the group so we could accomplish something bigger. So the concept of Garrisons began.

  Now Squads were the next evolutionary step in the sub-division scheme. Within any Garrison, it became apparent that large geographical hurdles were keeping troopers from consistently getting together and forming the bonds they needed to feel like a team. Also, in any group that hits a certain size (a critical mass that is hard to quantify), conflicts arise and there is a need to 'build good fences' to make good neighbors. Squads solved this problem, by allowing very local groups (in terms of a city or a region of a state) to pool their resources and make a bigger impact on their local area. The idea, again is to be two-fold: allow pride in one's own local accomplishments while still answering to a larger group that offers more strength in numbers.

  The success of the Legion has had its drawbacks. In the cases of many Squads, or prospective Squads, the feeling isn't so much to focus one's efforts for your local community as it has been to find a way to alienate a Garrison CO you don't care much about and form your own cabal of friends. This concept is absurd and patently wrong. While allowing a smaller group the chance to erect good fences in the name of better relations, it should not be an excuse to build walls. My opinion is very clear on this: no Squad should be formed to escape the local Garrison. Your Garrison CO is still YOUR BOSS and you still answer to him/her. A Squad should be formed only to help boost the Legion in a local area and add to the value of the Garrison. It is not about circling wagons in the hope of avoiding accountability. This has been one of the biggest problems in the Legion in recent years. I am hoping this message connects with someone.

Personality Types

1. Firecracker - this is the guy who joins up, gets VERY excited about the new concept of a club of stormtroopers, buys a dozen costumes right off the bat, and troops like mad the first chance he gets. Problem is, he runs himself into serious debt, gets in trouble for spending too much time trooping, and basically burns himself out. Which is sad, because this person would be a real assett to the Legion. This club is about long-term relationships. I tell people when they start looking to burn out: "Relax. Put down your armor for a while. Come back when you're ready. There's a revolving door on this operation - we just want to see you still around a year from now." I'd recommend catching this guy just before the burnout and trying to get him to throttle it back so he will want to keep doing it, even in a smaller capacity, years from now.
2. Crusader - this is the guy who charges in and decides he knows how the Legion should be run and decides no one else can possibly grasp his vision. He will knock over walls to make the impossible happen, all because he's seen the vision of the Legion's greatness. This is great, of course, but no amount of enthusiasm that I've seen is worth hurting the relationships you have with the troopers around you. My advice is not to ignore this person and not to relegate to email communication - call the guy up, take him out to dinner, establish a personal relationship with this person so they take you seriously. Only with a good relationship can you square his vision with the team's vision.
3. Manager - some people are born to organize, even if it's behind the scenes. This person is extremely good at running the unit's website, organizing an event's details, approving costumes, whatever. They are more than content to operate behind the scenes and are very talented at what they do. What they are NOT adept at most times is chaos. They thrive on order and feed their talents into it. But when there is drama in the group, they will avoid it at all costs. It is very important to identify peoples' talents and allow them to use them for the group. It is also important to shield these people from the more melodramatic components of unit operations - you burn them out and they will go and your unit is more the poor for it. Listen to their needs, help them succeed in their job. They are the backbone of this Legion.
4. Hall Monitor - the Legion attracts a lot of people, many of them creative and many of them very professional. Order is a big plus for the Hall Monitor and they thrive on channeling their good judgment into the way the club is run. They may be big on costuming standards, event protocols, advertisement, or just codes of conduct. The problem comes up when a very diverse group is brought into focus on the same job and sometimes order isn't perfect. This person may insist the group (or an individual) just isn't up to par on a particular scale. You can't blame them - they honestly believe they're doing it for the good of the group, and to some extent they are. But cooperation requires a lot of balance, a lot of middle-ground. It's important to respect this person's eye for excellence but at the same time temper their views (and their spoken opinions) so that the periphery of the group isn't offended or harrassed out of the group. This is a tough job - it's important to strike balance and make sure everyone sees WHY you're trying to strike balance. If someone just doesn't see it then they're likely too concerned with themselves to think about the good of the group. In many cases, that means one or both parties are not long for this club.
5. Easy-Rider - Some folks join the Legion, believe it or not, just to have fun. They get some armor, think it's a trip to be a stormtrooper or a Sith Lord, and just want to party. Nothing wrong with that. If asked nicely, they'll go through with the 'rules' and even help with less-fun activities like charity events. But never forget that the draw of the club for them is FUN! Don't be surprised if they want to spice up their armor with a few customizations, if they hit the bar at the first chance, if they act the party fool. That's what they're there for. And nothing says they're wrong. Some would be quick to denounce their lack of dedication or speculate on the risk they bring the Legion in the public's eye. I say relax and enjoy the party. Make the environment fun for everyone and this person can become a real assett for the group. Of course if they go too far in offending people, it's time to have a talk. But don't wait until it becomes an issue and the groups polarize over something in particular - you'll find the party guy entrenched in his right to do whatever he wants and he will spurn the 'rigid rules of a club that was supposed to be fun'. In all things, balance. The club is 50% fun, 50% professional - keep it that way. And if folks want to be involved only in the capacity they feel comfortable with, then let them. Nothing in the rules to say they have to be a real soldier.
6. Supporter - This person is in the club mostly because someone else is in and they want to spend time with them or support them. Most often you'll see a boyfriend or girlfriend or spouse filling this role. Give them time, support and encourage them, and you'll soon find them very involved and enjoying the social aspect of the group. Nurture their involvement and you'll find them stepping up to a larger role. Alienate them and you'll find them completely uninvested in the group. While it's nice to have numbers on your roster, make sure they aren't just bodies filling costumes - get them involved and make them feel welcome too.