STF

Ancillary Thoughts about the FCOMM Update

Posted July 31, 2019, 3:07 p.m. by Rear Admiral Krystelle McLean (FComm, Infinite Fleet / CMM) (Krystelle Knight)

Posted by Commodore Cale Reilly (STF Surgeon General) in Ancillary Thoughts about the FCOMM Update

Posted by Sidney Parker in Ancillary Thoughts about the FCOMM Update

Posted by Fleet Captain Geoff Joosten (Gamemaster Director) in Ancillary Thoughts about the FCOMM Update
As I am reading the FComm discussions around what they are supposed to do and who they are supposed to be, and while I have voiced my opinions relevant to the topics, I was reminded of some of the politics in another organization I belong to. Below is just some food for thought on some of my real world, non-STF experiences that frame how I came to my viewpoints.

I belong to a fraternal organization that is broken up into local area chapters, each chapter belongs to a district, and several districts make up the state governing body. At each level there is a person responsible for everything under him.

The district leaders are chosen by the state president to serve as his eyes, ears, and hands in the district. All authority he has is inherited from the state president, not because of the position. His job it to, for lack of a better set of terms, enforce organization rules, state body orders, and observe and report any discrepancies that may require intervention.

I have noticed that two types of people are generally attracted to the role: Those who are looking for the prestige and title, and those who want to actually do good work on behalf of the organization. The first are simple annoyances that require the local clubs to act independently because they receive little support from above and the second often breaks down to those who know things and those who don’t. The ones that have served as a local club president often know the key players, know the rules, and can actually be useful to their peers. Those who rose too quickly might not know where in the code to look for an obscure rule, much less know how to enforce it.

If I apply my lens of experience to the discussions happening right now, I notice several things. First, STF is structured similarly: Ships belong to fleets and fleets make up the club. The head honcho appoints the FComms to lead the fleets. One thing that isn’t clear to me is, who empowers the FComms? Are they agents of the President, or agents of the fleet they oversee?

Some in these discussions indicate that the FComm should be representing the fleet to the president, and to lobby on behalf of the fleet. If we still had fleets with unique and unifying cultures I would agree this was true, however most of the fleets are pretty cookie-cutter these days and don’t require the specialized experience that may have been required previously. Others have argued that they are the eyes and ears of the president, which is what FComm seems to imply. However, one could make a convincing argument that the role of FComm has more authority and responsibility than the President; the FComm essentially drafting the edict for new ships, decommissioning, CO appointments, etc.

Likewise, I have noticed there tends to be two types of FComm: Those who want the title and those who want to give back to the club. I will admit, I was the first type when I first joined. I joined STF when I was in high school and wanted that cool title. Thankfully for the club I wasn’t appointed one for many years until I had time to grow and learn and even then I was, passable? I don’t think I will go down in history as one of the greats but I like to think I did the job well.

I feel like the president needs to take ownership of his or her FComms and make sure that whoever is appointed is up to the challenge. FComms need to find someone to train to be their replacement.

Like I said, just some musings on the subject of organizational structure and powers. Food for thought.

Geoff

So Mote it Be

Sidney

Really well said Geoff

Cale

Indeed, well said.

Krys


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