Randall's Challenge in Knightood discussion

[uuriel]

Randall challenged me to list the problems with knighthood and look for a comprehensive solution. Well I am willing to consider that route although I am not willing to get bogged down in it and end up not doing anything. On that basis I will split this post between Randall’s challenge and revisions to my proposal of two days ago.

Please respond to

Comments

[grendel_macg]

you propose a very good challenge.

I will just start with brainstorming and see where that goes.

scratch knighthood - toss it. create something new/better? or not, do nothing new, do not replace/recreate it.

make knighthood an office that is run for once a year at kingdom crown quals, no limit to how many run for it, or anything like that, just have to be knights. or maybe twice a year at kingdom quals, expires 12 months after last time qualled? this would be a part of quals, not any additional tourney. they need to get a minimum of a certain number of points or average score, and need to enter a certain number of categories. this doesn't necessarily address flame & crown. maybe they could also qual by reeving or judging? or a combination of reeving and entering A&S or fighting and judging?

do nothing, change nothing - we are essentially discussing the nature of humans. we cannot enforce consistency and quality, to restrict or impose certain additional requirements would stifle and or alienate good knights from creatively expressing their service and love in their own way.

make a code of conduct for knights that is amtgard wide, that includes things like minimum service/help/assistance, etc. just throwing it out there, required to promote their specific field/belt at least once a reign or once every year to remain in that 'active knight office'. something that would be a little more open, so a flame knight could pick up trash, or help with autocratting an event, or sub autocrat or co autocrat, or could wash dishes at coronation, etc. a sword knight could teach a class, fight in a tourney, write and distribute fighting tips and theory, etc. crown could write an article on essentials of a good court, how to enter quals, prep for quals, how to gracefully address issues that come up in office. could run for office, or run with someone for office, or teach a class on running for office, etc.. serpent could teach a class on leather work, or enter a&s or collaborate on some a&s projects with another person/foster a new or unexperienced person in a field of the serpent's expertise?

that's all that's coming to mind right now

[uuriel]

I like the brainstorming process and I thank you for your ideas. I will comment on some of them since maybe my comments will spark more ideas.

Since I think the awards system including knighthood is a net positive, I dont want to scrap it without a great replacement in mind.

I sort of like the running for the office of knighthood idea in some ways. Of course, I like the current pool of knights better as long as all of us live up to the office of knighthood. Still thats not a fair comparison since we dont.

I have done nothing long enough. I dont disagree with some of your points about human nature but I dont want to take a pass on it any longer. There are creative ways to improve almsot anything.

This is a great idea in theory but it practice its tough. Who enforces the code of conduct. How subjective is that enforcement.

[grendel_macg]

maybe the code of conduct would be a maleable document, something that can be amended and grown, and begins with a minimum service requirement for each belt. other things may be added or changed, maybe with clan changes.

or maybe it would be a proposal to require each kingdom come up with a set of codes for their kingdom, and require they include something about what the minimums a knight must do to remain in the office part of knighthood?

also, would there be any physical difference between a knight in office, and a knight not in that knightly office? I know you mentioned the newbie who sees a knight and says "I won't ever be a knight if that's what knighthood is" - how does a newbie factor into this? I believe it would be best to some how keep this as simple as possible, if that's an option.

more brainstorming

no more specific belts, no flame, no crown, no sword, no serpent. just knighthood. this has the added benefit of separating the masterhoods from the belt a bit. still require the masterhood for a knight belt. then require that certain things are done to remain in that knightly office, which could include any of what you mentioned, high placing in tourney, running for office, doing service, etc. so a person knighted for 'being qualified through serpent' doesn't necessarily have to always do a&s things, they could continue with rose type service, fighting, holding office, I believe this would promote more service to the game as a whole, and allow a person to grow and do new things instead of stagnating into or being forced to continue service in a field they maybe want to take a break from.

[phargle]

I do like the idea of doing away with all four belts and letting any of the masterhoods or office serving we have now lead to a person being able to be knighted.

Oddly, this would be a step backwards in some ways to 1983, but back then the masterhood breakdown was not as mature as it is now.

I don't think this would pass but I can hope.

[uuriel]

I am undecided on this idea. Specifically because, actions I took looking to earn a serpent belt made me a better Amtgarder and I might not have taken those actions otherwise. Then again I might have.