[RCelection] Region 3 RC election - my platform

[Jeremy "Sideshow" Carsten]

Greetings Region 3,

According to the IG, the two candidates for RC are Reed Bates, and myself.
I've come to understand she has contacted people via other means, but I
will stick to what was agreed to, and post here. Please forward to yours
crews/leadership as you see fit. If anyone would like to discuss things
with me, I am available (less so on weekends this month) on multiple
platforms (phone, text, Facebook, email, discord).

That said, I'd like to detail what I hope to accomplish, if graced with
another term as your Regional Coordinator. Warning - this isn't short, or
lacking any ambition - but they are things I think are achievable in a two
year time span.

Lets start with the big rocks, up at SFI HQ.

Recognition -  I'd like to work with other RC and the EC to codify flag
officer requirements beyond Time in Grade. The VCS just published a paper
discussing the process, but we've yet to nail down what the criteria being
looked for in Flag Officers is as nominations are processed. This must be
done in conjunction with the EC, else it will be viewed as Admiralty Board
over reach - as it is to them to decide. However, I think all can agree we
need more solid criteria identified, that lasts longer than a single
administration.

I am already working with some people around the fleet on the next item -
Physical Awards for Fleet awards like the SFMC and MACOs have. These should
cover Annual Awards (Chapter, Region and Fleet Levels) and orders of merit
- all three classes. There is work being done on this by several folks, and
I'd like to see the end result, and be part of the Board that formally
adopts the final solution.

On orders of Merit - I think the 2nd and 3rd class processing should be
moved to the regional level - to speed up processing, and let the top level
worry about ones that need more adjudication than a 3rd of 2nd class -
which is really just verification of the actions in the nomination.


I think we need to work on our IC bid guidelines. Specifically to ensure
that the STARFLEET International Conference does NOT directly compete with
the one convention that the US members can count on for all things Star
Trek. We should compliment events available to members, not compete with
CBS and Creative.


I believe that the ECAB could use some standing committees:

First - a Strategic Planning Committee. Right now any strategic vision for
where SFI should go is generally tied to a 3 year plan by the winning CS
each election. Then that CS gets into office, and has some level of things
to deal with to get to a point they can even start working on their
campaign promises. This is the best of times - and recent SFI history has
been far from the best. A committee who's job it was to look ahead to where
SFI should go, and help map out the steps to get there would be ideal - and
could then work with the AB and EC counterparts to bring whatever that
vision is to fruition. Initial suggestion would be composed of the CS, VCS,
OPS?, 3 RC's, and a Member at large.

That goes along with the AB publishing a strategic plan for the EC to
follow. But the AB as en entire body is pretty slow moving, and unwieldy -
thus the committee above is essential to forming this plan. This would give
us two huge benefits, as I see it. The aforementioned plan beyond a 3 year
cycle, AND taking some of the weight off the CS election itself. Lets face
it, it can get pretty rough every election cycle (that's this year!) - and
perhaps if there was already a way ahead, the CS election could be less
about searching for a vision (because we'd have one), and more just finding
the right leader to move us down the path already identified.


The Second committee I think we need is less fun to talk about. Discipline.
The current process is very broken. For any issue, the CS must call an IG
investigation, which if there are findings adverse to a member, must go
before the entire AB. Summoning the board for such a reason takes a minimum
of 14 days. That's after any time it took for an issue to be raised to the
CS, the CS to tell the IG to start an investigation, and however long that
might take, write up and forward to the board. If there are any appeals -
then it goes to a committee...this is backwards!

We need a committee that can handle small issues that might not require a
full IG investigation, and if an issue does call for that, a  body easier
to assemble than the full AB. The AB would retain the sole ability to
impose large restrictions on a member, and serve as the proper appeals
avenue (vs a small body tried to oversee the larger...).


And finally - I'd like to keep leading the AB! This past AB session, 3 out
of 3 motions were written by Region 3. The discussions were led with a lot
of my input, and in the end all came back unanimous. Not going to lie, that
made me proud - because none of the issues that have gone before the AB
have been simplistic. And this is just the latest, the trend goes back to
Wayne Killough's passing. I have been at the front, one of the loudest
voices, and the author of most the motions. I'd like to continue within
that body, as SFI faces even more changes up ahead.


And now to the Region specific stuff!

We need to continue to develop Fleet First - it is gaining interest in
other regions, we are getting noticed for it, and the lack of progress on
the branding matter from HQ means an old adage is about to become true - Ye
who writes it first, wins. We've got more experience now, and can pull in
more folks from more regions to make it even better.

And once HQ is on its feet for it, we can work with them to ensure even
wider adoption and input, for an ever improving program.

One of the things we did this year was roll up all the data we had for
Region 3 charity efforts, and push that back out to you. That was an
awesome number to state - over $12,262.05 by Region 3 member and chapters.
Now imagine if we can get the rest the fleet to roll their numbers up -
what numbers could we sing the praises of then? What better position would
SFI be in to negotiate deals? This helps retention, recruitment, and
organizational planning and strategy.

I plan to continue communications with the Region on multiple fronts -
Discord, Facebook, emails, website, etc. I don't believe there has ever
been more options to reach out to talk to your RC than ever before - and I
do strive to remain available. If I can't answer something right away, I
will get back to you. I've enjoyed talking with several members and CO's
over the years I've served, and plan to go right on doing that.

That said, I'm not going to cold call you most the time. That's not my way,
and I don't know everyone's schedule. I can make myself available for a
phone call easily enough, but generally I will not be making your phone
ring without some warning. There have been some exceptions, but they are
just that.

Finally, I'd like to capitalize on our new quartermaster website. It took a
lot longer to get that in place than I thought, and more hurdles than
initially envisioned - but we got it! Now we need to look for new products
people want, and consolidate orders for recruiting materials (until and
unless big fleet finally takes that over).


As you can see - there is a LOT I'd like to still do. I'm happy to answer
any questions, and I'd appropriate your chapter's vote before April 29th.
In any case, it has been an honor to serve these past four years.

Thank You,

BGN Jeremy "Sideshow" Carsten
RC, Region 3
DOIC, 3rd Brigade
OIC, 301st MSG - Strike Group Cerberuswww.ussbattleborn.com
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