Evolution of Eternal Vigilance

We have split up the various stages of the guild's evolutions into version numbers. Thus far, it's accepted that we have undergone five significant stages of evolution (EV 1-5). A new stage will emerge when we consider ourselves to have revised the way EV operates significantly enough to warrant a new version number.

EV 1.0 - Initial Form

Eternal Vigilance's structure, even in its earliest form, has always been rather complex. In what we consider EV 1.0, the core ranks as we still know them today did exist. The Legionary Council, the Hastati/Principes/Triarii ranks, cohort ranks - all there. What didn't exist until later revisions was the way they now fluidly interact with each other.

The First Chain of Command

As originally written, this is what we consider the chain of command during EV 1.0:

Article I - Legionary Council

The Legionary Council is composed of three members of different titles but equal power: Legatus, Tribunus, and Praefectus. The goal of the Legionary Council is to maintain a sense of overall direction in the organization, run the elections, and appoint various leaders within the organization. Legionary Council members serve lifetime terms, or until resignation. Upon the resignation of one Legionary Council member, he or she will have the option of appointing a replacement or deferring to the remaining two Legionary Council members.

The Legatus is in charge of disciplinary action, disagreements between members or Cohorts, as well as clarification and interpretation of law as this organization has written it.

The Tribunus is in charge of running elections for both the Legionary Executive and Cohort Executive. The Tribunus will also be responsible for maintaining the recruitment system and maintaining application statuses.

The Prafectus is in charge of organizing guild-wide administrators and their duties. The Praefectus will be responsible for maintaining overall guild efficiency, delegating duties and making sure all Executive appointees understand those duties and goals, and maintaining the security of the guild.

Article II - Legion Executive

The Primus Pilus is the next highest ranking officer under the Legionary Council. While the Legionary Council chiefly performs administrative and supervisory duties for the guild, the Primus Pilus is charged with being the direct, hands-on leader. The Primus Pilus is to ensure that the guild maintains a pleasurable atmosphere and a high level of activity through deciding upon solutions to problems discussed in the Cohort Council, contributing to the Legionary Council, and organizing guildwide events. Primus Pilus is elected and serves a six (6) month term, with no limit on the total number of terms served. Candidates for Primus Pilues must be of a Triarius of good standing, and may hold the office of Primus Pilus in addition to an office within the Cohort Executive.

Article III - Cohort Council

The Cohort Council is the place where Cohort Representatives will both discuss leadership roles and collaborate on guild-wide decisions to be made and enacted by the Primus Pilus. This council will be chairmanned by the Primus Pilus, and its members will include the Centurion and Optio from each division.

Article IV - Cohort Executive

The Cohort is the unit that will be allotted to each different game - a game division. The number of officers in each Cohort will reflect the number and activity of members that participate in that game; the Centurion office is always present in any game division officially approved and supported by the Legionary Council. Each of the other offices will be added as requested by the Centurion and as deemed appropriate in the following order: Optio, Tesserarius, Signifer, and Cornicen. Further offices will be allowed at the request of the Centurion only after intensive review by the Legionary Council, Cohort leadership, and Triarii. The Cohort Executive may request a supplemental ranking system within their own Cohort, and the Legionary Council will grant such power according to the appropriateness of such titles in any given Cohort's game.

The Centurion is the highest ranking officer in each Cohort, and is responsible for leading the Cohort. The Centurion is the elected leader of the Cohort, serving a six (6) month term staggered with other elections, with no limitation on the number of total terms served. Candidates for Centurion must be a Triarius in good standing.

The Optio is the second ranking officer in each Cohort and is responsible for recruitment. The Optio is appointed by the Legionary Council.

The Tesserarius is an officer that performs duties defined by the Centurion. The Tesserarius is appointed by the Centurion, serving until the end of the appointing Centurions' term.

The Signifer is an officer that performs duties defined by the Centurion. The Signifer is appointed by the Centurion, serving until the end of the appointing Centurions' term.

The Cornicen is an officer that performs duties defined by the Centurion. The Cornicen is appointed by the Centurion, serving until the end of the appointing Centurions' term.

Article V - Tribunus Angusticlavii

The Tribunus Angusticlavii is the group of officers (sing. Tribuni Angusticlavii) who will be appointed by the Legionary Council in order to aid said council in administrative duties, such as website maintenance or recruitment. Tribuni Angusticlavii have no rank or power over the Primus Pilus or Cohort Executives, but will be recognized for their responsibility and contribution of time. Tribuni Angusticlavii may also hold any combination of the offices of Primus Pilus and Cohort Executive.

Article VI - Legionary Body

The Triarii (sing. Triarius) are veteran members who have a clear sense of loyalty, duty, and dedication to Eternal Vigilance. Triarii status is granted by the Legionary Council, with input from the Cohort Executive of the branch where each Triarius is active. Triarii will be responsible for keeping the decisions of the Legionary Council in accordance with the goals of the guild and desires of the people.

The Principes (sing. Princeps) are official members who have the right to vote in both the Legionary Executive elections and their current Cohort's Executive elections.

The Hastati (sing. Hastatus) are recruits who aspire to become Principes. Hastati will not be able to vote, as their membership status is not tentative.

EV 2.0 - Introducing the Progression Process

Before EV 2.0, the foundation existed - but it depended heavily on the Legionary Council to manually operate on an unsatisfactorily deep level. Leaders would decide based purely on their own opinion who would progress from Hastati to Principes, and from Principes to Triarii.

We mark the creation of the 3-stage progression process as EV 2.0. Prior, there did not exist the Hastati Projects nor the Triarii Entry Elections. We have since tweaked the system since its introduction, but not by much - what exists now is largely its original form.

EV 2.0 is considered to have released on June 16th, 2005.

EV 3.0 - JRS and Cohort System

EV 3.0 released on December 26th, 2005 can be read about in more detail here. To summarize, read this excerpt from the EV 3.0 announcement:

• A clear and FAIR code of procedure to approach code of conduct violations with. This code of procedure will henceforth be known as the 'Judicial Review System' and will be elaborated on further down.
• A slight restructure at the top of the chain of command; the addition of one seat to the Legionary Council, taking the form of a second Primus Pilus. The Legionary Council will consist of five individuals. The Primus Pilus position's duties will be adjusted accordingly to avoid conflict and provide some much needed focus.
• A dramatic restructuring of the cohort system; how we look at cohorts, how we approach the creation of cohorts, and streamlining the system to better support further expansion into the gaming community.
• The addition of the Tribunus Triarius position, aka the 'Triarii Chairman'
• The introduction of the 'nonessential and essential position' concept.
• The gradual renaming of many ranks within the Eternal Vigilance chain of command, so as to be more true to our Roman hierarchical theme. First renaming: Primus Pilus is now known as Consul.
• Clarification of the chain of command, meaning the chain of command will be re-written in many places so as to alleviate any confusion regarding positions... and also for the purpose of updating the document.
• Amendments to the 'Guild Charter'
• Rectification of what we believe to be an issue stunting the progress of our election system at the Hastati -> Principes level of progression.

EV 4.0

(needs to be written)

EV 5.0

(needs to be written)