Minutes of the 23 September 2023 meeting

TRMN Steering Committee: Inaugural Meeting Minutes
Date: 23 September 2023
Time: 1000 Pacific / 1300 Eastern / 1800 BST
Location: Google Meet - Recorded

Attendees:

Mike Garcia – Chair

David Westover (IAN) – Vice Chair (elect)

Zach White (GSN) – Secretary (elect)

Laura Lochen (RMN)

Mike Houghtaling (RMMC)

Matthew Miller (RMA)

Garret Bitker (Civ Corps)

Non-Voting Attendees/Guests:

Lauren Niemeyer (SFC)

Justin Dupras (3SL)

Doss Buckalew (4SL)

David Misner (5SL)

Justin Grays (Lord Speaker)

Chris Holloway (Exchequer)

The meeting was called to order at 1005 PST.

Agenda Item 1:

Opening remarks were made by the Chair describing the purpose of the meeting and confirming that the attendees had read the documents provided prior to the meeting.

Agenda Item 2:

Committee members were sat by the Chair. Attending this meeting were the RMN, GSN, IAN, and RMA members. The RMMC and the Civilian Corps were represented by proxy. A representative of the RHN did not attend. Agenda Item 3 was also discussed during this time.

Agenda Item 3:

The 4SL Doss Buckalew, spoke about the recent data breach that was communicated via email to the membership. No personal information was leaked, and the breach was contained. He summarized the information available in the email and noted that shortly all members will be forced to reset their MEDUSA password as a precaution.

Agenda Item 4:

The roles of the Vice-Chair and Secretary were briefly described, and a nomination period was opened.

David Westover volunteered for the Vice-Chair position. This was seconded by Zach White and thirded by Mike Houghtaling. Hearing no further nominations and no objections, David Westover was appointed as the Vice-Chair by the Chair.

Zach White volunteered for the Secretary position. This was seconded by Laura Lochen. Hearing no further nominations and no objections, Zach White was appointed as the Secretary by the Chair.

Agenda Item 5:

As communicated in pre-meeting communications, the current Marshal of the Corps is retiring on 1 October 2023 instead of the previously arranged 1 January 2024. Two applications were submitted for a successor. Though it is the prerogative of the Chair to appoint new members, he elected to allow for a vote. The two candidates were discussed, and the Chair called for a roll call vote for the members to name their selection between Joe Grieco and Mike Houghtaling.

The Secretary called the roll:

Laura Lochen (RMN): Mike Houghtaling

Matthew Miller (RMA): Mike Houghtaling

David Westover (IAN): Mike Houghtaling

Garret Bitker (Civ Corps): Mike Houghtaling

Zach White (GSN): Mike Houghtaling

Mike Garcia (Chair): Mike Houghtaling

As the vote was unanimous, Mike Houghtaling was appointed Commandant of the Royal Manticoran Marine Corps effective 1 October 2023.

Agenda Item 6:

Following the election of the new MotC, each branch head delivered a divisional report.

Lochen delivered her Divisional Report/Executive Committee Report. Noted that the Steering Committee will receive the Executive Committee minutes and that the Executive Committee would like to receive the Steering Committee minutes – there was/is no objection to this. There were no questions.

Mike Houghtaling (MotC elect) delivered his RMMC report. Noted 100% corps-wide reporting for August. There were no questions.

Matthew Miller sent in an RMA report via email. There was nothing that he wished to add, and there were no questions.

Zach White sent in a GSN report via email. He summarized the contents briefly. There were no questions.

David Westover delivered his IAN report. Noted that the enlisted uniform is very close to being finished. There were no questions.

Garret Bitker delivered his Civilian Corps report. Noted that the first whole civilian chapter (conversion of HMS Rigel) is ready and that there are plans to add another terminus to the RMACS. Mike Houghtaling asked about the RMMC personnel on Rigel prior to its conversion to a civilian chapter and received a satisfactory answer.

Justin Grays delivered a report on the House of Lords. Noted that all new members are seated and have been assigned mentors. There were no questions.

Agenda Item 7:

The Chair gave another opportunity to discuss the roles of the Steering Committee as outlined in the Policy Document and the responsibilities that it outlines. There were no questions. The floor was opened on alternate communication methods in addition to the mailing list. Mike Houghtaling suggested Discord, and Matthew Miller seconded, specifically the former Royal Council Discord. Zach White thirded. The Chair made a motion to adopt Discord. Laura Lochen and Justin Grays seconded. No objections were raised.

The Chair called for a voice vote (Aye/Nay). It was unanimously in favor.

Laura Lochen suggested that there be an “Ask the Steering Committee” section of this Discord. This was agreed upon.

Agenda Item 8:

David Westover noted that the Steering Committee is now in charge of Admiralty Orders. He presented briefly on the need to review/consolidate/update the existing 343 Admiralty Orders going back to the founding of the Organization. The Chair called for the creation of a Sub-Committee to oversee this task. Zach White and Laura Lochen volunteered to be on the committee. Zach White nominated David Westover to Chair it. He accepted. The Chair called for a voice vote (Aye/Nay) It was unanimously in favor. The Sub-Committee was established with David Westover as Chair, with Zach White and Laura Lochen as members. They were tasked to deliver an update report by the next Steering Committee meeting.

Additionally, there was a discussion on a special Admiralty Order to honor Martin Lessem as the founder. After some discussion, it was decided to table the conversation to Discord for a more

in-depth and nuanced discussion. David Westover withdrew his motion for that item.

Agenda Item 9:

David Westover noted that the Steering Committee oversees issuing the Jubilee, Grand Alliance Campaign Medal, and the Knightly Orders awards. Zach White noted in the discussion that Duke Mountain View is working on a revision for the Awards Manual, specifically applicable in this instance, the revision of criteria for the Knightly Orders, and should be a guest at the next Steering Committee Meeting.

Justin Dupras presented his proposal for new criteria for the Wound Stripe. After some discussion, the Chair called for a voice vote (Aye/Nay) on the adaptation of the new criteria. It was unanimously in favor.

Agenda Item 10:

Justin Dupras spoke briefly on Chapters and Fleets but indicated that he would like to table the discussion until the next Steering Committee meeting in November.

Agenda Item 11:

David Misner spoke about plans to consolidate the promotion boards. After some discussion it was tabled for further discussion to Discord by the Chair. Due to some members having to leave, the meeting running over time, and there no longer being a quorum, further discussion was referred to the Steering Committee Discord, and the remaining Agenda Items (12 and 13) referred to the next scheduled Steering Committee meeting, which was set for 11 November 2023 at 1000 PST.

The meeting was adjourned at 1229 PST.