Transition to Greatness
Change is inevitable. Though it can lead to uncertainty, how we respond to change ensure that we persevere stronger than ever. As circumstances arise, numerous shifts have occurred in Templarian leadership. Today I outline these changes, as well as our previous accomplishments and the path ahead of the Templars.
Leadership Changes
The changes to Templars leadership will be the most significant changes I discuss today. As we progress into a new era of Templarian success, Ellie and I no longer hold the rank of Grand Prior. These retirements are completely unrelated to one another, so I would like to provide brief explanations for why they have occurred. While the timing is unfortunate (thank you CPA), I reassure each of our members that both were expected by Consuls of our Imperial Court.
Shallissa (hi that’s me)
I initially returned to Templars as Advisor to support Sidie and the army as we integrated to Club Penguin Journey. Through my leadership of the People’s Imperial Confederation, I learned that utilizing Club Penguin Journey is key in building a modern Club Penguin army. Beyond recruiting and hosting events on CP Journey, showing interest in the game and it’s community of players is integral to success. I knew that TCP’s interest in Club Penguin Journey had to be genuine so I made this my mission.
Though former TCP Advisor Kyle introduced CP Journey guides to the Templars website, I dedicated myself to revitalizing our approach to the CPPS. Nowadays it is indisputable that I have spearheaded Templars as one of the forefront creators of Club Penguin content. Streamlined formatting, a brand new website redesign, and a modernized guide navigation page are just some of the many contributions I’ve brought to this fantastic community. I’ve published over one hundred CPPS related posts and guides, accounting for nearly one third of every post on the Templars website.
I never intended to return to the Templars as Grand Prior; I aimed for my primary focus to be on CPPS community outreach and the transition of Templars to Club Penguin Greatness. All of this would have been accomplished regardless of if I had become leader, and I will continue to work towards this as a member of the Imperial Court. My main passions in Templars are not tied to the position of Grand Prior, which is why I chose to retire.
In truth, the excitement of what our community had quickly grown into is what inspired me to become leader. I was and still am extremely motivated, and I believed taking on a leadership role would allow me to make our army even greater. While all of this proved to be true, what I didn’t account for was how quickly I began overextending myself. I wanted to be the best I could possibly be for the benefit of my coleaders and the Templars community I love so much. I took on more than I could reasonably handle; in return I was extremely harsh to myself when I couldn’t live up to the unrealistic expectations I set upon myself. I noticed myself becoming less motivated to create website content, the very thing I enjoy doing the most. So in June I brought up the idea of my retirement.
Realistically I’ve been retired since July but I never went public about it, only recently did I ask Sidie to remove my Grand Prior role. Aside from a sprint of activity in April and May of this year, my inactivity as a leader has been obvious. My coleaders and Templars members themselves can confirm that I didn’t lead events, nor was I active in the public eye. Despite taking on a leadership position, my role remained what it was before, administrative work behind the scenes.
Due to unfortunate circumstances Templars has had to deal with, I kept delaying my public announcement. I was fearful of hurting feelings or contributing to a drop in morale. I also feared that my retirement would give validity towards untrue allegations our leadership was faced with. Quite frankly I believe I overestimated the impact my retirement would have on the Templars and our reputation. We will continue to move forward with the same strength we always have. I’m beyond excited to continue contributing towards the growth of our community, in the ways I know I excel at. Though I am no longer Grand Prior you’ll still see new posts from me on the website, I’ll be in chats and at events often, and you will never escape hearing me yell in the background of Sidie’s headset.
Thank you all for the amazing memories so far, I can’t wait to continue making more.
Ellie and CPA: Battleground
For those of you who don’t know, both Bora and Ellie were indefinitely banned from CPA: Battleground for inappropriate behavior. Within Templars leadership we are discussing internally and implementing several changes to ensure nothing like this happens again. Ellie then abruptly left the server without addressing the leadership team or our community. Consequentially, Ellie no longer holds any authority or affiliation to Templars. Though we will miss her and are saddened by the circumstances, Templars will continue moving forward as we always do.
The Imperial Court wants to make it explicitly clear that we have a zero-tolerance policy for any type of inappropriate behavior within our community or on the platforms we use. The safety and well-being of our members is, and always will be, our absolute highest priority.
Promotions and New Imperial Court Consuls
Numerous individuals are being promoted in recognition of their immense efforts and contributions to our community. Their impact on the Templars cannot be overstated, and it is without further hesitation that the following changes are hereby formally announced:
- JmWarrior has been promoted from the rank of Grand Marshal to Leader in Training.
- Starlight has been promoted from the rank of National Chancellor to Grand Marshal (2ic).
- In accordance with their much deserved promotion, Starlight has been inducted as a new Consul of the Imperial Court. Though Grand Ambassador Elsa and Leader in Training JmWarrior had been awarded the status of Consul on the 12th of September, we feel it is appropriate to take the time to finally recognize this accomplishment publicly today.
Please take the time to congratulate JmWarrior, Starlight and Elsa!
Our Victories and the Road Head
There are undeniable facts that must be addressed. The first being that, aside from an initial ACP vs Aliens conflict, the Templars alone are responsible for every Major VS Major conflict that has occurred this year. While we would love for our Major rivals to initiate their own conflicts against one another, we doubt this will be the case. The year will not end any differently. Win or loss, you will continue to see Templars on the battlefield. Though Major conflict has been minimal, all of it can be credited to our Glorious Empire. While we wish the results of these wars had been different, this will not stop our crusade. If it takes Templars losing war after war for this community to be active, that is a sacrifice we are willing to make. Losing a war makes us better than every other army, as we are the only one who has started wars.
Our presence on Club Penguin Journey will only continue to expand. As we invade CPJ’s Frozen this weekend, the FIRST ARMY to officially invade/claim a Club Penguin Journey server, Templars will return to organizing patrols. In conjunction with these patrols, we will be introducing new “Party Patrols” in which server members can request assistance with party quests or stamp-book milestones. Members will also be able to report instances in which they helped others to finish quests or stamps, whether they be server members or random CPJ players.
Our guides and CPPS content bring in new recruits each day. With my personal plans for new content, website features, and activities, we will only see this improving. Through our CP Journey events, we continue to bring enjoyment to both our own members and the wider player base. Each member of Templars is who makes this happen and we are eternally grateful. We wouldn’t want it any other way. Be on the lookout for brand new server events, shop items, and art courtesy of our recently established art department.
As we are no longer submitting to the Top Ten each week, our rivals have no way of knowing what to expect from the mighty Templars. However, each of us do, and we know of the incredible greatness that comes from our army each day.
As the Grand Scribe of Templars Media and one of the Consuls of the Imperial Council, this army hasn’t seen the last of me. While my role has changed, my responsibilities and love for Templars have remained. There is so much yet to accomplish before this year ends. I’m beyond excited for what’s to come and I hope you are too!
TRANSITION TO GREATNESS!