The NEW ADMISSION & RANKING SYSTEM FOR THE GUILD

[Lhunithiliel]

I have decided to open a new thread on this matter.
It's better to have one place to discuss the issue, instead of posting one and the same in all organizational threads.

So,

Friends,
I would very much like to tell you how happy I am that you are here and that you wish to be a member of this honourable Guild!
No wonder! It is the BEST GUILD at TTF!!!! :p

About the ranks

Remember - A rank should be won! A rank should be deserved! A rank should be defended!

The probation period is the first step of the application of the new rank-granting system of the GT and it applies to ALL.
During this period EVERYONE - rank or no rank - shall have to prove to EVERYBODY that s/he really cares for the Guild. This will be of course shown by your active participation in the Guild's activities.
Post, open threads, comment, suggest new ideas!!!!!
And, of course, read the books and prepare for the tests.

The tests
These shall apply to :

>> new applicants, who wish to get a rank within the guild and who during the ongoing probation period have proved they are ready to contribute actively to it

>> members of the Guild, who, during the ongoing probation period have proved they are ready to contribute actively to it and
wish to get a rank-"promotion" (I, am one of them, for example and I am doing my best to prepare for those tests!)

THE TESTS WILL START AFTER THE ONE-MONTH-LONG PROBATION PERIOD ENDS

So, please, don't worry about your ranks!
You will get them for sure!
And as I see from the applcations, this is going to be a Guild with "Experts" and "Masters" - Tolkienologists! :)

A happy Deputy Master

Your comments and opinions are most welcome!

[Eledhwen]

You have obviously put a lot of thought and effort into this. Does it mean that if, say, an Expert contributes very little for a long period that their rank will be somehow suspended, or would a burst of initial enthusiasm guarantee rank for life? I am of the opinion that with high rank should come responsibility - to judge debates, for instance.

I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us by way of a 'test'.:eek: :)

[Lhunithiliel]

Yes, Eledhwen, gate7ole and I are having not an easy time :D
Actually, it is gate7ole, who is much more into the preparation of the tests. I'm doing some part of it, too... I'm more involved in organizational matters of the Guild. You know how they sing "A Deputy's work is never done"! ;) But we shall do ours for sure!

Now, concerning your question.

An Expert is acually an Expert Tolkienologist. I mean that this is the title/rank someone gets in this Guild for being well acquainted with most of Tolkien's writings (no HoME and Letters included for this rank) and has the strong desire to learn ever more.
But if an Expert Tolkienologist is passive and does not contribute actively to the Guild, at the end of the on-going Probation period, Expert or no, he/she shall have to unfortunately be refused membership. :(
I hope this will not happen !!!!!

The tests and everything that concerns them will be widely announced and explained when the time comes.

My opinion is that these tests are to be passed by EVERY member in order to:
>> defend a rank
>> get a rank
>> get a higher rank

But, of course, the Guild Master will be the one to announce the final "verdict" :p

[Gil-Galad]

I want to change my rank.But how and where to apply for a test?
And on which books I have to prepare myself for "expert"level?

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by Gil-Galad
I want to change my rank.But how and where to apply for a test?
And on which books I have to prepare myself for "expert"level?
There is a probation-period (concerning the Guild-members' activity) going on at the present, G-G.
Then, starting from the beginning of February, there will be tests, available for everyone who would like to :
>> get a rank
>> get a higher rank

As for defending the present ranks, I am not sure whether the Guild-Master will require it.

For an "Expert Tolkienologist" one should have read "Hobbit", "Silm.", LOTR an UT.....

Is that right, Gate7ole?

[gate7ole]

The ranking system of the guild will change, as it was discussed in an older thread. Among others all the Experts will be chaged to "Sr. Journeymans". I believe that an Expert has to show more knowledge than just UT. For more info check the thread.
About the tests, they will start next month.

[Gil-Galad]

Originally posted by gate7ole
The ranking system of the guild will change, as it was discussed in an older thread. Among others all the Experts will be chaged to "Sr. Journeymans". I believe that an Expert has to show more knowledge than just UT. For more info check the thread.
About the tests, they will start next month.
Great!Great!Great!I've read UT twice in my native language and in English,so I'll probably past the test........or I just hope so...:(

[Finduilas]

Hope is the strongest thing on Earth.Oh,I do hope ,too...:o

[gilgalad]

1st of all, just to clarify (it may already be obvious, but just in case), this is a different person to the infinately more esteemed Gil-Galad who has posted over a thousand times. This is just gilgalad with small letters who has posted about 5 times.
Just want to apologise to the "real" Gil-Galad, if i'd known the name was taken i wouldnt haveapplied for it (sorry).
Now, down to business. Last night (24th /1st) i applied for membership to the guild. How do i know if i got in???
secondly, how does one put ones name forward for to take the tests to gain a rank?
I'm really really interested in this guild and would love to play an active part in its development, and ask only for the chance to prove my desire to learn and contribute to the learning quests to others in the field of tolkienism.

Yours without wax
The "fake" gilgalad.

[Morgoth]

I wish to ask a similar question, Lhun. When are the tests, how do you enter them, and when do you know if you have got a rank? Will they be posted on a special thread. Send me a PM If the details are complicated. Cheers. ;)

[Lhunithiliel]

gilgalad (with small letters ;) ) and Morgoth, you are
MOST WELCOME to this Guild!!!!!

Take your time and read through the organization-threads, such as "Happenings in the guild", "Round Table", "Applcation instructions" and the opening post of this thread, too. Then, you will know both - how to achieve a rank and all about the "hot" discussions going on lately concerning the Guild activities.

The best thing for you to do at the moment is to participate in these discussions with your honest opinions and suggestions, your ideas and critisism.

Meanwhile, you can also look through and post in the existing threads of various types - topic-discussions, games, Quenya lessons, creative endeavours...etc.

If you have any Tolkien-related questions, try the "Never asked question"-thread.

Read Tolkien and discuss the on-going Lecture cycle, or try yourself in the "Essay"- thread....

It is GOOD to have you here! :)

As for the tests, a lot of Guild-members are filled with anticipation about them, I understand. Gate7ole, FoolofaTook and I are doing our job to prepare the questions for these tests as quickly and properly as we can. We are almost ready.
Everything, concerning these tests will be posted and widely announced and discussed at the very beginning of February.

Meanwhile, prove yourself active and willing to contribute.

Lhun :)

[Anamatar IV]

Hi, all. I am soon to finish UT. As I see by reading the thread, that is the next step for an upgrade from Journeyman.:)

But how will the test be given? When I went from apprentice to Journeyman Grond gave it to me over MSN. I don't know if either Lhun or Gate have MSN...so how will the tests be administered?

[Lhunithiliel]

Anamatar, Grond will be back ;)

gate7ole and I do have MSN, but it is gate7ole who is "in charge" with the tests mainly. He will explain everything in due time.

Although there will be nothing so much new and unexpected.... I suppose. There will be a number of questions asked on-line and thus one will get a rank or/and get a rank-promotion.

BUT!

The tests are not EVERYTHING!

The tests, I believe, are going to be held by the members, who have been activly contributing to the Guild during the now going "probation" period, because this probation period was implemented in order to understand the willingness of the guild-members to really BE Tolkienologists, their true interest towards the Guild's activity and development, etc... In plain words - to show who cares and who doesn't.

[gate7ole]

Tests.
There is much talk about the tests, so I will fill you with some info.
As you know, each member will have to be tested and get a rank, according to the “New proposed rank system” discussed some time ago. Also, the new members will have to be tested.
The test was intended by Grond to have two parts. A close-book test with quick questions (held probably on MSN). An open-book test with an essay on a subject, delivered in a short period of a couple of days. I will follow this plan of our Master.
The tests will start the first days of February (that is in a week or two) and it will take some while to test everyone, so be patient.

About the new applicants. In a few words, a new member has a brief period to “prove” his/her willingness to enter the guild. This is a measure against some people who just apply for membership and are never heard again! During this period s/he is free to participate in every activity of the guild. Don’t worry about the tests. Just join the activities and you will be tested in due time.

[Finduilas]

A close-book test with quick questions (held probably on MSN).

:eek: I don't have MSN. How am I going to get the tests?:eek:

[Grond]

Okay... as Samwise Gamgee said to Rosie after his return from escorting Frodo to the Havens.... "I'm back!" I want to thank all of you for your patience during my absence due to family circumstances. Special thanks to Gate7ole, Lhun and our new member FoolOFATook who have been putting together the objective tests.

My vision is that the objective portion of the test will be administered real time. That will be done online using any of the chat programs available (MSN Messenger, AOL Messenger or ICQ) I have all on my computer. If that is not possible, I will email the test to a prospective candidate and they must return the email answers within a certain period of time that will be determined by your guildmasters.

Finally, I feel that it is important that all members of the guild be tested to some degree. Since I feel so strongly about this, I will be the very first to defend my rank. Sometime between now and 02/03/03, I will get with Lhun, Gate and FoolOfATook and take all the objective tests. During the month of February, I will post an essay on a Tolkien topic to be chosen by the membership of the guild.

Many of you don't know me because of my recent absence and I feel it only fair that I be the first to jump into the fire. :) Lhun, Gate and FoolOfATook, please PM with instructions on getting this done. ;)

[gilgalad]

A scolaire dhil,

Any idea yet of when people as yet untested will have to take tests?

Yours without wax
do chara
gilgalad

[FoolOfATook]

CONCERNING THE TESTS:
Grond has asked me to take over the responsibility of testings and rankings. First, I can assure everyone that the tests are coming soon- very soon. Along with Lhun and Gate7ole I've put together the tests for nearly every rank. For those who seek to earn or defend the rank of Apprentice or Journeyman, I'll be ready to test them this weekend. Therefore, I'd like for everyone who intends to test for those two ranks to post a message in this thread, telling me which test they would like to take, their MSN or AIM handle, and what time is convenient for them. For the Apprentice tests, study The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings, and for Journeyman, study The Silmarillion, but be prepared for a few questions from The Hobbit and LOTR. Hopefully, everyone trying for these two ranks can be tested by Valentine's Day. Senior Journeyman, Expert and Master testing will be scheduled following the first two ranks, with the exception of Grond, who has already announced his plans to be tested first. I have no intention of disobeying the Hammer of the Underworld on this matter. ;) Finally, anyone who doesn't yet feel ready to take one of the tests, please post something to that effect in this thread. Any such person will recieve the rank of Novice.

I will go ahead and tell everyone that the tests that Lhun, Gate7ole and I have come up with are not easy, and that there is absolutely no shame or disgrace in not immediately earning a higher rank. It is one of the chief ideas of this guild, at least in my opinion, that the newest novice is equal to the most experienced master. Good luck.

[Finduilas]

Therefore, I'd like for everyone who intends to test for those two ranks to post a message in this thread, telling me which test they would like to take, their MSN or AIM handle, and what time is convenient for them.

I'd like to be tested for a Journeyman. The best time to do so is on Saturday.

[gilgalad]

A Scolaire Dhil, FoolOfATook,

I've never tested before, and i don't know if you have to attain one rank before the next or can skip according to your knowledge but i would like to test for the highest level available to me, if possible.
For me any night at around 8pm is fine.

Yours Withou wax
Do Chara
gilgalad

[gate7ole]

FoolOfATook filled with the details of the tests. I would just like to repeat here the new ranks that have been decided, so that anyone can know which rank s/he will want to be tested.


Level 1) Novice - entry level with no test or requirements
Level 2) Apprentice - basic first level rank requiring knowledge of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings (Test required)
Level 3) Journeyman - Requires reading of the Silmarillion (Test required)
Level 4) Sr. Journeyman - Requires reading of the Unfinished Tales (Test required)
Level 5) Expert - Requires reading Letters and some HoMe (Test required)
Level 6) Master - Requires extensive knowledge of all of Tolkien's works. (Extensive test required)

[Beleg]

I'd like to be tested for a Sr. Journeyman. My Yahoo handle is magical_mischief_maker and msn handle is hyawer@hotmail.com.
The best time would be Sunday, 9th. (if not in clash with Moder's already set timetable).

[Anamatar IV]

I'd like to be tested as a Sr. Journey man as well....um I am on a lot so any time is good:D But tomrrow after noon (EST) is when I will have most time.

[FoolOfATook]

Because of work :( and a night class (The films of Stanley Kubrick and Robert Altman :) :)) I simply won't be able to test anyone until Friday afternoon. Friday evening I'm holding a screening of the FOTR EE for some very dear friends who have been deprived of it thus far, but other than that my weekend is free to test. I'll try to get through as many of you as possible, but I don't really know how long each test is going to take, so I'm not going to make any predictions about the logisitics and timing of the tests yet.

Study hard, good luck, and remember that voting for me in the Mr. TTF poll over in Stuff and Bother, or reading the fragment of my epic poem in the Prancing Pony and telling me how brillant I am, well, they can't hurt your scores. ;)

My MSN handle is NCSUTook@hotmail.com, and I'll post my AIM handle as soon as I sell my soul and download the cursed AOL software onto my computer. ;)

[Lhunithiliel]

Originally posted by FoolOfATook
Study hard, good luck, and remember that voting for me in the Mr. TTF poll over in Stuff and Bother, or reading the fragment of my epic poem in the Prancing Pony and telling me how brillant I am, well, they can't hurt your scores. ;)

Well, Master Took,
Ain't you the MODEL and the PATTERN of modesty!!! :p :p

Sorry, but I can't possibly NOT vote for my country-fellow G-G!!!
But as I don't see the names of a few other that I would REALLY vote for, I won't vote at all! :p

As for the the poem.... Why don't you share it and any other such creations in our Guild's Hall of Endeavours?
I kindly invite you there! The Ladies of the Hall will be overjoyed to be visited by a Mr.TTF-2003 - nominee!!!!

[FoolOfATook]

Hey, my modesty is second to none! ;)

As for posting the poem within the guild, I am nothing if not a gentleman, and never let it be said that I failed to honor the request of a lady. The Saga Of Armanir (http://www.thetolkienforum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=240122#post240122)

[FoolOfATook]

Finally, I feel that it is important that all members of the guild be tested to some degree.
-Grond, earlier in this thread

Everyone,
I know that there are a million different things going on in the Guild right now, but I do think it important that we get the testing under way. So far, only a few Guild members have shown any interest in taking part. Please, everyone, post a brief message at least letting me know what rank you're interested in trying for, so I can know which tests I need to focus on preparing a final form of. I know that it isn't fun, but rest assured- I'm not going to be having a lot of fun with the tests either, at least, not in the very near future. If you have any questions or comments or ideas, or just want to tell me what an arrogant and pushy Young Turk I can be, please PM me, or e-mail me (my e-mail address is in my profile) or message me with MSN Messenger.

Thanks.

[Froggum]

I guess I'll take a stab at the apprentice test, even though I'm really bad with remembering details. Try me any time this weekend. I'm on most of the time. AIM Frogglesbrock24.

[Gil-Galad]

FoolOfATook,did you find a solution to my problem with the bulgarian language and the test which I have to do in Friday?:confused: