award ceremony 2022 Day Three: Staff Awards

[Genkos Adea]

Welcome to Day Three of the Annual Awards Ceremony 2022!

The Staff awards are only for those members who have achieved the rank of Commander or higher. Just like last year, we asked the first officers of the fleet to vote on the nominations for each staff award, providing recommendations to the EC about who should receive each award. We’re so happy to have this valuable feedback and guidance for our staff awards!

These awards recognise the hard work of our community members who go above and beyond to ensure that everyone has a glorious experience here. There's so much behind-the-scenes work required to keep the engine of our community running, and these folks are a central part of that. 

 

---

Honor of the Admiralty

Awarded to Staff Members who have served for a minimum of five years in a multitude of disciplines. From facilitating our task forces, engaging with the Captains Council, and leading with the utmost dedication, these writers volunteer their time, effort, and skill to building our game and community and have comprehensively earned the respect and loyalty of members. This is the highest award that can be conferred upon a StarBase 118 PBEM RPG staff member under the rank of Rear Admiral.

Sal Taybrim, StarBase 118 Ops

Presented by Roshanara Rahman:

One of those strange quirks in life is that despite the years I have known Jamie, the writer behind Sal Taybrim, we’ve actually never simmed together (or if so, just barely during someone else’s IC promotion ceremony). And yet because of many parallels in our “simming career” here at StarBase 118 PBEM RPG and shared milestones, I’ve always felt a kinship with her. Jamie joined StarBase 118 in 2013 and was posted to the USS Excalibur-A under then-Fleet Captain Kali Nicholotti. Over the next year, she rose up the ranks and moved to science officer and then chief diplomatic officer before being named First Officer of our namesake installation, StarBase118 Ops in late December 2014. This meteoric rise was due in no small part to the extensive wealth of knowledge and expertise that Jamie brought to her ships and our community from her roleplaying experience beyond StarBase 118. While I had begun to notice this new rising star as her character was highlighted in quotes and highlighted sims, it was when Jamie joined the Captains Council as Ops’s First Officer that I had the pleasure of seeing just what a skilled roleplayer and gamemaster could bring to our game and community.

Jamie is indisputably a die-hard Trekkie like the rest of us, but through the conversations that were had on the Captains Council and then later on the Executive Council when she became a commanding officer, one could easily see that Jamie always approached a topic from the viewpoint of, “What does this mean for the game and us as players?” The 2010s saw our community begin to shift its focus and emphasis towards higher writing quality, and that’s not a bad thing. The sims written today and expected of players of even lower ranks are more developed, have fuller narration, and just generally read more like the kind of writing that you would find in a novel or fleshed-out fan fiction work compared to our earlier script-style writing that mirrored screenplays (indeed that’s where our dialogue formatting for instance originates).

Yet we all owe enormous gratitude that Jamie has made sure the group recognizes that there is a distinction between good writing ability and good simming ability, and that they are not replacements for one or the other but complements that fundamentally require different skillsets and training. During her interview with the Executive Council for her captaincy, then-Commander Taybrim wrote some of the most in-depth and thoughtful answers and reflections on both her time in StarBase 118 and on simming and roleplaying. It is not an understatement to say that in some ways, that interview was much like Jamie presenting a PhD dissertation-level of analysis on simming and what we as a group and as COs do well, what we could work on, what we should always remember, and what possibilities lie ahead.

Jamie was promoted to Captain on April 23, 2016, several months before my own promotion to that rank later. Because of that, I’ve told her many times I consider her my fellow “Class of 2016” alumna. I must also admit that part of the fondness I feel for her is that we both were a bit of the “troublemakers” as Jordan aka Fleet Admiral Wolf might say during our “lower decks” years. As Jamie herself noted in her captaincy interview, “Because I wasn't married to the game yet, I wasn't afraid of poking the bear - or my mentor, and calling things out.” And yet we both recognized as we continued to advance that having good ideas or questions is not enough; you have to be able to communicate effectively with others and approach your mentors, COs, and the administrators with that same collaborative attitude and collegial spirit that we ask for in the game itself. I’m sure Jamie finds it just as ironic now as I do that today we are on the “other side” of the equation, now faced with finding ways to take and respond to feedback from the next cohort of simmers while upholding our responsibilities as the community’s stewards, tasked with ensuring that we continue the work done by the fleet’s previous leaders who carefully guided its growth over nearly three decades.

I want to end this presentation by highlighting one goal of Jamie’s that she has always been particularly passionate about and continues to push for: finding ways to engage and reward good players who have no interest or are not able to command. Just as Jamie reminded us of the difference between good writing and good simming, she has helped broaden the fleet’s view of what it means to contribute at a fleet-wide level. Previously, the group’s main emphasis was on developing command candidates, and while COs and future captains are certainly vital for our fleet to grow and function, Jamie has worked tirelessly to ensure that strong Lt. Commanders who do not enter the command pathway yet are just as vital to their ships’ health feel validated and nourished by great stories and OOC opportunities to help our fleet function.

When I see Jamie’s passion on this and other topics during our discussions in the Executive Council, I can still see that rambunctious ensign from all those years ago. I am delighted to consider her a friend and colleague and to present her with the Honor of the Admiralty. Thank you, Commodore Taybrim for all you have done for the fleet!
 

 

---

Staff Member of the Year Award

Awarded to Staff Members who have contributed tirelessly to the organization through any number of Out of Character channels, while maintaining excellence in simming on their vessel. This is an award granted to any staff member, regardless of rank.

Jalana Rajel, USS Constitution-B

Presented by Sal Taybrim: 

In her ten-year tenure on StarBase 118, Jalana Rajel - who started as Jalana Laxyn, and was joined as Trill often do, was recognized as an experienced simmer and steadfast staff member even early on.  She had experience moderating a German-language Star Trek sim before she dove into StarBase 118.  Oh yes, did you know that Jess, the writer behind Jalana Rajel is not only an incredible writer (and published author!), but that English is her second language?  She’s so profound at writing in English that she has excelled in simming with many of her fellow players only learning that she lives in Germany as they made friends with her!  She has maneuvered through many difficult situations in her path towards command, including stepping up as the acting commanding officer of the USS Apollo-A when her CO went AWOL after her Commander’s exam.  Shortly afterwards she moved to her one true love in a ship, the USS Constitution-B

From there she has commanded the Constitution-B for over seven years, creating a most remarkable place to play.  There is a stability and familiarity to the Constitution’s game (lovingly called the ‘Conny’ by its players), enhanced by Jalana’s love of her favorite series, Star Trek: The Next Generation, which perfectly matches the ship.  You would expect a Galaxy class ship like the Conny to feel like the Next Generation, and for over seven years that is exactly what it has felt like.  Congratulations, Jalana, you’re on your eighth season now and going strong!  There is a warm nostalgia and welcoming feeling to Jalana’s game, matched by her calm and wise leadership and her compassionate portrayal of her character.  Her crew lovingly calls her ‘Mama Bear’ and sometimes “Commodore Hugs-a-Lot” and she embodies both of these aspects in and out of character.

As a Commanding officer and member of the staff on StarBase 118, Jalana has always been patient and considerate.  She is a joy to work with out of character and always presents a calm, considered viewpoint.  She’s unfailingly honest, hardworking and balanced.  She can mediate heated discussions with a calm and level head and approaches players new and old with an open friendliness that is unmatched.  She is also a wonderful mentor, helping her staff members grow and develop into taskforce leaders, and her newer players grow into staff members.  

Furthermore, she’s one of the longest taskforce leaders in the Fleet - directing the Image Collective for almost her entire ten years on StarBase 118.  She’s a strong graphics artist who has helped with character portraiture for years, and she was a driving force behind many of our badges, award images and fleet graphics.  She’s incredibly dependable in her role on the Image Team, and looking back at the amount of graphics she has created, especially the badges and other templates that we use so often and don’t think about much, is overwhelming.  Jalana is always quick to get requests done and always puts care and effort into every creation.

Consistency, warmth, openness, friendliness, dependability.  All of these perfectly describe Jess as a Commanding Officer and as a staff member of StarBase 118.  While she may not be a brash voice, or a big personality, her steady contributions over time have grown into an incredible body of work.  She has improved the simming experience for countless players and is a wonderful person to work with as a staff member and an incredible friend.  I am so utterly ecstatic to be able to present Jalana Rajel with 2399’s Staff Member of the Year Award!  
 

 

---

Strange Medallion

Awarded to First Officers in the fleet who are consistently dependable, perform above the call of duty in their position, and excel not only in simming, but also in their dedicated Out of Character activities. Those awarded are regarded as leaders who excel in their facilitation of their crew, raising the bar and lifting up simmers to the podium. Named after Commander Sally Strange, widely known as one of the most creative and dedicated First Officers in the fleet's early years.

Wes Greaves, USS ‘Oumuamua

Presented by Ossa V’Airu:

It’s my genuine delight to recognize Jacob, aka Major Wes Greaves, with this year’s Strange Medallion for his stellar simming as XO of the Thor and, now, the ‘Oumuamua. He’s far from the first XO I’ve had the privilege of working with, but he’s easily one of the kindest, most capable, most responsible, and, well, one of the best!

I was excited to see that his nominations for this award came not only from his fellow simmers on ‘Oumuamua, but from friends and colleagues across the Starbase 118 fleet. That, to me, is one of the marks of a great XO, because they need to take those steps into becoming one of the staff members for the Starbase 118 fleet as a whole, and in so doing shift their perspective from a single ship to the whole fleet. Jacob has done so strikingly well, while at the same time showcasing his skills and realizing the responsibilities that make him this year’s Strange Medallion winner. 

In addition to coming from around the fleet, Jacob’s nominators include a cross-section of the fleet’s newest simmers and its most experienced. “Minutes after I first logged onto Discord, he had set me up with my roles and welcomed me to the Thor channel,” wrote one of our newest simmers in their nomination. From a more experienced simmer: “He has raised the bar for simmers on the Thor and does it all with a smile, a joke, and a staunch leadership that can't be denied.” High praise indeed!

Jacob’s leadership is something that nearly all his nominators commented on, and it’s something that I value a great deal in him as an XO. Some noted his leadership skills as a part of ‘Oumuamua, while others highlighted what a joy he’s been for cadets and trainers alike in the Academy. Still others noted how present he is around the fleet, whether on the forums, on Discord, or in another venue. 

As one nominator concluded, “Jacob has written his role with care and tact and acknowledges the character's faults, uncertainties and imperfections which serves as a fantastic example to other writers. I firmly believe that Wes Greaves will one day be a name we associate with command.” I do as well, and I can’t say enough good things about Jacob, this year’s Strange Medallion winner!
 

 

---

Chief’s Citation

Awarded to essential Staff Members whose determined work has benefitted the group In Character, and/or Out Of Character, even while their primary service was not as the Commanding Officer of a simming installation. Inspired by the non-commissioned and enlisted personnel who are the backbone of any starship but were rarely recognized in Star Trek lore in favor of the officers.

Jo Marshall, USS Gorkon

Presented by Ossa V’Airu:

My goodness, what *doesn't* Em do around here?! From handling these awards to running the writing challenge, from actively contributing to everything that comes up in the Captains Council to volunteering to be the temporary magistrate, it often feels to me like Em is the glue that holds so much of what we do together. I can't imagine what this last year would've been like without her at so many different helms! 

I wrote most of the above in my nomination for Em for this year’s Chief’s Citation, and I was thrilled but not surprised to see that she was similarly nominated by many other members of the fleet – and while those nominations were similar, I learned a little more about how much Em does and how well she does it with every one. “In many ways,” wrote one nominator, “Jo Marshall is and has become the face of this fleet. She's got a hand in damn near everything that goes on, and her energy, leadership and enthusiasm is matched only by her infectious desire to make things run as smoothly and as ‘fun’-ly as they can.” Another nominator wrote “I'm not sure that words can really define everything that Jo does for us collectively,” and still another wrote that there’s “no doubt about the amount of contributions Jo makes to the community.” 

Beyond what I mentioned above, Em is an active and enthusiastic participant around the fleet – the Image Collective, the FNS, the Training Team, regular contests, including the Writing Challenge – and I wrote above that I can’t imagine what the last year would’ve been like without her, but honestly, I can’t imagine what the fleet would be like without her now, in the past, or in the future, and every time I see her name on the forums or on Discord, I thank our collective lucky stars that we have the gift of Em’s kindness, ethic, and service. She not only earned the Chief’s Citation, she defined it with all she did. Thank you, Em, and congratulations!
 

 

---

The Sarek Star

Awarded to Commanding Officers who show great diplomatic ability in working with members and staff, related to conduct Out of Character. Organisation, collaboration, mentorship, and ultimately making our game tick can be challenges in every respect, but those Staff Members awarded with this have a clear ability to walk those lines.

Oddas Aria, Denali Station

Presented by Quinn Reynolds: 

The ability to communicate with a variety of people is an essential skill for any of the staff in our fleet, but there are those who can elevate that skill to heights we all would like to emulate. This year, it’s my very great pleasure to present this award to someone who has worked tirelessly to improve communications throughout the fleet. 

As Captain-At-Large, Nick has kept the CC updated on the EC’s activities each month. He also holds office hours, giving our captains the chance to share their experiences, discuss any topics of the day (from campaign settings to how we each handle the OOC administration of the ship), and take advice on how to tackle difficult situations. Nick facilitates these discussions with a dab hand, ensuring that everyone walks away having learned something new. 

Beyond his role as CAL, he mentors and guides members of the training team as one of our Deputy Commandants, on hand to help them navigate through difficult situations, setting a fantastic example to our aspiring community leaders. Likewise, his crew talk about how much they appreciate his feedback; clear, helpful, and leaving no doubt that his aim is to support and encourage better simming. When dealing with difficult situations, he’s fair, compassionate, but firm when needed. 

We appreciate everything he does, and so I’d like to offer my thanks and congratulations as I present Nick with the Sarek Star!
 

 

---

Christopher Pike Pendant

Awarded to Commanding Officers who command their ship with honor and dedication, and help to provide a creative atmosphere which fosters outstanding simming. Not only do they lead by significant and exceptional example, but they engineer their vessels to be inspirational and creative powerhouses for all who sim on board.

Kali Nicholotti, USS Excalibur-A

Presented by Tristan Wolf: 

This award is reserved for Commanding Officers who have reached the pinnacle of their role – being able to deftly manage a plot, mentor their crew, and lead a ship "the StarBase 118 way." You can almost think of it as the "experienced captain of the year" award – in contrast to the Kirk award, for new captains – and it's really so lovely to award this in recognition of someone's focus and determination to be the best game leader they can be. 

Nicholotti – Marissa – has really earned this award over her tenure of more than five years in command spanning more than 10 years as a member of our community! She started in 2009, and first earned the rank of captain in 2012. Since then, she has simmed as the CO of StarBase 118 Ops, followed by four separate commands. It might be a little hard to imagine that now – when six of our nine COs (including Nicholloti) hold the rank of Commodore, which denotes more than five cumulative years in command – when our leadership team feels so stable and long-lived! But Marissa earned her stripes in a more volatile period when there was more turnover in staff ranks. Through all that, she has been a dedicated, loyal, and creative member of the staff who's focused on growing the community and running the best ship she can. 

All that hard work shows in the nominations she received for this award: "Phenomenal, inclusive, inspirational, fantastically imaginative," were just some of the words that people used to describe her leadership. I get the sense from reading the nominations that many of her crew feel deeply seen and cared for under her command, where their creativity is fostered and the game is exciting and welcoming for everyone. And if it's not the nominations telling that story, it's definitely the sim rates! Excalibur is consistently at or near the top of that leaderboard every month. 

It's not easy to spin all those plates at once. Until you've been a CO, it's really hard to imagine just how much skill it takes to not only DO it but BE REALLY GOOD AT IT; to maintain that creativity that keeps people engaged while also leading people in a way that doesn't feel punitive or fake. But Marissa's authenticity and love of Star Trek shines through, making command look a lot easier than it is! 

And so I speak for us all when I say "many thanks, Marissa," for the time, effort, and joy you put into the game. It's a wonder to behold, and your participation is a treasure for our community. You very much deserve this long-awaited award. 
 

 

---

Please join us in congratulating these members of the staff!

[Serala]

Congratulations, everyone! Well deserved and thank you for all you do for the community.

[Wyatt Ral]

Well done everyone 🖖

[Ikaia Wong]

Good job, y'all! I even got a doodle for you today!

[Alcyone Brennan]

Congratulations everyone, and thank you for making this place awesome ❤️ 

[Tahna Meru]

Congratulations, everyone, and many thanks for all you contribute to our little universe. ❤️

[LCDR Aine O. Sherlock]

Congratulations! And thank you to all the staff that keeps this place alive and running!

[Alieth]

Congratulations!

[Alora DeVeau]

Congratulations everyone!  Y'all are awesome!

[Corliss]

Congrats, congrats!!! Party time ❤️

[Dizmim ChNilmani]

Congratulations to everyone who won!

[Theo Whittaker]

Congratulations and thank you for every thing you do.

@Sal Taybrim I had the pleasure of writing with you for two years and your faultless guidance, your steady hand and your outlook on life inspired me then. It continues to inspire me now. I can’t wait for another opportunity to write with you and/or benefit from your wisdom.

@Jo Marshall I’m never not in awe of you everything you do. Words really don’t quite define just how incredible you are when you turn your hand to something. Just like Sal, you’re an inspiration to me and you’ll forever be one of my all time favourite humans!

@Kali Nicholotti I remember the first time I wrote with you- I was Starstruck in a way because to me you are a living legend in the fleet. I find your prose breathtaking, I find your ability to juggle so many plates at once and still remain dedicated to the Excalibur and to the fleet to be wonderful. Im forever grateful that I get to write with you and that you encourage me to think outside of the box. 

[Sal Taybrim]

@Jalana - CONGRATULATIONS!  You have done such awesome steadfast work for so long and I am thrilled to see you recognized!  I love writing with you and love working with you!

@Oddas Aria - You are a fantastic CAL, and your open discussions with the CC and EC on discord are a standard that we will look to in the future.  You support better communication between staff members and have done a fantastic job as a CO and as an administrator.  Congratulations!

@Kali Nicholotti - Congratulations!!  As my very first CO, thank you for putting up with me!  I am so happy to see you get your groove back and watch your ship shine!  Well deserved!

@Jo Marshall - You are a fantastic admin and a superb support person for every aspect of StarBase 118.  I know that you are humble and don't often seek praise, but this makes your work all the more valuable to the game.  I am proud to see you recognized and thankful for everything you do.  Congratulations!

Congratulations everyone!  Thank you all for helping make SB118 be such a great place to sim for so many years!

[Maz Rodan]

Huge congratulations to everyone! 
 

We all appreciate the dedication and hard work it takes to keep the group as excellent as it is. 

[+ Vitor S. Silveira]

 

Congratulations and thank you for all the work you done.

[Jacin Ayemet]

Congratulations everyone for your very well deserved awards!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏

[Toryn Raga]

Congratulations!!! *whistles* You beautiful people deserve it!!!

[Samira Neathler]

Congratulations all.

[+ Scotty Reade]

Congrats All!

[Oddas Aria]

Congratulations to all the winners - you all do some amazing work to make the Fleet better.  @Jalana, @Sal Taybrim, and @Jo Marshall your awards are very well deserved, interacting with you makes the job of CAL easier, and makes it a pleasure to go and get things done.  I appreciate the support you provide in all of my endeavors.

@Kali Nicholotti it was a great pleasure to have you aboard my command for the short time I did, and its always a pleasure to get your opinion and advice on things, great work!

[Jalana]

Congratulations to all of you. I am so proud of everyone, you all are doing amazing work and it's such a pleasure to be working with you!

@Sal Taybrim @Jo Marshall @Kali Nicholotti I'm so bloody proud of you guys I've had the chance to write and/or work with you guys. You've been a constant since I joined or have gotten one through the years. The support we give each other, the random chats and brainstorming we share make my days brighter and better. I'm happy to call you my friends. Thank you for all the hard work you are doing, it makes the world of a difference! ❤️

[+ Arturo Maxwell]

Congratulations all! ❤️

[Mei'konda]

Congratulations on your hard work and rewards, everyone!

[John Kendrick]

Congratulations to everyone, and especially Fleet Captain @Oddas Aria for receiving The Sarek Star ❤️!

Thanks everyone for all your hard work behind the scenes, in and out of character!

[Jack Kessler]

Congratulations to all, and especially Major @Wes Greaves, you have been a wealth of information and a great mentor to this game. Thank you for all your hard work and answering all my questions.