Salvete, et Marii et Omnes -
Our only response is Marius's response. Hmmmm.
Marius has a point. It's true that the Regula are tailored for a different situation - one that I've been harkening back to. Marius wants to cut to the chase. And this makes sense to me IF the Comitia chimes in and says yea or nay. I have no objection to being accepted as a volunteer Curator instead of an Curator Electus.
Re our thoughts for the coming term of office, the campaign speeches, if you will, that has been traditional, it's true. I don't mind leading off.
Sodales, this is yet again an odd time for the Societas: Our hosting is drying up, our participation levels are low, we've had a rough year, including a mid-year blowout with a disgruntled Sodalis. What, indeed, of the SVR's future? As a Curator for the two-year term preceding this, 2761 and 2762 (2008 and 2009), I have seen a lot of change - earlier members fade, stalwarts move on to other areas, new members disappear more often than appear. But we're facing more substantial changes - not just lapses in membership but a threatened lapse of the Societas Via Romana herself. I simply can't accept that. The Societas Via Romana has been too good a school for me, a school in all the better ways - I can't just give it up! This has been my Roman prism and lens.
What will come? We don't know. Are there Sodales out there who wish to enjoy these same sorts of advantages - good people, Roman history, and a Roman Way sense of place? I have wanted to retrieve what we had when I first joined, years ago - that hasn't happened. But, as I said, we're looking forward now - why shouldn't the SVR herself evolve in her mission, outlook, situation? If you feel any of the gratia the Societas offers, or remember the laetitia of livelier times, join me in the new year and offer your better parts - I will offer mine, humble though they may be.
Optime valete.