by Quintus Pomponius Atticus on Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:34 pm
Salvete omnes,
In the discussion about a 'better SVR', held in the Comitia, a few members voiced the opinion that besides the heavy - and failing - organizational structure of SVR, there has been a deeper reason for our current crisis, namely the fact that there is no clear agreement on what SVR is or should be (an opinion that, i.m.o., seems to be grounded if we look at the disagreements stated below).
As M. Horatius wrote : "Whatever the reasons, it appears that the organizational structure of SVR has now collapsed. IMHO that organizational structure was rather artificial to begin with. It never really defined what SVR is."
Gn. Dionysius Draco on the other hand, believes that "a central problem to SVR is not, what we have considered in the past so often, how we define ourselves but rather what we DO."
He appears somewhat sceptical about the possibilities of remedying SVR's current crisis through yet another organizational reform, when he writes "Each year we amend or rewrite the Regulae, but our problems (very slow influx of new members, not enough people that really do or organise things, people that leave or go inactive inexplicably) continue to be the same." I think this is a very weighty remark we need to deal with in our discussions.
Draco's focus on "working on projects together" (he has been criticised - largely undeserved - for his 'business-like' way of seeing S.V.R.) and his disappointment at the fact that attempts to start such projects mostly fail was then criticised by consul Coruncanius, who appears to cherish a somewhat different ideal of what SVR should be about :
"Certainly doing what many of us were doing - posting on subjects of interest to members like Roman history, religion, history in the news, philosophic speculation, and the list goes on - wasn't enough for some of you. First the issue has turned on the question of what SVR represents and stands for. Now, to hear you tell it, it is what SVR does. Again I think it goes back to the conception of purpose of SVR...When I found SVR on the internet, I was very excited. I liked the atmosphere, the discussions and the free environment to learn, post and discuss anything and everything about Roman histouy, religion, philosophy, and culture...
But I will say that when I had the time, I asked members publically and privately what they wanted out of SVR? What did they want to see SVR become? I got very few direct answers..."
For Marius too, the "accepting community" aspect, and the exchange of individual thoughts, information, experiences, creative writing etc. stands central to SVR's purpose. He also puts a stress on the 'latinitas' of S.V.R., a concern we need to treat as well.
The question for this topic can thus be summarized briefly as : "what should SVR be and do". Should we be a community of friends, an amateur research group, a forum for the exchange of information, an active circle of people working on projects together, or a combination of different elements and, if so, where should our focus lie ?
Despite the objections to discussing this subject again, I think it is vital to define what S.V.R. is and should be if we want to give it a new start, attract new members and keep our current members involved and interested.
For reference, I've copy-pasted below the section "Identity, Nature, Goals, and Principia" of our current regula. It may help to serve as a basis for our discussion here.
Valete,
Atticus
1. The Societas Via Romana is an international fellowship and community dedicated to the remembrance, re-enactment and, as far as applicable, re-creation, of the Roman heritage of Mankind, especially in its humanism, universalism, and dedication to freedom under the rational rule of law, as well as the Religio Romana, the Lingua Latina, the philosophy, literature, and virtues of Rome, and other aspects of the multicultural Roman civilization maintaining validity and worth to the present era.
2. The Societas is aware of the role of the internet in the contemporary world and consciously bases its existence and functioning thereon which does not exclude traditional methods of national or local recognition. The Societas recognizes only its own enactments as morally binding upon itself or its members qua members, in view of its international and autonomous character.
3. The Societas recognizes Latin as its official language, and English as the second and communicative language. All other languages shall also be permitted, bearing in mind that there will be members who do not understand certain languages. In the construal of any formal document of the Societas the official Latin version shall govern, if extant, Latin being the default reference language. All members ignorant of Latin at joining shall be encouraged to begin study thereof, although this shall be purely voluntary.
4. The Societas recognizes the recreated and reformed Religio Romana as its official spiritual basis, but guarantees full freedom of religious belief, conscience and practice to its members in whatever tradition, philosophy or faith they follow.
5. The Societas recognizes the philosophical traditions of Graeco-Roman civilization to be a major intellectual treasure of the human race, and encourages the practical appropriation thereof by the individual and the application of philosophia individually and collectively for the betterment of the individual and the world, to which it is still highly relevant.
6. The Societas regards the literature of the classical world to be the foundation of the humanistic tradition, the interest of human being in human being, and the discovery of Western humanity, a vehicle bringing the living presences of the far past down to the present to fascinate, move and inspire.
7. Membership in the Societas Via Romana is not to be sought for itself, simply to belong passively. The Societas urges every member to find specific modes of active contribution for themselves in one or more of its institutions. Membership in the Societas is a quest of exploration, an instrument of self-improvement and an offer of service. We define activity as doing one or more of the following things at least once in six months: posting on one or more of our official avenues, voting or participating in elections, joining in scheduled chat sessions and/or real life meetings and writing contributions for the site.
(a) Should a member not meet the requirements for activity set in the above paragraph in the sixth month of his membership, he will be informed of his or her status by the Censores acting collegially, inquiring of said member is still interested in membership.
(aa) If the Censores receive a negative answer, the inactive member will be removed from the Societas Via Romana
(ab) If the Censores receive no answer within a term of three weeks, the Censores shall pass this name on to the Praetores, who shall remove this member from the Societas Via Romana by means of an Arbitrium. Said member shall be informed of his right of Provocatio therein. If this does not happen, the removal of this member will be considered illegal.
(b) Should a member not meet the requirements for activity set in the above paragraph for a third consecutive time, said member's case will be passed on to the Praetores immediately, who must then decide whether or not to use an Arbitrium to remove the member.
Quintus Pomponius Atticus
Praetor
"Ars longa, vita brevis" - Hippocrates