THE SABER LEGION
CHARTER REPRESENTATIVES RESOURCES
Module 1
FORMATTING FOR ALL MODULES:
Do’s (in green) are rules / responsibilities that are required of Reps.
Don’ts (in red) are actions that are restricted or prohibited for Reps.
Best Practices (in blue) are recommendations, effective techniques,
or lessons learned that have been successful for other Reps.
Links (in gold and underlined) will open in a new window.
Do’s (in green) are rules / responsibilities that are required of Reps.
Don’ts (in red) are actions that are restricted or prohibited for Reps.
Best Practices (in blue) are recommendations, effective techniques,
or lessons learned that have been successful for other Reps.
Links (in gold and underlined) will open in a new window.
Mission, Visions, Values
-more information located in the ABOUT section of this website-
During the Transitional Council period of 2020, TSL recognized the need for a comprehensive Mission-Vision-Value statement for our organization.
During the Transitional Council period of 2020, TSL recognized the need for a comprehensive Mission-Vision-Value statement for our organization.
A committee was formed, and every idea and every suggestion was brainstormed, workshopped, edited, and voted on. Every word in the MVV was carefully chosen and placed in a specific order.
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Even the design is layered with meaning.
The MVV has become a foundational document for TSL, critical to understanding how and why we exist and do what we do,
and officers of this organization should keep it handy and refer to it often during your entire tenure of volunteering with our organization.
and officers of this organization should keep it handy and refer to it often during your entire tenure of volunteering with our organization.
In short, all words and actions of Officers and Representatives of The Saber Legion must pass three gates.
"Does it help us accomplish our stated Mission?"
"Does it create the world we see in our Visions?"
"Is it in alignment with our Values?"
If the answer to all three is Yes, say or do the thing.
If the answer to any of the above is No, do not say or do the thing.
"Does it help us accomplish our stated Mission?"
"Does it create the world we see in our Visions?"
"Is it in alignment with our Values?"
If the answer to all three is Yes, say or do the thing.
If the answer to any of the above is No, do not say or do the thing.
Charters
Definition of a Charter
“A grant by an organization or sovereign power,
by which a body such as a company, college, or city is founded
and its rights and privileges defined.”
Your Charter is simply an agreement between TSL and the people of your geographic area (usually delineated by country, state, or province - more on this below).
The people agree to operate according to TSL’s rules and policies, and in exchange, TSL grants membership to those people, and permission to use the TSL name and brand, participate in TSL events, and make use of TSL resources. This agreement may be terminated at any time by either party - the organization can choose to no longer Charter an area, or the Members may choose to no longer operate as a Charter of TSL.
Sub Charters, Split Charters, and Special Interest Meta-Charters
A Subsidiary Charter (or Sub-Charter) was a smaller Charter that existed within a larger one. A Sub-Charter had its own logo, mascot, and identity separate and apart from its larger Charter, but was still subordinate to, and contained within, that Charter. As an example, TSL San Antonio was a Sub-Charter of TSL Texas, but has been reintegrated with TSL Texas. This is provided for historical purposes only - we no longer Charter any subdivision of a state, province, territory, or protectorate.
A Split Charter was cutting a larger Charter (defined by state or provincial boundaries) into separate, individual Charters independent of each other. Each resulting Charter had their own Reps, logos, mascots, and identities and there was no geographical containment or overlap between them. As an example, California is split into two separate Charters: NorCal and SoCal. California exists at this time as the last grandfathered Split Charter, and has plans to unify. After that, again, we will no longer Charter any subdivision of a state, province, territory, or protectorate.
“A grant by an organization or sovereign power,
by which a body such as a company, college, or city is founded
and its rights and privileges defined.”
Your Charter is simply an agreement between TSL and the people of your geographic area (usually delineated by country, state, or province - more on this below).
The people agree to operate according to TSL’s rules and policies, and in exchange, TSL grants membership to those people, and permission to use the TSL name and brand, participate in TSL events, and make use of TSL resources. This agreement may be terminated at any time by either party - the organization can choose to no longer Charter an area, or the Members may choose to no longer operate as a Charter of TSL.
Sub Charters, Split Charters, and Special Interest Meta-Charters
A Subsidiary Charter (or Sub-Charter) was a smaller Charter that existed within a larger one. A Sub-Charter had its own logo, mascot, and identity separate and apart from its larger Charter, but was still subordinate to, and contained within, that Charter. As an example, TSL San Antonio was a Sub-Charter of TSL Texas, but has been reintegrated with TSL Texas. This is provided for historical purposes only - we no longer Charter any subdivision of a state, province, territory, or protectorate.
A Split Charter was cutting a larger Charter (defined by state or provincial boundaries) into separate, individual Charters independent of each other. Each resulting Charter had their own Reps, logos, mascots, and identities and there was no geographical containment or overlap between them. As an example, California is split into two separate Charters: NorCal and SoCal. California exists at this time as the last grandfathered Split Charter, and has plans to unify. After that, again, we will no longer Charter any subdivision of a state, province, territory, or protectorate.
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This is a very old map of our charters (around 2017 or so) but it does show some of the outdated techniques described above. Can you spot them?
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A Special Interest Charter (or Meta Charter) is a virtual Charter -not associated with any geographic area- provided to a group of members who have 1. a characteristic in common and 2. have demonstrated a need to share and distribute TSL information relevant to that characteristic. For example, the Women's Charter serves a need for alternate gear requirements and demographic recruitment, among other relevant TSL topics specific to the characteristic of identifying as Women. Meta Charters may only be determined and created by the Leadership Council, and suggested Meta Charters may be submitted to the Community Lead.
Words have meanings, and calling things by their correct terms is important for many reasons. So if, for examples,
You hear a member refer to our groups as "Chapters"
You see a member post about meeting with the "Chicago Charter"
A member asks you about creating a "Mega Charter"
gently correct them in a way that makes them feel connected to the larger group, and give them a sense of belonging to a part of something bigger.
Finally, when TSL (as an international organization) expands into a new country, as a first step, we Charter the entire nation. As popularity and membership grows, the number of Charter Reps increases, and the meet locations become more widespread, the country's members may find it useful to divide into State/Province/Territory/Protectorate sized Charters, or they may choose not to. For example, TSL Mexico and TSL Australia are nationwide Charters, but TSL Alberta, TSL Nova Scotia, and TSL Ontario (and more) are Charters that are provinces and territories of the nation of Canada.
If a nationwide Charter feels it's time to divide into State/Province/Territory/Protectorate sized Charters, their Reps should have that conversation with the Charter & Member Support Team of the TSL Leadership Council.
Words have meanings, and calling things by their correct terms is important for many reasons. So if, for examples,
You hear a member refer to our groups as "Chapters"
You see a member post about meeting with the "Chicago Charter"
A member asks you about creating a "Mega Charter"
gently correct them in a way that makes them feel connected to the larger group, and give them a sense of belonging to a part of something bigger.
Finally, when TSL (as an international organization) expands into a new country, as a first step, we Charter the entire nation. As popularity and membership grows, the number of Charter Reps increases, and the meet locations become more widespread, the country's members may find it useful to divide into State/Province/Territory/Protectorate sized Charters, or they may choose not to. For example, TSL Mexico and TSL Australia are nationwide Charters, but TSL Alberta, TSL Nova Scotia, and TSL Ontario (and more) are Charters that are provinces and territories of the nation of Canada.
If a nationwide Charter feels it's time to divide into State/Province/Territory/Protectorate sized Charters, their Reps should have that conversation with the Charter & Member Support Team of the TSL Leadership Council.
Satellites
The reason we no longer Sub or Split Charters is that we've developed a better technique for handling multiple meet locations across a wide area.
When a Rep notices a distant location in their Charter has a significant number of interested members asking for meets, but that location is unsustainably far for the Rep to consistently travel for regular meets, they may choose to spin up a Satellite. A Satellite is a meet location within a Charter that does not have a Charter Rep close by, but is supervised by one from afar.
When a Rep notices a distant location in their Charter has a significant number of interested members asking for meets, but that location is unsustainably far for the Rep to consistently travel for regular meets, they may choose to spin up a Satellite. A Satellite is a meet location within a Charter that does not have a Charter Rep close by, but is supervised by one from afar.
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In this example, Florida has Charter Reps holding meets in Orlando and Fort Lauderdale, and active Satellites meeting in Tampa and Miami. They are recruiting for volunteers to build more active Satellites in other major cities.
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The "need" for a Satellite is up to the judgment of the Charter Rep, who should be plugged into the Charter's chats and social media, and keeping tabs on new members' activity. Reps can refer to Module 2 on this site and make use of very similar processes found there. For example, as a show of commitment, the Rep can request that at least three of the members in that location own TSL-approved masks, gloves, and sabers, and when that is accomplished, the Rep may feel justified to build a Satellite there.
But the most critical component to building a Satellite will be the volunteer who agrees to be responsible for the meets in that location under the Rep's supervision, and that person is called the Facilitator. They will be discussed later in this module.
But the most critical component to building a Satellite will be the volunteer who agrees to be responsible for the meets in that location under the Rep's supervision, and that person is called the Facilitator. They will be discussed later in this module.
Charter Representatives
What Charter Representatives are required and recommended to do and not do is discussed in every Module of this site, but this section will define what they are.
A Charter Representative of The Saber Legion is a volunteer, a leader, and an officer of this organization.
They are called Representatives (or Reps) because that Representation is bi-directional:
A Charter Representative of The Saber Legion is a volunteer, a leader, and an officer of this organization.
They are called Representatives (or Reps) because that Representation is bi-directional:
represent the organization
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Reps lead their Charter Members in TSL meets, activities, and events, guided by and guiding their members to understand TSL's Mission, Visions, and Values, abiding by and teaching their members to abide by TSL Rules and Regulations.
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represent the members
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Reps advertise their Charter Members and their progress and successes to the TSL organization, encourage their Charter Members to participate in TSL groups and activities outside their Charter, and advocate for their Charter Members wants, needs, and issues to the TSL organizational leadership.
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Requirements and Recommendations for Charter Reps
TSL CHARTER REPS MUST:
TSL CHARTER REPS SHOULD:
(These are recommendations and suggestions for best practices of a Charter Rep, but not required. Charter Reps who cannot complete the below (at all, or yet) can still be successful in our organization.)
- Be at or above the age of 21
- Never have been convicted of, nor currently under charges or indictment for, any felony violent, theft, or sexual crime
- Pass all Knowledge Checks (at or above 80% score) on all Modules of the Resources for Charter Representatives section of this website
- Complete and submit a written questionnaire
- If requested, complete a phone, video chat, or in-person interview with a member of the Charter & Member Support Team or the Officer's Team of the Leadership Council
TSL CHARTER REPS SHOULD:
(These are recommendations and suggestions for best practices of a Charter Rep, but not required. Charter Reps who cannot complete the below (at all, or yet) can still be successful in our organization.)
- Be in good physical health and able to duel. Note that Charter Reps are not required to be the best duelers in their Charter, nor even exceptionally good at dueling, nor are they required to be able to teach dueling techniques – but it helps.
- Own your own set of approved armor as defined in TSL rules and regulations.
- Own at least one approved combat-quality saber with heavy grade blade as defined in TSL rules and regulations.
- Live within 30 miles of a major metropolitan area, defined as one of the top five population centers in your Charter’s geographical region. (Co-Reps in an established Charter where one Rep already fulfills this condition are not subject to this recommendation.)
Co-Reps
In most cases, Charters can benefit from having more than one Rep, up to a maximum of five. This is, of course, based on the availability and willingness of candidates who meet the required criteria. Unofficial slang for this is “Co-Rep” or Cooperative Representatives.
All Reps are considered of equal status by TSL, but unofficially within a Charter, Co-Reps may come to cooperative agreements amongst themselves, such as to defer based on seniority, or to divide up responsibilities by type or by geographical area. It’s essential that cooperating Reps clearly and consistently communicate their expectations, wants, and needs to each other.
In case of conflict between Co-Reps, the path of escalation is to the Charter and Member Support Team of the TSL Leadership Council.
All Reps are considered of equal status by TSL, but unofficially within a Charter, Co-Reps may come to cooperative agreements amongst themselves, such as to defer based on seniority, or to divide up responsibilities by type or by geographical area. It’s essential that cooperating Reps clearly and consistently communicate their expectations, wants, and needs to each other.
In case of conflict between Co-Reps, the path of escalation is to the Charter and Member Support Team of the TSL Leadership Council.
Facilitators
As described above, a Facilitator is a volunteer who is not a Rep, Co-Rep, or officer of the TSL organization that is trained and trusted by the Rep to run TSL meets and events in a distant location (a Satellite) within their Charter. Reps should follow the process outlined here when spinning up a Satellite location in their Charter.
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Important notes about Satellites and facilitators
Facilitators cannot schedule official meets; only Reps can. They should present Reps with proposed dates, times, and locations, and then the Reps publish those meet events on Charter social media.
Reps should train Facilitators with the goal that they eventually become a Co-Rep. Although it is not required that they do so (and they may choose not to) becoming a Co-Rep is the natural progression and intent of a Facilitator.
Reps should train Facilitators with the goal that they eventually become a Co-Rep. Although it is not required that they do so (and they may choose not to) becoming a Co-Rep is the natural progression and intent of a Facilitator.
If a Facilitator chooses not to become a Co-Rep (or until they are officially assigned as one) TSL considers the Charter Rep 100% responsible for everything done and said at Satellite meets, even those where the Rep was not present. Therefore, Reps must choose, train, and supervise Facilitators carefully.
As a Charter grows Satellites in multiple locations, it is a good idea to maintain a chat of some sort with all the Facilitators together, for discussing meets, techniques, and scheduling. It also helps for established Facilitators to be present for the Rep training new Facilitators. It acts as a sort of “refresher course” and can prompt new questions and opportunities for advanced training.
Facilitators hold no official status in TSL other than members, but it can be a good idea within a Charter to give them some sort of unofficial title or recognition… bonus if you cleverly use your TSL mascot to do so. For example, Facilitators in the Florida Kyber Knights are called the Round Table, and Facilitators in the Virginia Sentinels are called Sentries.
As a Charter grows Satellites in multiple locations, it is a good idea to maintain a chat of some sort with all the Facilitators together, for discussing meets, techniques, and scheduling. It also helps for established Facilitators to be present for the Rep training new Facilitators. It acts as a sort of “refresher course” and can prompt new questions and opportunities for advanced training.
Facilitators hold no official status in TSL other than members, but it can be a good idea within a Charter to give them some sort of unofficial title or recognition… bonus if you cleverly use your TSL mascot to do so. For example, Facilitators in the Florida Kyber Knights are called the Round Table, and Facilitators in the Virginia Sentinels are called Sentries.
module 1 knowledge check
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