CSM Campaigns

So a year ago, which feels like a long ******* time ago now, I posted one of these threads, in which I laid out a platform for myself as a newbie-focused optimist with a fresh perspective and a focus on independent people in the game.

You all elected me, I was very honored, and I’ve spent the year working to deliver.

On CSM8, I’ve worked as an organizer and advocate for the community. When large issues come up, I often play the part of a relay, focusing community concerns and bringing them to CCP. When I don’t understand something, I seek out players and colleagues who can teach me how it works, rather than just parroting a line.

I have maintained very consistent activity, attending as many meetings as I can and working to contribute to the CSM overall. I’ve matched this with work on updating the community about CSM activities, with tweets, Space Hangouts, a regular segment on Declarations of War, and the occasional longer post at warp-to-sun or TheMittani.com, depending on audience.

I’ve gotten my grey hairs from late nights and long arguments, but throughout the past year I have maintained my commitment to honesty, integrity, and advocating the viewpoint best for the game.

It’s this work that I hope to continue on CSM9.

This year is different than last-- I have no bloc, big or small, behind me. I’m no longer a Provident, although I still hold a soft spot in my heart for the region, for NRDS, and for small independents. I’m running on nothing but my record and a strong, unwavering commitment to excellence, honesty, and transparency. Vote for me, and let’s make CSM9 an even better year.

Not enough specifics for you? Check out this post later down.

Ali will be on my Ballot. (below me, obviously, but that's because I actually want elected)

She's been good for communication.

The One question that any CSM candidate should be asked above all is "Are you preapred to put in the hours?"

I will unhesitatingly pick out Ali as being the hardest working member of CSM9. With one exception, we all contributed a lot, but Ali stood out amongst an exceptionally hard working CSM as the most committed of us all.

If you don't vote for her, you're a fool. She deserves to be in the top two for CSM9.

So, you are running as who exactly? You know, some hints for community what are your goals, interests, where you stand on various matters, anything? Or nothing changed since your previous running and we all should just jump to old threads?

It's not like you have to pay extra to put some pixels in here, you know.

I'm running, largely, on my record from CSM8. My philosophy hasn't changed much from then and has been articulated a lot in posts and conversations since, but I'll recap for those who haven't been following the CSM.

First, my record. I was involved in all of the following:

SMA loot drop. It was on the “someday” list, CSM8-- and I was a part of this-- made it happen now.

CSM Minutes: Lead the postmortem of the summer minutes; organized and assisted in the delivery of the winter minutes (WIP, but: they’re in to CCP, we have better progress updates this time ‘round).

CSM Communication: Regular updates @ali_of_space, +Ali Aras, http://declarationsofwar.com; Occasional updates at http://warp-to-sun.tumblr.com and http://themittani.com . I’ve also done other podcasts and townhalls.

Collected and made useful community feedback on the ESS (which was changed) and probing changes.

Stuff for newbies: I’ve pushed for newbie content in nullsec (hasn’t happened yet, but I can still try!), I supported changes to t2 skills for guns, the ISIS ship browser, the new cert system, etc.

Exploration iterations. This came up in a space hangout, I relayed it to CCP.

Drone assist: spoke with a broad range of people to understand issues and counters, supported a fair fix preserving uses outside of large fleets.

Organizational efforts. I’ve beeon one of the people doing a fair bit of behind the scenes organization, which I think my colleagues can speak to. It doesn’t show up in public, but it’s valuable to the process.

My philosophy has overall remained steady: I am interested in how to make and keep the game a thriving, diverse community. I have worked and continue to work for a good New Player Experience. My in-game focus ends up on nullsec, where I've primarily lived. I'm interested in ways to make nullsec matter at a smaller scale than the large empires and the big B-R fights, stuff like improved industry, improved income and group PvE, and improved ways to build up and disrupt others' space, ways that actually make sense and make fun. I'm also still interested in deeper content in highsec, stuff that makes it a more dynamic, interesting area of space to live in fully, for more types of players.

Great. Now think about some way to explain to them how stupid is to sit at belt in lowsec when flashy red lands 50 or more km away and has to burn for some time to kill them. Either every newbie is totally cool with it or they have no idea. And they are not cool with it because I get mails...



Hopefully that involves revision of idea "loot spew will make people team up". And getting back at least illusion of exploration would be nice too.



Well, hard to argue with that since we cannot really verify it but good for you and CSM I guess.



So null and hi because lowsec is obsolete. Hopefully Sugar Kyle will get her chance to balance your influence.

Cool, thanks for response I guess you will be on my ballot although can't say you will be my candidate.

Just a quick note to say that it is with great pleasure that I endorse Ali for re-election to CSM9. Over the course of CSM8 she has impressed me with her work-ethic, knowledge and judgment.

She has worked hard to make EVE a better place to live (and die) for all the inhabitants of New Eden, and has earned a prominent place on everyone's ballot.

I'll definitely be voting for Ali Aras. She's done an exceptional job on CSM 8. I for one would love to have her continue working for the players on the next council.

Having flown with Ali and worked with her in TMC, I can say that it's been an absolute pleasure and I'm amazed by her dedication to CSM8 and everything she has accomplished thus far. Best of luck with your campaign, I think your track record from the last year will speak for itself.

Ali Aras for CSM!

If CCP asks us our opinion on one of their employees, that's great, but at the end of the day, "who CCP choses to hire" is ultimately a place where the CSM has essentially zero influence.