Standard Bearer
Purpose
The Standards are special recognition given by the CEREBRUM organization. The Standards were established by different legs of Cerebrum to reward those that showed excellent leadership qualities and/or did that organization a great service. These extraordinary acts are categorized under six standards of excellence. Usually, the leadership, Intelligence, diligence, selflessness, and compassion of these people are on full display. Qualities that the Organization wants all of their agents and personnel to aspire to. On rare occasions, these are give out to adult civilians as well. The Standards come with different levels that can be achieved in service to the Psychic community and/or the CEREBRUM Organization. The higher the level, the larger the amount of leadership and power these individuals could have in the Organization and even a few communities. So, the the process for obtaining this rank and promoting within it are extremely rigorous.Conception and Significance
Conception
According to historical files and documents, the Standard Bearer was conceptualized based on the political set up of psychic communities that made up some of the American Psychic Coalitions stretching down most of the western halves of the Americas, mainly the ones in North America as the Europeans had the most influence the Eastern parts of those areas. The areas pseudo adopted similar titles in order to allow for smoother communications. As governments and politics changed over the centuries and coalition as well as the colonies entrenched their holds on their territories, the pseudo adopted titles became semi permanent.There needed to be a some form of a governmental structure in place to represent the coalitions when dealing with other governments as trading and globalization started to becoming an increasingly necessary way of life. However, across all the different groups, tribes, outposts and communes of the coalitions, It was hard to settle on just one form as groups had different ideas that they agreed on. So, representatives from many of the groups in the area of North America and even some of Central America got together and decided that they would pick representatives with good virtues that they could all agree on. After several days of debates, six virtues or standards were chosen:
Intelligence, Altruism, Valor, Leadership, Knowledge of Tatics, and Protectiveness
Then the groups or city-states put up one representative from their communities that matched the virtues. Thus these people became the standard Bearers for their communities. This loose coalition of representatives became known as the Order of the Bearers.
Cultural Significance
The scope of the significance of the Order is mainly historical, but they do still play a role in the world as we know it today. Most significantly, it was the Order of the Bearers that signed the first treaties and accords with the world's nations with backing from the predecessor of the Cerebrum Organization, the Limbic System.Nowadays, they are representatives of the Organization and only quasi political and have not been put into true political use in almost a century. There are elected and appointed representatives through the Organization and the various coalitions and communities that are left. But the treaties that they were initially party to are still in effect, so that could change at any point. But the requirements have been adapted to fit the modern culture and accommodate new responsibilities that the Organization have taken together.
Modern Presence
The tradition mainly remains behind as a honorarium and part counsel to the Organization's leadership and the communities they secretly and publicly protect and support. Most are also serving as leaders of various departments, teams and other areas and initiatives of the Organization. Also, sections of them also act as local patrolling psychic crisis helpers. Looking out for things like plots against psychic communities and psychic criminals and the like. As they are also charged with the protection and care of the psychic civilians that live within the neighboring Colonies as well as those that live on the borderlands. According to the records, there are currently 513 living Bearers at this time (according to the records up to the current year). Of course, there are new ones being added one a year.| Standard | Bearers |
|---|---|
| Horn: | 325
|
| Shield: | 108
|
| Cloak: | 44
|
| Staff: | 15
|
| Sword: | 12
|
| Crown: | 9
|
Modern Interpretations of the Standards
As of now there are still six Standards, however, they have been reinterpreted as Ceremonial Bearer Awards. The six virtues are represented by the 6 markers that were used as signifiers for the original six virtues: a woven tiara, a cloak, a bone horn, a Shepard's staff, a sword, and a shield. Those were the items that were easily accessible during those times. The representative donned or carried these items which were embossed with their virtue. Thus the titles bestowed on those that receive this honored title reference them.The Titles
Bearers of the Crown
These agents have shown exceptional expertise in their field that lead to improvements within the organization or for the world of psychics as a whole. Usually, these are given to researchers and medical professionals. But anyone can receive it. Most related it to the crown of the head, and ones mind being the seat of knowledge.Bearers of Cloak
These agents are often shining examples of leadership and generosity. These individuals are often huge on volunteering or solving socials problems that exist within the agency and psychic communities that Cerebrum may happen to serve. Or they produce policy or some other act that improve the community at large. Things along those lines. The award is named so from the idea of the someone giving their cloak to someone in need.Bearers of the Horn
These agents and even some civilians (honorary) will get this award for bravery in times of crisis. These individuals stood up in the face of a crisis and then proceeded to go above and beyond the call of duty to help save lives. They literally heeded the call to act or help, thus the name of the award.Bearers of the Staff
These are exceptional agents whose quick actions either saved someone or prevented a disaster during a mission. Usually, these are field appointments for exceptional bravery. Usually, these are given to field agents but not always. The award was named after the Sheppard's staff which was often used to guide sheep to keep them on track or away from danger.Bearer of the Sword
These are the cousins of the staff in some respects. These are given out to agents of exceptional battle prowess whose knowledge of tactics and battle work turned the tide in a battle or completed a mission in exceptional fashion. Swords are often used as symbols of not only rank but fighting ability.Bearer of the Shield
These agents or civilians are given this award when they save someone else at risk to themselves. This particular Standard is often given out more posthumously at least compared to the others. But it is no less honorable.Title and Responsibilities
Recipients of this recognition are conferred the title of Bearer and are allowed to use it. The title is often used a formal events but can be used in the causal public setting although is not required. Anything written about them does include the title. The only exceptions are civilians who receive honorary acknowledgement but not the title as the title does carry extra responsibilities in some of the appointments. Either way, it is considered a great honor to receive and are not given out lightly.As those that are given the title are often considered ranked agents unlike Special or Senior Agents. Those titles are determined by longevity and organizational standards. These titles are closer to the ranked positions such as Lieutenant, Captain, and other ranks of that nature. They are the lowest on the totem pole, but they are able to take command when a situation is without a clear command structure in cases of Horn, Staff, Sword, and Shield Bearers as they are primarily awarded to field agents who have knowledge on how things should run. Although, in non field situations, agents may defer to a title holder if one is present and no higher official is. But that is less likely to happen to the non-field related bearers but is not unheard of.
Other Titles Similar to the Standards
Junior Banners
These awards are pretty much the same as the Bearers, except it doesn't come with the same amount of responsibility as the adult version. In the case of field operations, they can take command any junior officers or psi cadets that may be present, but will have to yield any full agents or higher ranked officials on a scene.The Process
The process starts with a recommendation.Recommendations
Each An agent of any rank can nominate a candidate for a title. An agent being a recognized employee of the Cerebrum Organization. The entire organization is included in this, from the top members to the rank and file. The recommendations are sent in via a form detailing what they are being recommended for, that the person fits all of the proper Requirements and Qualifications for the position as well as what the Deed was that earned them the title.Requirements and Qualifications
Psychic:
They must confirm they are psychic. The person explains how they know the person is psychic. Usually, they are employed by the Organization so people put in their official Agent code name, if they have one or their job title.Age:
Age will determine whether a person is eligible for an Bearer or Banner titleAre they an Agent of the Organization?:
Agent or CivilianTime in the Org: minimum of 1 year is required for full title consideration.
Area:
What division they worked in. If they are a civilian, you would put their profession.Rank:
What is their official Organization/public rank if they have onePrevious Title:
Have they been award a Banner before? If so, which ones and how many?The Deed
This section details a summary of what the person accomplished in one section and in the other why this person believes that this act is worthy of being recognized.The Witnesses
These are signatures of people that are willing to back the recommender's nomination. There must be a minimum of five signatures for the recommendation to be complete. Anyone can sign as a witness as long as they are willing to testify if the recommendation happens to be negatively challenged.Special Considerations or Circumstances
Group Recommendations:
Sometimes a deed is done by group effort, so the entire group will be recommended for a title. To qualify to be a group nomination there must be at least two people. The recommendation, however, must also be made by a minimum of two people, one of which must be a ranked Agent within the organization (ie: Senior, Lieutenant, Captain, Head of a Division, etc). Instead of 5 signatures, 10 signatures at minimum must be obtained. All other requirements are the same. If the recommendation is made and approved, each individual within the group receives the title the group was nominated for. If there is a situation where one member is challenged, the nomination maybe amended to remove the one challenged if the defense of them fails.Additional Standards
If nominated for a second Bearer title or more, the process is a little more rigorous. Firstly, it can't be the same Standard that they have already been awarded. So, instead they are awarded merit stars for the the additional achievement.Classes
Due to the fact that one can not be handed the same title twice, any repeat winners of a specific Standard will get stars instead. After receiving 5 starts, they are promoted a class. Then they become Sir/Dame/Ser______, bearer of _______, second class. Then if another 5 are earned then they are given the title, Sir/Dame/Ser______, bearer of _______, first class. If they have more than one Standard then it would be the same except you would list the first Standard and the class and then the second and the class if there is one.Promotion
However, if they are awarded a different Standard then they gain an additional title. This also comes with a promotion. From here the Titles take on Semi political significance as well. As, by the charter that the titles were established by, these ranks could double as political positions when times called for them. Due to this the requirements are much higher for nomination as well as the recommenders.Knighthood
If a person is recommended for a second Bearer title and obtain it, they are Knighted by the organization. Usually, the Title being something along the lines of Sir/Dame/Ser of the whatever two Standards they have, only roughly 14% of members of the Organization has received this honor in its modern 200 year history, there are currently 71 living named Knights of the CEREBRUM Realm currently. Two rather notable ones include Dame Katherine E. Gory, Bearer of the Crown and Horn and Sir Julius Urlobina, Bearer of the Horn and Staff. Dame Gory is most known for her writing and being one of the Founders the Cerebrigade, an introductory leg of Cerebrum. She earned her Horn Standard through her heroism at the Battle of the Basi Strait and her contributions to pyshic education, literature, and science earned her Crown Standard.Sir Urlobina's ascension to his title is noteworthy as he is one of the youngest receipents of the the Horn Standard and currently the youngest living Knight. In 1968, he earned the Horn Banner after using his hydrokensis to hold back a flood of water from a broken dam in his hometown until help could arrive to repair the breach. Then in 1977, he orchestred a dangerous mission to rescue a bunch of Methati children from a trafficking ring on the border of the PAC as well sabotaging the operation which lead to its destruction at the hands of CEREBRUM agents.
Champion
If a person is recommended for a third Bearer title and, after a thorough vetting process, obtain it, they are declared a champion by the The Order of the Bearers. The person's address title does not change, it still remains either Sir, Dame, or Ser. However, the epithet changes from the standard for the Knighted to Sir/Dame/Ser ____________ Champion of ________. The last part is usually either determined the Order of the Bearers or by the Champion's own choosing.There have been serveal champions spread out over the history of the Organization, these are considered to be some of the most respected members of the Order and historically heald a great deal of local political power. There are currently 2 "modern" champions still living: Sir Molton Yousef, Champion of the Community and Dame Dr. Melissa Mur, Champion of the Forgotten. Sir Yousef is currently a sitting member of the CEREBRUM Council. He is also known for mentoring a lot of the current and future leaders of CEREBRUM including Dame Mur, Sir Urlobina, Bearer Amira Urlobina and many others. Like many upper level Order members his first Standard was that of the Horn. He earned it back in during the Second War of the Ridges by sabotaging enemy equipment and vehicles as well as gathering intel during the siege of his university's town, playing heavy role in its liberation which became his entry point into the CEREBRUM organization. He then earned his Cloak Standard for creating Camp W in 19--, a summer program that helped young psychics harness their powers which lead to the revamping of pyschic education standards for teaching pyschic control. His Crown Standard was given in 19-- as part of a group. Specifically, he, Dame Mur, and Dame Gory were awarded Crown standards for their creation of the Callosum. As for Dame Mur, she is the current Director of CEREBRUM. She earned the Champion title for bearing the Standards of the Sword, Crown, and Cloak. She earned her Crown for the invention of the Callosum. However, she also earn a First Class designation on her Crown for an individual invention, the top secret Algorthym machine, it would be the standard that gave her Champion status. Like Sir Urlobina she is the youngest living Champion at the moment. Before the Crown, though, she earned her Horn Standard after she risked her own life to prevent the assination that would have lead to a 3rd War of Ridges after she had a vision about at the age of 19. Then at the age of 23, she would would another possibly world alerting mission to dismantle a rouge military lab, during which she would rescue The Pack. This would earn her the Sword Standard.
Lordship
If a person is recommended for a fourth Bearer title and , after an even more rigorous process and screening, obtain it, they can be recommended to become a Lord/Lady/Noble of the Organization. This particular title has not been held formally in over 100 years. Upon receiving the title they are allowed to set up their own outpost with area approval from The Organization's Council. The outpost can be whatever they desire it to be. However, The Noble of the House must stay in regular contact with the organization and follow certain guidelines regarding welfare of citizens and the Psychic Accords.Other Ranks
There are 2 listed other promotions above Lordship in the charter that established the Bearer based ranks that can be reached. However, none of the requirements for such titles have been met.Elevation of the Junior banner
When a Squire reaches the age of 18, the living Bearers and the Organization Leaders will get together to evaluate the Squire's performance. If the Squire's performance is considered exemplary, they are promoted to Bearer. This promotion is only available to Agents as there has to be regular monitoring and contribution to the Organization for there to be merit for Consideration. If a deputized civilian received the award and made it to at least an active agent (assistant agent at minimum), they will also be eligible for that same opportunity.Vetting and Voting
The next step is vetting and voting. The recommendations are evaluated on a rolling monthly basis by a randomly selected group of 10 Bearers from the Order of the Bearers. All recommendations that have not been reviewed by the first of the new month will be reviewed during that month in the order they were received. Every month has a new set of Bearers are chosen to do the reviews.Most selection groups are structured up to 5 of the members must hold the title for which the group is meeting for. For example, if a committee is meeting to score for Bearer of the Staff: then up 5, if that is possible, must be Staff Bearers. The other 5 must be representation from each of the other bearers. This way there is input from the order as a whole as well as proper people on the panel to speak on the tenants of the Standard being discussed.
When a recommendation is received by the Order of the Bearers, they will vet the the Recommendation. The vetting will cover the entire person that wrote down to the witnesses. Once they have determined that all the requirements for either an honorary or full title nomination have been met, the voting can begin.
The members will read any extra material that had been gathered to go with this nomination such as mission reports logs, audio, video, etc. Then they will vote to confirm the nomination and offer the title. Once it is signed off on by the committee, the nomination goes into a "basket" which is then put before the whole Order for the final voting. If 80% or more vote in favor, the nomination is passed.
Finalization
Certification Vote
Then once all the committees are done, the whole Order then formally certify the nominations by a symbolic vote. Then the all agents are sent a letter confirming that the voting is done for the year and ask if the agents would accept a title or award if given one. Most answer yes, but they may have stipulations if they don't wish to be recognized for certain things. Some even turn them down outright. Once all the sheets have been turned in, the nominations are finalized and planning for the annual Cerebral Gala begins in November and runs through most of December. The Cerebral Gala is held on New Year's Day and is considered the glamor event of Who's Who's among psychics in North America and even the international community.Cerebral Gala and the Naming Ceremony
Title Nominees are sent invitations for the Gala and invited to attend as guests of the Organization. Then during the Gala's award section, the Naming Ceremony will take place. They will honor all the prospective Title recipients regardless of rank or title. The order will go from the lowest rank to the highest rank to be given that night. Each rank level has its own ceremonial oaths and rituals associated with them.
For a first time Bearer, they will undergo the "Conferring of the Title" Ceremony. They be called and accept the nomination and swear an oath to uphold the virtues of the Standard they were entrusted with. Then in some cases if they were awarded stars for the Standard they will then receive said star(s) as well for efficiency. They are then gifted their "Standard" a physical representation of their Standard. They are then named by their official title which the crowd acknowledges.
Previous Bearers that are receiving additional Standards will undergo either a "Knighting" Ceremony (2 standards), a "Naming" Ceremony (3 standards) or "An Awarding of Land" Ceremony (4 standards). They will also be given stars that they earn for any of the Standards they bear at that time. Then they will be presented with their new armaments and "Standards". The Awarding of Land Ceremony is a little more detailed but will include the previously mentioned as well.
Demotion
A Bearer, full or otherwise, can be stripped of their rank if they commit a crime that breaches the Psychics Accords and any treaties involving them or amendments to them. They also can be stripped if they commit a crime that breaches any national laws of their country as well. If a Bearer is found to have falsified information to obtain the title they can also be stripped of their title for that as well.This is decided by a tribunal held by the Order of the Bearers in which all members that are able are in attendance and then heads of the Standard under review will present the reasoning for the dismissal and the accused will then be allowed to plead their case before the tribunal. Presiding over that event is usually handled by the Head of the Order at the time. If they are deemed to be biased in one way or another, they work up the higher level command with the Director being the highest.
A vote is then held and if the accused is found guilty, they will then strip them of their rank and their standard is destroyed in a private "stripping" ceremony.
Type
Civic, Military, Not Commissioned
Status
Current
Creation
The Conscription of Representatives as written in the Treaty of the Psychic Alliance
Form of Address
Bearer
Alternative Naming
Sir/Dame/Ser, if knighted
Source of Authority
Cerebrum Organization and The Order of Bearers
Length of Term
Lifetime
Current Holders
Reports directly to
Related Locations
Related Organizations
Comments