Order of the Great Fifth Sea
Concordant Meeting – January Session
Official Meeting Minutes
(with marginal annotations by the Keeper of Proceedings, not entered into the record)
Date: January 18
Time: 18:00–20:11 (local)
Location: Bathymetric Hall, Rawley Point Chapter House
Meeting Type: Concordant (Standing Monthly Session)
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 18:00 sharp by Alistar Corvus, First Warden of the Concordance.
Quorum was confirmed in accordance with Article IV, Section 2 of the Charter.
The Presiding Warden briefly acknowledged shoreline conditions as “expressive, but within acceptable tolerances.”
Marginal note (KW):
He always says “expressive” when he means “annoying but inevitable.”
2. Roll Call
Attendance was recorded by Klara Weiss, Keeper of Proceedings.
Two members arrived within the allowable grace period and were marked present without annotation.
No absences required formal explanation.
Marginal note (KW):
Grace period remains undefined. As does grace.
3. Approval of Prior Minutes
Minutes from the December Concordant Meeting were reviewed.
One clerical correction noted regarding pluralization in the phrase “anticipated publication timelines.”
No objections raised to substance or scope.
Motion: Approve December minutes as amended
Result: Approved unanimously
Presiding Warden: Alistar Corvus
Marginal note (KW):
Unanimous because no one wanted to reopen December.
4. Standing Reports
4.1 Hydrographic Operations
Winter survey instruments remain within calibration tolerances.
Ice coverage continues to restrict nearshore readings; associated data gaps were acknowledged and logged.
No equipment losses reported, despite earlier speculative concerns.
The Presiding Warden noted that speculation should not be confused with prediction.
Marginal note (KW):
This distinction was made after speculation.
4.2 Vessel Status – The Concord
Major service remains on schedule.
Dry systems checks completed.
Continued discussion regarding whether certain components are “fully restored” or “functionally cooperative.”
No motion required.
Marginal note (KW):
“Functionally cooperative” appears to be the new lowest acceptable state.
5. New Business
5.1 Silent Circle Survey – Conference Circuit
Spring conference submissions are in draft or internal review.
Concerns raised regarding narrative framing by external audiences.
The Presiding Warden reiterated that methodological rigor does not obligate interpretive alignment.
Action Item: Preparation of a supplemental contextual brief for conference distribution.
Marginal note (KW):
This will be read carefully by exactly three people.
5.2 Documentary Coordination
Third-party production timelines reconfirmed.
Unease recorded regarding selective emphasis and compression.
Official position entered into record: Cooperation does not constitute endorsement of interpretation.
No motion proposed.
Marginal note (KW):
This sentence was underlined twice during the discussion.
6. Membership Considerations
Discussion held regarding the potential admission of one new member.
Criteria reviewed.
Historical affiliations acknowledged without elaboration.
The phrase “case-by-case” was employed repeatedly and left intentionally undefined.
Decision deferred.
Marginal note (KW):
Deferred is doing a lot of work here.
7. Financial Overview
Operating budget reflects an increase due to recent donations.
Adherence to internal process and audit expectations reaffirmed.
A proposal involving aerial survey capability was mentioned and immediately tabled by the Presiding Warden.
A brief reaction from the floor was observed by the Keeper of Proceedings but not transcribed.
Marginal note (KW):
Reaction was audible. Possibly enthusiastic. Possibly alarmed.
8. Community & Auxiliary Activities
Potlucks, lectures, and public-facing events discussed at a preliminary level.
Emphasis placed on logistics, scope discipline, and cleanup rotation compliance.
Reminder issued regarding sign-up sheets and post-event documentation.
Marginal note (KW):
Cleanup rotation remains the most strictly enforced policy.
9. Open Floor
One inquiry raised concerning archival labeling standards.
One comment offered regarding storage capacity.
No resolutions reached.
Marginal note (KW):
Storage capacity is a philosophical problem, not a spatial one.
10. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 20:11 by Alistar Corvus, First Warden of the Concordance.
Next Concordant Meeting anticipated in February, date pending shoreline conditions and calendar reconciliation.
Marginal note (KW):
Also pending everyone’s patience.
Presiding:
Alistar Corvus
First Warden of the Concordance
Recorded by:
Klara Weiss
Keeper of Proceedings
Marginalia by the same, in pencil, after the hall was cleared.