After several requests from valued members of our forum who live too far away to qualify for full membership in the House, myself and Ransim decided to put together a membership type for those people.
First and foremost, membership of any kind in House Eclipse is not a magazine subscription. While we welcome requests for membership, we also are extremely careful with who we allow within our organization for safety reasons. All full members must be met in person by us on several occasions, get a full background check, be over 18 and meet all other criteria. Associates must meet all the criteria save the one of being met in person. Instead, we substitute IM conversation on several occasions. We still do a full background check which the applicant pays for with any member. If any applicant lies about anything on thier application, they will be expelled or denied entry.
Associates are welcome to submit articles and artwork to the site, participate in forums and earn up to a Calmae rank. All members start as apprentices (Bellah) or if they wish, servants (Kijara) and must spend at least one year at that rank before advancing. Associates may vote via e-mail on varioius policy and other decisions at Conclave via e-mail. Thus all Associates must have a working e-mail address. Associates may not take a mentor via e-mail or mentor another through that medium, but they are encouraged to ask questions to any elder about issues troubling them that are related to vampirsm. Those who are affiliates of the House but do not wish membership (or are members of another House) are classified as Jahira, and expected to act with honor and abide by our laws at all times that they are in contact with us. Abbons (Elders of other Houses or of no House) may sit on the Jhatyet committee under special permission from the entire committe. Examples of this are several Elders of other Houses who have earned our greatest respect and honor for thier tireless commitment to making our small community a better place. Those Elders are also extended a House Eclipse honor and tradition known as the Right of Sanctuary. Three such Elders are Michelle Belanger of House Kheperu, Huron of House Kheperu, Nitallica of The Coven, and Vicutus of Ordo Sekhemu. This is not a comprehensive list, just a few examples.
All associates must fill out the online application form for associate membership, just as full members must fill out the full membership form. We must request information for the aforementioned background check, but we give our word that all such information shall be completely private, and only revealed to the authorities if the member should break the law. Any Associate may certainly attend House meetings if they become able, and any Associates who move into the area may then apply for full membership.
House Eclipse is neither a business nor a fan club. We are an organization of like minded independant individuals with similar problems and goals. We do not give out or insist on the purchase of membership cards, books, fake teeth, clothing, jewelry or any other article. We believe that what we are comes from within us,not from without. Thus, we try to set an example for the rest of the community with our behavior and actions. Associates are expected to keep to the same standards of behavior, honor and respect as any other member of the House. Remember that in all your dealings, others will judge us based on your actions.
We encourage our Associates to share ideas and opinions with us about hte site or the activities of hte House. We also encourage research by all our members into all the aspects of vampirism, from medical to mythical. We stress again that membership is a privelege and a sign of respect from us to our members. Not everyone will be accepted or offered advanced rank. This is often due to belief differences or personality conflicts. In these cases we will gladly refer our members to other affiliated Hosues and Organizations in the hopes that they will find a home there.
