Welcome to the Official HNC Scholarships Thread!
Mission Statement
To provide the TPPC/TC community stepping stones towards growing into a community that shys away from profit and focuses on enjoying the game and growing from the contributions of its members.
Description
I understand many veteran TPPC players beyond myself have voiced out their opinions about what the trade forum has become. Just a economy where Pokemon are the currency. Very rarely do we see players trade for what they want, not because it's popular, but because it is something they want and cherish. This scholarship program (currently named the HNC Scholarship) is my way to give back to players so they can worry less about cost of Pokemon, and focus on enjoying the game while contributing in a positive manner to the community. Not only is this an idea to help trainers gain their "Dream Pokemon", this is also an incentive program to continue being a positive member of TC. A scholarship would NOT be a one time payment. If a HNC Scholarship recipient continues his/her efforts to bettering the community, an increase in "payment per semester" may be in order.
As of right now, I have decided to break down the year into semi-annual semesters. January to June & July to December. I understand one day on the forums could seem like 2-3 weeks, but I honestly have the patience to follow through with this, so this is how the first year will go down. Though this Idea was produced in February, I truly think these next few months of deciding will be just as heavy scrutinized as any.
How do I apply?
There is no applying. The Committee selection was based on not only respected community members, but also active. Basically all of TPPC will be monitored and key stand out people (based on the requirements) will have the best chances at the scholarship(s).
The Committee
I have selected players of various backgrounds in order to form a committee for selecting potential scholarship winners. In order to make it as unbiased as possible, I have selected friends and random respectful/respected players alike (some in both categories). In addition, the committee members are to be my extra sets of eyes and ears. Though many may say this could just turn out to be a popularity contest, I will have a writeup of the actual winner for the community to see and appreciate. Committee members have the ability to report to me about any necessary violations to TPPC/TC Rules or HNC Scholarship Requirements. Committee members will not have the authority to actually remove any scholarships. In addition, every year, new committee members will be selected to join the board. Veteran members that have proven to give great research and backup their input will not only be asked to stay another year, but also receive a prize for their year on the board. DO NOT ask to join the Committee. It is an exclusive group, but don't assume you must be rich and respected to join. A few members for this first year will be relatively unknown to some.
Types of Scholarships
Yes! I will not be giving just one scholarship out. There are currently 3 different types of scholarships to win, and each of them are stepping blocks to the next. The ideal situation is for someone starting out in the HNCharmander Award to end up being a HNCharizard recipient, but it is possible to just stay within the same award for different years. Again, I cannot stress enough that maintain scholarships alone will require above and beyond effort, so just imagine the kind of effort required for
HNCharmander Award: The first step to establishing yourself within the HNC Scholarships. This is primarily for newer players that have a decent track record but no GoldenScyther (?) to show for it.
HNCharmeleon Award: This is the more open scholarship to majority (if not all) of TC, but the requirements are much more strict.
HNCharizard Award: The highest honor/scholarship I can give. This trainer demonstrates all the qualities of the "ideal TPPC trainer". This player also must be with the scholarship program for at least 1 year, without any complaints from the committee members. This award is NOT going to be available the first time around (and maybe not even in 2011 July to December month either).
Revoking Scholarships
Though this is not my favorite area of this topic..This needs to be addressed. Scholarships may be cancelled at any time from myself with Justification. The Committee members may also bring items forward to me without any notice to you and I will review if any necessary consequences are needed. If you are a scholarship winner and have had your scholarship revoked, you are disqualified for at least one semester (the following semester).
Requirements
Unlike majority of real scholarships, this will not require anyone to post an application and a 1 page essay. You ALL will be judged. Everyone (at least in theory) is eligible.
- Integrity: Strong standing with the TPPC/TC Rules and Regulations. Being banned is just like committing a felony for a job here. Almost impossible to win this award if you don't even abide by the TPPC/TC Rules.
- Maturity: Anything from regular posts to visitor messages. Nothing like yes sir or no sir is required all the time, but rudeness has become far too common.
- Creativity: Active not only in the Trade forum, but also in the Ideas forum, as I really enjoy bettering this game I have come to play for nearly 2 years. In addition, creavitity can be taken into the context of being able to come up with original, creative ideas of making profit without scamming or cheating.
- Freebies: Rarely accept freebies (except for bday presents :D): Though I took out the bit about contests, I think this is something that I should be able to stand firm behind. I never believed in freebies (unless you were borrowing for a quest or something) because I really enjoyed the hard work behind my account. This should not be confused with gifts. What I consider freebies are people that POST on the Trade Forums "Create to my account. I'm quitting". A scholarship recipient would not be a member to post their number or create for that matter.
- Reputation: Praise from others is not all this means. Majority of players take my posts in the Ideas Thread seriously because of how I post and how I respond to their input. Perhaps the glue of all the requirements. If you have a strong reputation, you have been building along the lines of everything else.
- Respectable Opinion: Whether you believe in the "x system" or not, I want EVERY HNC scholarship winner to have a respectable opinion. Either in trades or in SFoM, people that take their time to reason their rates or beliefs out will be much more eligible than people that just say "GoldenRalts = 11x". That has almost no meaning to me.
People that can justify trading comparisons rather than have CONCRETE rates will also be front runners.
Do not take these Requirements as concrete rules to follow. We are all human, but over this 6 month (or-so) period, the players that portray these values/characteristics the highest and most consistently will be at the top of the list.
Why did you create this thread now?
I will be adding onto this throughout the first year. I am not sure of EVERYTHING that I want so maybe the community can help me in that regard. Though it is not encouraged (as this won't be some sort of Kudos Thread), this may also serve as a place to serve recognition to nice deeds throughout the semester.
I still have to create (more notes for myself):
- Winner Signatures
- Scholarship Award Thread
Contests
HNC Posting Contest
HNC Scholarships: January - June 2011
= lame thread.
