[2025 edit: After more reflection, I want people to know that I only share these things because I care about everyone. Yes, tense encounters come & go, but a lot of this stuff is all misunderstanding and people not wanting to communicate properly.
The biggest issue is lack of civil discussion and respect towards everyone.
Quite frankly, I'm not impressed that any sort of bullying is being tolerared and yet when we hold people accountable for their words/actions, it resorts to more cruelty.
Stay civil. You don't have to like everyone, but perhaps if we talked things out about what really troubles people, a lot of this could've been prevented.]
**
As a former RCO who led this regiment for several years, this saddens me to see the team dissolve. While I understand all frustrations from both sides, one thing I strived to keep was neutrality and to make everyone feel welcome while respect differences.
As this has been made public, I will finally say that I stepped down as RCO in 2022 because I received no help while I was disrespected and harassed by members during the pandemic, including my own staff. I'm a healthcare worker who did everything to keep the peace during times of uncertainty, yet I was shunned and cast aside by my own regiment because of everyone else's fear. While I still held a leadership role. [Apologies in advance, but seeing everyone step down now is disappointing. I expected better and more unified teamwork.]
I held out hope that people would one day see that no one within the 405th is actively working against them. I held out hope until I knew no one would actually sit down and talk it out, it was easier to leave. (I didn't want to do this, but I was left with no alternative.)
Hearing this news now feels like a double-edged sword.
You claim unity yet at the same time, have no issues fighting other members who may hold differing views/opinions.
I expected better, and pray that everyone can work out their differences rather than allow initial emotions to get the better of them.
Art Andrews' post back in June was not an attack on the pride community. As a former RCO for Canada, I understood where he was coming from based on legal terms. The 405th is a brand, and legally we aren't allowed to change the logos. Something I memorized from my time on staff and discussions with others in my position.
We could've found more creative ways to showcase support while still following the 405th rules and guidelines.
It wasn't an attack because everyone was still celebrated and allowed to do as they please.
Both staff members & division staff also work full time jobs, so physical help shouldn't always be expected for limitations like french translations with Montreal. It's unfortunate, yes, but if it means that battalions take a step back for a short while with booth work, then that's what you do. It sucks, but there's ways to still work together until the problem can be solved.
All I ever expected from staff was consistent professionalism, grace, and the will to put aside personal biases to help move this regiment forward, not give up when things got tough and disrespect members for not sharing the same belief system.
That's what diversity is about - differences. Cultural, religious, personal, etc...and the 405th mantle for unity has been cast aside.
I stepped down because not even my own team was willing to work things out when I tried to settle differences and keep everyone respectful towards each other. If everyone's going to be upset over the issues mentioned in the file, then you must also own the damages done based on personal biases against fellow members. (It's not just me, but others from other regiments as well.)
I believe that Canada can move forward in a better light once everyone calms down and sees reason, but it may take some time.
If anyone wants to talk or has questions, I'm here.
I hold no ill will against anyone, but this needed to be said from someone who helped bring this regiment to life all those years ago.
So please don't preach about lack of communication or accountability over Division not adhering to rules when most of you broke these same rules with socio-politics and spite across the forums, attacking anyone that disagreed with you.
Patience & accountability are required by everyone. You are not immune to the rules while simultaneously demanding others follow them. Harassing other members and hatefully disagreeing with them on topics made public doesn't paint your stance in a positive light.
Edit:
For simpler clarification for those who read this later on -
I believe these events of everyone stepping down is hypocritical because everyone here refused to communicate with me while I was CO, all because of members making false assumptions about me as a person during the pandemic, when all I did was share helpful information as a healthcare worker (& professional within my field of the pharmaceutical industry. I guess spending 4yrs keeping info up-to-date on the science will make people greatly dislike you for simply sharing?? I have yet to see anyone who accuses me of being anti-vxx, do their own research???)
I can't stress enough how members, including my own staff, refused to keep their personal beliefs separate from 405th group chats, and instead have quietly distanced themselves from interacting with me when I've never shared anything beyond my personal accounts. I've always kept 405th channels professional and open.
Everyone here has refused to communicate with those they disagree with, will name-call and accusing others over information that has been misunderstood, and yet everyone is yelling about lack of communication within division staff, while simultaneously REFUSING to communicate and resolve issues they themselves have caused.
I always keep my inbox open for anyone.
How does disrespectful banter, mock-meme humiliation, quiet ostracization, and harmful accusatory words help any situation?
I suppose it's easier to label good people every slur under the Sun, rather than communicate and respect all walks of life. (I haven't disliked anyone for disagreements with me, but it won't bode well for your new group if you claim to welcome all, while actively hating on everyone you disagree with.)
There's no compassion or willingness to learn and do better. No drive to put aside emotions, and try to resolve things with a clear head. I waited for over 2 yrs, but nothing.
That's the irony, isn't it?
Canadian members are creating a new cosplay group yet how can you say it's welcome to all, to claim unity, when you can't even help fix a mess caused by your own mistakes due to lack of proper communication misguided by your own beliefs blocking such understanding?
Whatever happened to people respectfully disagreeing but still being good towards each other within these communities?
The 405th is supposed to be about us all banding together over a beloved game series. Have patience when seeking out answers and change in leadership roles. Be good towards each other. Don't be the reason someone ends up in a bad situation all because of personal beliefs.
Everyone is unique. Everyone is different. No one has the right to force what they believe on others.
No one was saying we had to stop supporting members with different identities. I'm disabled but I don't demand everyone acknowledge it all year and demand the 405th to spread awareness because while it's a lifelong issue for me, I don't come here to change the focus away from costuming. I tell people who need to know at events to better communication, but I'd never want to be labeled/refered to as a disabled person consistently because that's not something that should be focused on.
Of course, it's nice to see fellow members express support when necessary, but it's no one's place to make demands that the group acknowledge or prioritize certain social groups/issues, while others got ignored.
(This is also a violation of site rules regarding social groups/religion/etc...so I understand that everyone wants to ahow support, but was a direct violation of the rules themselves.)
As always, there's nothing wrong with showing support for everyone, or to remain civil when we find out new information about a person's beliefs/religion/culture you may not like or agree with, but the 405th IP is not owned by the rest of us. If we allow labels to identify us, then we lose the true purpose of this group.
I pray that this community will eventually recover and get back on track once the dust settles and everyone looks back on all of this with more calm and understanding.
Emotion kills initial judgment. As humans, we tend to express ourselves with emotion first before the truth can show itself.
