Organization FAQ
1: Who runs the Terran Alliance?
No one "runs" Terra in a hierachy sense of the word. Since the entire thing is made up of people offering their help, it is impossible to demand someone do something. In a sense, Terra is anarchy given structure; everybody is in charge of their own work, but coordinate with the rest.
2: Then who coordinates it all?
Again, it is done in a very decentralized way. There are certain standard ways of accomplishing things, but most details are left to the individual or group. When groups need to work together towards a common goal, they can use their respective embassy to reach each other. Thereafter, coordination is simply a matter of keeping in contact. Embassies also allow them to draw on the experience of other groups.
3: What is the difference between "group" and "embassy"?
A group is basically a handful of people, who are casually in touch with each other, often people who see each other at work or around their neighbourhood. They discuss things, get ideas and do different tasks. They do what they feel like doing, when they feel like it, keeping in casual touch with the rest of Terra through one or more representatives, who tell if something is going on, and tell the group what is moving in the rest of Terra. An embassy is more continuous. It is a website containing information about Terra, fitted to whomever it is the embassy of (Germany, Turkey, Mexico). It also describes that regions current status. Furthermore, it acts as a contact for those it represents, allowing groups to inquire about certain things or have a message posted. This way, it makes local things hang together. It has an ambassador, who is the front figure, but can easily be run in practice by several people, depending on circumstances.
4: Why this decentralization?
For one thing, we lack the option of a hierachy, since people are volunteering their help on a now-and-then basis. Second, no one knows a situation as intimately as someone in it. Instead of trying to get every bit of information in a central HQ, the big picture is discussed (via the Internet) with as many as possible, while details are left to the group(s) closest to the "action". It is simply the easiest way. Finally, groups with fairly free hands will tend to be the most creative, which can be of great help.
5: Do you need to be part of a group to join?
No, of course not. Individual persons can join without a whole group, they may even be informed of one in their area, that they never knew of.
6: How do you make sure, that everything keeps working?
The concept of Terra involves very little daily trivia. There are no offices to run, no slow projects to constantly work on. Nearly everything is done in small pushes, which take very little time to complete. Only embassies need be kept up to date in a regular fashion, and they can usually be handed to someone else if necesary.
7: How does one know, what is going on?
If there is an embassy for your area, keep an eye on it. Also, some things will be posted on the main site (this one).
8: How do you join?
Check the Application form on this site. But go through the rest of the information first; if you consider joining, the FAQs will hardly provide sufficient information.