I've been speaking with the (new) Owner of the Slack page/group/thing. It seems that a lot of what they are doing over there is exactly what was planned to go on in here. It will also allow better connection between those who would want to negotiate some form of agreement while keeping security in check.

I've been offered Admin privileges for the Slack page/group. If this goes through this could prove to be exactly what we all wanted. However, I will not be taking down the Steam Group if this pulls through. We're still getting people finding our Reddit post and joining us here; and there may be people who don't want to directly used Slack. Slack will just allow us even further participation with the bigger groups at play.

This is how it all works (as it was explained to me and as I understand it):

Slack works with Channels and Private Groups. Private Groups can only be seen or interacted with by anyone the creator of said group dictates; this means that our current security and its effectiveness will be the same. Channels can be seen by anyone (unless otherwise specified, I believe). This means groups can interact with each other while still having 'private quarters', including the option of other powers being able to contact us far easier.

Discussions are held openly, and anyone will be able to join once the system is started (it is currently invite only, but will be open soon). Basically the same as what we've been doing here.

Voting is, unfortunately, a little different. Votes are tallied per group; Each Group has 1 Vote. This means that, effectively, each individual voice is not 'heard' in the same way we intended. However, I can still hold internal group votes; so our group can still functionally make a decision based on the voices of all group members. In a nutshell, all members of our group vote 'yes/no/obstain'.

This structure causes a secondary problem: We lose voting power sticking together in this format; even though we represent 3 groups. This may mean we have to 'revert' back to our seperate groups (certainly Aisling's Angels members will want to and may be forced to) to ensure we have power in numbers voting wise.

Group Size Limits are defined as "More People than A Wing" (that's 4). This means P.H.A.N.T.O.M. (those of you that have joined us without an affiliation prior are considered to be in this group now) and ZNE can still remain in this new structure without needing to merge to exist in this Slack group; that's more voting power for us (as I'm fairly certain P.H.A.N.T.O.M. has more than 4 members)!

Regarding preparation and expanding votes, I'm unsure how these things will be dealt with; it may be a figure-it-out-as-we-go thing. Strawpoll has been suggested as a voting platform and is being taken into consideration.

I will keep you updated as events transpire.