The Order of Ranks, Praise and Reward

Whereas the United Association of Americans is committed to the furtherance of holy, constitutional, and soul-crafted Americanism; and

Whereas positive reinforcement and structured reward are more effective instruments of cultivating virtue than punishment alone; and

Whereas this association seeks to bring those cleared of sin and proven in virtue into the arms of forgiveness, charity, goodwill, and grace, that they may be forever good and holy; and

Whereas it is the intention of this association to establish books of laws of reward, just as the criminal justice system maintains books of laws of punishment, so that good behavior may be trained, raised, and praised in an objective, precise, and exacting manner: Therefore be it

Resolved, That this resolution is hereby enacted:

EXPRESSION OF JOY

Upon the commission of any good deed recognized under the laws of this association, the association shall issue a formal Expression of Joy, declaring publicly the virtue exhibited, naming the individual responsible, and pronouncing the grace of the Holy Spirit as the divine inspiration behind the act.

CELEBRATION OF PROFOUND DEEDS

Upon the commission of a deed determined to be truly great beyond the norm of greatness, the association shall observe a formal Period of Celebration for the profound deed. This period shall be declared by the Founding Father and shall be of a duration and character befitting the deed performed.

EXPRESS ACTS MADE IN THE IMAGE OF THE DEED

Following the Period of Celebration, the association shall enact a Series of Express Acts made directly in the image of the profound deed. These acts are distinct from the expansion and furtherance of joy described in Section IV. Whereas the expansion and furtherance of joy may be inspired by the good deed but is of a different gracious character, the express acts are made to be directly in the image of the deed itself.

RESOLUTION OF EXPANSION AND FURTHERANCE OF JOY

The association shall issue a Resolution of Expansion and Furtherance of Joy, extending the spirit of the good deed throughout the association in an ongoing and gracious manner, distinct in character from the express acts of Section III.

LAWS GOVERNING GOOD DEEDS

Just as a crime must be objectively defined before punishment is administered, a good deed must be objectively defined before reward is granted. The following serves as the foundational model for such laws:

Whenever someone saves the life of another person with bravery aforethought, he is responsible for preserving life, an act of fortitude, and shall enjoy ultimate praise.

Acts constituting the preservation of life include but are not limited to: the act of giving birth, the donation of great amounts to charity, and the volunteering of oneself to serve the poor. These persons have committed the good deed of preserving life and shall enjoy ultimate praise.

All laws governing good deeds shall identify the deed, name its associated virtue from the seven virtues of this association, and prescribe the precise degree of praise owed in accordance with that virtue.

THE SEVEN VIRTUES

The seven virtues of this association, in ascending order of value, though understood as a first among equals within that order, are:

1. Fortitude

2. Justice

3. Temperance

4. Prudence

5. Love

6. Hope

7. Faith

The first four virtues, Fortitude through Prudence, form one group. The latter three, Love through Faith, form a second group. All good deeds shall be evaluated and rewarded in connection with their corresponding virtue from this list.

THE SEVEN RANKS OF HONOR

There shall be seven ranks of honor within this association. The Founding Father holds supreme power to grant all ranks. The seven ranks are as follows:

The Founding Father holds the highest rank above all seven. He is addressed as His Majesty. He is associated with the virtue of Knowledge and is granted this rank for his supreme knowledge of the goals and essence of the association, with the guidance of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the discernment of the Holy Spirit. The Founding Father is infallible when speaking from the Seat.

Upon joining this association, every new member shall be granted the rank of Gentleman.

THE GENTRY AND THE NOBILITY

The seven ranks shall be divided into two major sections:

The Gentry consists of the ranks of Gentleman, Knight, and Captain.

The Nobility consists of the ranks of Lord, Master, Hero, and Founder.

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE GENTRY

Gentlemen have the right to vote in the Assembly.

Knights have the right to assist the President, who runs the Head Office, in executing the competent laws.

Captains have the right to serve as leaders in the Guard.

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE NOBILITY

The Nobility, from Lords to Founders, are entitled to sit in the Grand Council of the Church, which holds the power to pass moral laws for the Church and the association and to speak for her temporal authority.

DISTINCTIONS WITHIN RANKS

Upon being awarded a rank, a member shall also receive a particular distinction connected to the specific deed for which the rank was granted. This distinction shall extend the member's authority within the association to all matters and cases concerning the execution of the virtue demonstrated in the deed for which the rank was awarded.

The model for such a distinction is as follows:

A member is awarded a rank. He is granted a title of distinction naming the specific deed or circumstance of the deed. His authority as a ranked member extends over all matters and cases concerning the execution of his associated virtue as demonstrated in the deed.

Within the Assembly, members holding rank are given deference on any resolution directly concerning the field or circumstance of the deed for which their rank and distinction were awarded.

SYSTEMATIC PRAISE

This association shall operate a system of objective, precisely governed praise for good deeds. Just as a person who does something wrong is chastised or ignored and asked for repose, a person who does something good shall be praised, and his good deeds shall be spoken of publicly. The degree and form of praise shall be governed by exacting laws corresponding to the virtue demonstrated and the rank awarded. This system of praise is the primary instrument by which this association shall train and raise good behavior among its members and those it seeks to bring into good standing.