I am posting this on behalf of Meg Baum: Hello folks,
TL;DR We have made a new Discord server to serve as a new global social space for Magic tournament staff! Please Join and share!
It is called The Gathering Point.
https://discord.gg/P8yXKKBnvmThis is not a project created by a TO, nor is it associated with any of the currently created judge programs. This is a collaborative personal project with the input and help of a multicultural Mod team. This is not just a space for Judges but for all of the folks that make Magic happen. Scorekeepers, Back of House folk, Customer Service, Prize Wall, and Tournament Organizers are just as important to our environment as Judges are, and this is a space for us all. The intention is to create a space that bridges the ones already in use for regions or local programs.
Premier Tournament Organizers are able to make events and post applications on the server, so there is one centralized place where applications are linked. We spoke with the staffing managers of Pastimes, Legacy, SCG, Laughing Dragon/DreamHack, Fanfinity (TC), Yellow Rabbit, Face to Face, Necrotower, Oracle, and Top Deck Games, and they have all agreed to post/repost links to applications for their events on the server.
We are in the process of reaching out to the remaining convention, RC and CommandFest TOs, as well as any others that are likely to have international or larger staff. There is a channel/role for program representatives; those folks, like the PTOs, are not chosen by the server staff, but by the program they represent. If you are a PTO or a program representative, contact a Mod for more information.
While this server will host things like study groups, live call assistance, and applications, the intention is not to host certifications or testing. This is meant to supplement existing programs, not replace them.
The Gathering Point is also intended to be a resource hub featuring:
Automatic updates pulled from the Wizards server for Magic news.
Links to the IPG, MTR/CR, and SK software like Eventlink, Companion, and Melee.
Tools like a good round timer, Purple Fox, and apps good for Oracle text on mobile.
All of the non-general channels are opt-in and will not appear unless you add the role to your profile. The server is divided by language, not region. There is an international team of Mods to help with languages. Still, there are channels for region-specific things (Even if it's just to link to a regional already functioning Discord, WhatsApp, Judge Apps forum, Facebook, or whatever.) Adding roles will unlock channels, and adding languages will unlock categories. It is all automated.
Live calls or structured discussions go into the general forums, which are in default English. Chats can migrate to other language channels if wanted. Those channels are set as forums, not as free-flow chats, to maintain threading, organization, and so on. Not every language has channels devoted to it, nor does every region have a channel. If one is wanted, just ask; we will add them as requested.
If anyone would like to join The Gathering Point, we fully encourage you to do so. Read the info channels and explore as you like. This server does have some places that are still under construction. For example, we are currently behind on more robust server structure for Oceania and Asia. This will be addressed very soon with help from our Mods in those areas. If anyone has feature requests or suggestions for Mods or would like to report a bug they found, submit a ticket in the support chat or @ a Mod.
Thank you for your time, we hope that others find this server useful.