...one big happy family, and it is our duty to uphold our standard as quality curators and creators. Keeping that in mind as you read the rest of this, do remember that it is the engagement that makes us great and thrive as a community. Don't know who your family members are? This profile follows **ONLY** our members and the support accounts. Our strength is only as powerful as the community in its combined efforts to support each other. We're doing amazing everyone, let's stay focused! Huge shout out to those that are helping us grow faster by delegating SP or contributing some of their hard earned SBD/STEEM to 
Hive account@thealliance or any of our other support accounts. You know who you are :)
Special Thanks
I would like to, and encourage you to as well, personally give a special thanks to our support accounts that have been helping our fantastic allies grow along with us. Aside from Hive account@thealliance, we have: Killer Whale - 
Hive account@killerwhale (trained by 
Hive account@enginewitty), Share The Steem Love - 
Hive account@stsl (ran by 
Hive account@bmj), Tye Dye Firepower - 
Hive account@tyedyefirepower (ran by 
Hive account@armshippie), The Mother Ship - 
Hive account@themothership (ran by 
Hive account@michaeldavid) and the Allied Soldier - 
Hive account@a11y (ran by Hive account@enginewitty). Why? Because they don't have to go the extra mile to support any of you. They CHOOSE to and as such, should be given at least a pat on the back and thank you. So from #thealliance, I say, thank you for being supportive of our family, we really appreciate it!
The sole purpose of
the office is for applications. This is **THE ONLY** way anyone can become a member of #thealliance now. This is the front door. This is the 'Sorting Hat'. This is the only point of entry. The officers there will review your profile and application to decide whether or not you are alliance material. Some (unfortunately) will have to be turned away. Some will have potential and need to become 'students', if they so choose. Others will be sent directly to 'the playground'.Wait, I Have to go to 'Class'?
So maybe you haven't been rejected, and maybe you weren't told to go to 'recess' with the other 'kids'. You may have been sent to 'The Classroom'. Here, we train you become a quality content producer and help with gaining experience on Steemit so that we feel comfortable the rest of our family would engage with you. Along with the Spanish team/'Latino Tandem', this server is being run by another officer and some handpicked 'teachers'. Headmistress 
Hive account@topkpop has the most experience and a critical eye for quality. She will be assisted by long time member 
Hive account@avesa and rising stars 
Hive account@katrina-ariel and 
Hive account@ameliabartlett. I am confident they'll do a fine job tweeking our students before sending them to 'the playground'.
Well, What's the 'Playground'?
When you are sent to 'recess', it means you have the quality we desire. Remember, not only are we a family of quality content creators, but, **CURATORS** as well. This is where we find out if you are going to be grafting yourselves to the family tree or if you just intend on swinging around on our branches. The 'playground' is under the watchful eyes of some of the most engaging members and officers we have in #thealliance.
*****Special Notice*****
Just because someone is accepted as a member or is a member now, does not necessarily mean they will forever remain a member. That is solely the choice of the ally to maintain the required participation level within the family. Members' content and engagement are checked periodically by the Quality Control Officers.
The Juyo will also check to see the amount of support given to your family. If it is believed to be too low and an individual is lacking the desired family unity, then it is grounds for removal and MOST will be asked about your intentions. Notification will depend on the level of commitment you had shown PRIOR to getting put on the chopping block. Some may start strong and trickle off, some may not even graft themselves to the family tree at all. If you are or have been removed, feel free to
re-apply at any time. All new and re-applying members are subject to the same application process, regardless of your STEEM Power or Reputation, and will be reviewed by the Application Board.
Pow-wow Saturday 10 a.m. & 10 p.m.
We will stick to one day and time(s) for awhile and try to get people accustomed to a 'schedule'. Friendly reminder then, that this Saturday, will be our weekly 'pow-wow'. 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. EST. The purpose is to familiarize yourself more with your fellow allies and go over any changes or suggestions people may have. We're a family, and want you all to participate in the growth and steady flow of Allied activity and really just get to know each other. See you there!
As the vast majority of you all are well aware of, Hive account@thealliance runs a 'Featured Member' series as part of our curation agenda. This is to honor and highlight particular members of #thealliance that have been putting in the time to support other members and have been consistent in their work and engagement on Steemit. This week, our badass member is 
Hive account@battleaxe, do stop in and show her the respect she has earned and deserves!
Eyes On
#thealliance tag is very useful to keep track of allied posts and give credit where credit is due. I'm sure there are some great posts from our family that didn't use our tag, but since this is Hive account@thealliance... These next few posts were chosen based on the value they have provided to Steemit users in reference to the platform as a whole and have been 'duly noted'. Thank you for writing them!
Duly Noted
This seems to be a trend this past week with several family members being nominated and participating. Great way to get to know each other and so I have included all the people's posts here that have shared their tidbits with us. Good idea from 
Hive account@traciyork. Please enjoy them as I have :)
Ten Facts & One Lie
So there was another challenge issued by someone out there named 
Hive account@freedomtowrite this past week. It is called 'Behind the Curtain'. It's asking you to shed some light on your Steemit space and give people a glimpse of where and how you do your Steeming. We had a good handful already participate and so,
here they are!
Behind the Curtains
This next group of posts are ones that are just enjoyable to read for anyone and should have all of your 'eyes on' them. Just really great quality posts that we here at #thealliance love to see and read. Please enjoy the ones we have selected here and give them a pat on the back!
Excellent Reads
In this next section is a selection of posts that are astounding to just look at. Eye candy for the brain's visual delight. It is ARTWORK by members using our tag in their post. We hope you gain the same awe struck sensation as our eyes did upon seeing them.
The 'Fine Arts'
In this eye-popping installment, we have more posts that are amazing to the visual senses. This is dedicated to photography by our fantastic nabbers of light and shadow. They have been given their own section apart from other artworks as it has its own large niche here on Steemit. Hope you like the ones chosen.
Picturesque
We have a good handful of poets in our family's wings, so spotlighting them in their own section only seems like an agreeable option. Please enjoy the various forms of poetry like sonnets, haikus, free-verse poems and just beautiful reflections of the heart, mind and soul portrayed by the written word.
Verse
As we have grown, several other kinds of artists have exposed themselves on the platform. That being the musicians! Of all the things considered art out there, this is one that everyone can find a style they like. After all, what is life without art? Especially music???
The Music Makers
I purposely DID NOT put pictures of all these fabulous foods because it was making me hungry going through them as it was! I also urge the people that do these kinds of posts to enter 
Hive account@progressivechef's contest, STEEMIT IRON CHEF 2018 Act 01 Round 09. This delicious section is 'for the foodies'.
For the Foodies
Stack 'em up peoples! I know some of you just love seeing all that metallic luster splattered on your screens. So here is your favorite part of the post! Ooooh...shiny...anyone else getting itchy over here? Damn stackitus...
Strictly for the Stackers
It only makes sense, since, you know, we're on a platform that is built on a blockchain, to have this section included. Plus, I hear there is this one guy that is a crypto savage and believes the future is digital so here it is, let's all embrace our:
Crypto Madness
We love getting behind this initiative and feel there are two posts that deserve attention in reference to YAH. One was endorsed by 
Hive account@sircork and the other is a donation post from 
Hive account@hazem91. If you haven't done your part, get over there and drop a good vote on these!
Tag! You're It!
So, once again, nobody was tagged this week. 3 weeks in a row? That's disheartening. I thought we all kind of had a little more of that playful spirit. This tells me one of two things, some people are simply not reading this or they just don't care about it. Unless I have a massive response in the comments below about reinstating this game where I buy a $5.00 vote from 
Hive account@sneaky-ninja for the winners, this is effectively discontinued.
Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to read this (those that actually did). I also strongly recommend people visit the articles and profiles mentioned here to see about and support your family. Any questions anyone may have about anything or contests you want to promote, feel free to post those in the comments as well.
Quick Note
For those that are not aware, 
Hive account@thelliance has a curation trail set up now on Steem Auto. If you would like to support all your family members, AND I MEAN ALL, feel free to head over there and hop on the trail. Remember I said all, so adjust your voting power accordingly if you choose to tag along. We are currently ranked #55 with 41 trailers.
Making sure we're all on the same page! Remember...
just keep swimming...just keep swimming...
, 'take no prisoners' officer 
& 
. We also have several other Spanish speaking advisers across the 'Schoolyard' including 
, 
, 
, 
& 
. We want to make sure no one feels left out and is comfortable, regardless of their native tongue.
is teamed up with the sweet social butterfly 
. On top of the Spanish team, we're also bringing in some hot 
to help keep our eyes open and on the 'kids' during recess. They will be attentive to the support and engagement you 'kids' are out there offering. Here, you will also be exposed to The 'House Rules' and it is expected you show them your courtesy. The point is to mold and meld you to blend into our family atmosphere so you are easily welcomed by the rest of our 'society'.
