I looked back through the thread and noted that 3 of the members who voted for the nomination explained why they did so, so I have to assume those answers were deemed insufficient. Since that is the case, I guess I'll try to tackle this question. For starters, I believe the premise of your question is flawed, as it suggests that new SC members must necessarily have something new, or something old that is currently lacking from the rest of the members, to be considered for a spot on the SC, that there must be some specific need to be uncovered. It could also be the case you just want us to confirm whether or not we had some specific needs-based criteria in mind, though given 3/4 of us have already said exactly why we supported this nominee, I have to assume you're placing a value judgment on the existence of these specific criteria you are asking about, and that you place a high value on it (perhaps even believe it is essential to a successful vote). I do not agree that is the right way to look at SC applicants, though as I have said before, I respect every person's right to use their own criteria and factors when deciding whether or not to approve of a potential SC member. I am afraid for this reason you are likely to be disappointed by my answer.
The members of the SC have largely the same qualities. I wouldn't say that specific roles need to be filled by applicants to fill in gaps we are missing. These days we want active and engaged players who will enthusiastically do the job. They should have strong endotarting skills, they have judicious temperament, they should be familiar with the region and its community. Our criteria and preferences are clearly outlined on the application thread. In my view, an applicant does not need some gimmick or bring something specific to the table that everyone else lacks. That does not mean they don't have one, but in this case I do not believe Marcus does. Speaking only for myself, I supported him for the reasons I previously stated, and not because I believed he had some particular skill or role that he would uniquely bring to the SC. Any applicant who meets the basic criteria (as well as the guidelines and qualities we outlined in the application thread) and has the trust and confidence of the SC can earn its support, there is no quota, and I don't think I am the only SC member who would say that I wouldn't mind having a council even larger than this. We don't need more members, but more members would be nice to have. That isn't to suggest we aren't picky; obviously it is not as easy as sending in an app and having the basic requirements down. But I would not say that any of the members who have been admitted to the council since my time in TNP could lay claim to some specific talent or unique skill no one else on the council had at the time they applied.
The members of the SC have largely the same qualities. I wouldn't say that specific roles need to be filled by applicants to fill in gaps we are missing. These days we want active and engaged players who will enthusiastically do the job. They should have strong endotarting skills, they have judicious temperament, they should be familiar with the region and its community. Our criteria and preferences are clearly outlined on the application thread. In my view, an applicant does not need some gimmick or bring something specific to the table that everyone else lacks. That does not mean they don't have one, but in this case I do not believe Marcus does. Speaking only for myself, I supported him for the reasons I previously stated, and not because I believed he had some particular skill or role that he would uniquely bring to the SC. Any applicant who meets the basic criteria (as well as the guidelines and qualities we outlined in the application thread) and has the trust and confidence of the SC can earn its support, there is no quota, and I don't think I am the only SC member who would say that I wouldn't mind having a council even larger than this. We don't need more members, but more members would be nice to have. That isn't to suggest we aren't picky; obviously it is not as easy as sending in an app and having the basic requirements down. But I would not say that any of the members who have been admitted to the council since my time in TNP could lay claim to some specific talent or unique skill no one else on the council had at the time they applied.