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I pretty much completely agree with what Darkesia said. To be honest, even having served as an NS legislator myself, writing laws is boring. At the same time, it's pretty much a necessity. To at the very least get this bill passed, I recommend a minor change to the current rules: The addition of government fast-tracked legislation. It's a simple concept, inspired by a similar process that used to be used in the US for trade negotiations. Both the Delegate and Prime Minister should have the explicit authority to submit a fast-track law before the HGA to skip past the whole long, boring, and complicated process of informal discussion, formal discussion, seconding, minimum discussion times, etc. Instead, they would be able to put the law up to vote. Say aye or nay. After a brief voting period, that's it. Frankly, it's ridiculous that we are currently wasting such long periods of time "Discussing" bills that nobody's actually even commented on in days.

The development of our civil service departments is the real goal.

The above quote is from Mr Llamas and I need to rant a bit about it. I believe you are missing a very important point about your efforts, Llamas. You have been proposing multiple acts and the response from TWPers is "zzzzZZZZzzzzz." Of course your stuff hasn't been seconded! Seconding something in this environment is a waste of time that is frankly insurance against anything getting done. I truly, truly appreciate everyone's efforts to help wake TWP's community. But many who are putting effort are doing so with a template designed in other regions. TWP has a culture that you can't just undo with a bunch of words on the forum. We're lazy about legislation. We can each give you reasons about why that is so. Those reasons will be as varied and individualiszed as each player. But part of what brought us together is that we don't WANT complicated. We WANT simple and efficient. We're incredibly enthusiastic and active when it comes to things that are perceived to be fun. We do not see voting on legislation as fun (see above). Either make it fun or as simple and efficient as possible so we can move onto the fun part. We are shockingly practical. We realize there needs to be rules and structure, especially if we are to grow the community and participation in that community. But again... unnecessary complications under the guise of "being deomocratic" are going to hit this region like a lead balloon and people will simply ignore you. I understand your feelings may be bruised by lack of enthusiasm, but this is TWP. Make the rules. Build the departments. Run quick elections with the 7 people who care. Then get to work making the departments fun and fill them with people. As the region grows you will have need of increasingly complicated rules and you will find TWP enthusiastically supporting things that you previously couldn't get us out of a coma to attend. That is when you add things: When there is need for it, not before. We want you here. We need you here. But if you continue to wait for us to be enthused about procedure for the sake of procedure, you will wait forever. Here ends my rant/pep talk.

Orendi VII Wintreath Foreign Update Government of Wintreath Monarch: Wintermoot Jarl of Culture: Amalya (Pengu as Acting Jarl) Jarl of Defense: Chanku Jarl of Foreign Affairs: Wintermoot Jarl of Integration: Point Breeze Jarl of WA Affairs: Reon A Message from the Monarch Just another standard photo op for the Monarch. Article by Wintermoot. Greetings, friends and allies of Wintreath. You may have noticed that this is the first Orendi to be dispatched in quite a few months. As we have worked to overhaul our foreign affairs program, it has become apparent that it takes a great amount of time and effort to put this dispatch together, and because of that we will be scaling the Orendi back from a monthly dispatch to a seasonal dispatch, with each edition covering events from the season before in detail. Between releases, we will continue to send smaller dispatches covering everything from events going on in the region to interviews to tidbits about the region. We feel this is the best way to maintain active relations and embassies with all of our diplomatic partners. I hope that you enjoy reading our latest Orendi, and that relations between our regions continue to grow and prosper. Judicial Reform Perplexes Wintreath The fight over Judicial reform! Article by Wintermoot In a region that has seen few political divisions, the debate and continued failure to come to agreement on judicial reform stands out. While most Citizens agree that the current judicial system isn't working, there are a wide variety different ideas on the system that should replace it. Proposals have included the creation of a jury pool of Citizens whose members would be selected to hear cases at random, the creation of an elected Supreme Court, the transfer of judicial authorities to the Monarch, and the abolition of the judiciary entirely. While the debate has been on-and-off since June, to date no proposal has passed the Storting with the 2/3 supermajority required to amend the Fundamental Laws, the Constitution of our region. Given that proposals most also pass a referendum by the same supermajority, it goes without saying that any judicial proposal has a harrowing journey to passage. To better understand the diversity of ideas and the mindsets behind them, I've approached some of our current and past members of government that have advocated a particular solution with one question: why do you feel your stance is the right one for Wintreath over the others? Reon (Underhusen Skrifa): You have recently authored and introduced the Omnibus Judicial Repeal, stating that it was in anticipation of another amendment bringing judicial authorities to the Monarch. Why do you feel this is the best approach for Wintreath? Joshua Bleuteisen (Underhusen Skfria): In the current debate, you have openly supported abolishing the judiciary and going as far as stating you wouldn't support any other judicial reform proposal. Why do you feel abolishment is the best approach for Wintreath? Wintermoot (Monarch): You authored the first judicial reform attempt, the Administration of Justice Amendment Act, which would have created a jury pool with members selected at random for each court case, but withdrew support for it after it failed in the Storting not once, but twice. Why did you feel this was the best approach for Wintreath? Chanku (Underhusen Speaker): To date, you have opposed all proposals for judicial reform and have instead recently proposed two Acts, the Judicial Offices Omnibus Amendment Act and the Case Selection Procedure Act, both of which aim to fix the current system. Why do you feel fixing the current system is the best approach for Wintreath? Games, Games, and more games to come! A collection of Wintreath's many games to play! Article by Pengu If there's anything that we know anyone loves, it's games, and this may be something that is slowly becoming what Wintreath can be known for. What started as a single Werewolf game has exploded into much more because of the astounding participation from both our citizens and residents, as well as our growing tourist population. In fact, as of writing this, Werewolf is in the works of its 4th game with one of our newest citizens, Laurentus, taking the helm. Spyfall was also introduced into Wintreath, and was met with much enthusiasm. Now, our acting Jarl of Culture is working on more ideas to cook up on what to bring to Wintreath in the form of regional games and contests. Some of his ideas include Clue, Resistance, 20 questions, and even an interactive form of Choose your own Adventure. We're looking forward to see just what other games will be popping up around Wintreath, and we hope to see all of you taking part when they do. Citizen of the Month Contest Established, Amalya First Winner Citizens discuss what makes someone a Citizen of the Month. Article by Wintermoot. Wintreath recently had its first Citizen of the Month election, where Citizens can nominate and then choose an outstanding member of the community that has had a great impact on the region and the people in it. The Citizen of the Month then gets a special forum mask with the colour of their choice and the opportunity to be interviewed so everyone can get to know their Citizen of the Month and their reflections on their time in the region. The first person to be recognized by our Citizens is our Jarl of Culture, Amalya, who is someone I can safely say has touched so many of us in the community for the better through her openness, honesty, charm, humour, and strength to stand up for who she is and what she believes in. She's been a true role model for everyone here, and it's an absolute honour to be able to interview her. It's the Great Election Day Wintermoot! This new election term is already full of surprises! Article by Pengu. Last term, we had a list of candidates run for office, though none of the candidates had campaigned. It was something that was dreaded to happen in the future, because it was something that had potentially foreshadowed what the term itself was going to be like. This term however, has proved quite the opposite! Very shortly after elections had opened, candidates began to pop up like daisies. And in an equal amount of time, campaign threads began to pop up as well! While only half of the candidates have started campaigning as of writing this, it's definitely a welcome change compared to last term. And it's proving to be quite exciting so far too! Almost immediately after campaign threads came up did questions start pouring in for our candidates. Between answering those, the debates being sparked in the campaign threads, and the action that it's sparked in candidates taking the initiative to do things in other parts of the forum...let's just say it's been quite an exciting election process so far for Wintreath, and no matter who gets elected this term, it'll be an election to remember. News in Briefs Happy news makes for happy briefs! Wintreath held a successful festival with The North Pacific which lasted from February 8th to the 13th and included a AMA for Wintermoot and McMasterdonia, an event to match people up with new friends from the other region, and an icebreaker that led to discussion of everything from hobbies to music. Wintreath committed to eventually adopting a regional currency later in the spring. A regional contest gave us the name of this future currency, the Krone. A Sunshine Policy was announced regarding discussions of the Riksråd, the regional Cabinet. Cabinet discussions will now be made public after one year. Acting Jarl of Culture Pengu brought Werewolf (Mafia) games to the region, which have become a huge success and has thus far resulted in three very fun games. Plans are under way for a fourth game hosted by new Citizen Laurentus in the near future. Wintreath entered into a treaty pact with The Rejected Realms in November, and just recently entered into a treaty of friendship with Ainur. Since the publication of the last Orendi, Wintreath has established relations with Taijitu, Mordor, and The South Pacific(again). Hello, new friends! Thanks for reading!