URAP

My nation is supposed to use a language I'm half-finished with and will never get the time to complete, and uses a mostly-unmodified Latin alphabet.
Edit: Hariko makes me feel inadequate, so here is said alphabet-
A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, Y, Z.
Vowel sounds are always short, C is replaced by K and S, and X is EKS or KS as appropriate.

Timely. Let's watch this happen, eh?

I meant our new government.

Not at all. They were doing plenty.
But making their own proposals was one thing they were not really doing, and I'm glad they are, now.

This thread can be used to discuss the changes we need to make to the Voice.  Here is my list of things the Voice should incorporate now that we have returned normality.  This is supposed to get discussion going, and is by no means final.  Bear with me.
 
I would like to put this excerpt from the Delegate’s proposal somewhere in the Charter because it clears any possible confusion over how the lawmaking starts.
​"​LAWMAKING: Each and all members of the voice can make law proposals that will govern and limit the actions of the off-site community (no law shall pertain the in-game aspect); this laws can be discussed freely by all members of the voice and the delegacy, as moderated by the Advocate and its deputies.​" The Voice needs to actually create laws about its procedure, otherwise nothing will get off the ground.
 
I’ve had this idea for a while and never really put it out there, but this could be a good tool for increasing activity.
New Nation Affairs Ministry: It would be the task of this ministry to provide a centralized location for all help links, extra help material beyond what already exists, and answers other questions that may be asked. This ministry would not be just for the newbs, of course.  Anyone could come here to ask a question about the game or the forums, so a different name may be appropriate in that sense.  It could utilize in-game mechanics such as the RMB and telegrams to get the word out. If it was included in the WFE and welcome telegram, then it could increase traffic to and draw in more new nations to take part in the forums.  
This line of the Charter needs to be changed.  Currently it doesn’t specify how the Voice can remove appointed officials other than the Advocate.
(11) The Voice may, by two-thirds majority vote, dismiss any official appointed by the Advocate from office.  
To simplify the application process instead of using threads and such to say what positions are up for grabs.  Also changing the way DAs are chosen.
Applications would to an "Application Officer of the Voice" who would handle the application procedure with the Voice, then they went to the Voice itself to see which one's passed there, and finally to the Advocate for the final choice.  Or perhaps to the Advocate first and then to the Voice in more of an appointment and confirmation style setup. The Application Officer would simply receive the applications by a set deadline, then report them to the Voice or whoever for a vote.  This simply makes it more formal and a little simpler for the layman to understand.  
To combat a potential inactive Advocate:
A council with rotating (active) members along with the DAs and Advocate would run the day to day tasks of the Voice, while the whole Voice would be used for legislative purposes. Also, in the case of an inactive member in a leadership position, there could be an "Inactive Vote" where 2/3 of the Voice votes to replace said official with an interim replacement, and then another vote ending the replacementship (there's a better word for that, I just can't think of it).  
Overall, in order to promote ease of access to the Voice, there should be as few grey areas as possible as well as explanations of how things work so there is as little confusion as possible.
 
 
 

I would like to address the common request for more transparency. 
This government is completely transparent. 
 
Many seem to believe that there is some secret cabal of people meeting to govern this region. The truth is that you see everything.  There is indeed a seeeekrit chamber for Guardians to discuss strategy.  But this area has been very much under-used recently.  And besides...  The Guardians don't run the forum government.
 
I'm saying these things because I believe that people are holding back their opinions in the false assumption that things are predetermined by people who "know better than we do."  I am here to tell you that this is not true at all.  Please, if you have any thoughts at all about the way you want to see the region governed, express them.  I can't promise that people will agree with you, but I can promise you that if it is a question or comment you have in your head, it is very likely that you are not the only one with these thoughts.
 
Speak up!  This is The Voice afterall

I am going to ask the admins to restore the Voice maskings and roles.
 
What I am also going to do is request a meeting with the delegate to review russo's desires for the forum government and how we can stay on the same page. and even if we aren't on the same page clearly communicate.
 
I think russo made the changes with the hopes to spur activity on the off-site. Well, that happened.

It is your duty and privilege as resident of TWP to shape the offsite government into whatever you wish. I tried to realize that privilege, but the delegate does not have that privilege. They give it up when they take the seat and regain it when they leave.
I will fully back any government created by the residents as long as it does not attempt to break game rules.
I can't win in terms of criticism so at this point I'm not even going to try.

Any sarcasm delivered was unintentional, sorry. 

Composing a TG now, I'll get it out by the end of today.

Region wide tg's? Sounds easy enough, if that's what you want. Anything specific you want me to say, or more just "Go check out our shiny forums, we have lots of fun and a government to boot" kinda thing?

Region wide tg's? Sounds easy enough, if that's what you want. Anything specific you want me to say, or more just "Go check out our shiny forums, we have lots of fun and a government to boot" kinda thing?

It is your duty and privilege as resident of TWP to shape the offsite government into whatever you wish. I tried to realize that privilege, but the delegate does not have that privilege. They give it up when they take the seat and regain it when they leave.
I will fully back any government created by the residents as long as it does not attempt to break game rules.
I can't win in terms of criticism so at this point I'm not even going to try.

Region wide tg's? Sounds easy enough, if that's what you want. Anything specific you want me to say, or more just "Go check out our shiny forums, we have lots of fun and a government to boot" kinda thing?

Ask all the people busy creating/restoring one.

This will not end well.

Stop. If there was NPO influence, it was not made by Vlagh. Our leaders let themselves be influenced by the functioning government of The Pacific.
It just so happened that Vlagh was Minister of Legislative RP when the dissolution happened. He was only following direct orders from the Delegate, and he wouldn't do anything without the Delegate's orders.
That being said, the Voice should not have been dissolved. That violated the belief of separation between the forum and in-game governments, and it also violated our trust.

Well, this is a great start to my term, lol.
The first thing you want from me is a Glenda-Fish tape.

OOC and IC got the same result, huh.
Utopian Socialist
You scored 86 Equality, 57 Liberty, and 57 Stability!
Your level of commitment to equality is like that of the Communist but your recognition of other principles makes you more like the garden-variety Socialist in practice. The society posited by communists excites you but the methods they endorse scare you. On the other hand you accept the reformist methodology of socialists but find they are far too prepared to compromise with others. You spend time lamenting the ills of the world while begrudgingly accepting the way things are. You enjoy discussing how to improve the world but are stumped by the implementation.

TWP-
I'm sorry for all you guys have to deal with right now.
If we get to the root of the issue, it's pretty much my fault entirely. I knew things were going bad. We all did. but instead of completing a plan and communicating it to you guys and the guardians, I let myself be goaded into a quick reaction rather than a collected and calm action. And for that, I am very sorry.
Things are moving forward. The guardians and I are working with Elegarth to develop a proposal, and he'll show it to you and you can tell us if you like it. One thing is for certain- the voice is a part of that proposal.

If you ever decide to move on from Foreign Affairs, then you should also consider a career in hip-hop. 

*puff puff pass*

Good day ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to this episode of TWP Street Talk, the show where we take our questions to the streets of The West Pacific, and let you hear for yourself, the thoughts of your fellow citizens.  And now let's join our field reporter Jennifer Swift.
 
 
Thank you Brian.  Today I began by asking the people on the street what they think of the dissolution of The Voice of The West Pacific Union.  The answers may surprise you!
 
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
The What ?
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
Why, it's about time they got rid of that darn program !
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
No ! Don't ask me that question.  Ask me any other question, but don't ask me that question.  I'm serious, I can't answer that.  You won't like me when I'm angry.
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
The assembly, the reichstag, the senate, the voice, the whatever.  What's the difference ?  We got a Delegate and Guardians, what else do we need ?
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
I think it means we live in The West Pacific.
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
I want my MTV!
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
The consequences will be devastating, with long-term effects that may shake the very pillars of West Pacifican society.  Ripping the social fabric asunder, and who knows what the fallout from that may be.
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
What should I think ?  Why should I care ? What did it do for me ?
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
My Lords and Lady's, I beg to take this opportunity to address a serious issue that concerns us all, and that being the threat of greenhouse gas emissions from marsupials.  The West Pacific has long been known for it's dedication to the eradication of these pests, but it seems that no government of TWP has come to it's senses on this issue.  I truly beg the Delegate and government to take quick action on this matter. 
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
Puff puff pass, man.  Just chill.
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
Well.  I don't know.  It probably needed to be done.  But it wasn't done right.  I think.  Maybe.  But then maybe not.  How else would you do it ?  Unless you undid it, then you could do it all another way.  But I still don't know.  
 
What do you think about the dissolution of The Voice ?
 
When are we gonna go raid stuff?!?!
 
Yes, there's lots of differing thoughts on the events in TWP, and the Street Talk is all over the place as you might expect.  Thank you for joining us for this episode of TWP Street Talk.  Till next time, goodbye.
 
 

Thanks for the fond farewells, all. I hope someday I can step up my activity again, and in the meantime, I'll be a quiet but law-abiding TWP citizen.

TSP's that-a-way >

And yet you are still wrong, man. And my comment remains. I'll expand later, I just arrived from the airport but, honestly, is very easy to "blame", is always the east way out of responsibility. Here is a forum where ideas can be presented for the consideration of ANYONE. So all your points, while valid, don't hide the fact that many else still waited for others to do. The first one who acted was PD whose leave of absence ended about three days before mine.
I've asked URA to allow me to put up a formal proposal to the guardians and the people trying to mix some of the things URA wants with the voice and the people.
I can't do it right now cuz as I say, I need some sleep, spent last hours at the airport. Once this proposal is out, just shoot it with all your ideas - without expecting an invitation, that's what the forum is for.
Also, remember the only constant in life is change, why would you wait for it to happen??? Ia always happening.
Again, if I sound harsh, don't take it so, I'm just too run down to transliterate my attempted tone from Spanish to English with how tired I am. Been up for 30 something hours.
Cheers.