Fujai

Ew. Why would you want a university that looks like a casino? I much prefer the more regal looking universities.

Ooh! I went to Victoria on vacation once, and it was one of the most beautiful cities I've been to. The lights they have at night are amazing.

As stated by Drach, it was and is my belief that internal affairs should deal with the forums only. A new DA would be able to better focus on recruitment because that would be his only job. And a dedicated place for anyone to ask questions would help ensure that those questions are asked and answered.

Ahh, thank you kindly.

Could you move my most recent topic to the Voice subforum? Somehow I accidentally put it in the Office of the Delegate.

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.

Welcome! Willkommen! Velkommen! Bienvenue! Benvenuto!

That looks amazing! An onion dome on top of the palace and some minarets could look even better. What resource pack are you using?

Bismark at least looks okay with its stone choice, but Louisiana's is just an eyesore to me.

I like architecture, specifically that of government buildings, since they are very representative of their respective regions. So I was wondering, what is your favorite and least favorite US State capitol building, in terms of both placement and design?

Vlagh, Mal, others: if you insist on continuing you arguments, please move them somewhere else where the rest of us don't have to watch. I for one am sick and tired of seeing them everywhere. Now stop, please.

Yes, yes, yes. Count me in as well. (Also provided our independence from the Delegate is once again reaffirmed)

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.

Yes. 1000 times yes. That's a fantastic idea.

Potentially bureaucratic, but it also cuts down on inactivity, spreads the load, puts more people in government, and combines the knowledge and experience of two people into one Ministry.

How indeed...A duel of puns, maybe? The duelists get a topic, and then they have to take turns making the best puns, and whoever submits first loses? I thought we had arrived at the conclusion that the Delegate would have no power to do that, and any problems with the Voice would have to be dealt with by the Voice, but I don't think that specifically went into the proposal. My interpretation is that the Governors are appointed by the Voice, and they work with the corresponding Guardian if there is one. That way the burden of the Ministries falls to two people instead of one, and they would work together to promote the Ministry. Elegarth and I discussed that there could be a council of the Governors and Advocate (plus others??) to help set policy and such for the offsite. The Delegate would have no power over what the Governors or the Voice choose to do. EDIT: If you don't like the name, then you should suggest a different one.

That sounds like a good idea. A council headed by the Advocate as the representative for the Voice. There could also be rotating seats for members of the Voice. Honestly, I like my proposal better for inactivity. Indicting someone for being inactive sounds a little harsh (not to mention there's not legal system in this proposal). Although a challenge system sounds cool, perhaps a straight knowledge test, an election, something else maybe. A duel of sorts, perchance?

I see now, that makes sense. The Advocate is basically just a chairman. My only concern with the whole Voice running the show (and this problem has been observed in many political systems without an executive branch) is that it will be slow and clunky when trying to address day-to-day issues and emergencies. Perhaps a council with rotating membership (only active members, though) could be there so there is no debate as to what the policy of the Voice is. 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).

If the Voice will choose the Governors, then shouldn't the Advocate outrank the Governors, so that it is the forumside equivalent of the Delegate?

People weren't upset with Vlagh personally (that I know of, at least), rather they were up in arms about the fact that the Delegate had the power to dissolve the forum government at the snap of his fingers (after lots of deliberation, of course). It undermines the whole idea of having a separate and independent forum government. What I meant by this is that the Delegate would be the leader of the in-game government, and the Advocate would be the leader of the forum government, not that the Advocate would have Delegate-like powers in game.

All in all its a pretty good proposal. However, I share the opinion that the governors and the Ministries should be under Voice supervision, and the Advocate rank should be on par with that of the Delegate. This way, the Voice could create or disband ministries should the need arise. The Governors shouldn't be chosen by the Delegate either. He already has the Guardians working with the Governors. It would make more sense if applications went 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. And to be clear, in this proposal, the Minister of Legislative RP position does not exist, correct? EDIT: A definition of goals and a stock of the abilities of all active members would be very beneficial going forward. And 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. (Sorry for the edits, I accidentally hit submit instead of preview)

Welcome! Welcome! Welcome!

I cannot claim any credit for the new members, as Mal said, it's all the community. However, since you assumed that something was being done, I suppose we might as well start. And welcome to our wonderful land of milk and chocolate, DH!