Senate The Expanded Universe Senate

I agree. We must extend the Chancellor's term until this crisis has abated!

 

Although I am only a minister I'm of the opinion of staying within the guidelines of the Constitution. It was decided by this very body that elections should be held on specific specific dates we've already extended 1 term during the move crisis which place us in the circumstance of this current abbreviated term. If we extend this term another 3 months then where do we get back on track and to stay within the guidelines of the Constitution? Does the next elected official have an abbreviated term? Or maybe the 1 after that? Or how about we just change the entire Constitution again.

I say no we've already addressed this issue wants there's no need for us to address it again perhaps with a change in leadership it'll spur activity not only within the Senate but also bringing other ideas for the EUC as a whole.

But as I said before I am merely just a minister.

Sent from a Galaxy far away via R2-N6

 

I have a thought, if the senate doesn't mind hearing from a simple EUCer.

Basically, this post-New Year lull will likely happen every year, and along with it the missing senators. As loathe as I am to agree with the Sith, I think that it would make sense to delay it - though perhaps not that long? - and make it permanent, then hold elections every 6 months from then on.

However, I'm not as familiar with the workings of the senate as you are, and I will simply leave this as a suggestion

 

The Senate is always glad to hear from any EUCer, Senator or not.

The 15 JAN date was settled on after some debate as it was believed to be far enough after the holiday season to give people enough time to become more active again. It seems we may have been in error on this. However, I don't recall there being any issues last January, so perhaps this is an aberration (or maybe last year was ) .

In any case, if more Senators do not involve themselves we may have no choice but to extend the term of the current Chancellor.

 

There is always a choice

Sent from a Galaxy far away via R2-N6

 

Indeed

 

I must say, that as Senator of the EUC Jedi, I agree with CPL_Macja. We've had plenty of time and I do agree that we should stick as closely to the current constitution as possible. The idea of delaying any longer is a measure which I think is extreme and should be avoided if at all possible. I do appreciate the hard work the current members of the Senate have done, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and ministers as well as Senators and Aids, but it is time to stick by what we all claim to be law.

 

I agree with sticking to the Constitution, as well. If we can't stick to what has already been laid down, then why have rules at all?

*sends a Look at any Sith* That's not a suggestion!

 

Normally I would agree with you all on sticking to the constitiution, but right now we can't even get all of our Senators to check in. Having a bit of "stability" for a bit longer, until DRL is done with everyone, has its advantages. I will also say that if Sinre attempts to stay in office for even a day past what this agreement puts forth, I will be the first to call for a vote of no confidence in his leadership and also step down myself as Vice-Chancellor.

 

*Sits in his seat and listens*

Ironically enough I was just about to suggest the same thing. I can accept and understand a brief extension... but no later than Otter-loving day (15/2/13) should the new administration take charge with a slightly abbreviated term.

Sent from a Galaxy far away via R2-N6

 

I agree that this new suggestion has merit. The term should be extended by no more than that.

 

Agreed

 

Shab, why do I have to do all the heavy lifting?

Proposal before the Senate:

Purpose: To extend the current term of Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to 15 FEB 2013.

Given the lack of activity in the current Senate due to the machinations of the dreaded Darth Real Life (DRL), the current term of the Chancellor (Sinrebirth) and Vice-Chancellor (the hard working, intelligent and ever so good looking Bardan_Jusik) shall be extended to 15 FEB 2013. Nominations for their successors to begin on 1 FEB 2013 and to be completed by 5 FEB 2013 to allow for a ten day "campaigning period". Voting for Chancellor/Vice-Chancellor to commence 15 FEB 2013 and run through 18 FEB 2013.

Votes shall be tallied by the Empress of Light (the lady Adalia-Durron). The term of the new Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor to begin no later than 19 FEB 2013 and will run through to 15 JUL 2013 when new elections will take place.

 

She said it I have no idea what is supposed to be going on in here. Do tell!
Also is there a consitution somewhere? I can't seem to locate one, but you guys keep mentioning it in above posts. If there is forgive me I haven't slept in two nights.

 

This is the place from where we "govern" the EU Community as a whole. The new constitution should be able to be found somewhere in the old Senate thread, ironically called the New EU Senate. I know CPL_Macja has a copy of it. I believe this is also a current copy of the document, but I may be mistaken. If so I would ask CPL to post the EU constitution here for the perusal of all concerned EU citizens.


The Constitution of the Expanded Universe Community

I. AUTHORITY
1. The Chancellor
a. Casts two votes or has the option of "No Opinion."
b. May call Senate Discussions.
c. Chief ambassador to all elements within the JC.
d. Cannot also serve as senator of a thread. He/she must appoint a new senator to represent his/her thread while serving as Chancellor.
e. Any Senator may call for a vote of "No Confidence" in the Chancellor. If one additional Senator seconds the movement, the Chancellor or any Senator will have the option of addressing the Senate, then it will go to a Senators-only vote. If 3/4 of the votes cast are in favor of removing the Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor will take his/her place until a new Chancellor can be elected. When a new Chancellor is elected, he/she may choose to appoint new Aides and Ministers.
f. The Chancellor's term shall last approximately six months from the day the vote ends and a winner is announced. He/she may serve no more than three consecutive terms. No less than a week before the Chancellor's term is up, new candidates will be selected and a new vote taken. If a new Chancellor is elected, he/she must be ready to take the position the day the former Chancellor hands over the office.

2. The Vice Chancellor
a. Casts one vote.
b. Cannot also serve as senator of a thread. He/she must appoint a new senator to represent his/her thread while serving as Vice Chancellor
c. In the event of the Chancellor's absence, serves as Acting Chancellor, and may choose a Minister to be Acting Vice Chancellor

3. The Ministry
a. Minister of Foreign Affairs:

i. The Minister of Foreign Affairs’ duties include aiding the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor with interacting with new threads that do not qualify for Senate membership.
ii. It is this Minister's responsibility to invite threads that have recently qualified for Senate membership and introduce them to the Senate.
iii. They will be responsible for reporting the status of the Senate to threads who's Senator is absent.

b. Minister of Intelligence and Security:

i. The Minister of Intelligence's duties include the supervision and observation of all EU Senate representatives and member threads, specifically focusing on thread activity and Senator contributions to the Senate and their thread.
ii. The Minister of Intelligence is expected to make judicious decisions regarding the safety of the Senate and its attendees and ensure the security of the Senate from would be attackers.

c. Minister of Information:

i. The Information Minister’s duties include the regulation and enumeration of all EU Senate votes, and the operation of the EU Senate PM notification system.
ii. The Information Minister is expected to inform all Senators and Moderators, through the EUS_Update sock, of current EU Senate issues, discussion surrounding the topics of upcoming votes, and all other information that the Chancellor or chair of Senate Discussion deems important.

e. All Ministers are equal to each other and to all Senators.
f. Ministers may hold any other position within in the EUS, with the exception of the Chancellor.
g. Ministers are appointed by the Chancellor.
h. Ministers may choose up to three aides to assist them in their duties and to cover for them when they are absent.

4. Ministerial Aides
a. Ministerial Aides are chosen by the Ministers. They can be any EU regulars and do not have to be directly affiliated with an EU thread/club.
b. They can assume individual responsibilities and titles, such as Ambassador to [insert thread name].
c. A Minister chooses a Chief Aide who will assume his/her duties when absent.

5. Senators
a. Senators are chosen by the founder or recognized leader, or elected by members/regulars, of their thread.
b. Each is allowed two Representatives of their choosing to act as their aides.
c. Senators cast one vote, representing the feelings and needs of their thread, in the Senate.
d. Cannot be a spammer, a flamer, a basher, a troll, or a sock of a currently placed senator.
e. Must have been a registered and active user (i.e. you are a fairly regular poster and have accumulated many on-topic posts) on the Jedi Council forums for at least 3 months. You also should not have received a ban for any amount of time for flaming, spamming, bashing, or trolling, although in special instances, this may be voided.
f. Should participate regularly in the thread they wish to represent and in the EU Community forum in general. This does not include posts that are off-topic, irrelevant, unwanted, or debilitating to the thread in which they are posted and refers to serious on-topic posts replying to a given subject.
g. Should be prepared to contribute to EU Senate discussions, operations, and events, and understand the responsibilities they will hold as a Senator.

6. Senator and Representative Activity
a. Senator and Representative activity in the EU Senate thread shall be monitored by the Minister of Intelligence, who will incorporate their findings into their weekly Intelligence report.
b. Definitions of Inactivity:

i. Three weeks (21 days) of no participation within either EU Senate thread (Upper or Lower House).
ii. One missed EU Senate vote.
c. A Representative of a missing Senator will be contacted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs advising them that they may need to temporarily replace the Senator in the EU Senate, unless the member thread would prefer to select a new Senator.

---
II. SENATE DISCUSSIONS
1. The Senate shall be in a permanent state of discussion regarding policy, issues, etc. relating to the EUC forum. This discussion is open to any user, not merely those involved with the Senate in an official capacity.

2. The Chancellor or a simple majority vote may close discussion on a single topic when they feel the time is right and there is no more need for discussion. At such time, the issue will either be brought to vote or be dropped.

3. Discussions will be chaired by the Chancellor. In the Chancellor's absence, the Vice Chancellor will chair the discussion.

4. All participants will be expected to behave in a dignified and respectful manner and obey the ToS/RoC at all times. If there are problems concerning this, the chair and the Minister of Security will attempt to mediate any conflict or deal with any offenders, if necessary by going to the moderators. In case of a continuing problem, a 2/3 majority may expel any participant from the thread for a period of time determined after the vote.
---
III. VOTING
1. The Chancellor has two votes, each Senator has one. Representatives, Ministers and Aides have no votes unless they are serving in their superior's absence.

2. Senators and the Chancellor may also choose not to cast a vote and say "No Opinion."

3. The Chancellor or any two Senators may call for a subject to be voted on.

4. Anyone may request the Chancellor call for a vote.

5. Elections for Chancellor and Vice Chancellor will be held on a Bi-Annual basis. The election dates will be January 15 and July 15 each year.

6. The Chancellor is voted into office by a majority vote. Anyone can be nominated, by themselves or someone else.

7. The current Chancellor cannot vote in the election and must use his first vote as a tie-breaker only, unless he is running him/herself and therefore the vote is not used as a tie-breaker. The tie breaking duty will then go to the EUC moderators.

8. Any Senator can call for a vote to change the Constitution. Two Senators must second the movement before it can go to a vote.

9. 3/4 of the votes cast must agree for the Constitution to be changed.

10. If ever there is a tie (except in an election), the Senate will discuss the matter further and vote again or come up with an alternative solution.

11. All voting periods will last for a minimum of 48 hours. The Chancellor has the power to add any extra time he or she deems appropriate to any voting period.
---
IV. DEFENSE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT
1. Flaming, trolling, and spamming are all considered provocations. The official definitions of the JC will be used. Any other complaints will be voted on by the Senate as to whether they should be considered transgressions.

2. If a member or non-member thread provokes a member thread or an individual is provoking a thread or another individual, complaints can be made to the appropriate Senator, who will then involve the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor to attempt to help resolve the matter. If they are unable to reach a compromise, the Senate will discuss the situation and vote on further action.
---
V. EXTERNAL RELATIONS
1. Every official of the Senate will represent the EUS to the best of their ability.

2. The Chancellor, the Vice Chancellor, Minister of Foreign Affairs and their Aides will be the only officials with the power to officially represent the EUS to the JC Administration, Moderators, Managers and non-member threads.
---
VI. INTERNAL RELATIONS
1. If Senate officials cannot get along, the Chancellor and the Minister of Security will attempt to help them resolve their problems. If they are unable to do so, then the Chancellor may call on the Senate to vote for the removal of the troublesome party or parties. A 2/3 majority of the votes cast is needed to remove a Senator. Aides and Ministers can be dismissed by the Chancellor alone.

2. All member threads and EUS officials are expected to refrain from provoking one another.

3. Threads are eligible to join the EUS once they reach at least 250 posts, but not before.

4. A thread is no longer eligible for membership if it remains inactive for more than 14 days.

5. All Senators of member threads are encouraged to participate in the Lower House

 

Present!

 

This sounds good. It would also reset the election dates(best as I can tell) so that they are not near the holidays which is a good thing. I know where I live a lot of people also observe Ukrainian Christmas and New Year, whihc may mean some folks are still in the middle of their festive seasons at this current time.

 

Unfortunately, per the constitution, elections are still 15JAN & 15JUL. This is only an extension for this election. If we want to change the election dates permanently we would have to amend the constitution

Sent from a Galaxy far away via R2-N6

 

Indeed, CPL is right. I don't intend for this to be a permanent amendment to the EU constitution, simply an extension of the current term due to current circumstances. Now if this seems to be a problem which crops up with some regularity I would think an amendment might be in order, but for now I say we keep it simple and limit ourselves to the current situation.

 

Agreed.