The Office of The Chair of the Assembly

[Belschaft]

<img src='http://i1138.photobucket.com/albums/n525/dphileman/tsp_logo.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

 

The Office of The Chair of the Assembly

 

---

---

 

Greetings, citizen. Welcome to the office of The Chair of the Assembly. This is the location to ask any questions you have about the management of the Assembly, or make requests of The Chair. Further, a record of legislative business is kept, announcements regarding passed votes made and a list of former government administrations maintained.
 
The Assembly itself is the core of The South Pacific, and is the sovereign entity from which all other authority derives. It is the sole legislative body in The South Pacific, tasked with the creation and maintenance of The Charter - our founding legal document, dating back to 2003 - and The Code of Laws. All citizens serve as members at their own discretion, and propose, debate and amend laws. The Chair serves to manage its activities, moving legislation or other matters to vote when motioned, proofreading proposed bills for contradictions with prior statute and maintaining decorum . The Chair also serves on The Cabinet, as the primary link between the two bodies and protector of the rights and privileges of The Assembly.
 
If you have any questions, then please, feel free to ask them here or contact me by PM or TG.
 
Belschaft
<em class='bbc'>Chair of the Assembly</em>

 

<img src='http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo202/Belschaft/TSP%20Portraits/Belschaft%20Portraits/AlbertCamus3.jpg?t=1368424934' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

 

---

---

 

Former Chairs of the Assembly of The Coalition of The South Pacific

 

<strong class='bbc'>December 2012 - March 2013</strong>

<strong class='bbc'>- Antariel -</strong>

 

September 2012 - November 2012

- Belschaft -

 

<img src='http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo202/Belschaft/TSP%20Portraits/Belschaft%20Portraits/AlbertCamus5.jpg?t=1368424837' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

 

 

June 2012 - August 2012

- Belschaft -

 

<img src='http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo202/Belschaft/TSP%20Portraits/Belschaft%20Portraits/AlbertCamus4.jpg?t=1368424779' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

 

March 2012 - May 2012

- Eluvatar -

 

<img src='http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo202/Belschaft/TSP%20Portraits/Eluvatar%20Portraits/Elu1.jpg?t=1368426643' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

 

December 2011 - February 2012

- Eluvatar -

 

<img src='http://i376.photobucket.com/albums/oo202/Belschaft/TSP%20Portraits/Eluvatar%20Portraits/Elu2.jpg?t=1368426834' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' />

 

<strong class='bbc'>September 2011 - November 2011</strong>

<strong class='bbc'>- Hileville -</strong>

 

 

---

---

[Sandaoguo]

Abstention Policy

August 30th, 2013

 

Abstentions are not discussed in the Charter or the Code of Laws, but there is a long tradition of abstentions being a possible option when new bills, amendments, treaties and other issues are brought to the floor of the Assembly. Pursuant to the Chair of the Assembly's authority and responsibility for the administration of all aspects of the legislative process, I have made the following determination with regards to abstentions.

 

For any vote in the Assembly cast under a procedure requiring a majority or supermajority of votes in favor, abstentions will not be counted as votes. Abstentions are by definition a refusal to vote. Only votes cast in the affirmative or the negative will be counted. For any vote cast under a procedure requiring the majority or supermajority of the voting body, abstentions will count as votes in the negative.

 

As such, abstentions will not count for the following types of legislative initiatives: amendments to the Charter, amendments to the Code of Laws, subsidiary laws, recalls, and ascent to the Committee on State Security. Declarations of war and approval of treaties require "60% majority in favor." This is language different from the thresholds required in all other types of legislative initiatives.

 

The Chair will be submitting a legal question to the Chief Justice asking whether the majority is a majority of votes or a majority of voters present. Until that question is answered, the Chair has elected to exercise his authority and responsibility in determining that Declarations of War and approval of Treaties requires 60% majority of voters present. As such, abstentions will be counted and will affect the outcomes. All previously passed Declarations of War and Treaties will be grandfathered into this new rule. As a reminder, this policy is temporary and will be changed when the Chief Justice responds to the legal question submitted. The Chair has decided to go this route as a matter of constitutional caution.

 

This overall abstention policy was developed in consultation with Roberts Rules of Order.

 

Signed,

[DICTATORSHIP OF SURVIVORS]

Since this topic is open, I decided to express my disapproval regarding taken position of absent voting.

When voting is in question we have ultimately 4 different positions to take regards voting; aye, nay, absent or not posting anything. For me all four options have their own meanings and they are all expressions of one`s will.

So, when we vote as absent we are expressing our will, usually meaning that it`s the same to use whether vote will pass or not or for personal reasonings, or some other reasons...But it is not the same as voting against. By voting against we strongly oppose to to something that will happen if vote will be approved. That is not the case in the absent voting. If I personally vote absent it`s not the same as voting against the proposal. By equating absent and against voting I feel that my will of expression is somewhat violated which is against of Bill of Rights.

Now, there is also difference in voting absent and not voting at all. Essence of absent voting I already discussed but not voting at all has its own meanings attached, for example not knowing about the voting at all.

To put it short. Absent votes should not be equated with nay votes because nay votes express strong dislike to outcomes if vote will be passed where as absent voting just lets us tell that it`s more or less the same if vote passes ore fails. 

[Kris Kringle]

The Chair of the Assembly and the Chief Justice have already ruled that abstain votes don't count in favour or against the total. The reasoning was that otherwise they might work just the same as aye or nay votes, thus defeating the purpose of an abstain option.

Why did you think they counted as nay?

[DICTATORSHIP OF SURVIVORS]

. Why did you think they counted as nay?

 

I though they counted as nay because at the end of second paragraph of Sandaoguo`s post he stated that   ...abstentions will count as votes in the negative. When he was talking about majority or supermajority of the voting body.

[Kris Kringle]

Well, Sandaoguo will correct me if needed, but I think that must be a mistake, since abstentions aren't counted as votes.

EDIT: Having read the Abstention Policy, I believe that abstentions are counted as negative votes when the requirement is for a majority not of votes in favour, but of all votes cast.

           And now that Sandaoguo has clarified it then we know that abstentions don't count at all.

[Sandaoguo]

That notice is out-dated. Abstentions never count towards the majority threshold. The abstention policy was put in place as a temporary measure until the Supreme Court provided legal guidance regarding the differing language in the Charter and Code of Laws.

[Rebel-topia]

From the Office of the Chair of Assembly

---

I regret having to make this formal post, but with the lack of civility, the name calling, flam-baiting, topic hijacking - blanket disruptive and uncalled for behavior so far this term - I must.


Below is how I'm going to run my Assembly forum. I was elected to oversee this section of the forum, and said from the beginning it'd be a tight ship. I haven't been able to be around as soon as a post was made, and a Global Mod and/or Admin has been there with blanket warnings. And those warnings have largely been ignored by many, and that will not stand.

 

Regardless of title, if a GM or Admin give a warning, its time to step back, take a breath, and think about what you post before posting it. Please think about what you say before posting. This isn't the place to attack other players. This is a place to debate laws and other changes to The South Pacific government. I will be using the 3 Warnings rule within my Assembly forum. Three strikes, I will turn you over to the full Admin team/Courts. I won't let people use foul language, attack other people, and generally disrupt Assembly discussions.

 

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me within this thread or through PM. I will gladly talk with you.

 


Signed,




Chair of Assembly

[Lord Ravenclaw]

It was a hushed assembly that met the Chairman's announcement, even the outspoken Sandaoguo, StGeorge and even eternally angry Belschaft stopped whatever they were doing to just stare at Chairman Rebeltopia.
 
Member Unibot stepped forward and with a triumphant doff of his feathered cap, Sir Robin declared that he supported the motion whole heartedly and that the dastardly brigands who insist on causing trouble should be stripped of their titles, (valuables) and property whilst being thrown into City Jail! Naturally, this triggered Member StGeorge to scoff loudly and cast varied comments about Member Unibots package, health benefits and long term pension plan, making veiled comments about "devaluation" and "stock markets", that only served to annoy Member Unibot more.
 
Oh it was a right old ballsup, things went from bad to worse when Member Cormac decided that he wanted to look at some of the reforms being presented, and with Member Awe headed off to the Drafting Chamber, and one of the unknown Members misheard him and started accusing Member Cormac of forgetting his role, causing Cormac to turn around, split himself into two and promptly double-team the unknown Member.
 
Somewhere in the kerfuffle, someone had put up Socialist Republic Banners on the walls, causing a horror-struck Member SouthernBells to be torn between laughter and horror as a furious Lord Baelish of Belschaft started tearing at them, screaming about how the red hurt his eyes and it needed to go - like yesterday! All while Chairman Rebeltopia was standing in the middle of the Assembly Hall looking vaguely confused, unsure of what was happening, then the Delegate came up to him, put her arm around him and led him away to her office for some Coffee, biscuits and whatever alcohol that had been liberated from the Committee for State Security.
 
Meanwhile, Vice-Delegate Kringalia, in his "Vassal" cape decided to zip around like a super (pardon, Soooopah) hero and accidentally crashed into Member QuietDad who promptly tripped over the Hem of Member HEM's cloak and sprawled down the stairs in a very... undignified pattern, knocking into Member Unibot and bringing half of the stairway carpet with them.
 
As the situation devolved even further, Member Arbitron decided that it was time to wake the old people up, so tip-toeing to the "International Statesmen" section of the Assembly, he spied the Member for Eagleswing asleep, his old bones simply too weary to watch the fun, and then promptly threw a glass of water over him. The old man awoke with a start and brandishing his walking stick proceeded to beat the member, to within an inch of his life screaming about "damn kids", "MILITARY academy" and "GOOD OLD FASHIONED CANING!" before Member Hileville came over, and managed to calm him down.
 
Welcome to the Assembly of The South Pacific, please enjoy your stay.

[Arbiter08]

It was a hushed assembly that met the Chairman's announcement, even the outspoken Sandaoguo, StGeorge and even eternally angry Belschaft stopped whatever they were doing to just stare at Chairman Rebeltopia. Member Unibot stepped forward and with a triumphant doff of his feathered cap, Sir Robin declared that he supported the motion whole heartedly and that the dastardly brigands who insist on causing trouble should be stripped of their titles, (valuables) and property whilst being thrown into City Jail! Naturally, this triggered Member StGeorge to scoff loudly and cast varied comments about Member Unibots package, health benefits and long term pension plan, making veiled comments about "devaluation" and "stock markets", that only served to annoy Member Unibot more. Oh it was a right old ballsup, things went from bad to worse when Member Cormac decided that he wanted to look at some of the reforms being presented, and with Member Awe headed off to the Drafting Chamber, and one of the unknown Members misheard him and started accusing Member Cormac of forgetting his role, causing Cormac to turn around, split himself into two and promptly double-team the unknown Member. Somewhere in the kerfuffle, someone had put up Socialist Republic Banners on the walls, causing a horror-struck Member SouthernBells to be torn between laughter and horror as a furious Lord Baelish of Belschaft started tearing at them, screaming about how the red hurt his eyes and it needed to go - like yesterday! All while Chairman Rebeltopia was standing in the middle of the Assembly Hall looking vaguely confused, unsure of what was happening, then the Delegate came up to him, put her arm around him and led him away to her office for some Coffee, biscuits and whatever alcohol that had been liberated from the Committee for State Security. Meanwhile, Vice-Delegate Kringalia, in his "Vassal" cape decided to zip around like a super (pardon, Soooopah) hero and accidentally crashed into Member QuietDad who promptly tripped over the Hem of Member HEM's cloak and sprawled down the stairs in a very... undignified pattern, knocking into Member Unibot and bringing half of the stairway carpet with them. As the situation devolved even further, Member Arbitron decided that it was time to wake the old people up, so tip-toeing to the "International Statesmen" section of the Assembly, he spied the Member for Eagleswing asleep, his old bones simply too weary to watch the fun, and then promptly threw a glass of water over him. The old man awoke with a start and brandishing his walking stick proceeded to beat the member, to within an inch of his life screaming about "damn kids", "MILITARY academy" and "GOOD OLD FASHIONED CANING!" before Member Hileville came over, and managed to calm him down. Welcome to the Assembly of The South Pacific, please enjoy your stay.

XD That needs to be included in some sort of "Introduction to the Assembly" Thread.

[Lord Ravenclaw]

I agree.

 

You see, the Assembly is meant to be fun. That means we all have to stop taking ourselves so seriously at times, the South Pacific is more fortunate than quite a few other regions in the ability to have a legislative body that is engaging and active.

 

The bellyaching, whining and everything else though vastly diminishes the experience of being part of it, and the above text is something which caused me to laugh for five minutes straight - because the assembly is meant to be fun, and it is only through that imagery, which makes it bearable for me that I can find it fun.

[Sandaoguo]

The Assembly is a venue for sober discussion on the fate of thousands of nations in our region. That is an endeavor of serious moral responsibility, not a fun banter with friends.

Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk

[Kris Kringle]

· Kringalia looks at Sandaoguo in disbelief

 

Sober discussion? Serious moral responsibility? When have NS governments even been that?

[Lord Ravenclaw]

The Assembly is a venue for sober discussion on the fate of thousands of nations in our region. That is an endeavor of serious moral responsibility, not a fun banter with friends. Sent from my HTC One V using Tapatalk

I can't tell if you're serious or not. I really can't.

[Sierra Lobo]

Serious or not. Civility is needed and I applaud Rebeltopia's making an effort on this.

[Brutland and Norden]

· Kringalia looks at Sandaoguo in disbelief

 

Sober discussion? Serious moral responsibility? When have NS governments even been that?

 

People need to remember that this is just a game.

[Awesomiasa]

I applaud the Chair of the Assembly's decision to enforce stricter rules in the Assembly area. While intense debate often spurred and sometimes is unavoidable in the Assembly, fellow players should avoid making inflammatory and/or offensive remarks against other players, to avoid derailing the topic, as we've observed on several occasions.

 

As the MoRA, I'd also urge players to heed the advice of moderation and admins when called to cease making certain remarks or when asked to leave a thread, the latter of which, thankfully, has yet to occur. The fabric of TSP and NS alike, is a diverse one, with everyone having different opinions. While it is perfectly acceptable to disagree with another player, players should exercise self-restraint in making remarks against another player.

 

In short, be objective, not subjective. Also, a rule of thumb in everyday life, which I believe applies here as well: if you have nothing constructive to say, say nothing.