New Member Committee

[kloister]

If I could indulge the pleasure of The Assembly in reading and commenting on the proposal below...

<strong class='bbc'>New Member Commission (NMC) ? Terms of Reference</strong>



The objective of the NMC is to provide a recognised vehicle for ?new members? as a collective to become more actively involved in the region, provide views and reviews and influence the ongoing programme of improvement. To also support the following 3 principles:

1. Everyone has a friend

2. Everyone has the opportunity of a responsibility

3. Everyone gains an understanding of the culture, values and history of The South Pacific (TSP)



The NMC shall be chaired by a New Member, appointed by the Cabinet. The Chair will report directly to the Minister of the Region (MoR). The MoR shall take responsibility for reporting back to Cabinet, Forum Administrators and The Assembly, gaining approval for new initiatives, changes etc. and ensuring that such actions are effected within a reasonable time frame.



The MoR shall establish an area within their forum office for NMC discussion to take place. An up to date list of NMC members will also be made available and kept up to date.



Eligibility criteria for a ?new member? to serve on the commission are determined by the length of time a member has been a member on TSP forum. It is proposed that this should be no more than 6 months. No minimum term is defined. This is at the discretion of the MoR who could extend members involvement beyond the 6 month period i.e. they are actively engaged in ongoing discussions or assignments. Members engaged in Delegacy challenges and visiting Ambassadors are excluded from participation in the NMC.



The MoR shall have the authority to invite new members to join the committee as they see fit. ?New members? may also request involvement in the NMC by contacting the MoR. There is no proposed limit to the number of ?new members? that can serve on the New Member Commission.



The NMC will operate within the following remit:



1. To review the forum structure, accessibility and design from a ?new member? perspective.

2. Propose new ideas for widening the appeal to and heightening the level of activity by all members.

3. Assist in NationStates Regional Message Board Watching duties.

4. Assist with the Welcome Wagon.

5. Assist in identifying the needs of ?new members? so that the mentoring programme becomes more effective.

6. Provide assistance in conducting member surveys.

[Guest]

In general I think it's a good idea.



A few comments:

Eligibility criteria for a ?new member? to serve on the commission are determined by the length of time a member has been a member on TSP forum. It is proposed that this should be no more than 6 months. <strong class='bbc'>No minimum term is defined.</strong>

Quite obviously there is no minimum term, as a new member can become part of the committee as soon as they are registered.

This is at the discretion of the MoR <strong class='bbc'>who could extend members involvement beyond the 6 month period</strong> i.e. they are actively engaged in ongoing discussions or assignments. Members engaged in Delegacy challenges and visiting Ambassadors are excluded from participation in the NMC.

I don't think this is a good idea. Not being NMC doesn't mean that someone can no longer put ideas before the council or responsible government officials. Especially the more active people should be integrated enough after 6 months to know which channels to use...

Although on the other hand we should not look too strictly on a day more or less.

5. Assist in identifying the needs of ?new members? so that the mentoring programme becomes more effective.

What mentoring programme?



Overall, I think the text can be shortened and perhaps made a tad less formal for use as official policy or guideline.

[Michael de Jillingham]

I believe this to be a meritorious proposal.

[Southern Bellz]

This is a fantastic thing to do, it is a bit overwhelming being a new member of any region for the first time. Simply put, it is tough to know how things work, and to just “jump into things”. This way members can have a place to go when they have questions, they have a place where they are comfortable how things work. Plus they have something to do. Lack of things to do is one of the largest turn offs to me when it comes to NationStates, with a NMC, that can change for new people.

[Guest]

I don't think commissions need to be approved by vote by the assembly, or do they?Our esteemed minister of the region is abroad at the moment if I'm not mistaken, but maybe some cabinet folks can give a go-ahead, so that the necessary arrangements can be made?

[Bali Lo]

I don't think commissions need to be approved by vote by the assembly, or do they?



Our esteemed minister of the region is abroad at the moment if I'm not mistaken, but maybe some cabinet folks can give a go-ahead, so that the necessary arrangements can be made?

I can't see anything in the Charter that would make an Assembly vote required.



Here's <em class='bbc'>one</em> approval for going ahead with the committee...

[kloister]

All the committee needs to get under way is for the Cabinet to approve...When the idea was first floated a while ago it was all discussed in Cabinet, as was then constituted and they all agreed for this to go ahead...The Minister of the Region was identified as being holding the responsibility of running the committee on a day to day basis...Hope that helps...

[Guest]

Well, let's get the committee running then. Go go go!

[Caer Rialis]

I'm game for it, and I think I have a candidate to head said committee in mind . . . . .

[Geomania]

I wouldn't mind this committee going ahead.