See http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1690 for a non-normative (unofficial) index of the action items and main points from this meeting.
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Transcript of 24 March 2008 Representative Assembly Meeting
Recorded by Jamie Palisades (= "You", below)
Topic separators "===" inserted to separate agenda items
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[2008/03/24 12:04] MT Lundquist: hi jamie
[2008/03/24 12:04] MT Lundquist: hi beathan
[2008/03/24 12:04] Beathan Vale: hi all
[2008/03/24 12:04] ThePrincess Parisi: hello jamie
[2008/03/24 12:04] ThePrincess Parisi: hi beathan
[2008/03/24 12:04] ThePrincess Parisi: tpd sonja but she likes to talk
[2008/03/24 12:04] MT Lundquist: is sonja here i tped her
[2008/03/24 12:04] ThePrincess Parisi: nope
[2008/03/24 12:04] Beathan Vale: we will wait for Sonja
[2008/03/24 12:05] MT Lundquist: k
[2008/03/24 12:05] ThePrincess Parisi: she asked we start later cos she loves matanomics
[2008/03/24 12:05] ThePrincess Parisi: shall i get my twin
[2008/03/24 12:05] MT Lundquist: do we have the recorder
[2008/03/24 12:05] MT Lundquist: and notecards
[2008/03/24 12:05] Beathan Vale: I don't have notecards or a recorder
[2008/03/24 12:05] ThePrincess Parisi: is it legal then
[2008/03/24 12:05] MT Lundquist: hi sonja
[2008/03/24 12:06] Beathan Vale: But I can create notecards -- and we can do old fashioned recording
[2008/03/24 12:06] ThePrincess Parisi: you dont have to stay if you dont want .. just wanted you to see what we are doing
[2008/03/24 12:06] Beathan Vale: can someone volunteer to keep the record
[2008/03/24 12:06] You: ThePrincess, it's legal if everyone who speaks assents to being recorded.
[2008/03/24 12:06] Sonja Strom: I assent
[2008/03/24 12:06] Beathan Vale: and everyone consent to be recorded - I do
[2008/03/24 12:06] Jayalli Hawthorne: oh I love getting to know my sister better
[2008/03/24 12:06] ThePrincess Parisi: record me and post me on the forum then
[2008/03/24 12:06] MT Lundquist: i assent
[2008/03/24 12:07] Beathan Vale: Jamie -- can you keep the record?
[2008/03/24 12:07] Jayalli Hawthorne: I've waited so many years to be with you again... :)
[2008/03/24 12:07] Sonja Strom: Welcome Jayalli
[2008/03/24 12:07] You: certainly Beathan
[2008/03/24 12:07] You: OK we have assent from all RA members. I also assent. Jayalli, OK if we record your comments during this session?
===
[2008/03/24 12:08] Beathan Vale: Good day. Would everyone please give me their attention, so I can make some important comments about meeting procedure for today.
[2008/03/24 12:08] Jayalli Hawthorne: yes absolutely
[2008/03/24 12:08] Beathan Vale: We are working on improvements to how we run the RA meetings. Our goals are to get through our business, make sure everyone is heard fairly, and keep a professional tone. There are bills pending, and probably will be additional official rule reform. But for now, the RA members have conferred and would like to use a few specific rules, and a slightly more formal meeting procedure. Please help us by respecting these rules:
[2008/03/24 12:08] Beathan Vale: First, please keep social chat to a minimum in the open chat channel. That will make it easier to follow the official threads of conversation.
[2008/03/24 12:08] Beathan Vale: Second, we plan to formally approve each agenda and enforce time limits for each item. Probably that will result in time limits for individual speakers, which the chairperson will announce. Please respect them.
[2008/03/24 12:08] Beathan Vale: Third, and importantly, everyone who speaks should be recognized by the meeting chair. If you want to speak, RA members included: (a) Tell the chair in IM. (b) You will be queued. (c) The chair will state, in chat, when it's your turn. When we are having a casual, open-ended chat the chairperson can suspend that rule.
[2008/03/24 12:08] Beathan Vale: We plan to have "open microphone" sessions at each meeting, including this one, so that anyone with unscheduled issues or extra comments has some opportunity to raise their concerns.
[2008/03/24 12:08] Sonja Strom: Beathan, slow down please...
[2008/03/24 12:09] Beathan Vale: Thanks for your help and your support of virtual democratic government.
[2008/03/24 12:09] Sonja Strom: hi Cindy - welcome
[2008/03/24 12:10] Beathan Vale: Everyone who just walked in -- please consent to be records
[2008/03/24 12:10] MT Lundquist: i consent
[2008/03/24 12:10] ThePrincess Parisi: i did already
===
[2008/03/24 12:10] Beathan Vale: Agenda item 1. Swear In Jamie Palisades -- 5 minutes
[2008/03/24 12:10] Sonja Strom: I have a comment and question about getting in a "speaking queue."
[2008/03/24 12:10] You: I have everyone except Jayalli and CIndy
[2008/03/24 12:10] Cindy Ecksol: I consent
[2008/03/24 12:10] Jayalli Hawthorne: i consent
[2008/03/24 12:11] Sonja Strom: Is there a way that could be more apparent to everyone than to send an IM to Jamie?
[2008/03/24 12:11] Jamie Palisades smiles, gestures to the chair, that's everyone
[2008/03/24 12:11] Beathan Vale: Looking for oath -- does anyone have it
[2008/03/24 12:12] Beathan Vale: (I am still out of things from my bout with pneumoia last week
[2008/03/24 12:12] Jamie Palisades mutters informally .. hm - a queueing device - bearing in mind that it's only needed when there's a bunch of people trying to talk - I bet we could get a scripted Board, sonja
[2008/03/24 12:12] Sonja Strom: OK, for now we can do that.
[2008/03/24 12:13] You: Beathan, I am looking at the last minutes for that - first mtg of current RA
[2008/03/24 12:13] ThePrincess Parisi: I DONT SEE MINE
[2008/03/24 12:13] ThePrincess Parisi: gwyn is on
[2008/03/24 12:14] MT Lundquist gave you CDS RA Office Affirmation.
[2008/03/24 12:14] MT Lundquist: there
[2008/03/24 12:14] Sonja Strom: I found it.
[2008/03/24 12:14] MT Lundquist: thats it
[2008/03/24 12:14] Sonja Strom: Do you have it?
[2008/03/24 12:14] You: I do.
[2008/03/24 12:14] Sonja Strom: Hi Delia and Tom, welcome.
[2008/03/24 12:14] ThePrincess Parisi: hi everyone
[2008/03/24 12:14] Tom Bukowski: Hello!
[2008/03/24 12:14] MT Lundquist: hi delia
[2008/03/24 12:14] You: Time to read it out loud, Beathan?
[2008/03/24 12:14] Beathan Vale: OK -- Jamie, repeat after me: I, Jamie Palisades, having been elected as a Member of the Representative Assembly of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators.
[2008/03/24 12:14] Delia Lake: hi everyone
[2008/03/24 12:15] Sonja Strom: Yay Jamie, welcome to the RA!
[2008/03/24 12:15] You: I, Jamie Palisades, having been elected as a Member of the Representative Assembly of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge my duties as such to the best of my ability, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Confederation of Democratic Simulators, and that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Confederation of Democratic Simulators.
[2008/03/24 12:15] Beathan Vale gave you New Note.
[2008/03/24 12:15] You: (ahhh, cut and paste)
[2008/03/24 12:15] Beathan Vale: next
[2008/03/24 12:15] MT Lundquist claps
[2008/03/24 12:15] ThePrincess Parisi: yay amie
[2008/03/24 12:15] Sonja Strom claps!!!
===
[2008/03/24 12:15] Beathan Vale: 2. Discussion of (and potential election of) Interim LRA pending new elections to fill vacant seats. 5 minutes
[2008/03/24 12:15] You: Thanks, all.
[2008/03/24 12:15] ThePrincess Parisi: jamie.. whoot
[2008/03/24 12:15] Sonja Strom: Delia and Tom, do you give your consent to be recorded in the meeting?
[2008/03/24 12:15] Beathan Vale: I would like to propose Jamie as interim LRA -- and turn the meeting over to him
[2008/03/24 12:15] Delia Lake: yes
[2008/03/24 12:15] Tom Bukowski: yes
[2008/03/24 12:15] Beathan Vale: I am still fairly out of it
[2008/03/24 12:15] ThePrincess Parisi: second
[2008/03/24 12:15] Sonja Strom: aye
[2008/03/24 12:16] MT Lundquist: aye
[2008/03/24 12:16] Beathan Vale: aye
[2008/03/24 12:16] ThePrincess Parisi: aye
[2008/03/24 12:16] Beathan Vale: Jamie -- looks like you are drafted
[2008/03/24 12:16] You: Thanks very much. I note that we are starting out with a good affirmation of the interim LRA by the RA members :)
[2008/03/24 12:16] You: A good path to reform maybe - but one we have set for debate on the agenda later, smile
[2008/03/24 12:16] You: I have a very few comments. This will be brief, but take a few posts, so please bear with me.
[2008/03/24 12:16] First, please be patient with me, and us, as we try to bring a bit more formality to meeting procedure. Having the presiding officer recognize all speakers, before they may talk, is powerful - but can be abused. So please consider this an experiment we will try in good faith and then evaluate. If you're an RA member, or specifically invited speaker on a topic, I *reliably* will ask you to speak in turn; if you're not, please IM me if you want to be in the queue. Otherwise, during debate, please keep the backchatter and wisecracks to a minimum -- out of respect for the ability of all to read and understand what we actually are doing. If someone's speaking out of order, they can expect to be ignored. I will do my strenuous best to be evenhanded, though. Democracy's a worthy experiment, even in cyberspace; let's see if we can make the best of it.
[2008/03/24 12:17] Gwyneth Llewelyn: thank you Princess!
[2008/03/24 12:17] Gwyneth Llewelyn: hi all!
[2008/03/24 12:17] You: Hello Gwyn, welcome. ... as Sonja has noted, we may find better paths than IM -- and we do NOT need speaker queueing when there's no competition for the microphone. Still, good to have a plan in place.
[2008/03/24 12:18] Tom Bukowski waves warmly to Gwyn
[2008/03/24 12:18] Gwyneth Llewelyn: oh, hi, Tom! what a nice surprise :D
[2008/03/24 12:18] Jamie Palisades smiles
[2008/03/24 12:18] You: I have a few brief procedural matters that need confirmation. I'll try to keep them short. First, for today, could the five RA members please state briefly what time (in SLT) they must leave this meeting, for planning purposes? Everyone good until 14h00 SLT?
[2008/03/24 12:18] MT Lundquist: yes
[2008/03/24 12:18] Beathan Vale: I think I can stay until 1400
[2008/03/24 12:19] Sonja Strom: yes, so far as I know -- I am in my office.
[2008/03/24 12:19] You: ok - understood - ThePrincess, how's your time constraints?
[2008/03/24 12:19] Tom Bukowski quietly says "argh, rl calling and must run", but I"ll leave my avie here and look at the chat later.
[2008/03/24 12:19] You: we'll assume we have the full 2 hours then?
[2008/03/24 12:20] You: OK. Thank you. Second, let me just note our thanks to Pat Murakami for voluntarily posting the 9 March and 16 March minutes. That was very helpful. Third: having read those minutes (transcript really) ...
[2008/03/24 12:20] You: ... just for clarity, let's confirm: do I understand correctly that paragraphs "1" (modified 7 day rule) and "3" (RA can override LRA agenda) from the RA reform bill discussed on 16 March were adopted, and are now in force? Any RA member disagree?
[2008/03/24 12:20] MT Lundquist: i agree
[2008/03/24 12:21] You: anyone disagree?
[2008/03/24 12:21] Beathan Vale: no
[2008/03/24 12:21] Sonja Strom: I agree
[2008/03/24 12:21] Beathan Vale: I agree
[2008/03/24 12:21] ThePrincess Parisi: i agree that i dont disagree
[2008/03/24 12:21] You: :)
[2008/03/24 12:21] You: OK, so both are in force. Fine. We will operate pursuant to those two, then. As for the other RA rule reform matters, they're under debate and will come up on the agenda.
[2008/03/24 12:22] You: I think any other preliminaries can wait, thank you... so ...
===
[2008/03/24 12:22] You: Agenda check. We are operating from Beathan's draft agenda posted here: http://forums.slcds.info//viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1677 . We have amended it to move the original item "9" (election amendment) ahead of the original "3" (request a by-election), right?
[2008/03/24 12:23] You: Just checking - since the RA can change the agenda :)
[2008/03/24 12:23] Beathan Vale: I so move
[2008/03/24 12:23] You: any objections?
[2008/03/24 12:23] MT Lundquist: no
[2008/03/24 12:23] Sonja Strom: no
[2008/03/24 12:23] Beathan Vale: no objection
[2008/03/24 12:23] ThePrincess Parisi: none but if moon shows i want to hear her please
[2008/03/24 12:24] You: Excellent. I'd ask everyone's indulgence for 60 seconds as I think ThePrincess has an introduction of a guest to make.
[2008/03/24 12:24] Gwyneth Llewelyn: she'll be in-world shortly, Princess
[2008/03/24 12:24] You: Understood TP
[2008/03/24 12:24] ThePrincess Parisi: oh .. everyone you may know Tom Bukowski, he has visited us often and he is considereing bein g a citizen
[2008/03/24 12:24] ThePrincess Parisi: we would be honored if that happens
[2008/03/24 12:24] ThePrincess Parisi: welcome Tom
[2008/03/24 12:24] Sonja Strom: Welcome Tom :-)
[2008/03/24 12:25] MT Lundquist: hi tom
[2008/03/24 12:25] You: Great, we like new neigbors: welcome!
[2008/03/24 12:25] Gwyneth Llewelyn: a very warm welcome :)))))
===
[2008/03/24 12:25] Beathan Vale: Moon is on
[2008/03/24 12:25] Beathan Vale: Let's take a bit to here from her before moving on to the election amendment
[2008/03/24 12:25] Delia Lake: that would be wonderful. Tom
[2008/03/24 12:25] Beathan Vale: welcome Tom
[2008/03/24 12:26] Sonja Strom: Hi Moon, welcome -- Gwyn too :-)
[2008/03/24 12:26] Beathan Vale: Hello Moon
[2008/03/24 12:26] Moon Adamant: hello everyone, sorry i am late
[2008/03/24 12:26] MT Lundquist: hi moon
[2008/03/24 12:26] You: OK, looking at the agenda (the wiki URI I posted in chat), we have completed items 1 and 2, next will be 9 (which we moved before 3). Everyone agreeable to 5 minutes for Moon before that?
[2008/03/24 12:26] Beathan Vale: agree
[2008/03/24 12:26] Sonja Strom: yes
[2008/03/24 12:26] MT Lundquist: yes
[2008/03/24 12:26] Moon Adamant: Jamie, can you please post the ulr again?
[2008/03/24 12:26] ThePrincess Parisi: yes
[2008/03/24 12:26] You: Floor's yours, Madame Guild Artiste Extraordinaire
[2008/03/24 12:26] Gwyneth Llewelyn: http://forums.slcds.info//viewtopic.php?f=24&t=1677 ?
[2008/03/24 12:27] You: :)
[2008/03/24 12:27] Moon Adamant: thanks
[2008/03/24 12:28] You: hmm
[2008/03/24 12:28] You: I thkn we're waiting for Moon to share the list of info she needs from the RA for sim 4?
[2008/03/24 12:28] Beathan Vale: yes
[2008/03/24 12:28] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Moon's reading lol
[2008/03/24 12:28] You: Moon, your "busy" signal is one also, FYI. Will let you know when we get to 5 mins
[2008/03/24 12:28] Moon Adamant: sorry
[2008/03/24 12:29] Moon Adamant: i would like to know, firt of all
[2008/03/24 12:29] Moon Adamant: if you have reached consensus on which sim to develop first
[2008/03/24 12:29] Beathan Vale: yes -- we passed an expansion of CN
[2008/03/24 12:29] Sonja Strom: on the East side of CN
[2008/03/24 12:29] You: march 9th minutes, I think?
[2008/03/24 12:30] MT Lundquist: yes
[2008/03/24 12:31] Moon Adamant: well, i was asking because last meeting i atteneded there was also a proposal on teh table for a mozart/salxburg theme sim east to NFS
[2008/03/24 12:31] ThePrincess Parisi: lol
[2008/03/24 12:31] Beathan Vale: that did not pass
[2008/03/24 12:31] Sonja Strom: That was on the table, but did not pass.
[2008/03/24 12:31] Moon Adamant: but if you tell me that it is CN, CN it is
[2008/03/24 12:32] Beathan Vale: but it might be built as a private initiative -- if the private intiative build passes
[2008/03/24 12:32] Jamie Palisades whistles the MagicFlute and notes that a reservation is a different thing than a purchase - let's note that for further consideration
[2008/03/24 12:32] Moon Adamant: i will ask which sim exactly, btw, referring to CN
[2008/03/24 12:32] ThePrincess Parisi: we did already, perhaps moon, you just tell us what you need from us specifically in specs to get on with what we passed
[2008/03/24 12:32] You: Moon, we tremendously appreciate all the volunteer time you and your colleaguegs put into this. All the same, I'd budgeted 5 mins for this. My fault, maybe. Do we need more time at this meeting? Is there a prepared list of questions?
[2008/03/24 12:32] Moon Adamant: ok
[2008/03/24 12:33] Moon Adamant: what is the range of population you want in the sim
[2008/03/24 12:33] ThePrincess Parisi: can you post it on the forum today or give jamie a notecard then today
[2008/03/24 12:33] Moon Adamant: what is the range of size of plots in the sim
[2008/03/24 12:33] Beathan Vale: The build -- Option 1: a mix of lots between 512 and 1024 in size. about 50 in total, primarily residential, east of CN
[2008/03/24 12:33] MT Lundquist: yes we agreed
[2008/03/24 12:33] ThePrincess Parisi: it is in the RA minutes
[2008/03/24 12:33] Sonja Strom: that was passed.
[2008/03/24 12:33] Moon Adamant: does the RA preview any public infrastructure other than roads and communications?
[2008/03/24 12:34] Sonja Strom: It was also posted on the Forum in the "Sim 4 Proposal" thread.
[2008/03/24 12:34] ThePrincess Parisi: give us a plan by what date.. april 15th.. hows that
[2008/03/24 12:34] ThePrincess Parisi: and we will approve it or not
[2008/03/24 12:34] ThePrincess Parisi: shall we give her a date to get it to us by please
[2008/03/24 12:34] You: Hmmm - but 'plan' means what? Does the RA need to approve a 'map'?
[2008/03/24 12:34] Beathan Vale: I don't feel the need -- but others might
[2008/03/24 12:34] ThePrincess Parisi: what ever we need to buy the sim
[2008/03/24 12:34] Moon Adamant: The Princess
[2008/03/24 12:35] Moon Adamant: the Guild is an association of volunteers
[2008/03/24 12:35] Sonja Strom: Welcome Pip, Antonius, and Naftali :) Would you please give us permission to record your participation during this meeting?
[2008/03/24 12:35] Naftali Torok: good evening everybopdy
[2008/03/24 12:35] Beathan Vale: We just want 50 new residential lots -- in a Roman theme
[2008/03/24 12:35] Pip Torok: evening folks
[2008/03/24 12:35] Moon Adamant: it is extremely hard to define an ETA for a sim plan
[2008/03/24 12:35] Moon Adamant: when all work is done volunatrily
[2008/03/24 12:36] You: Moon, may I ask a question: what does the Guild think is a reasonable deliverable to the RA about this?
[2008/03/24 12:36] Moon Adamant: Jamie
[2008/03/24 12:36] Moon Adamant: atm, the Guild has called a workgroup to update the masterplan
[2008/03/24 12:37] Moon Adamant: Symo and Cindy have volunteeered
[2008/03/24 12:37] ThePrincess Parisi: Beathan Vale: Jamie -- looks like you arew drafted [12:16] Jamie Palisades: Thanks very much. I note that we are starting out with a good affirmation of the interim LRA by the RA members :) [12:16] Jamie Palisades: A good path to reform maybe - but one we have set for debate on the agenda later, smile [12:16] maraki Cuttita is Online [12:16] Jamie Palisades: I have a very few comments. This will be brief, but take a few posts, so please bear with me. First, please be patient with me, and us, as we try to bring a bit more formality to meeting procedure. Having the presiding officer recognize all speakers, before they may talk, is powerful - but can be abused. So please consider this an experiment we will try in good faith and thand valus has too
[2008/03/24 12:37] ThePrincess Parisi: oops
[2008/03/24 12:37] ThePrincess Parisi: that was a typeo!!!
[2008/03/24 12:37] You: :)
[2008/03/24 12:37] Moon Adamant: in next guild meeting, i will ask if more voluntyeers and try to schedule a meeting
[2008/03/24 12:38] You: I think ThePrincess is calling our attention to our time limits.
[2008/03/24 12:38] Moon Adamant: that's a previous work we have to do, and at teh same time, i can start another workgroup to start studying teh RA specs
[2008/03/24 12:38] You: Moon, can our current action item be a report by next RA meeting on the expected date and nature of a plan for approval?
[2008/03/24 12:38] ThePrincess Parisi: actually i just made a mistake
[2008/03/24 12:39] Sonja Strom: We can always talk more about the details for new new sim in the "Sim 4 Discussion Thread" in the Forum: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1628
[2008/03/24 12:39] Moon Adamant: i am always available to answer before this RA about Guild progress concerning RA requests
[2008/03/24 12:39] You: of course
[2008/03/24 12:39] You: and we appreciate that ...
[2008/03/24 12:39] Moon Adamant: surely Sonja
[2008/03/24 12:40] Moon Adamant: or that discussion - not the POLITICAL ittems - but the technical ones
[2008/03/24 12:40] Moon Adamant: be carried at Guild meetings
[2008/03/24 12:40] You: .. but can we reasonably expect a delivery date to be proposed by the Guild for a plan by next week? If not, just say no :) as you point out we all are volunteers
[2008/03/24 12:40] Beathan Vale: Note -- we are 10 minutes over time on this -- and we have discussed nothing that was not previously discussed and approved at prior sessions
[2008/03/24 12:40] ThePrincess Parisi: move we go to the next item please
[2008/03/24 12:40] You: yes, I'd like to close it off after my Q to Moon
[2008/03/24 12:40] ThePrincess Parisi: thank you moon
[2008/03/24 12:41] Moon Adamant: i cannot answer you Jamie - saving that i will add that point to the Guild's agenda right away
[2008/03/24 12:41] Sonja Strom: Welcome Symo - could we please have your consent to record anything you say in this meeting?
[2008/03/24 12:41] Beathan Vale: OK -- Can we have Moon come back next session based on the Guild meeting between now and then?
[2008/03/24 12:41] You: Fair enough, then I suggest we close this, convey the request to the Guild, and I will chat with Moon further about what's feasible and report to the RA in the interim
[2008/03/24 12:41] You: :)
[2008/03/24 12:41] Sonja Strom: Symo there is not recording device today, we are only keeping a record of the chat.
[2008/03/24 12:41] Moon Adamant: please do Jamie
[2008/03/24 12:42] You: we are saying substantially the same, I think, Beathan. Good. Item closed then. Next is "9" which we moved up -- and ahem --
[2008/03/24 12:42] Symo Kurka: ok i give my consent
[2008/03/24 12:42] Moon Adamant: i am looking forward to talk to you re: this issue
[2008/03/24 12:42] You: Tony, Pip, Naftali:
[2008/03/24 12:42] You: please assent to being recorded in open chat.
[2008/03/24 12:42] You: Thanks Moon, and thanks for coming
===
[2008/03/24 12:42] You: Item 9
[2008/03/24 12:42] Tom Bukowski is back, sitting in quietly
[2008/03/24 12:42] Sonja Strom: Tony sent me a personal IM that he will not say anything, and now he is "Busy"...
[2008/03/24 12:43] You: In the next agenda item (numbered 3 originally) we likely will ask for a by-election
[2008/03/24 12:43] You: (thanks, ackowl Sonja)
[2008/03/24 12:43] You: and when we do, it will proceed under rules ...
[2008/03/24 12:43] You: .. so the Q is whether we wish to make any changes to those rules BEFORE then, that is, today.
[2008/03/24 12:44] You: Is there a current proposal for election rule change that is already active on the floor as a motion?
[2008/03/24 12:44] Beathan Vale: no -- we are up for discussion of the amendment
[2008/03/24 12:44] Beathan Vale: I have a breif statement in favor - -but I will forego if there is no opposition
[2008/03/24 12:44] You: Ok - has it been moved and seconded yet, or is it still in flux?
[2008/03/24 12:45] Beathan Vale: no pending motion -- call for debate
[2008/03/24 12:45] MT Lundquist: second
[2008/03/24 12:45] You: Any reason not to have Beathan move it? (With a URI or notecard please)
[2008/03/24 12:45] Beathan Vale: but I will move it if no one wishes to speak in opposition
[2008/03/24 12:45] ThePrincess Parisi: none from me
[2008/03/24 12:45] You: let's make sure all know what we're voting on?
[2008/03/24 12:45] MT Lundquist: none
[2008/03/24 12:46] Beathan Vale: I move passage of Bromo's amendment tot he Constitution abolishing the faction elimination rule
[2008/03/24 12:46] Gwyneth Llewelyn: hmm?
[2008/03/24 12:46] You: Colleagues: would someone identity the source, such as with a Forum URI, please?
[2008/03/24 12:46] Jamie Palisades cringes at the thought of "we just passed the thingy we think Bromo said somewhere"
[2008/03/24 12:46] Beathan Vale: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=1675
[2008/03/24 12:46] You: thank you :)
[2008/03/24 12:46] Gwyneth Llewelyn: thank you Beathan!
[2008/03/24 12:47] You: OK, that forum item is the motion and has been seconded
[2008/03/24 12:47] You: several have indicated no need for debate
[2008/03/24 12:47] You: let me first ask - any RA members have comment?
[2008/03/24 12:47] Beathan Vale: no comment
[2008/03/24 12:47] MT Lundquist: no
[2008/03/24 12:47] ThePrincess Parisi: ive said what i need to say already
[2008/03/24 12:47] You: OK - let me note in passing - does this require all 5 votes to be adopted?
[2008/03/24 12:48] Beathan Vale: yed
[2008/03/24 12:48] Beathan Vale: yes
[2008/03/24 12:48] Gwyneth Llewelyn: yes
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: no just four
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: sorry we have a majority with four
[2008/03/24 12:48] Beathan Vale: on a RA of 7 -- 5 needed for 66%
[2008/03/24 12:48] You: Constitutional, is it not Madame ExSC chair?
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: we have a RA of 5
[2008/03/24 12:48] Gwyneth Llewelyn: constitutional change, 2/3
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: csdf quit
[2008/03/24 12:48] You: *ahem*
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: you cannot quit and be here too
[2008/03/24 12:48] You: This is why we have chairs :) listen
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: how can you have it both way
[2008/03/24 12:48] ThePrincess Parisi: s
[2008/03/24 12:48] Beathan Vale: Well -- let's vote and hope we have 5 votes, not 4 oo to avert the need for the SC to decide the point
[2008/03/24 12:49] Gwyneth Llewelyn: No, there are 7 seats at the RA that were voted for
[2008/03/24 12:49] ThePrincess Parisi: but two were given up
[2008/03/24 12:49] You: / me ahems again ... there are two interps of that requirement :) the *more conservative* one requires 5 votes
[2008/03/24 12:49] Moon Adamant: the RA HAS 7 seats , i believe
[2008/03/24 12:49] Gwyneth Llewelyn: They were left vacant :)
[2008/03/24 12:49] Moon Adamant: they depend on population
[2008/03/24 12:49] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Which is different
[2008/03/24 12:49] You: Dear friends
[2008/03/24 12:49] You: let's not have me show you how keeping order works so early in my tenure, hm?
[2008/03/24 12:49] Gwyneth Llewelyn: heeh Jamie â€" sorry,
[2008/03/24 12:49] You: I suggest that there's a difference of opinion
[2008/03/24 12:49] You: and that's OK
[2008/03/24 12:49] Gwyneth Llewelyn: just to clarify the issue.
[2008/03/24 12:49] You: but SOME think it requires 5
[2008/03/24 12:50] You: so if we do not get 5 there may be an appeal
[2008/03/24 12:50] Gwyneth Llewelyn *nods*
[2008/03/24 12:50] You: which is also OK .. and ALL that I suggest needs to be said just now
[2008/03/24 12:50] You: now then
[2008/03/24 12:51] You: Sonja, you've not spoken on this. Anything, before I ask for *brief* comments from citizens?
[2008/03/24 12:51] Sonja Strom: I carefully explained my perspective in the Forum.
[2008/03/24 12:51] Symo Kurka: lol
[2008/03/24 12:51] You: fair enough :) unless an RA member objects, I note we're about 8 minutes into a 15 minute item, and I wish to ask for brief comments from anyone else present.
[2008/03/24 12:52] Sonja Strom: Sorry, I can't find the link at the moment...
[2008/03/24 12:52] Beathan Vale: "The posts by others here after my entry have caused me to rethink my position. Although in honesty I still do not feel strongly about returning to the former method of voting, I will support doing that if it is better for our community."
[2008/03/24 12:52] Beathan Vale: last post in the URL I posted earlier
[2008/03/24 12:52] Sonja Strom: If everyone wants, I can go over them again here.
[2008/03/24 12:52] Jamie Palisades looks around ... seeing no objection ... (and thanks BV) ... well let's see if others wish to comment?
[2008/03/24 12:52] ThePrincess Parisi: im ready to vote
[2008/03/24 12:53] Gwyneth Llewelyn: A question, if I may ask... will this still allow "blank votes", ie., a way for people to enter the booth, register a vote as normal, but allow them NOT to vote on ANY party?
[2008/03/24 12:53] Gwyneth Llewelyn: (because a system where citizens cannot say NO is a poorly democratic one)
[2008/03/24 12:53] Gwyneth Llewelyn almost sounds like Prokofy :P
[2008/03/24 12:53] ThePrincess Parisi: just dont vote then i guess
[2008/03/24 12:53] Beathan Vale: well -- citizens can choose not to vote at all
[2008/03/24 12:53] You: could I ask Beathan as motion owner to reply?
[2008/03/24 12:53] Gwyneth Llewelyn: It's different, princess
[2008/03/24 12:53] Gwyneth Llewelyn: "not voting" is not the same thing as "voting no"
[2008/03/24 12:54] You: Can a voter who does vote still vote blank, if this proposal passes?
[2008/03/24 12:54] You: Beathan?
[2008/03/24 12:54] Beathan Vale: I don't see that process as being possible without faction elimination
[2008/03/24 12:54] Beathan Vale: the blank vote is a faction elimination of all factions
[2008/03/24 12:54] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Exactly.
[2008/03/24 12:54] Cindy Ecksol raises hand
[2008/03/24 12:54] Jamie Palisades notes that another option is to pass it, if it passes, and then let the SC work out what it means if it proves ambiguous, smile
[2008/03/24 12:54] Sonja Strom: Here is my first set of comments: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=1628 and my second set: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php? ... =15#p10352
[2008/03/24 12:54] Beathan Vale: Citizens remain free not to vote -- so I don't see a problem
[2008/03/24 12:54] Gwyneth Llewelyn smiles back
[2008/03/24 12:54] You: Ok, so Beathan has answered Gwyn in the negative
[2008/03/24 12:54] You: Cindy?
[2008/03/24 12:55] Gwyneth Llewelyn: thank you Beathan
[2008/03/24 12:55] Cindy Ecksol: I am not in favor of this bill. I think it takes away too much autonomy from individual voters. we would be better off modifying the exiting system (easily done) to mitigate the problems seen in the last election
[2008/03/24 12:56] Cindy Ecksol: existing*
[2008/03/24 12:56] You: Thank you.
[2008/03/24 12:56] You: And bless you for being clear and brief.
[2008/03/24 12:56] Gwyneth Llewelyn: lol
[2008/03/24 12:56] Cindy Ecksol: yw
[2008/03/24 12:56] You: two minutes remain
[2008/03/24 12:56] You: any last words?
[2008/03/24 12:56] Beathan Vale: I have a bit
[2008/03/24 12:56] You: :)
[2008/03/24 12:57] Beathan Vale: The use of the faction elimination rule has caused substantial problem and bad feeling -- we should eliminate it and then go back to the drawing board to address Cindy's concerns -- we can pass a good fix from either the restored old Constitution or the new one
[2008/03/24 12:57] Beathan Vale: done
[2008/03/24 12:57] Cindy Ecksol raises hand
[2008/03/24 12:57] You: excellent and thanks. I suggest we are ready to vote.
[2008/03/24 12:57] You: anything *urgent* Cindy?
[2008/03/24 12:58] Tom Bukowski has to run to another meeting, but is glad he could sit in, and is going to talk to ThePrincess and others about becoming a citizen! I'll try to find the time... okay - cu all later!
[2008/03/24 12:58] Jamie Palisades placidly watches the clock - and Cindy's typing
[2008/03/24 12:58] Cindy Ecksol: yes. I'll just say that there's no need to throw out the baby with the bathwater. fix the problem properly, don't go back to the old syste,m because the new is not what was expected
[2008/03/24 12:58] ThePrincess Parisi: thank you tom
[2008/03/24 12:58] Sonja Strom: bye Tom see you
[2008/03/24 12:58] You: Ta Tom, thanks again, hope to see you around.
[2008/03/24 12:58] Beathan Vale: I call the question
[2008/03/24 12:58] You: OK. Thanks. Time to vote. I suggest we use alpha order - but sometimes reverse it :)
[2008/03/24 12:58] Delia Lake: bye Tom
[2008/03/24 12:59] You: By first name this time
[2008/03/24 12:59] Beathan Vale: aye
[2008/03/24 12:59] You: Members, please note your vote.
[2008/03/24 12:59] You: Jamie votes aye.
[2008/03/24 12:59] MT Lundquist: aye
[2008/03/24 12:59] Sonja Strom: aye
[2008/03/24 12:59] Naftali Torok: ave
[2008/03/24 13:00] ThePrincess Parisi: giggles
[2008/03/24 13:00] Naftali Torok: lol
[2008/03/24 13:00] You: Um, thanks Naftali, but RA members only
[2008/03/24 13:00] ThePrincess Parisi: aye for naftali, her fault
[2008/03/24 13:00] You: Is that a "yes" giggle, Prin?
[2008/03/24 13:00] ThePrincess Parisi looks at cindy and points to naf
[2008/03/24 13:00] Naftali Torok: gigles
[2008/03/24 13:00] You: OK, 5 votes. I declare it passes.
[2008/03/24 13:00] Cindy Ecksol says ? to prin
[2008/03/24 13:01] You: I will report that to the various appropriate parties. On to next item. It is 1 pm SLT.
[2008/03/24 13:01] Beathan Vale: can we get an official "aye" from TP please
[2008/03/24 13:01] ThePrincess Parisi: theprincess votes AYE
[2008/03/24 13:01] Beathan Vale: thanks
[2008/03/24 13:01] Gwyneth Llewelyn: :)
===
[2008/03/24 13:01] You: Next item is the original 3, 5 minutes set for it, seeking a resolution from us to request a by-election, noting the two vacated seats unfilled.
[2008/03/24 13:01] Gwyneth Llewelyn: yay :)
[2008/03/24 13:02] You: can I get a motion that that effect?
[2008/03/24 13:02] Beathan Vale: I move to request that the SC run a midterm election to fill vacant seats in the RA
[2008/03/24 13:02] MT Lundquist: second
[2008/03/24 13:02] Jamie Palisades peers over his shoulder, planning to pin down Gwyn on that 'yay' later ...
[2008/03/24 13:02] You: any debate on this? Can we state '2 seats' for clarity?
[2008/03/24 13:02] Beathan Vale: 2 seats vacated by CSDF -- remaining seats to be filled by faction per Constitution
[2008/03/24 13:03] ThePrincess Parisi: by a faction other than the CSDF correct?
[2008/03/24 13:03] You: friendly amendment, OK with all? Any debate?
[2008/03/24 13:03] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Hmm
[2008/03/24 13:03] ThePrincess Parisi: i am concerend that the CSDF at teh last minute will try to refill the seats.. and it is clear to me in the constuituion that would not be allowed
[2008/03/24 13:03] You: um, no, The Princess, by anyone the electorate in its wisdom chooses from among persons lawfully nominated
[2008/03/24 13:03] You: Here is where we are - ahem
[2008/03/24 13:04] You: 2 seats vacant
[2008/03/24 13:04] Gwyneth Llewelyn *raises hand*
[2008/03/24 13:04] You: no appointment made
[2008/03/24 13:04] ThePrincess Parisi: there is a point in the constituion taht makes it very clear to me that they cannot
[2008/03/24 13:04] You: so the Q is whether AFTER we declare them so here, and ask for election, a faction can fill them anyway and avoid the election
[2008/03/24 13:04] You: and I suggest we recognize Ms Sword of Justrice there for a view - in her SC capacity not party capacity of course
[2008/03/24 13:05] You: Gwyn?
[2008/03/24 13:05] ThePrincess Parisi: yes.. no but that if the CSDF has candidate that they indeed must fill them
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: thank you
[2008/03/24 13:05] ThePrincess Parisi: prior to the election , without it
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: the by-election is just another election
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: but only for a limited number of seats
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: it goes through the whole motions,
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: candidates declaring willingness to serve
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: 15 days of campaigning
[2008/03/24 13:05] Gwyneth Llewelyn: 168 hours of voting
[2008/03/24 13:06] Gwyneth Llewelyn: New and old parties can be formed and present candidates
[2008/03/24 13:06] Gwyneth Llewelyn: There is no restriction on *anything* on the Constitution.
[2008/03/24 13:06] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Of course, if the RA wishes to impose new restrictions,
[2008/03/24 13:06] You: Gwyneth, dear, so far you and I agree. But: if we today declare the seats vacant and ask for an election, does that terminate CDSF's right to fill them by appontment, in your view?
[2008/03/24 13:06] Gwyneth Llewelyn: they're welcome to change it.
[2008/03/24 13:06] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Jamie, yes
[2008/03/24 13:06] You: thanks
[2008/03/24 13:07] You: I think that's all we needed to know, really, isn't it?
[2008/03/24 13:07] Gwyneth Llewelyn: thank you for the time.
[2008/03/24 13:07] Gwyneth Llewelyn: (hehe yes)
[2008/03/24 13:07] Beathan Vale: there is a faster way -- amend the Constitution to reduce the syze of the RA to 5 for this term only
[2008/03/24 13:07] Cindy Ecksol raises hand
[2008/03/24 13:07] Beathan Vale: I will propose that and put in on next week's agenda
[2008/03/24 13:07] You: If some one wants to introduce a bill dissolving CSDF of course, they can - and then they can watch me do amusing things with the UDHR :)
[2008/03/24 13:07] You: Cindy?
[2008/03/24 13:07] ThePrincess Parisi: can we really do that beathan? really we can?
[2008/03/24 13:08] You: hmmmmm
[2008/03/24 13:08] Gwyneth Llewelyn: the RA can do *anything* :D
[2008/03/24 13:08] You: let's get Cindy's comment and THEN go to the 5-versus-7 thing
[2008/03/24 13:08] Cindy Ecksol: Is there anything in the constitution that requires those two seats to be filled? seems to me that CSDF can choose to sit in them or not, but I don't see where it says in the Constitution that seats that are not being sat in must be take away from the party that contorls them and filled with a by election
[2008/03/24 13:09] Cindy Ecksol: so why not just continue the RA meetings until the next full election comes up? why go to all this trouble?
[2008/03/24 13:09] You: um - well, let me take a shot
[2008/03/24 13:09] You: you're probably right that not every corner is perfectly mitred off in that cabinet
[2008/03/24 13:09] You: but
[2008/03/24 13:09] You: if there are vacancies
[2008/03/24 13:09] You: the better approach is to fill them, as otherwise we're always one glitch away from a failure of quorum etc .. arguably
[2008/03/24 13:10] You: so
[2008/03/24 13:10] You: we have a motion on the table
[2008/03/24 13:10] Cindy Ecksol: lol! I don't think the constitution defies "vacancy"
[2008/03/24 13:10] You: to declare vacancies .. (make a lawyer out of you yet, codergrrl) ...
[2008/03/24 13:10] Gwyneth Llewelyn: wait, it does " I'll copy & paste the relevant passage
[2008/03/24 13:10] ThePrincess Parisi: check what she pastes
[2008/03/24 13:11] You: OK but I am astisfie dthat the current motion is valid under the Constitution
[2008/03/24 13:11] You: so let;s not go off on flights of fancy about what else we *might* do, please
[2008/03/24 13:11] You: your presiding officer notes that time has expired
[2008/03/24 13:11] You: does any RA member wish to amend or speak further to the motion on the table?
[2008/03/24 13:11] Beathan Vale: let's hold the by-election and intruduce a Constitutional amendment temporarily reducing the RA to 5 until the 2 seats are filled -- I will draft and present
[2008/03/24 13:11] You: hmmmmm
[2008/03/24 13:12] ThePrincess Parisi: only that i need to rethink the election and the wisdom of cindy my faction .. we need to talk to other faction memeber
[2008/03/24 13:12] You: so that amendment would NOT need to precede this declaration, right?
[2008/03/24 13:12] Beathan Vale: right
[2008/03/24 13:12] You: well Prin
[2008/03/24 13:12] Beathan Vale: if it fails -- we have an RA of 7 with 5 members until filled
[2008/03/24 13:12] You: if we do NOT act today, let me be clear :) ...
[2008/03/24 13:12] Gwyneth Llewelyn: IV, 2, 1 " 1) If the faction no longer meets the constitutional requirements or if no members of the faction are willing to serve, there shall be a special election to fill, for the remainder of the term, the seats left vacant.
[2008/03/24 13:12] Beathan Vale: we should get the election rolling if we go that way -- or we might as well not have it
[2008/03/24 13:12] You: yes
[2008/03/24 13:12] ThePrincess Parisi: ok so gywenth you are missing a point dear
[2008/03/24 13:12] You: BV said what I was going to
[2008/03/24 13:13] Gwyneth Llewelyn: :)
[2008/03/24 13:13] ThePrincess Parisi: at the point they become willing to serve
[2008/03/24 13:13] You: are we ready for a vote on the motion?
[2008/03/24 13:13] ThePrincess Parisi: saying they run
[2008/03/24 13:13] Beathan Vale: We also might want to consider allowing Chancellors to appoint RA members under these circumstances -- as Governors can
[2008/03/24 13:13] ThePrincess Parisi: then the whole thing is moot
[2008/03/24 13:13] You: hang on
[2008/03/24 13:13] You: *ahem*
[2008/03/24 13:13] Jamie Palisades looks around
[2008/03/24 13:13] Cindy Ecksol: yes, I agree with prin.
[2008/03/24 13:13] Moon Adamant listens interestedly
[2008/03/24 13:14] You: There's a motion on the table to declare the 2 seats vacant and ask for an election to fill them. It seems constitutional to me. May I call for a vote on it? Or does any RA member wish to change their position publicly before that?
[2008/03/24 13:14] ThePrincess Parisi: perhaps the chancellor will be unbiased
[2008/03/24 13:14] Beathan Vale: Second the vote
[2008/03/24 13:14] You: :) later, dear
[2008/03/24 13:14] MT Lundquist: i like the proposal to have the election but to temporarily reduce the ra to 5 pending the election results
[2008/03/24 13:14] You: we can do THAT after we ask for the election, though
[2008/03/24 13:14] Beathan Vale: MT -- let's give that idea time to percolate
[2008/03/24 13:14] Gwyneth Llewelyn: Theoretically, who calls the election is the SC anyway ;)
[2008/03/24 13:14] MT Lundquist: yes i agree
[2008/03/24 13:14] Beathan Vale: I just threw it out
[2008/03/24 13:14] You: :) but we are declaring the vacancies to make that clear ...
[2008/03/24 13:15] Gwyneth Llewelyn: But, granted, it's the RA that sets the date.
[2008/03/24 13:15] You: OK folks. I ask members to vote on the 'call the election' motion now. I vote aye.
[2008/03/24 13:15] Beathan Vale: aye
[2008/03/24 13:15] MT Lundquist: aye
[2008/03/24 13:15] Sonja Strom: aye
[2008/03/24 13:16] ThePrincess Parisi: please wait a second
[2008/03/24 13:16] Beathan Vale: I move that we suspend committee reports this session
[2008/03/24 13:16] ThePrincess Parisi: i agree there are seats that no longer exist but not that we must fill them ..
[2008/03/24 13:16] ThePrincess Parisi: i want to hear beathans five RA seats proposal so i vote nay
[2008/03/24 13:17] Beathan Vale: still passes 4 to 1
[2008/03/24 13:17] You: Prin, 4-1 or 5-1, I will declare it passed either way. limits as to a date? Or ask them to propose one.
[2008/03/24 13:17] You: Right - sorry - hang on -
[2008/03/24 13:17] Beathan Vale: I will propose my interim RA seat proposal next week
[2008/03/24 13:17] Beathan Vale: as soon as Constitutionally possible
[2008/03/24 13:17] You: OK, now. I ask for 3 more minutes extension of this item, Any objections?
[2008/03/24 13:17] MT Lundquist: no
[2008/03/24 13:17] Beathan Vale: no objection
[2008/03/24 13:18] You: do we wish to give the SC and constraints on timing, now or even at next week's meeting?
[2008/03/24 13:18] You: *and > any
[2008/03/24 13:18] Gwyneth Llewelyn: It's the RA's prerrogative to set the date.
[2008/03/24 13:18] You: just asking.
[2008/03/24 13:18] You: exactly
[2008/03/24 13:18] ThePrincess Parisi: we havent discussed a date now so we cant do it today
[2008/03/24 13:18] You: Not seeing any typing hand motions - so I suggest we take that up next week, along with Beathan's temporary-5 idea.
[2008/03/24 13:18] Beathan Vale: April 21 for polls closed? a bit more than 1 week to set up; 15 days campaign; then a vote
[2008/03/24 13:18] ThePrincess Parisi: it must be discussed right
[2008/03/24 13:19] You: next week for that OK?
[2008/03/24 13:19] Gwyneth Llewelyn: (Beathan, that would be correct :) )
[2008/03/24 13:19] Beathan Vale: I move to set April 21 as the date
[2008/03/24 13:19] MT Lundquist: set the date next week
[2008/03/24 13:19] Beathan Vale: MT -- that will lose us a week
[2008/03/24 13:20] You: True -- but where's the fire, chief?
[2008/03/24 13:20] Beathan Vale: ::Shrug:: but if that is the consensus --
[2008/03/24 13:20] ThePrincess Parisi: we cant set a date yet....what is your hurry beathan we dont need to rush do we
[2008/03/24 13:20] You: what prin said :)
(continued in next post)