This post repeats some of our discussion at the CDS RA about plans for cultural and educational programs, and decentralizing some control of programs to local and thematic citizen panels.
Comments are welcome. More discussion and details are likely when, and after, we finalize the budgets for these activities. These plans may change.
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Our 2008 CDS budget for events looked like this:
a. Major events budget - One per term (like Oktoberfest), for a total of L$ 60000/yr, so L$ 5000/mo
b. One funded social event per month - L$ 5000/mo
c. I recreation event per sim per year (like skiing) at L$ 5000 x 4 / 12 = $L 1666/mo
That totals 11666/month. We probably spent about two third of that total, last term. Even then, though, We noted then that we were spending about half of what our conservative-projected revenus suggests we ought to spend, on local culture, events and education.
We easily can support more. So, one of the elements I plan to include in next meeting's planned budget for this term (in early September) is a set of extra line items. I chatted with Cindy about this, and we thought it would be a good idea to mention them earlier, at this meeting, so that we can get any initial feedback or reactions now, instead of waiting for next meeting, when it might get lost in all of the budget details.
For this term, I will propose that we set aside portions of an expanded events budget for four citizen-led small volunteer panels, which (as Gwyneth and I discussed last term) would really be a delegation of executive branch power, subject to myself and Sudane watching administratively.
The exact numbers are in consultation now -- remember I am making civil service appointments this next week, and want my own team to be consulted -- and we can talk about the right *numbers* at the RA budget consultation meeting in a few weeks. For now, though, I'd like any feedback or reactions to the *concept*, and to be specific, on this planned scheme:
1. A cultural & Arts commission, to seek, develop, consider and be a funding source for activities involving our cultural and museum NGOs, and any embassy/inter-sim ambassador activities.
2. An Alpine regional commission to seek, develop, consider and be a funding source for themed activities in the NFS and AM sims.
3. An Andalusian regional commission to seek, develop, consider and be a funding source for themed activities in the AA sims.
4. A Roman regional commission to seek, develop, consider and be a funding source for themed activities in the CN and LA sims.
I plan to propose that the funding be roughly commensurate with the populations in question; and that some regional events (and their budgets) be devolved down to those panels. I also am considering suggesting that one or two chairs for each of those panels be stipended by us, as I suspect some work will be involved. I'd expect their decisions to be made in an informal but publicly transparent process; and probably would attend some of their meetings myself. We will require that persons who are seeking funding abstain from any vote on their own proposals.
Comments welcome. Regards JP
