Civil Service pay increases?

[Rose Springvale]

I note that the amounts requested for September are more than twice what has been paid in the past for civil service positions. I don't recall any announcementschanging those rates. Did i miss something? Also some interesting payments for music... can any of us now schedule parties and submit bills? Is there a standard rate CDS pays for dj's, live music, etc? Or any need to be thematic for cultural events?

[Ranma Tardis]

Why do they need to get paid? Is not doing it for community enough?

[Sonja Strom]

The current budget can be seen here: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3066

The way events take place in the CDS has not changed from how it was with previous budgets, except that now funds are distributed to the regional committees for them to hold their own events. This was also true in the last budget before this one, to be found here: http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2987

Entertainers have always been paid when they had a public performance in the CDS. Whether or not they should be is a conversation we can have, but I believe they should be.

Ranma, I am surprised to see you making a post here. Are you a CDS citizen again?

[Arria Perreault]

I note that the amounts requested for September are more than twice what has been paid in the past for civil service positions. I don't recall any announcementschanging those rates. Did i miss something? Also some interesting payments for music... can any of us now schedule parties and submit bills? Is there a standard rate CDS pays for dj's, live music, etc? Or any need to be thematic for cultural events?

It is interesting to see that you have an access to the payment list of CDS. Even when I was LRA, I did not have any access. So I have no idea about the content of this payment list. I guess that I am maybe concerned. I will explane the story, so everyone knows.
Ulysse Alexandre and I, we have bought two parcels in LA and we have built a reconstitution of the Villa of Mysteries, a famous house in Pompei, with outstanding paintings. This house is not a house for our private use, even we pay the fees for it. We both have parcels in CN that we consider as our homes. The Villa of Mysteries is a public place that everyone can visit and (I hope) enjoy. For the opening of this house, I have organized two live concerts. I have paid 5000 L$ for each concert. I think it is an usual fee for such a service, because I have seen that CDS has paid this amount in the past to some artists (the monthly financial reports can testify it). The Chancellor has attended one of these events and has proposed to me to reimburse the price of this event. I think she has considered that it was a public event (not a party) where everyone could come and maybe also a contribution for the life of our community. Maybe I should not have accepted. As I see that it is a problem now, I will officially renounce to this reimbursement and I will run the Villa of the Mysteries with the same rules than the Monastery: at my own expense. I don't intend to get money from CDS, even my projects can benefit to the whole community. It's probably your way to encourage citizen to develop initiatives and to make our community living. As I have no idea of what is in the payment list and who can read it, I would like to add that other reimbursements concern or will concern activities of the roman regional committee (the Beach party for example or the concerts at the Amphitheater of CNS that we are now planing).

This said I find the principle of the Chancellor to pay for any public event not bad. It would encourage people to organize events and this would bring some traffic in CDS.

As one of the Leader of our community, it is your responsibility to encourage citizen to develop initiative. We did a lot of work in this villa and I think it is worth to visit. I hope you took some time to visit it ...

[Callipygian]

Ranma, I am surprised to see you making a post here. Are you a CDS citizen again?

On the original subject of civil service honorariums, I have no concerns about amounts as listed in the budget - although I am interested in what actual 'work' is required for each position to consider the honorarium 'earned'.

The quote I think does need a comment, that being: the description of the Forums reads

"The C.D.S. Discussion forums provide citizens and visitors alike a place to discuss current issues and contribute their thoughts, ..."

Bolding is mine.

Calli

[Sonja Strom]

The quote I think does need a comment, that being: the description of the Forums reads

"The C.D.S. Discussion forums provide citizens and visitors alike a place to discuss current issues and contribute their thoughts, ..."

Point taken, Callipygian. However, I also still believe there was nothing wrong with my question.

If the civil service positions are done correctly they are a lot of work! Anyone who is in one of these jobs, or has been in one, can describe this. The amount these people are paid per month is still not a complete reimbursement for the value of their service to the CDS community.

[Cindy Ecksol]

If the civil service positions are done correctly they are a lot of work! Anyone who is in one of these jobs, or has been in one, can describe this. The amount these people are paid per month is still not a complete reimbursement for the value of their service to the CDS community.

That may be true...but does that fact give the Chancellor the authority to arbitrarily raise civil service pay without consulting RA? I'm thinking that even if it's not NECESSARY to consult RA, it sure would be polite. Not to mention that increasing civil service pay will have an impact on the budget...and the Chancellor is certainly expected to consult with RA on changes to the budget.

And speaking of the budget, as an RA member I'd appreciate a monthly spreadsheet showing each item as budgeted and the amount paid to date. What you posted here http://forums.slcds.info/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=3066 is not particularly useful as a management tool.

Cindy

[Sonja Strom]

Cindy, in the CDS government the Budget falls clearly and completely within the leadership of the Executive. This is so as a part of the separation of powers described in the CDS Constitution. You are welcome to say you don't like this, but it has been true in the CDS ever since I came to the community.

Still, I will work on making a spreadsheet for you about the budget, so you will be able to understand it more clearly.

[Rose Springvale]

MY questions, distorted by the non responses, were these. 1. Why the increase NOW? 2. What is the procedure for utilizing CDS funds for private functions? 3. What are the standard rates CDS will pay for performances?

Cultural commissions theoretically were to follow the culture of a sim, not the whims of individuals. Public events and facilities are supposed to be made by the public, or so i thought. Separation of powers REQUIRE that the RA ask these questions.

The chancellor is scheduled to speak at the next RA meeting. She has requested only 15 minutes on the agenda. There will be ample time on the agenda for the questions of the community after she reports. If it is truly her position that she is not accountable to the community for the way our funds are expended, i expect that to be fully explored.

[Sonja Strom]

MY questions, distorted by the non responses, were these. 1. Why the increase NOW? 2. What is the procedure for utilizing CDS funds for private functions? 3. What are the standard rates CDS will pay for performances?

Cultural commissions theoretically were to follow the culture of a sim, not the whims of individuals. Public events and facilities are supposed to be made by the public, or so i thought. Separation of powers REQUIRE that the RA ask these questions.

The chancellor is scheduled to speak at the next RA meeting. She has requested only 15 minutes on the agenda. There will be ample time on the agenda for the questions of the community after she reports. If it is truly her position that she is not accountable to the community for the way our funds are expended, i expect that to be fully explored.

Rose, the increase in the projected finances in the Revised Budget comes mostly from that the finances of the CDS are now more positive and well known than they were at the time when the original budget was made. I think it is a good reason for the CDS to be *happy* that these sims are now doing better than was formerly projected!

I don't think we have an established procedure for utilizing CDS funds for private functions. Would you or others in the CDS like to help make one?

During this term the standard rates the CDS will pay for performances will be negotiated with each performer. This means payments will differ, based upon the type of performer and the performance they give. There is nothing new about this in any way in the CDS. This said, personally I don't want these payments to go over the L$10,000 per performance that you were negotiating - this has been our most tiptop rate.

In your post you described “Cultural commissions.” Are you talking about the Regional Event Committees? It is very clear both of these Committees are made by the public. Both have been holding open public meetings, announced in advance in these forums.

You are welcome to fully explore these issues in the next RA meeting. Although I find your shouting with capital letters the word “REQUIRE” to be sort of an overstatement, I agree with you in your saying this is a good topic for the Representative Assembly to discuss.

[Rose Springvale]

CDS law has always asked for and approved the budget once per term. As you well know, I am traveling and it would be very difficult to provide the citations, but perhaps you can review our laws for yourself. You seem to only be selectively cognizant of CDS history and tradition.

As to improvement in finances, all I can say is that you must be referring to the misinformation you gave the community about the al andalus costs. No matter how many times you try to convince us, the numbers don't lie. CDS clearly never lost money(else how would there be so much surplus?)

Yet CDS approves payments for private parties for the chancellor's friends,after the fact, increases pay rates for civil servants with not even the representation that increases were needed...I personally know that doing the job well has nothing to do with the amount of the token payment! And you now accuse me of negotiating payments in excess of 10000? That is simply not true . Please explain this outrageous accusation.
I have much more to say, but I will save them for when I can more easily provide the emphasis I see fit. I hope the rest of the RA takes note of your lack of concern for our responsibilities. I take them very seriously. Please be prepared.

[Sonja Strom]

CDS law has always asked for and approved the budget once per term. As you well know, I am traveling and it would be very difficult to provide the citations, but perhaps you can review our laws for yourself. You seem to only be selectively cognizant of CDS history and tradition.

As to improvement in finances, all I can say is that you must be referring to the misinformation you gave the community about the al andalus costs. No matter how many times you try to convince us, the numbers don't lie. CDS clearly never lost money(else how would there be so much surplus?)

Yet CDS approves payments for private parties for the chancellor's friends,after the fact, increases pay rates for civil servants with not even the representation that increases were needed...I personally know that doing the job well has nothing to do with the amount of the token payment! And you now accuse me of negotiating payments in excess of 10000? That is simply not true . Please explain this outrageous accusation.
I have much more to say, but I will save them for when I can more easily provide the emphasis I see fit. I hope the rest of the RA takes note of your lack of concern for our responsibilities. I take them very seriously. Please be prepared.

Rose, I have served three full terms in the Representative Assembly, and I don't remember us ever having had a vote to approve the Executive budget. This said, I will consult the Dean of the SC, Delia Lake, about the legalities of the budget.

I have never given the community any misinformation about the al andalus costs. I have always been supportive of Al Andalus, but also at the same time have remained as accurate as I could be, in a friendly way.

Where has the CDS approved payment for private parties of the chancellor's friends?

I have not accused you of negotiating payments in excess of L$10,000. What I said above was that you had paid this amount to performers, and this amount has been our most tiptop rate. Here is the exact quote:

This said, personally I don't want these payments to go over the L$10,000 per performance that you were negotiating - this has been our most tiptop rate.

[Rose Springvale]

I will reply in detail when I return to the US next week. With detail ands quotes. I think your house is made of very fragile glass.

[Sonja Strom]

I will reply in detail when I return to the US next week. With detail ands quotes. I think your house is made of very fragile glass.

Please do provide some proof for what you are saying. Thank you.

[Rose Springvale]

I would ask the same of you.