Establishment of the Secretary of Culture

Recognizing that the position of "Secretary of Culture" is an established, albeit unofficial position within the government of Tiberiam

Understanding the need to establish the position as official and to create the groundworks for it's governance, powers and limitations

Proposing that the position of Secretary of Culture be an elected position, with elections held no more or less then exactly one month apart

Establishing the Office of the Secretary of Culture to dictate roleplay guidelines, regulations, mediation, and other roleplay devices or issues of importance

Granting the Secretary of Culture the final say in disputes which require mediation by the Office of the Secretary of Culture, inalienable and undeniable

Also granting the Office of the Secretary of Culture power over the Cartographer and the Office of the Cartographer, but giving the Cartographer final say over the maps

Concluding that those found in violation of mediation, regulation or legislation created by the Secretary of Culture may be punished at the discretion of the Office of the Secretary of Culture

I vote aye for this bill

Uh boy... what can I say about this?

I am, as a whole, divided. Of course, I admit that I love the spot now and not wish to give up. But I don't think this is the point. Although because this vote is for my position, I will abstain from voting to encourage fairness.


I am glad that SoC is being put into consideration for a voting procedure. In that sense, less biased-nature of an office will be established. Elected SoC would be grand in many senses... like for instance, I cannot make innovations because of the delicate nature that I put myself in... how can SoC approve my innovations when I AM SoC? I find that rather confusing. This also makes sure that things work in a way that SoC will not abuse the position. I think I made that point fairly clear when godmode issue of myself came about. I also realize that this job has became a bit of a political office now that I have made SoC more active, and sort of reforming SoC. So of course with all these new powers that I have invested in the office, there should also be added responsibilities. Elections seem to be the next logical step.

However, I am afraid of this office becoming a political mess, like what happens during a bad presidency in democratic countries. I’m sure that it won’t happen now, as we are rather tightly-knit community with all capable RPing population, but in the eventuality someone might come into the office with extremely biased mind, and could potentially ruin the RP. I have a feeling that some people might join the SoC position to promote his or her own standings in the RP (for instances, allowing innovation with very little evidence or allowing expansion that just seem ridiculous). While they do sound hard to get away with, I can certainly think of several instances where such thing was valid in different RPs that I was in. I am worried that we might come to a point where there might be “EU candidate” and “GWA candidate” in every election, and SoC will become so much like a political fiasco instead of promoting the well-being of the RP.

There is also an issue with this office being a professional office. I have to say that I needed to learn a lot and spent a lot of time to figure out what the heck I can or cannot approve. The realism thing and finding a good path between nations made me REALLY get into reading stuff out. Being fair meant that I had to dig through CNN documents to see how UN is dealing with certain things, and overall I find the office REALLY daunting for the person who just isn't experienced in the office, like how I am sort of feeling until few weeks ago. SoC is really hard office to do, because you have to say no to the people without alienating them... I found that really difficult and spent loads of time just thinking about my writing. I have to say that an inactive SoC could emerge from the election... and that would be rather difficult for the prosperity of the RP.

Lastly, there is concern about the rules. This sort of adds on with the political nature of the voting system, but I think this is very important. SoC can change the rule as they see fit in the RP. That is like allowing a president to make its own laws. While that is all dandy in the right hands... in wrong hands we might see something completely weird. And again this roles into politics. Different "party" candidate will probably scrap the rule and make different ones, and the entire process of SoC will become not of progress, but switching around rules whenever new election roles in...



Of course, this says nothing because I am SoC. Regardless, I did want to mention a few things beforehand… firstly I wish to add restrictions on the candidacy of SoC. It isn’t anything serious, but just takes a bit of time. I propose that internship be added into the process of election of SoC as a mandatory requirement. What concerns me more than anything else, actually, is not a political mess but people not knowing the ropes of what SoC can really do. By allowing the current SoC to teach anyone with interest to becoming SoC the ropes around what he or she must do, that will allow better SoC in each election. I would also say that this education process will create “watchers” that will watch the watcher, and prevent political destruction of the office.

And I guess my concerns are when we have more numbers... I am just looking out for an eventuality that Tiberiam will grow larger.


Of course, there is always the good old… “Let Oscal be SoC for life,” but I vehemently disagree… I want some inventions in my nation… and no, I am not content with my thermal laser and hydrogen fuel cells

I think oscal brings up some very good points as far as the "Bad SoC" stuff and I agree with him. I am all for democracy but looking at how this position can so change the Tieriam we all know and love I vote nay on this bill. We need to insure that only one who is fair and balanced holds the seat and an election can be biased.

You know... I think people have been forgetting this issue and I wanted to bring this up to the light again. SoC SHOULD get added responsibility for added powers that I have given, so I don't want this thread to die.

Along with my originally proposed idea of adding "internship" programs to the office... I also wanted to propose another thing: Board of Culture.


Board of Culture are basically the internship program that I proposed earlier, but with a bit more of a twist. (you know how much I love twists =D) BoC will be selected from ANYONE that wish to be part of SoC leadership, and they will take turns or run elections every few month to decide the new SoC. Meanwhile, they will watch over the RP just like SoC to see if SoC is slipping in his or her job. While BoC does not have any power whatsoever, they can bring to light what SoC IS or ISN'T doing, and that should stop many abuses or neglect of the office.

At the same time, BoC will allow members that wish to be part of SoC to know more about the office... and eventually shoot at the chance of SoC mantle. More eyes watching the RP... more watchers for the watchers... and more diversity in SoC. My ultimate goal is to eventually create a SoC for all occasions. Like... having reforming SoC, economic SoC, military SoC, political SoC... all those members of the Board that can step up for the job as SOON as something pops up.

I thought this up when Isis and Baut came to the forum. I realized that I am more of economic reform SoC than anything else... as I have been primarily concerned about locating the source of materials' origin and focusing on that particular reform. In many senses, Isis was more of SoC during the time of "peace" in Tiberiam, able to keep watchful eyes and not let anyone slip up, but not micromanaging things and be a bother like I am. I also realize that Baut, being in the military, would know more about war and realism in that sector than I do. This turn of events have REALLY brought to my attention that SoC should be backed by a Board from which a capable person should be selected from. I realize that this won't happen right away... but having this law in action for the future investment should make SoC leadership board MUCH, MUCH better office... and ultimately make this office more or less a "professional" office than a dictatorship.

I too see many probelsmn in this bill. Said problems would need to be fixed to make this viable. Firstly,

"Also granting the Office of the Secretary of Culture power over the Cartographer and the Office of the Cartographer, but giving the Cartographer final say over the maps"
Is SoC>Cart, or Cart>SoC regarding all matters geographical? This must be firmly established.

"Proposing that the position of Secretary of Culture be an elected position, with elections held no more or less then exactly one month apart"
The SoC should not be elected monthly for the same reasons that presidents should not be elected monthly. This vital position should not be changing every month. That would be chaos. Elections should be held every two months at the quickest.

Furthermore, I second Osc's suggestion of candidacy restrictions. The SoC is very powerful and must be fully cognizant of RP. I say we mandate 100 posts for candidacy. (Admins, the current SoC, and I would deal with people deliberately manufacturing BS posts.) I also like the idea of a Board of Culture.

So, until a new draft fixes these many problems, EEE will vote AGAINST.

About SoC and Cart... Ras and I figured out pretty much our powers. It is more like...

SoC = Cart

We have same jurisdiction: RP. However, Cart is specialized job of constructing the world, while SoC has a job of making that world exciting and fair place to be in. We can both request changes to the map, and under mutual agreement we usually spring changes. I make the rules about terrain, and he makes the terrain itself. In a sense, he is the maker and I am the planner... or in my cause, requester. Most of times we both agree on a problem that can happen from the map and change accordingly. And I also respect Ras's comments about the map. It is complicated, so I don't think I can make sense of it, but I can say that we have the situation down.

Post candidacy seems to be a valid idea. However, 100 seems to be too much. Like I, who JUST came to Tiberiam, became SoC. So I say we use post count to see commitment than ability to RP. You can usually tell that someone is a good RPer from the first post, and you can see how fair that person is from the first war post. Knowing that, admins, mods, and the entire RP community can determine that he is fit to be part of the SoC candidacy.

Should people with colored titles chose candidates whiles the entire RP community decides which candidate is best?

Has this bill failed?