(**Updated Draft) Holiday Observance Act

[Eco-Paris Reformation]

Even when many saw the changes, not a single comment was meaningful. This will have been up for four weeks by the time NationStates is back up and running and by the time I put it up for an actual vote.

The General Assembly is an exercise in delayed gratification. This forum does not move at the same pace as other NS forums, and accumulating enough feedback to make a proposal passable takes time. That is both in terms of ensuring that it has sufficient quality and has been seen by enough eyes to identify all of its major flaws, and for it to have some name recognition when it comes time for it to garner approvals and pass at vote. You are free to do whatever you want, at whatever pace you choose, but I caution you that you could harm your ability to pass this, and at the very least double your campaigning work, if you do not give it enough time to germinate here first.

A proposal should be submitted in less time than one month, which is more than realistic. As of right now, I don't see anything changing or anyone having any issues. This is what I'm going to send out on May 3.

[The Overmind]

The General Assembly is an exercise in delayed gratification. This forum does not move at the same pace as other NS forums, and accumulating enough feedback to make a proposal passable takes time. That is both in terms of ensuring that it has sufficient quality and has been seen by enough eyes to identify all of its major flaws, and for it to have some name recognition when it comes time for it to garner approvals and pass at vote. You are free to do whatever you want, at whatever pace you choose, but I caution you that you could harm your ability to pass this, and at the very least double your campaigning work, if you do not give it enough time to germinate here first.

A proposal should be submitted in less time than one month, which is more than realistic. As of right now, I don't see anything changing or anyone having any issues. This is what I'm going to send out on May 3.

You are free to do whatever you like, but I think a proposal submission in less than one month is firmly an exception here rather than a rule.

[Eco-Paris Reformation]

A proposal should be submitted in less time than one month, which is more than realistic. As of right now, I don't see anything changing or anyone having any issues. This is what I'm going to send out on May 3.

You are free to do whatever you like, but I think a proposal submission in less than one month is firmly an exception here rather than a rule.

From April 5 to May 3, there are four weeks, or practically and figuratively, one month. On these threads, it is generally advised that proposals be left to sit for at least one month, give or take.

[The Overmind]

You are free to do whatever you like, but I think a proposal submission in less than one month is firmly an exception here rather than a rule.

From April 5 to May 3, there are four weeks, or practically and figuratively, one month. On these threads, it is generally advised that proposals be left to sit for at least one month, give or take.

I don't know of any such rule of thumb, but as Bisofeyr pointed out, that's only if you actually submit on May 3rd, since once it's submitted, you would have to retract it (eliminating any approvals it's garnered) in order to change it. If you want to submit it, I'm not trying to pressure you to not do so, but I don't think it's advisable. I won't say any more on it.

[Eco-Paris Reformation]

From April 5 to May 3, there are four weeks, or practically and figuratively, one month. On these threads, it is generally advised that proposals be left to sit for at least one month, give or take.

I don't know of any such rule of thumb, but as Bisofeyr pointed out, that's only if you actually submit on May 3rd, since once it's submitted, you would have to retract it (eliminating any approvals it's garnered) in order to change it. If you want to submit it, I'm not trying to pressure you to not do so, but I don't think it's advisable. I won't say any more on it.

Not a general rule, but rather a strong suggestion. It's one of the unwritten guidelines that the GA recommends for all proposals. On May 3rd, it will be put up for voting. After that, I'll start obtaining support from other WADs to move it up into the queue.

[Sicias]

This is of course unless someone would like to notice any errors or changes that should be made, at which point We would be more than willing to hold it back longer for people to look at the new changes. But as it has been effectively just sitting here it makes no sense for us to hold it back.

[Bisofeyr]

Alright, finally popping around to this.

The General Assembly,

Realizing how crucial it is to set aside time for holidays and breaks for each of its member nations in order to guarantee high standards and fun for everybody,

Gaining additional insight into the cultural and traditional value that every single holiday (whether national or international) contributes to each and every one of the member states,

Furthermore accepting and understanding that certain holidays call for a brief respite, that this amount of time can offer comfort, and that it can enhance the capacity to draft significant resolutions for the World Assembly, I don't really see anything in this preamble that justifies why this is an international issue.

Establishes and encourages all of the member states to comply with the new guidelines listed below: So, nothing in this resolution is binding? As per (2011) 2 IAM 11 (which is admittedly old precedent but I can't find anything more up-to-date), areas of effect (such as this one) would be considered "strong" -- while I would think that this rule would likely be overturned to another relevant strength, I think that whatever new standard applied would certainly still make a completely non-binding proposal such as this illegal regardless. You could also wait until categories/strengths are abolished altogether, I suppose.

1. Official Acceptance of Principal Definitions and Points: Why is this phrased like this? It's confusing and unnecessary
   
   1. For the purposes of this act, National Holidays are the celebration of a widely recognized day or days of significance observed by each and every individual member state. Since each nation has its own traditions and observances that it has created over the years, all national holidays are those that are unique to that nation. This (1) doesn't take into account holidays which may span across several nations but not all WA nations, (2) doesn't actually define what a national holiday is, because the definition is regarding the celebration, not the day, (3) is internally contradicting, as the first sentence seems to (mistakenly) say that national holidays are those observed by all members, but the second sentence clarifies that this is not the case. This definition needs some significant improvement.
   2. For the purposes of this act, an International Holiday is a day set aside by committees of all member states to commemorate a particular occasion or idea (such as the start of a new year).
   3. Moreover, a recess will be characterized by a grace day in which the World Assembly observes a holiday and does not convene to vote on any formal resolution. I guess this is technically able to be RPed, but if one of the intentions of this resolution is to set aside international holidays on which it doesn't host votes, and one potential example is the start of a new year, this treads dangerously close to the game mechanics rule, as a proposal cannot change when the WA does and does not "convene" or otherwise host a vote.
2. Official Acknowledgment of Principal Holidays:
   
   1. Acknowledging the significance of each and every national holiday as well as the necessity of giving each member state the freedom to observe and celebrate its own holidays in peace. This is ambiguous; is it trying to say that members should "acknowledge the significance of each and every national holiday..." or that the World Assembly acknowledges them. Given the operative clause at the end of the preamble encourages all member-nations to comply with these guidelines, my guess would be the former from a practical standing, in which case this is way too burdensome for any member nation to intentionally adhere to (which fortunately they don't have to, I suppose, given it's merely encouraged). If it's the latter, though, it belongs in the preamble, not here.
   2. Agreeing only that, given that national holidays can be noticeably longer than international holidays, a recess should be allowed for one day that falls within three days of a member state's particular national holiday. What does this actually do? If a recess is a break in WA voting, and this grants a recess "should" (which I think is meant to mean "shall" in this context?) be granted for one day within every three days of a member state's national holidays, would this not grant a recess... every day? Ending the processes of the WA permanently as no resolution can come to vote, including a repeal of this? Maybe it means there is a recess every three days, which is still unreasonable. I suspect you mean for neither of these things to happen, and rather want to grant individual member nations excused absences during national holidays, but given your definition of "recess" it would cease all voting activity of all nations, which is an insane standard for national holidays. This is also still something that the operative clause at the top is saying nations are encouraged to adhere to, which is nonsensical given it is an internal operation of the WA.
3. Official Establishment of the Holiday Committee:Similar to above, this entire section should not continue to be governed by the operative clause at the top applying this to nations; this is committee action irrelevant to individual national action.
   
   1. To ensure that each member state's holidays and interests in holiday customs are appropriately represented, an official Holiday Committee will be established.
   2. As automatic presumed members of the Holiday Committee, all member states are free to celebrate their national holidays and to share their customs and traditions with the rest of the World Assembly on the day(s) of observance. Would run afoul of committee staffing rule imo, as a presumed member is a member nonetheless.
   3. The Holiday Committee may also choose and designate days of significance to become International Holidays, to be recognized and celebrated by all member states, in recognition of the cultural and traditional significance that an International Holiday can hold. So you're granting a committee with no real guidelines as to how they are chosen, the ability to force all member states to celebrate any arbitrary day? IRL, would Christmas likely be designated, and how would countries that do not celebrate Christmas such as Saudi Arabia react to being forced to celebrate a holiday they do not recognize? If not Christmas, then what other examples are there? The New Year is an example given, but from a brief Google search not even all countries in the real world follow the Gregorian calendar (the four that don't are Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan); the WA undoubtedly has more diversity in nations which do not adhere to the same calendar system and as such would not agree on when the New Year is. So, in short, I either see this committee forcing nations to celebrate holidays they do not want to or otherwise have no significance to them, or else creating no holidays at all.
   4. As national holidays are assigned by the World Assembly, the Holiday Committee will designate national holidays and assist in organizing and arranging recess periods. National holidays are assigned by the World Assembly, now? What?
   5. To keep track of, document, and officially recognize all holidays, the Holiday Committee will design an official database that will be made available to everyone at no cost via practical means.
4. Supplementary Provisions:
   
   1. In WA meetings, an individual's capacity to cast a vote on behalf of their nation may be impeded by the special rites and reverence, or traditions, associated with most holidays. This can be made clearer and fixed by allowing a break (recess) to observe and enjoy holidays. What would this do that above clauses would not, except clarify the intention (which notably does not fix any of my above comments, as the text of the law remains the same)
   2. Esteemed delegates should be allowed to celebrate holidays and spend time with their family. Holiday recesses give delegates much-needed comfort and clarity, as well as the chance and capacity to return to work after the break (recess) with a more powerful voting base. What?

Acknowledging the fundamental role that holidays play in the lives of cultures, communities, nations, and peoples, this proposal seeks to take proactive steps to guarantee that the World Assembly arranges recesses and festivities to allow each member state to take advantage of significant and meaningful holiday seasons. One, don't call it a proposal because if it passes, it will then be a resolution; two, I don't think the recap is needed, just make the law do what you want the law to do (which, right now, it does not)

Co-Author: Sicias

Hope this helped, sorry for taking so long.

[Eco-Paris Reformation]

Alright, finally popping around to this.

The General Assembly,

Realizing how crucial it is to set aside time for holidays and breaks for each of its member nations in order to guarantee high standards and fun for everybody,

Gaining additional insight into the cultural and traditional value that every single holiday (whether national or international) contributes to each and every one of the member states,

Furthermore accepting and understanding that certain holidays call for a brief respite, that this amount of time can offer comfort, and that it can enhance the capacity to draft significant resolutions for the World Assembly, I don't really see anything in this preamble that justifies why this is an international issue.

Establishes and encourages all of the member states to comply with the new guidelines listed below: So, nothing in this resolution is binding? As per (2011) 2 IAM 11 (which is admittedly old precedent but I can't find anything more up-to-date), areas of effect (such as this one) would be considered "strong" -- while I would think that this rule would likely be overturned to another relevant strength, I think that whatever new standard applied would certainly still make a completely non-binding proposal such as this illegal regardless. You could also wait until categories/strengths are abolished altogether, I suppose.

1. Official Acceptance of Principal Definitions and Points: Why is this phrased like this? It's confusing and unnecessary
   
   1. For the purposes of this act, National Holidays are the celebration of a widely recognized day or days of significance observed by each and every individual member state. Since each nation has its own traditions and observances that it has created over the years, all national holidays are those that are unique to that nation. This (1) doesn't take into account holidays which may span across several nations but not all WA nations, (2) doesn't actually define what a national holiday is, because the definition is regarding the celebration, not the day, (3) is internally contradicting, as the first sentence seems to (mistakenly) say that national holidays are those observed by all members, but the second sentence clarifies that this is not the case. This definition needs some significant improvement.
   2. For the purposes of this act, an International Holiday is a day set aside by committees of all member states to commemorate a particular occasion or idea (such as the start of a new year).
   3. Moreover, a recess will be characterized by a grace day in which the World Assembly observes a holiday and does not convene to vote on any formal resolution. I guess this is technically able to be RPed, but if one of the intentions of this resolution is to set aside international holidays on which it doesn't host votes, and one potential example is the start of a new year, this treads dangerously close to the game mechanics rule, as a proposal cannot change when the WA does and does not "convene" or otherwise host a vote.
2. Official Acknowledgment of Principal Holidays:
   
   1. Acknowledging the significance of each and every national holiday as well as the necessity of giving each member state the freedom to observe and celebrate its own holidays in peace. This is ambiguous; is it trying to say that members should "acknowledge the significance of each and every national holiday..." or that the World Assembly acknowledges them. Given the operative clause at the end of the preamble encourages all member-nations to comply with these guidelines, my guess would be the former from a practical standing, in which case this is way too burdensome for any member nation to intentionally adhere to (which fortunately they don't have to, I suppose, given it's merely encouraged). If it's the latter, though, it belongs in the preamble, not here.
   2. Agreeing only that, given that national holidays can be noticeably longer than international holidays, a recess should be allowed for one day that falls within three days of a member state's particular national holiday. What does this actually do? If a recess is a break in WA voting, and this grants a recess "should" (which I think is meant to mean "shall" in this context?) be granted for one day within every three days of a member state's national holidays, would this not grant a recess... every day? Ending the processes of the WA permanently as no resolution can come to vote, including a repeal of this? Maybe it means there is a recess every three days, which is still unreasonable. I suspect you mean for neither of these things to happen, and rather want to grant individual member nations excused absences during national holidays, but given your definition of "recess" it would cease all voting activity of all nations, which is an insane standard for national holidays. This is also still something that the operative clause at the top is saying nations are encouraged to adhere to, which is nonsensical given it is an internal operation of the WA.
3. Official Establishment of the Holiday Committee:Similar to above, this entire section should not continue to be governed by the operative clause at the top applying this to nations; this is committee action irrelevant to individual national action.
   
   1. To ensure that each member state's holidays and interests in holiday customs are appropriately represented, an official Holiday Committee will be established.
   2. As automatic presumed members of the Holiday Committee, all member states are free to celebrate their national holidays and to share their customs and traditions with the rest of the World Assembly on the day(s) of observance. Would run afoul of committee staffing rule imo, as a presumed member is a member nonetheless.
   3. The Holiday Committee may also choose and designate days of significance to become International Holidays, to be recognized and celebrated by all member states, in recognition of the cultural and traditional significance that an International Holiday can hold. So you're granting a committee with no real guidelines as to how they are chosen, the ability to force all member states to celebrate any arbitrary day? IRL, would Christmas likely be designated, and how would countries that do not celebrate Christmas such as Saudi Arabia react to being forced to celebrate a holiday they do not recognize? If not Christmas, then what other examples are there? The New Year is an example given, but from a brief Google search not even all countries in the real world follow the Gregorian calendar (the four that don't are Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan); the WA undoubtedly has more diversity in nations which do not adhere to the same calendar system and as such would not agree on when the New Year is. So, in short, I either see this committee forcing nations to celebrate holidays they do not want to or otherwise have no significance to them, or else creating no holidays at all.
   4. As national holidays are assigned by the World Assembly, the Holiday Committee will designate national holidays and assist in organizing and arranging recess periods. National holidays are assigned by the World Assembly, now? What?
   5. To keep track of, document, and officially recognize all holidays, the Holiday Committee will design an official database that will be made available to everyone at no cost via practical means.
4. Supplementary Provisions:
   
   1. In WA meetings, an individual's capacity to cast a vote on behalf of their nation may be impeded by the special rites and reverence, or traditions, associated with most holidays. This can be made clearer and fixed by allowing a break (recess) to observe and enjoy holidays. What would this do that above clauses would not, except clarify the intention (which notably does not fix any of my above comments, as the text of the law remains the same)
   2. Esteemed delegates should be allowed to celebrate holidays and spend time with their family. Holiday recesses give delegates much-needed comfort and clarity, as well as the chance and capacity to return to work after the break (recess) with a more powerful voting base. What?

Acknowledging the fundamental role that holidays play in the lives of cultures, communities, nations, and peoples, this proposal seeks to take proactive steps to guarantee that the World Assembly arranges recesses and festivities to allow each member state to take advantage of significant and meaningful holiday seasons. One, don't call it a proposal because if it passes, it will then be a resolution; two, I don't think the recap is needed, just make the law do what you want the law to do (which, right now, it does not)

Co-Author: Sicias

Hope this helped, sorry for taking so long.

I believe you pointed out some wording flaws, but I'm too busy with work to really respond to this. I appreciate you doing this! I'll try to fix up things once I have some time.