Discourse and Discord [FT, Closed, OOC Thread]

[Stormwrath]

Excellent, great posts everyone.

I am planning to focus on the conference's main highlights so we don't have to go at the whole 20 day summit start to finish. With the steering committee about to be elected, we'll have to agree beforehand which six reps will compose this committee.

In addition, we have to agree on our topic beforehand so we can get on with the discussion. Piracy, screening refugees for weapons, and many other possible topics may be discussed.

[Serukta Sehkrisaal]

We should probably wait until we get back to your turn before start going just to highlight segments, for the record. That will give everyone one "intro" post.

Edit: As an idea, we might go for 5 "highlight" segments, or so, each with 1-3 posting cycles per segment, and each segment with its own topic or theme. One, say, is a "leisure" segment where delegates interact outside of the conference hall (because food!), and one is the "conclusion" segment. Increase or decrease segments (or segment length) based on need/desire.

[The Vahkiran]

We should probably wait until we get back to your turn before start going just to highlight segments, for the record. That will give everyone one "intro" post.

Edit: As an idea, we might go for 5 "highlight" segments, or so, each with 1-3 posting cycles per segment, and each segment with its own topic or theme. One, say, is a "leisure" segment where delegates interact outside of the conference hall (because food!), and one is the "conclusion" segment. Increase or decrease segments (or segment length) based on need/desire.

I like this idea a lot, especially the mingling part.

[Lubyak]

We should probably wait until we get back to your turn before start going just to highlight segments, for the record. That will give everyone one "intro" post.

Edit: As an idea, we might go for 5 "highlight" segments, or so, each with 1-3 posting cycles per segment, and each segment with its own topic or theme. One, say, is a "leisure" segment where delegates interact outside of the conference hall (because food!), and one is the "conclusion" segment. Increase or decrease segments (or segment length) based on need/desire.

I like this idea a lot, especially the mingling part.

And lo does the Second Great War of the Punchbowl begin.

[Asfaltum]

Nah, there was no first war. That was barely a skirmish. It's not a war until someone calls an airstrike on the cheese platter and blockades the cold cuts.

[Federal Republic of Free States]

We shall not forget the travesties of the First Punchbowl Conflict. The leering and the jeering directed at our forces as they pulled back to the finger food platters. The heroic rear guard action at the slope of steaming meats, which allowed for a tactical retreat. And of course the last stand at doughnut hill, those men were heros.

DO YOU HEAR ME. WE WILL NOT FORGET.

[The Uthani Imperium]

Pish-posh.

You were cut down before and you will be cut down again, our verbal firepower far outweighs your silly human-modesty. There will be no "Second Great Punch Bowl War," just like the first it shall be a horrible slaughter, nothing great about it.

[Intersteller Terra]

-turtles up around the dessert stand- SHIELD WALL!

edit: -_-

[Asfaltum]

You can have the desert. I'll keep the desserts...

*places plasma trebuchet next to the Tiramisu*

[Stormwrath]

Calm yourselves, lest I monopolize the punch bowl.

[Asfaltum]

Did I mention how much I liked the last two posts from Uthani and Serukta?

[Stormwrath]

Indeed.

Also, there's a thing as Senior Roleplay Mentor now? Interesting. Con-Grat-ulations!

EDIT: Next posters in this order: Rethan, Santh, Asfa. Val may cut in between Santh and Asfa.

[Valinon]

Barring some unforeseen circumstances, I will be cutting in between Santh and Asfa.

[Serukta Sehkrisaal]

Barring some unforeseen circumstances, I will be cutting in between Santh and Asfa.

At some point the Valinor obviously adopted the Si'theikan calendar and dating system.

How odd?!

[Perseid Federation]

I have gotten word from Asfi that he'll be pulling out of the conference. Since Val has already posted, we'll have to choose beforehand which ones will form the steering committee. This will be in my next post because I don't want another round for us to wait for the next guy to post, "X votes for Y."

Anyways, here are the nominated nations:

• Perseid Federation - nominated by the FSR, RuB, and the Rhustarim Hegemony
• Free State Republic - nominated by the Singers
• Huerdaen Star Empire - nominated by Red Talons
• United Star Commonwealth - self-nomination
• Serukta Sehkrisaal - nominated by the Uthanium, the Gata'ja, and the UM
• The United Dominion - nominated by the Sehkrisaal
• The Rhustarim Hegemony - nominated by the Omospondia (which will be in my next post)

Of course, there's the problem of which one's going to sit there, should a certain nation have more than one delegate, but we'll get to that.

[Lubyak]

I have gotten word from Asfi that he'll be pulling out of the conference. Since Val has already posted, we'll have to choose beforehand which ones will form the steering committee. This will be in my next post because I don't want another round for us to wait for the next guy to post, "X votes for Y."

Anyways, here are the nominated nations:

• Perseid Federation - nominated by the FSR, RuB, and the Rhustarim Hegemony
• Free State Republic - nominated by the Singers
• Huerdaen Star Empire - nominated by Red Talons
• United Star Commonwealth - self-nomination
• Serukta Sehkrisaal - nominated by the Uthanium, the Gata'ja, and the UM
• The United Dominion - nominated by the Sehkrisaal
• The Rhustarim Hegemony - nominated by the Omospondia (which will be in my next post)

Of course, there's the problem of which one's going to sit there, should a certain nation have more than one delegate, but we'll get to that.

I think I nominated myself too! D:

[Stormwrath]

I think I nominated myself too! D:

What do you mean? The Archduchess asked if the Emperor can show up for the conference, no? And that they also support the Omospondia's nomination?

[Lubyak]

I think I nominated myself too! D:

What do you mean? The Archduchess asked if the Emperor can show up for the conference, no? And that they also support the Omospondia's nomination?

Ah, sorry, I should have been more clear with wording. I intended that to be a 'we nominate ourselves, and also back up the Perseids'.

[Valinon]

Barring some unforeseen circumstances, I will be cutting in between Santh and Asfa.

At some point the Valinor obviously adopted the Si'theikan calendar and dating system.

How odd?!

Oops, meant to edit that out. Corrected.

[Serukta Sehkrisaal]

I have gotten word from Asfi that he'll be pulling out of the conference. Since Val has already posted, we'll have to choose beforehand which ones will form the steering committee. This will be in my next post because I don't want another round for us to wait for the next guy to post, "X votes for Y."

Anyways, here are the nominated nations:

• Perseid Federation - nominated by the FSR, RuB, and the Rhustarim Hegemony
• Free State Republic - nominated by the Singers
• Huerdaen Star Empire - nominated by Red Talons
• United Star Commonwealth - self-nomination
• Serukta Sehkrisaal - nominated by the Uthanium, the Gata'ja, and the UM
• The United Dominion - nominated by the Sehkrisaal
• The Rhustarim Hegemony - nominated by the Omospondia (which will be in my next post)

Of course, there's the problem of which one's going to sit there, should a certain nation have more than one delegate, but we'll get to that.

Without trying to make this sound horribly self-serving, if we want to keep it as simple as possible, assuming this post is valid for the delegation seating, we could simply go with "the top six with the most nominations has a delegation seat (collective or individual, I don't think it'll really matter; using "steering committee seat" in a less literal sense) on the Steering Committee."

Of course, this brings up the question of single-nominations (of which there are several) and self-nominations. I believe the USC and Lubyak are self-noms (with the latter being a deferral to Perseid Federation, which would both likely and logically ensure the PF is on the SC given the nominations PF already has).

OPTION A: If we exclude self-nominations (or place them on lowest emphasis), this would mean the steering committee would constitute (listing alphabetical where nominations are equal):

1. Perseid Federation (3) — Treats Lubyak's vote for PF first.
2. Serukta Sehkrisaal (3)
3. Free State Republic (1)
4. Huerdae (1)
5. The Rhustarim Hegemony (1)
6. The United Dominion (1)

OPTION B: If we exclude reciprocal-only nomination (essentially, if a Party A and B both nominate one another, those nominations cancel one another out), but keep self-nominations as equal to 1-nomination (again listing alphabetical where nominations are equal):

1. Serukta Sehkrisaal (2) — I voted for the UD while the UD voted for me; those votes cancel.
2. Federal and Imperial Union of States (1?) — This is if we count Lubyak's nomination as a self-nomination; see below.
3. Free State Republic (1)
4. Huerdae (1)
5. Perseid Federation (1[+1?]) — This depends on how we count Lubyak's vote in this regime; Rhust nominated PF, PF nominated Rhust, meaning they cancel here; Lub voted for himself first, but also supported the PF. This reasonably presumes each delegation gets one nomination vote.
6. United Star Commonwealth (1)

OPTION C: If we exclude both reciprocal-only and self-nominations (again listing alphabetical where nominations are equal):

1. Perseid Federation (2) — Treats Lubyak's vote for PF first.
2. Serukta Sehkrisaal (2)
3. Free State Republic (1)
4. Huerdae (1)
5. ????
6. ????

OPTION D: That being said, we could simply go with all who got nominated, making a 7-member Steering Committee, giving the Perseid Federation what amounts to the tie-breaker.

Option B makes things somewhat complicated, but if we just assume Lubyak's is a self-nomination, it's somewhat simplified, but would mean who got on the SC, if they just got one vote and treated self-nominations as equal to those, would be entirely left-up to their alphabetical order (which brings in, "Do we use account name, or nation name?"); as I said: complicated. Option C leaves a big gaping hole where two seats would essentially need a run-off.

To me, Options A or D are the simplest and most straight-forward in my personal opinion; I have no real preference for which we go with, but do suggest we use one of those options in preference to B or C.

[Huerdae]

I see no reason to leave anyone out, since there was only one in excess nominated. This also allows us to continue at the pace of the thread's creator, allowing him tie-breaker rights.

[Federal Republic of Free States]

The idea of having a tie breaker vote sits well with me. Option D, is my preferred route that we travel in this thread.

[Serukta Sehkrisaal]

Based on IRC discussion, I'll formally concur with Huerdae and FRFS.

[Valinon]

Acknowledging my position as an observer and thus not holding an IC vote, I would like to endorse the tie-breaker system proposed in Option D. It seems perfectly reasonable that the six nominated members would form the steering committee while PF, in the role as the host, was allowed to hold the committee chair. It would not be a setup unprecedented in either NSFT or IRL diplomatic conferences. If there are concerns, I would think it would be possible to still include all seven with the caveat that the PF can only vote on procedural matters (if the committee has those) and can only cast a full vote in order to break a tie among the other members.

[The Vahkiran]

Well if we plan to cut short the votes before I get a chance to post, I'd have nominated Uthani, if that's anything.