View Topic

The Monarch's Fourth Ice Cream Social

Greetings to everyone running for Underhusen, everyone watching them, and everyone considering voting for them! I originally started this event because there hadn't been a steak fry for some time, and since then I've just kept doing it each election. And who wouldn't want to come to the Castle and enjoy some delicious ice cream, anyways?

This is an opportunity for candidate to talk about themselves, their ideas and opinions on the issues, and explain why they're running and why you should vote for them...while having unlimited amounts of free ice cream. So let's get this thing started!


1. First, introduce yourself, especially to voters that may not be familiar with you. Why are you running for Underhusen?

2. What's your favourite memory of Wintreath so far?

3. And your favourite part of Wintreath currently?

4. What one person from Wintreath's past or present would you most consider a role model for yourself, and why?

5. What do you believe you bring to the table as a potential member of the next Underhusen?

6. What do you believe is our region's biggest strength at the moment, and how would you capitalize on it?

7. What do you believe is our region's biggest weakness at the moment, and how would you fix it if you could?

8. Inactivity has continued to be an issue in the Underhusen. What are your thoughts on the activity of the outgoing Storting, and how will you remain active and on top of things if elected this term?

9. If you are elected, what's something you would be able to do from your position to build activity in the region, and especially on the forums?

10. Are there any other issues in the region you feel that the candidates running for election should address?

11. Finally, what is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

12. Oh yeah, we have a toppings bar now. What's your favourite ice cream topping?

1) Hello, my name is North. I'm standing for the UH to bring an active voice to government and to strengthen the ties between the OH and UH.

2) Christ, that's a tough one to answer, there has been so many. I've been kicking about here one way or another for about 4 years now. I would have to say that there is not one specific memory but just the general interactions between everyone over these last few years that I really love the most.

3) Currently? Between the weekly CAH games and the people I would have to say that the discord is my favourite right now.

4) Oh boy, that is also a tough one. I would have so many to choose from. If I'm honest, though, I would have to say that my eccentricities and personality are my own though, with having know so many fine people I might say that everyone, to some extent, has been a role model to me.

5) Experience and commitment, I would say.

6) It is, undoubtedly, the community and the environment that fosters that community. Maintaining the community, the people in Wintreath and the sense of...unity, for lack of a better term, we share is the best way to capitalize on our region. There is a reason why we still stand when so many others have fallen around us.

7) The biggest weakness? Well, to be honest.... a lack of something....new, something exciting. Something to catch our imaginations again. Maybe a new Werewolf game or a new game altogether, like the CAH mornings we have now, would address this problem.

8 ) I would not comment on the current Underhusen as it is not my place to cast stones or anything like that. I think the current UH are a fine group of fine people that have nothing but my utmost respect and admiration. As to my own conduct if I were to be elected to the UH, I can only promise that I would be active and reassure the people that my own record should speak kindly to that issue.

9) In all honesty, given the responsibilities of the Underhusen and its limitations, I'm not sure that there is anything the UH can do about that issue. Any attempt to combat inactivity would require responsibilities that the UH does not have. I do promise, however, to assist the Cabinet in anyway that they require in this noble goal.

10) Well, far be it from me to speak to how others should run their election efforts. All I have to say is good luck to all my fellow candidates and godspeed.

11) Oh, I like popsicles. Other that that, when it comes to ice cream I'm a boring old Vanilla man. One of the few areas in my life where that's true 

12) Oh, gummy bears, honestly. An overload of gummy, sugary goodness.

Thank you for your time, thanks as well to Wintermoot for organizing this wonderful event and I hope to earn your vote on election day!

Hello everyone! My name is Katie, 5-term Skrifa and Officer of Information, as well as this past term's Speaker Pro Tempore! I've been active in Wintreath since August of last year after serving as The South Pacific's Ambassador to Wintreath and working alongside Wintermoot and Chanku to better the situation in Lazarus.

I'm running for the Underhusen because I have an overwhelming dedication to this institution. I wouldn't be running again if I didn't! I have high hopes and immense faith that the Underhusen can be a force for betterment in Wintrean society, whether that be through preparing newer members of our community for higher government work (as it did for me), or lobbying our Cabinet to action through legislation. I have several bills in progress that can make real changes to the way Wintreath's culture operates (as well as some less-interesting Underhusen procedural amendments ).

My favorite memory of Wintreath so far is playing on our brand-new Tekkit server with members of our community such as Elbbsas, Chanku, and taulover. I love playing games with fellow Wintreans, including when I participated in the most recent Spyfall and Arena games, playing on our Vanilla Minecraft server, and contributing to our weekly Cards Against Humanity sessions. It's this that constitutes my favorite part of the Wintrean community. I think Wintreath has three main core segments to its culture: Roleplay, Relaxed Chatting, and Gaming, and it's Gaming that is one of my favorites.

My role model in Wintreath would have to be our monarch, Wintermoot. He's always been a calming, mediating presence. I've never seen him lose his cool, he is immensely dedicated to doing what is best for Wintreath, and does more behind-the-scenes work than I could ever do. He is kind and charming, and I aspire to be like him.

A realization that I've made in real-life recently, with my election to my college Student Government's Senate President Pro Tempore position, is that I have a rare appreciation for menial, secretarial tasks. I can spend hours simply rearranging files and records because I think it's fun. I can bring this to the Underhusen, especially if I am elected Speaker for this coming term! I have always been on top of legislation, motions, and pinging fellow Skrifa to remind them to do the same. This is also why I have been so good at the duties of Officer of Information these past five terms, with my continuous publication of The Underhusen Weekly Report.

Today, Wintreath's biggest strength is its community. In the past two months, I've seen a resurgence in community involvement at the cultural level, and I want to capitalize on that by bringing the UH to these people. In my capacity as Officer of Information (but also as Thane of Integration), I will post regular updates on Underhusen legislation to ensure that all citizens and noncitizens alike are aware of the happenings of our legislature.

Its biggest weakness, however, is our lack of civil activity. The Ambassador program that I've built is much better than it has ever been, but it still needs big improvement. I must find a way to give ambassadors something to do between releases of the Orendi. Additionally, recruitment is at very low levels, and I hope to work with the Cabinet to increase recruiting efforts to people beyond just the Monarch.

However, there's also a weakness in government activity, especially in the Underhusen. I admit that I don't think the UH should be extraordinarily active, as a good legislature shouldn't have to be continuously active. However, this past term was not excusable in my opinion. Motions sat on the floor unseconded for over a month in some cases, and so very little was accomplished in the 33rd term. I am partially to blame, as throughout the month of April I was swamped with studying for final exams, but even afterward I felt no desire to introduce legislation, for the other Skrifa were too inactive to justify the effort. It would have taken too long.

This coming term I will make it a point to notify every Skrifa of motions, new legislation, and votes on the floor. Additionally, as was mentioned in another Skrifa's campaign, communication between the Overhusen and Underhusen could use some improvement. This is why I also aim to continue notifying them through my Citizen's Platform posts, but also over Discord if possible.

One issue that I think no other candidates are addressing is that of our foreign isolationism. Sure, we've seen an uptick in new embassies in the past five months, but these embassies require minimal effort on either end. I feel that we should be pursuing full treaties with neutral regions to increase our accountability to allies. It takes minimal effort to establish an embassy, but more effort to uphold a treaty. Treaties can also increase the flow of people and culture between regions.

To finish this off, my favorite flavor of ice cream is Vanilla with Rainbow Sprinkles!

I feel that we should be pursuing full treaties with neutral regions to increase our accountability to allies. It takes minimal effort to establish an embassy, but more effort to uphold a treaty. Treaties can also increase the flow of people and culture between regions.

Wouldn't this be more under the purview of FA, other than the ratification step? Or are you speaking here in terms of your Thaneship as well?

I feel that we should be pursuing full treaties with neutral regions to increase our accountability to allies. It takes minimal effort to establish an embassy, but more effort to uphold a treaty. Treaties can also increase the flow of people and culture between regions.

Wouldn't this be more under the purview of FA, other than the ratification step? Or are you speaking here in terms of your Thaneship as well?

Both. I included it here because it is something the Underhusen should be aware of. In order to effectively vote on treaties, we have to understand them and have a part in them.

A realization that I've made in real-life recently, with my election to my college Student Government's Senate President Pro Tempore position, is that I have a rare appreciation for menial, secretarial tasks. I can spend hours simply rearranging files and records because I think it's fun. I can bring this to the Underhusen, especially if I am elected Speaker for this coming term! I have always been on top of legislation, motions, and pinging fellow Skrifa to remind them to do the same. This is also why I have been so good at the duties of Officer of Information these past five terms, with my continuous publication of The Underhusen Weekly Report.

This is a trait that we share. There's a certain satisfaction in bringing order to chaos, even if it's in an area that most other people aren't going to care about. In fact, there's been times in Wintreath I've had to hold myself back because I realized I was organizing things that nobody really cared about.

One issue that I think no other candidates are addressing is that of our foreign isolationism. Sure, we've seen an uptick in new embassies in the past five months, but these embassies require minimal effort on either end. I feel that we should be pursuing full treaties with neutral regions to increase our accountability to allies. It takes minimal effort to establish an embassy, but more effort to uphold a treaty. Treaties can also increase the flow of people and culture between regions.

Personally, I'm of the opposite thought when it comes to treaties...effective treaties symbolize the flow of people and culture that's already going on, they don't create that flow by themselves. I think we've entered into a lot of ultimately inactive treaties because we didn't realize that early on...we had/have treaties with some regions because that's what their leaders at the time wanted, but once those leaders were gone, the treaties and the whole idea of having a closer relationship went inactive. There has to be a community desire to engage more with another region before any but the most superficial treaties makes sense, in my opinion.

1.First, introduce yourself, especially to voters that may not be familiar with you. Why are you running for Underhusen?
Hi, I'm Elbbsas. I'm currently active on Wintreath's Discord, but I've put a lot of writing in The Halls Of Art And Writing in the past.

I'm running for Underhusen so there are more people running. Nobody ever wants to win by default, right? Unless there's a prize involved. If there's an actual prize, rather than a responsibility, winning by default would be nice. But there isn't a prize here. So, no, let's not win by default. Please.


2. What's your favourite memory of Wintreath so far?
That's a hard question to answer. I'll go with the first year I was properly involved in the anti-zombie charge. I ended up staying awake all night, but it was a rush. It was my first time taking a leader-ish role, too, including in real life.


3. And your favourite part of Wintreath currently?
Just the casual chatter we get up to on Discord. It's a dumb thing to enjoy, but I haven't been doing anything hyper-exciting lately.


4. What one person from Wintreath's past or present would you most consider a role model for yourself, and why?
That's an easy one -- Tau. I always get a shock when I realize he's younger than me. He has a good head on his shoulders and I honestly admire his persistence in getting things done.


5. What do you believe you bring to the table as a potential member of the next Underhusen?
I don't bring much of anything to any table. I could make some muffins to a picnic table, but they'd have to have chocolate in them else I'd riot. Humour and an extra eye looking out for errors is what I'd bring, and that's about it.


6. What do you believe is our region's biggest strength at the moment, and how would you capitalize on it?
Wintreath is an incredibly accepting place. It's a cozy place to come back to, and like I mentioned before, Wintreath being a place to just chat with others is one reason why I love it so much.

Now, to capitalize on it... I know that the Discord page is mentioned in our pitch for new nations, but I suppose the way to capitalize on it would be to Capitalize what great conversationalists we are.


7. What do you believe is our region's biggest weakness at the moment, and how would you fix it if you could?
It's not really something that's recent. But I think that's because there's been no reason for it to happen, not that the community has grown past it.

Something I've noticed is how quick Wintreath as a whole pounces when there's a hint of duplicity. Whenever someone lies to the community (or people think there is a lie), we as a community hit hard and fast and if that person survives the hit, the community is slow to forgive. It happened with Mathy's likes. It happened whenever someone's posted a picture of themselves and, surprise, it was from Pinterest. It's guaranteed to happen in the future.

I don't know how to fix it. Maybe it happens because individuals have been burnt in the past? I don't know. But I don't think I can do much about it. All I can do is hope like heck people wanting to join the community never lie to the community. In all else, we're a welcoming community, but lying is the one and only way to get an immediate cold shoulder.


8. Inactivity has continued to be an issue in the Underhusen. What are your thoughts on the activity of the outgoing Storting, and how will you remain active and on top of things if elected this term?
If I'm honest, I'm more likely to be the victim of inactivity rather than someone solving it. So speaking as someone bad at activity, the best way to get me back on track is to give me a reminder, which members of the Underhusen have been doing. I think a mention on the Forums would be better because my email notifications are turned on.

Actually, here's a thought. Some people turn off email notifications, so, why not figure out who has them turned on? Who has their Discord muted often? Figure out what methods would be most reliable, rather than doing everything all at once. That's an idea that might not work well in practice, but it's a thought.


9. If you are elected, what's something you would be able to do from your position to build activity in the region, and especially on the forums?
Something I've mentioned on and off are running short writing competitions. I don't think I (or anyone else) currently have the time for it, but I know there are enough writers in the community to contribute, and there used to be a "writing theme" before I joined Wintreath. It's something to think about in the future.


10. Are there any other issues in the region you feel that the candidates running for election should address?
I can't think of any more at this moment. I might have more ideas in a future election.


11. Finally, what is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
Raspberry ripple!


12. Oh yeah, we have a toppings bar now. What's your favourite ice cream topping?
Rainbow belt rainbow belt rainbow belt!!

1. First, introduce yourself, especially to voters that may not be familiar with you. Why are you running for Underhusen?

Hi there! My name is Gabrielle, but if you'd like, you can call me Ellie. IRL, I graduated from university this month with my degree in Anthropology. I majored in anthropology because I love analyzing human behavior and culture, and I would love to bring this love of culture to the Underhusen. I love helping people and giving advice when I can, so I'd like to think my empathic nature being part of the UH would be helpful in at least some way.

2. What's your favourite memory of Wintreath so far?

All of the support I've received when going through difficult times with my anxiety. Any time I have vented in the Discord chat, someone has been there to pick me back up and help me, and all of those efforts do not go unappreciated. I appreciate all that fellow Wintreans have done to help me in times of need, and I hope to do the same for them as a leader in the community.

3. And your favourite part of Wintreath currently?

Hanging out with people in Discord and getting to know fellow Wintreans.

4. What one person from Wintreath's past or present would you most consider a role model for yourself, and why?

This may seem obvious, but I'd have to say my irl girlfriend, Katie. Meeting her last year in our school's SG literally changed my entire life. Neither of us knew it on the day we met last July, but we're soul mates and she's my twin flame. I'm so damned thankful everyday for her. I love her each day more than I did the day before, but not as much as I will tomorrow. I look forward to forever with her, the most beautiful woman I could've ever imagined (beautiful inside & out) <3

(If you haven't already noticed, I'm a huge mush-ball. Sorry not sorry lol)

5. What do you believe you bring to the table as a potential member of the next Underhusen?

I bring an empathic heart and a listening ear. I am very tuned into people's feelings and have a knack for solving problems. I have very high emotional intelligence and think that would be a good asset to the UH in times of conflict.

6. What do you believe is our region's biggest strength at the moment, and how would you capitalize on it?

The warmth towards new members. Everyone who has joined Wintreath in my time here so far has been welcomed with open arms and treated as one of the bunch. I have not seen any sort of 'gatekeeping' or cliquey behavior, at least that I can see. We could reach out to other regions and try to make more friends, perhaps hosting games on our Discord that we purposefully invite other regions to.

7. What do you believe is our region's biggest weakness at the moment, and how would you fix it if you could?

Inactivity. I think many people were busy with school this past spring, myself included. I must admit that I was not as active as I'd like to have been. Now that it's summer and things are a little calmer for some, I think the problem with sort itself out naturally. If not, perhaps we could plan more games that are more inclusive to people's schedules.

8. Inactivity has continued to be an issue in the Underhusen. What are your thoughts on the activity of the outgoing Storting, and how will you remain active and on top of things if elected this term?

Sure, the inactivity has not been good. It makes this place feel dead and not like a place where people want to hang out. Perhaps, if elected to the UH, I could make a daily or 3-times-a-week prompt on the forums that we would all have the opportunity to answer. These prompts could consist of fun topics that would get everyone posting and talking. Consistency may be key here -- if prompts are posted consistently, people may be more willing to make it part of their daily/weekly routine.

9. If you are elected, what's something you would be able to do from your position to build activity in the region, and especially on the forums?

The CAH games have been (when I could make it!) very fun. In order to build upon our region's accepting nature, perhaps we could host a monthly or weekly CAH game in which we invite other region's members to. Sort of like a relationship-building activity to create more interactions among regions.

10. Are there any other issues in the region you feel that the candidates running for election should address?

Not at the moment.

11. Finally, what is your favourite flavour of ice cream?

Mint chocolate chip!

12. Oh yeah, we have a toppings bar now. What's your favourite ice cream topping?

Rainbow sprinkles!

1. First, introduce yourself, especially to voters that may not be familiar with you. Why are you running for Underhusen?
I'm running for Underhusen partially because I always have, and because I have things I want to do, namely Judicial Reform.

2. What's your favourite memory of Wintreath so far?
Oh gosh, this is hard, especially since I've been here for five years. I guess it would have to have been all the support I got after coming out to the community.

3. And your favourite part of Wintreath currently?
Well, it would have to be how open and accepting we are, after all if we weren't I wouldn't be here right now.

4. What one person from Wintreath's past or present would you most consider a role model for yourself, and why?
Honestly, Wintermoot. Wintermoot has long been my role model in Wintreath. He rarely looses his head, and even if he does anger he is usually calm and collected about it.

5. What do you believe you bring to the table as a potential member of the next Underhusen?
I have the most experience and knowledge of our laws, in addition to having written the most and have had the most laws passed of anyone by a great margin.

6. What do you believe is our region's biggest strength at the moment, and how would you capitalize on it?
Our community, I honestly thing that's the region's biggest strength. As to capitalizing on it, I say we have done pretty well, just need to show our community off a bit more in my opinion.

7. What do you believe is our region's biggest weakness at the moment, and how would you fix it if you could?
I honestly think we have one big weakness, our regional culture. While our regional culture is great, it has one major flaw, a lot of people don't have interest in joining the government or doing much work within the region. This is great and all, but also means the government slows down at times (if it doesn't stop all together), and also makes things harder to do. Additionally it also increases bus factor a lot, meaning that it becomes hard to find new blood to take the ranks of the older members, meaning stagnation occurs.

As to how I would fix it, I am unsure. Perhaps incentivize and try and push the community towards more activity.

8. Inactivity has continued to be an issue in the Underhusen. What are your thoughts on the activity of the outgoing Storting, and how will you remain active and on top of things if elected this term?
For the most part it was atrocious. As to how I will remain active and on-top of things, I'll generally do the same thing I did this past session as Speaker, making sure that I keep an eye on the forums and the discord. Unfortunately this past session was kind-of hard to get things actually done when the majority of Skrifa don't do much.

9. If you are elected, what's something you would be able to do from your position to build activity in the region, and especially on the forums?
I would introduce bills, which is what I usually do.

10. Are there any other issues in the region you feel that the candidates running for election should address?
There are a few potential issues that could be addressed, but most of them are outside the powers and necessity of the Underhusen.

11. Finally, what is your favourite flavour of ice cream?
Moose Tracks

12. Oh yeah, we have a toppings bar now. What's your favourite ice cream topping?
Sprinkles.