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So, I went with the whole properly typed up, properly edited post containing everything I was hoping to stand for and whatnot last time round and got a grand total of either zero or two responses, I can't quite remember.

This time round, instead of going on about all the things I've done and all the things I hope to do, I thought instead I'd say that I'm standing not based on a platform of my own ideas and policies but rather based on what you guys want to happen.

The Storting reform seems to have now seemigly ground to a halt, and much as my fellow candidate North said this indicated an interest in the Open Assembly proposals but a somewhat lacking drive for people to truly get involved in politics. Whilst I am still in favour of an amended and updated version of the OA, it now appears that perhaps it wouldn't be the best way going forward. What would people want from me as a Skifra on this matter?

Honestly, I'm a bit bored of writing out a personal statement, so I'll just open the floor to questions and retire with the humble adage that I exist to serve the will of this region, much as I ever have done Best of luck to all those running, and may we fill all seven seats with intelligent and dedicated minds!

You are too good for your own good (or not really, if you embrace it). People know who you are, they seem to have high respect for you by default and main focus last time was in the Storting Reformation debate, where you pretty much excelled as far as contributing goes.

Also, keeping things short can definitely help.

This time round, instead of going on about all the things I've done and all the things I hope to do, I thought instead I'd say that I'm standing not based on a platform of my own ideas and policies but rather based on what you guys want to happen.

This is always such a boring thing for a candidate to say, I'm disappointed even. I do admit that our current campaigning system is a little blundering, which is why we need to find new ways to give the candidates chances to showcase what they have to offer.

Here's a question nonetheless: Seeing how widely the votes split in the recent amendment vote, how exactly are you expecting to stand for what so divided public wants?

It's a boring thing to say, sure, but it got a response. When I ran for the run-off election that Lau won, I had a post twice as long if not thrice the length of the OP of this thread and no one bothered to reply. What's the point in spending time laying out your principles when the last time you did so people weren't interested?

In addition, I'm not saying I don't have my own principles and policies I want to enact, simply that I'm going to put more priority on listening to what the community wants than I am pushing policy X that I support. After all, I'm here to represent, not to rule.

If it comes to it, I'll simply quote my last platform - not much has changed. You're also right that we need to find some way for all candidates to put across their views and what they stand for without feeling too much like they're making a "Buy me!" advertisement, haha. Something to work on for this term?

As for your question, the poll I ran indicated that there was still a majority (not a supermajority, but we can work on that) in favour of either the current (failed) Amendment or its revised version, whatever that might be. Convincing those who are at the moment hesitant won't be too difficult, and there'll always be some who're opposed to the idea on principle. The best we can do is work with everyone in the community to find out what everyone wants, and find the best possible solution therein.

Compromise is important in a community-driven forum/online group, and we've got quite an active if still not huge member base. I'm confident that between the skills I and my fellow candidates possess, we'll be able to work out something that a supermajority will approve Simply writing up the suggestions in that thread into the Act will give us... 60% support? Around there. Easily doable.


EDIT: I'll put a proper platform up in a while, Tatte is right - I should put more effort into this, I just thought that it'd get the same response as all the other times I put effort in, you know?

Honestly, I know the struggle. Even though I ended up winning, no one really commented on my campaign either. Obviously it couldn't have been because everyone agreed, as your and Pengu's campaigns centred around the OA proposal too, and we all saw how that played out. I don't even know how to start fixing it.

Perhaps we're just the most active in debates, and that ends up driving people to vote us in, even though they don't necessarily agree with us.

One of our elections biggest issues certainly is that people vote for people they feel comfortable voting for, regardless of the campaign efforts. "Oh, I know and like him/her, I'll vote for him/her!" Fixing this issue is behind many corners.

This is why we need more structure for the elections, firstly we need to make the elections more meaningful and thanks to that, by definition more involved with actual issues that could be solved (or that at least divide the voting populace).

If our bicameral system is to survive, it needs to carry more than it's own weight.

I'm definitely in agreement, Tatte - if we do end up keeping our bicameral legislative we need to set up some kind of template for elections to allow people freedom to express their platforms without feeling like they're wasting time typing out long messages. I imagine something along the lines of a single thread, containing spoilered platforms for every candidate standing might work? The thread run in the run-off election asking candidates to answer a set of questions really appealed to me, so maybe incorporating the two ideas into one thread could work too?

Lau - yeah, I think it's important to be active in the debates held during election and afterwards. Not only is it a measure of activity but it allows people to get a feel for you and what you stand for in more ways than just what you SAY you stand for. As it's often said, actions speak louder than words, and although we're part of a community based on a forum where the only real means of communication is words, what you say is just as important as how often you say it, I find.

Here's some stuff:

I've always been concerned with the mood and opinions of the majority of our citizenry. I'm not one for taking sides in disputes, but I am one to lend a listening ear when people need to vent or just talk about whatever. I like to try and understand, to put my finger on the beating pulse of the region and do my best to take that understanding and meld it into legislation that does not only what it needs to do, but what people want it to do.

Beyond all of this, however, I'm just a guy who wants to do what he can to help. A lot of you know and trust me, and for that I say thank you, for I certainly haven't earned even half of the recognition I get here. But what it does, and what it continues to do, is drive me on to achieve even greater things for the region. Let me tell you, receiving the Wintreath Commendation and Paragonhood both have done much to remind me of all the region has done for me, of how the work I've done has been recognised. That's such a great feeling, to be rightfully recognised for the hard work you put into something, and it's my hope that in the future we'll be able to similarly reward many more of our members for their outstanding contributions to making Wintreath a wonderful, open and accepting place to settle.

For that to happen, however, we - right now, all of us and from this moment onwards - need to make sure that we are all giving the region our best, because it deserves nothing less from us after everything it has given us: a place to chill out and be ourselves, a place to argue and debate with the best of them and come away from it arm in arm laughing about our differences rather than hating one another for them, a place that says with a warm smile, "Come, make yourself at home."

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope to see you participate in the upcoming special elections regardless of how you decide to vote If you have any questions you'd like me to answer, or issues you'd like to hear my thoughts on before you make up your mind on which way to vote, please just drop a line in this thread and I'll get back to you and hopefully put any fears to rest!

One of the things I've often thought about in the region, stemming back to the discussions Mootles and I had way back when about introducing Titles without land grants or any real anything save for recognition, is that we could benefit from cultural recognition awards, legislative recognition awards and executive recognition awards.

So far, we have the Commendation - although I feel that should remain one of the highest accolades our legislative can give - and Paragonship, which seems to be reserved for those no longer with us (myself excepted). I believe I'm correct in saying that the Underhusen can award Knighthoods, earning the recipient the right to call themselves 'Sir X of Wintreath', but I think it might be worth investigating other titles that can be awarded by the Jarls and Thanes of a certain area to recognise commendable effort put in by a specific individual in that area.

Thoughts on this?

I'll finish with what I said in my platform for the run-off elections:

The other reason I'm standing is a pretty simple one. Ever since joining Wintreath (my current and only region, likely for as long as I'm involved in NS and its related communities) I've greatly enjoyed my time here - we have a combination of crazy and normal, hilarious and by-the-book, over the top and reserved that makes for a varied and exciting community to be a part of. I've been here quite a while - my absences notwithstanding - and in that time everything I've seen has made me love what we have here. In the past I've served both as rank-and-file member and administrator of various other groups, some for five years or more, yet I feel a sense of kinship here which allows me to relax and be myself.

In the interests of extending that opportunity to as many people as possible, I've always been driven to give back to the community as much as I possibly can - be it maps, be it role-plays, be it chatting with everyone on the IRC or getting involved in the forums. In my previous stints as Skifra, a while back now, I nigh-singlehandedly legislated the foundation for our current court system and our Code of Criminal Laws. Along the way, I played a part in drafting and passing some of the most influential and far-reaching Acts that still define Wintreath as it is today.

My humblest wish, now as it always has been, is to give something back to this wonderful community. I might have been a figure of near mythical proportions to some (and let me tell you, that still comes as a shock to me even now), but to me I've always been just another citizen going around and making the most of the opportunities Wintreath has given me. In return, it's the least I can do to try and leave a positive mark on our wonderful region, and in some admittedly small way shape it for the better.

One of the things I've often thought about in the region, stemming back to the discussions Mootles and I had way back when about introducing Titles without land grants or any real anything save for recognition, is that we could benefit from cultural recognition awards, legislative recognition awards and executive recognition awards.

So far, we have the Commendation - although I feel that should remain one of the highest accolades our legislative can give - and Paragonship, which seems to be reserved for those no longer with us (myself excepted). I believe I'm correct in saying that the Underhusen can award Knighthoods, earning the recipient the right to call themselves 'Sir X of Wintreath', but I think it might be worth investigating other titles that can be awarded by the Jarls and Thanes of a certain area to recognise commendable effort put in by a specific individual in that area.

With the word "awards" flying around so much, the first thing that came to my mind was a big gala style (Oscar etc) event where people receive recognition in various areas.

But yeah, I think this is a solid idea worth looking into.

But yeah, I think this is a solid idea worth looking into.

I'll dredge something up that can be found here:

Royal Titles
Monarch - His/Her Most Royal Majesty, {name} of Wintreath
This is the ruler and executive of Wintreath, as defined within the Fundamental Laws.

Queen/Prince Consort - His/Her Excellence, {name} of Wintreath
The wife or husband of the Monarch. This role has no real authority and is mostly a roleplay role.

Crown Prince/Princess - His/Her Royal Highness, {name} of Wintreath
A person within the royal family who has been named as regent and/or heir presumptive to the throne, regardless of their exact relation to the Monarch.

Prince/Princess - His/Her Highness, {name} of Wintreath
Children of the Monarch. This role has no real authority and is mostly for roleplay.

The Nobility
Archduke/Archduchess - Highlord {name}, Archduke of Wintreath
Someone who has been named as regent and/or heir presumptive from outside the royal family. Wintreath isn't necessarily subject to traditional lines of succession, and regents and successors can be named from outside the royal family even if it has children who would inherit the throne under the traditional system. The title of Archduke would normally come with a forum area for his or her noble family.

Duke/Duchess - Lord {name}, Duke of {vassal territory}
The highest title one can achieve without being named regent or heir presumptive, this title would be rewarded for only the highest levels of service, contribution, and loyalty. It would come with the "land grant" of a vassal region which has been founded as a territory of Wintreath if there are any such regions available, as well as a forum area for his or her noble family in the name of the city the family would be based. The Duke would have the right to assume the position of Delegate of the vassal region or have any regional controls changed through its founder.

Count/Countess - Lord {name}, Count of {town or city}
This title would be rewarded for outstanding and continuous service to the region over a period of time, and would come with a forum area for his or her noble family in the name of the city or town the family would be based in.

Knight - Sir {name} of Wintreath
The lowest noble title, it would be rewarded for particular instances of great contribution or loyalty to the region. It would come with no perks other than the title, and being named a knight would not make their family a noble family as it would be an individual honour.

As you can see, Knight is the one I'm mostly referring to in the previous post and IIRC there was some discussion of adding Ministry-specific titles to be awarded to those who did specific services or had long term commitment to that Ministry.

E; Found it - my additions to the Titled Gentry:

Titled Gentry
Knight - Sir {name} of Wintreath
Rewarded for particular instances of great contribution or loyalty to the region. It would come with no perks other than the title, and being named a knight would not make their family a noble family as it would be an individual honour.

Academe - Learned {name} of Wintreath
Rewarded for cultural contributions to the region, and comes with no perks other than the title. The benefit of this title is that in publications to other regions, your name is signed "Learned X". This does not signify noble status as it is an individual honour.

Legate - Sir {Name} of Wintreath, Legate of {town or city}
Rewarded for contributions or great loyalty to the region. It would come with no perks other than the title and does not make a family a noble family. It merely recognises a contribution and 'elevates' that member to head of a town or city's defensive force IC.

These all work for OOC/IRL regional recognition of achievement, commitment or service, but now that the House RP is looming ever nearer I think we could perhaps start talking about IC titles as well. Thoughts for another time.

Moving on from that, and as part of my focus on enhancing the cultural aspects of Wintreath, I think there's some potential in Mootles original ideas for the Nobility vis a vis forum areas for elevated Families etc. Not only would that allow easy in-House discussion for the Houses RP but provides a great way of boosting activity in Houses. Having somewhere to call your own makes it more than just an assumed last name, in my opinion.

Still, lots of kinks to work out in this before I'd put it up for voting, but feedback is as always greatly appreciated

Why should people vote for you? 

Would you be patient and willing to listen and hear EVERYONE, @Weissreich ?

Edit/ I actually made next to no sense. I'll revisit my response to the award/title system later.

Why should people vote for you? 

Would you be patient and willing to listen and hear EVERYONE, @Weissreich ?

I never answer the question why should someone do something because honestly the only thing I can do is provide information and allow them to make their decision based off their knowledge. I like to think I'm relatively active again, involved in the region, have a firm grasp of our legislature and how to implement it, a solid grounding in terms of political knowledge, easy to get along with, a capable debater and usually maintain a level headed approach.

Of course, I'd hardly be a particularly effective representative if I didn't listen to everyone, would I?

Greetings Weissreich, and welcome to the campaign! I'm still trying to determine who to vote for, so I have some questions for you.

I think it goes without saying that you have the talent and ability to take on just about any role in the region, so long as you have the time. There have been various points where you've become busier with work and couldn't be active anymore, and the last time you literally just disappeared for a few months. If elected, will you be able to make the time commitment to the Underhusen? In the event that you suddenly become too busy to be involved in the UH, will you pledge that you will announce as much?

Hey Mootles! On my phone and rather late so please forgive the somewhat short reply...

I'm aware that in the past my activity has been a little haphazard, but I think that reflects the fact that the last few years have been a period of some change in my life. I got a new job, moved away from home and lost a family member pretty much one after the other. Nowadays, things have calmed down and I'm far more secure at work and far better at balancing both sides of my life. Oh, there'll no doubt still be times when I have a boatload of work to do, but now I'm certain that I'll be able to manage it, and if not I'll certainly be able to give notice and only be gone for a few days at most

I hope this assuages some of your fears! I'm looking forward to seeing the outcome of the election.

Thanks for your answers...if you are confident that you'll have the time, then I believe you.

Choose your answer:

A) She sells seashells down by the the seashore.
B) He hears howling hounds howl in Hannah's house.