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Good evening, Voidtreckers. I'd like to announce a council meeting in three days. It's overdue and I believe we have a number of items to discuss.

Please council members take some time over the next few days to come up with and notify me of topics we need to discuss so I can prepare an agenda. If anyone who is not a council member feels strongly about a certain topic we should consider, either tell me or seek out a council member so they may relay the information.

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Hello,

Pardon me for interrupting, but I have some questions.

I just joined when the elections were held and honestly did not know many of those nominated. I still don't know several, yourself included, aside from a brief chat when I turned in my questionnaire.

Why are the Team Leaders not considered part of the council?
How often are elections held?
Is there a recourse if a council member is found to be lacking--or more likely, what is the replacement policy if one leaves the Train?
What are these rules that the council will be creating and enforcing? If someone doesn't agree to abide by the Council's rules, do we have a fair way of dealing with them? Not everyone comes from a World where this is a thing. I do, I served on Elrond's council for over 3000 years, but some seem more anarchical or have severe phobias to authority. Decisions on how to deal with our fellow VoidTrekkers with those issues definitely need to be transparent.
Will some things be brought to the greater group for voting or will it all be decided on by the Council?

Regarding the Team Leads, you say they are selected by their team. When does this happen?

Forgive me for so many questions. Thank you for your time.

I'd rather you ask than make wrong assumptions. So ask away.

Unfortunately with the constant influx of passengers who keep arriving every two weeks, it didn't matter when we held the elections. At some point there would be a group who had just arrived and didn't know the train well enough to make the most informed decisions. It had been about six months since our first election and our numbers had increased dramatically so it was time regardless.

The reason the Team Leaders are not part of the council is because they serve a very different role. You can have a man who is a great leader in battle or crisis situations who isn't great at politics and vise versa. It's a different skill set.

There are some who are great at both, which is why there are some cross overs. Also, they're selected differently. The council, had a much more formal selection process and it was train-wide. For these people, it doesn't matter how many are from the same team. As you can tell Orange is more represented and that's alright. If they're good leaders, they're good leaders.

For the Team Leaders, these were originally selected by the team because of how small the teams were. When the leadership was arranged last time we had at most twenty people on board and a number of those were children. It was fairly obvious who among each team was a good fit for the role of leader. However, times have changed. Ask for a reconsideration of leadership among your team if you'd like. Dread, Sarai, and Luke will be supportive of this among the purple team. They're good people who, like the rest of us, are doing their best given the tools we have.

As things have changed so much from our first election, we are in need of setting up systems to answer the majority of the rest of your questions. When there were only twenty of us, it was decided that we didn't need set rules and we would figure out what to do if something happened when it occurred. This doesn't make sense any longer so we certainly will need to come up with a plan now.

I've noticed there are some who have issues with authority. It's in part why we're using a republic system government. It's the most 'people-friendly' style of government where I'm from. We want to make the decisions and workings of the council transparent. We're going to provide transcripts of everything said during the meeting and, as it stands now, I'm going to be working on how to get the whole meeting on the ICP so everyone can see it.

Originally I was concerned an open meeting might discourage the new members- we have some young individuals who are taking on the mantel of leadership for the first time. You could understand how intimidating that might be at the very beginning, can't you? However, it seems I'm being overruled on this, which is fine. That's the whole point of this government.

Decisions like whether we'll conduct another survey or election for other topics will be decided as it comes up. You can trust we will take that seriously. Just keep in mind everyone on the council are representatives that were voted in because a hundred individuals trusted them to make decisions for them. Not everyone chose to vote but everyone was given the same opportunity to do so. We're twelve people who want to make this place run smoothly and keep everyone safe.

Have I answered all your questions?

I completely understand. Dealing with a constant influx and outflux of people is something we had to cope with in Imladris, as well. Having a solid core of leadership is important. As long as the people's voices are heard, of course.

I was thinking of the Team Leaders more as an advisory role, since they have their fingers more on the day to day needs of their team. They could bring specific trends to the Council's attention, that might otherwise get overlooked. But it was just a thought.

I have no issues with the leaders, I was just curious and now seemed like a good time to ask. Thank you.

If I might suggest, perhaps having an Ombudsman or someone who people can go to go bring up anonymous issues, or if someone has an issue with the Council themselves? They would not be part of the Council themselves, but if they feel that something is a valid concern or something several have brought up, they would bring it to the Council for attention.

Also, having a Secretary whose duties are to create an agenda. It is fine if people go to an individual Council member to bring up something that needs to be addressed, but some may not know any of the Council Members yet or feel shy and not want to bother them. But if there is someone whose duties are exactly that, it might help. Again, just a thought.

I understand there is a delicate balance between wanting to encourage the new Council members and let them get comfortable in their roles, and making sure that the people they are representing feel comfortable with the leadership of the Council. Unfortunately closed meetings are, as you've discovered, not the way to do that. Limiting the discussion or comments from non-council members during the meeting might help. Perhaps have a separate place where comments can be submitted by those watching, and if any are important, address them during the new business section?

I do see this is something you take seriously. I look forward to seeing what the Council will do for us.

[He nods as he listens, particularly at the new thought on the Team Leaders.]

That is a good idea. Let me take that to the council and I'll get back to you. If you have any more thoughts like that, find me.

With the Ombudsman or advocate, if you will, are you suggesting this should be someone different than the team leaders too? We could certainly put out a suggestion box that gets reviewed at every meeting.

I don't see the point in having someone outside of the council determining our agenda. I'm making the agenda for the meeting.

[He nods again.]

Yes, it's fine. I'll find a way to mitigate disruption while also having time for non-council member concerns and questions.

Thank you.

[Glorfindel appreciates that Tony is willing to listen.]

I only have experience on my own world, of course, and it may not be feasible here. But on our Elven councils or in some of the more egalitarian kingdoms, there was a person who was not in a position of power, but who had access to those who were, who was not in the pay of any of them either, whose job it was to...well, to be perfectly blunt, to keep us honest. They operate outside of the councils, but have the ear of the council, and if someone say, had an issue with you, and therefore did not want to come to you directly, they could go to this non-biased third party to say, "hey, there is an issue." The Ombudsman would check the facts and if they felt there was justification, they would then take that to the board.

I know that there is a rule about being able to face your accuser, but in this case, once the Ombudsman did their investigation and determined there was cause, they would in effect be the accuser, unless the other person was willing to come forward. If the Ombudsman looks and there is no just cause, then they would act as a counsel and advisor for the accuser and help them see the truth. It is a complicated job, and not for everyone. We may not be at the stage we need such a person, either. By all means, let us try the suggestion box for now.

The secretary would not be a third party. They would be one of the other Councillors. If you are the moderator, surely you are too busy to do that AND keep the agenda! [President, secretary, and Treasurer are required by law to be three different people for a reason, lol]

I look forward to it.

[This could be what was needed here, especially recently with all the animosity between Edge and himself. Glorfindel can see him pause and jot a note down on something in front of him.]

Are you angling for such a role?

[Might as well know all the cards on the table, right? He raised an eyebrow at the description of his own duties.]

I think you misunderstand my position. My job as moderator is to make the agenda, greet them and give a general introduction, and bake the cookies. I'd also be responsible for keeping others in line if they get disruptive, but I see my role as more of host of the council than having additional power to the rest.

Edited 2020-05-31 04:50 (UTC)

Angling? No, but if such a role is needed, I might volunteer. Helping others is sort of the entire reason for my rebirth after my first death, after all.

[He's pretty sure there are others better suited on the train, but it depends on who volunteers and who is chosen, right?]

Ah, I see. That is a bit different. Others describe you as the Train Leader, so I was influenced by that. I apologize for jumping to a conclusion.

What kind of cookies?

I'll bring this idea up as well. Don't be surprised if we come find you later about it.

[That threw Tony off guard and he gave the man a sheepish smile.]

Ah.. I was meaning strictly with the council. I wear many hats on board and that is one of them. I'm a control freak who likes having his hands in the details. My fiance is often faulting me for taking on too much as well. Believe it or not, I'm active in less now than I used to be.

Maple and bacon cookies. Don't tell, but the council are going to be my guinea pigs for the recipe. I may see if Ignis will make some crostini too in case the cookies don't turn out right.

I will be at your service. It's not like I'm going anywhere, right? [The last bit was said in a dry, droll voice.]

I understand there are more people to help shoulder the burdens now. [Definitely smiling on this.]

I am intrigued. If the pass the beta test, please keep me in mind! I have a bit of a sweet tooth.

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