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People’s Forum Proposal Version 1
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Purpose
- The People’s Forum serves both as a public check on the power of the Steward and Council, and as a platform for the citizens of the Spire to voice their issues and ideas.
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Structure
- Tribune: The Forum is led by the People’s Tribune. The Tribune is elected by a vote of the citizenry every [2 months] or upon the resignation, removal, or death of the sitting Tribune. The role of the Tribune is to lead the public meetings, to organize the petitions and proposals of the citizenry, and to voice the will of the Forum to the voting Council of the spire.
- Members: The members of the Forum are not citizens directly, but groups of citizens with a minimum of 5 citizens and a stated purpose. Further information is listed in section III below.
- Representatives: A representative is an individual that represents either a temporary or permanent Member of the Forum. The Member organizations may choose freely who their Representative may be, and may change it freely, though the identity of the Representative must be clearly stated to the Tribune, the other Members, and the Citizenry.
- Citizen/Citizenry: The Citizens of the Spire, also referred to as the public, or the Spirefolk. A Citizen is any mortal and sentient individual that resides primarily within the Spire. Citizens over the age of 12 are eligible to vote in public elections, and Citizens over the age of 16 may serve as Representatives or as Tribune.
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Membership
- Permanent Membership: Permanent membership, also known as a ‘Seat’ in the Forum is granted to any group, guild, faction, or other gathering of citizens that presents a name, a legal and continuing purpose for existence, and a written list of at least five signatures of citizens who are a part of the group. Permanent Members of the Forum may vote on any matter put toward a Member Vote.
- Temporary Membership: Temporary Members occupy the same role as the Citizen Associates. They are composed of a group of Citizens with at least five signed members, and are assembled for a particular purpose, petition, or proposal. This group is temporary, intended to dissolve once the matter they have organized for is suitably addressed. Temporary Members are expected to choose a Representative from their group, and they may vote on any matter related to their stated purpose, petition, or proposal.
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Conduct
- All persons, regardless of status, age, affiliation, or role are held to the same expectations of conduct within all meetings related to or regarding the Forum. Repeated violations may result in warnings, loss of speaking rights, or suspension of recognition, subject to review by the Tribune and other Permanent Members of the Forum.
- Obey the laws of the Spire as laid out in the Common Law.
- Refrain from threats, coercion, or personal insults. Drawing a weapon or casting a spell without warning and consent is considered a threat.
- Respect one another and respect the purpose of the Forum. We are all on the side of the Spire.
- Listen to requests for silence or order within Forum meetings. If you must have a shouting match, go elsewhere.
- All persons, regardless of status, age, affiliation, or role are held to the same expectations of conduct within all meetings related to or regarding the Forum. Repeated violations may result in warnings, loss of speaking rights, or suspension of recognition, subject to review by the Tribune and other Permanent Members of the Forum.
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Function
- Full Session: A Full Session of the Forum must be called once per term of the sitting Tribune, or once every [2 months] at minimum. These meetings are public and announced at least [3 days] in advance. Upon announcement of a Full Session, the Tribune and the Representatives will have those [3 days] to review any Petitions and Proposals submitted before the opening of the Session. The Tribune decides which submissions are put before the Members and Citizenry in a Full Session and in what order.
- A Petition is defined as written documentation of an issue, error, or objection of at least 3 Citizens. This is recommended to also contain ideas for resolution but does not have too. Petitions are read publicly, discussed, and entered into public record, but cannot be voted upon.
- A Proposal is a requested law, decree, announcement, or other decision. A Proposal must have the signature of at least 5 Citizens, or 2 Representatives. It is then read publicly, discussed, and entered into public record the same as Petitions, but it may also be put to a Member Vote to determine if it is passed to the Council or a Citizen's Referendum for enaction.
- Response Session: A Response Session may be called by the Tribune after the Council or Steward publicly announces a law, policy, decree, or resolution. This is when a Vote of Repeal or Amendment is put forth to the Representatives of the Permanent Members of the Forum. While this is like Full Sessions in that they are publicly announced and open to citizens, they are more focused on the singular issue they were called for, and happen quicker, with only [one day] of notice required.
- At-Will Session: An At-Will Session may be called by the Tribune at any point for any reason and serves as a platform for discussion and debate. Nothing is put up for vote during this kind of session, but the Tribune may freely carry any concerns or ideas brought up to the Council and Members afterwards.
- Full Session: A Full Session of the Forum must be called once per term of the sitting Tribune, or once every [2 months] at minimum. These meetings are public and announced at least [3 days] in advance. Upon announcement of a Full Session, the Tribune and the Representatives will have those [3 days] to review any Petitions and Proposals submitted before the opening of the Session. The Tribune decides which submissions are put before the Members and Citizenry in a Full Session and in what order.
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Limitations
- The People’s Forum cannot unilaterally put Proposals into action, they must have either the assent of the Council or the Citizenry as shown through a vote by either.
- All Sessions of the People’s Forum must be open to all Citizens of the Spire
- The People’s Forum is run by the people, for the people. It is led by the Tribune but does not answer to them, nor to the Council or Steward.
- M. I.
