Iris
Post by James R. Kennedy on Oct 15, 2023 11:18:51 GMT -5
Standing Orders for the Executive Council of Iris
I. Foundations
1. These standing orders shall guide the operation of the Council of Nations for the region of Iris. They are intended to ensure the smooth operation of the Council and to provide a framework within which the Council can discuss, debate, and make decisions.
2. The Council shall be composed of representatives from each nation within the region of Iris. Every citizen shall have the opportunity to serve as a Councilor.
II. Leadership Roles
1. First Councilor: The First Councilor shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the Council and shall chair all Council sessions. The First Councilor shall ensure that all Council members have the opportunity to express their views and shall strive to facilitate consensus among Council members. The First Councilor shall retain the right to vote on all Council decisions.
2. Opposition Leader: The Opposition Leader shall form an opposition caucus to the First Councilor's government and shall lead a shadow cabinet. The Opposition Leader shall provide a counterpoint to the views of the First Councilor and shall ensure that the Council considers a range of perspectives on each issue. The Opposition Leader shall also have the right to vote on all Council decisions.
3. Recorder: The Recorder shall be responsible for maintaining records of all Council discussions and decisions. The Recorder shall be a Council member who agrees to take on this role, and shall be appointed by the Council at the start of each term. The Recorder may chair sessions in the Council Chambers if the First Councilor wishes they do so or if the First Councilor is inactive at that time. The Recorder also has the right to vote on all Council decisions.
III. Conduct and Etiquette on the Council Floor
1. All Council members shall treat each other with respect and dignity. Personal attacks, insults, or derogatory comments are strictly prohibited.
2. Council members shall speak one at a time. Interruptions during a Council member’s speech are not permitted unless the Council member allows for questions or comments.
3. Council members shall focus on the issues under discussion and shall avoid personal or irrelevant topics.
4. When addressing the Council, members shall refer to other members by their official titles or as Councilor rather than by personal names. (Example: Councilor Kennedy)
5. The use of offensive or discriminatory language is strictly prohibited.
6. Council members shall respect the decisions of the chair and shall adhere to the standing orders at all times.
IV. Amendments to the Standing Orders
1. These standing orders may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council.
2. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the First Councilor and circulated to all Council members at least one day before the vote is taken.
The process to pass a bill in the Council of Nations is as follows:
1. Bill Proposal & Debate: The initial step in the legislative process is for either the First Councilor or the Recorder to present a bill proposal. This bill is then open for debate amongst the councilors for a minimum of 24 hours. If the bill receives at least 3 motions for a vote within the first 48 hours, it can proceed to the voting phase. If no objections are raised within the 48-hour period, or if the time period expires, the bill also moves forward to a vote. The voting period lasts for 24 hours, after which the votes are counted. If a majority votes in favor of the bill, it is then presented by the First Councilor or the Recorder to the President for final approval.
2. Voting Procedure: The councilors can cast their votes in one of three ways: content (in favor), not content (against), or abstain (neutral).
3. Extension of Debate Time: If more than three objections are brought forward to continue the debate on a bill, councilors can appeal for an extension of time. The Chair, First Councilor, or Recorder has the power to grant this request and decide on the length of the extension. However, the debate time can only be extended once and for a maximum of 24 hours.
4. Managing Misconduct: Any form of misconduct by councilors during the debating or voting process is dealt with by the First Councilor, Recorder, or the Opposition Leader. They have the authority to suspend a councilor's privileges for 24 hours, propose a censure (formal reprimand), or refer the matter to the Councilor of Justice and Arbitration for possible criminal charges.
This process ensures that the Council of Nations operates in a democratic and orderly fashion, respecting the rights of all councilors while also maintaining the necessary discipline and decorum for a legislative body.
I. Foundations
1. These standing orders shall guide the operation of the Council of Nations for the region of Iris. They are intended to ensure the smooth operation of the Council and to provide a framework within which the Council can discuss, debate, and make decisions.
2. The Council shall be composed of representatives from each nation within the region of Iris. Every citizen shall have the opportunity to serve as a Councilor.
II. Leadership Roles
1. First Councilor: The First Councilor shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the Council and shall chair all Council sessions. The First Councilor shall ensure that all Council members have the opportunity to express their views and shall strive to facilitate consensus among Council members. The First Councilor shall retain the right to vote on all Council decisions.
2. Opposition Leader: The Opposition Leader shall form an opposition caucus to the First Councilor's government and shall lead a shadow cabinet. The Opposition Leader shall provide a counterpoint to the views of the First Councilor and shall ensure that the Council considers a range of perspectives on each issue. The Opposition Leader shall also have the right to vote on all Council decisions.
3. Recorder: The Recorder shall be responsible for maintaining records of all Council discussions and decisions. The Recorder shall be a Council member who agrees to take on this role, and shall be appointed by the Council at the start of each term. The Recorder may chair sessions in the Council Chambers if the First Councilor wishes they do so or if the First Councilor is inactive at that time. The Recorder also has the right to vote on all Council decisions.
III. Conduct and Etiquette on the Council Floor
1. All Council members shall treat each other with respect and dignity. Personal attacks, insults, or derogatory comments are strictly prohibited.
2. Council members shall speak one at a time. Interruptions during a Council member’s speech are not permitted unless the Council member allows for questions or comments.
3. Council members shall focus on the issues under discussion and shall avoid personal or irrelevant topics.
4. When addressing the Council, members shall refer to other members by their official titles or as Councilor rather than by personal names. (Example: Councilor Kennedy)
5. The use of offensive or discriminatory language is strictly prohibited.
6. Council members shall respect the decisions of the chair and shall adhere to the standing orders at all times.
IV. Amendments to the Standing Orders
1. These standing orders may be amended by a two-thirds majority vote of the Council.
2. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the First Councilor and circulated to all Council members at least one day before the vote is taken.
The process to pass a bill in the Council of Nations is as follows:
1. Bill Proposal & Debate: The initial step in the legislative process is for either the First Councilor or the Recorder to present a bill proposal. This bill is then open for debate amongst the councilors for a minimum of 24 hours. If the bill receives at least 3 motions for a vote within the first 48 hours, it can proceed to the voting phase. If no objections are raised within the 48-hour period, or if the time period expires, the bill also moves forward to a vote. The voting period lasts for 24 hours, after which the votes are counted. If a majority votes in favor of the bill, it is then presented by the First Councilor or the Recorder to the President for final approval.
2. Voting Procedure: The councilors can cast their votes in one of three ways: content (in favor), not content (against), or abstain (neutral).
3. Extension of Debate Time: If more than three objections are brought forward to continue the debate on a bill, councilors can appeal for an extension of time. The Chair, First Councilor, or Recorder has the power to grant this request and decide on the length of the extension. However, the debate time can only be extended once and for a maximum of 24 hours.
4. Managing Misconduct: Any form of misconduct by councilors during the debating or voting process is dealt with by the First Councilor, Recorder, or the Opposition Leader. They have the authority to suspend a councilor's privileges for 24 hours, propose a censure (formal reprimand), or refer the matter to the Councilor of Justice and Arbitration for possible criminal charges.
This process ensures that the Council of Nations operates in a democratic and orderly fashion, respecting the rights of all councilors while also maintaining the necessary discipline and decorum for a legislative body.