Anjo has indicated that he supports the OWL-inclusive draft version I have made. So, we do appear to be done at this time. My final formatting is below, please remember my advice for updating this OP in the future.

I suggest that the cabinet account posts this thread inside the cabinet board, admin attach the form to the thread, and then relocate that thread to the Welcoming and Registration Centre Board once we can verify it is working. We would need to then unpin and archive or otherwise make obsolete the three threads in that board which allow you to apply to them on an individual level. Obviously we should make sure that it's still possible to respond to applicants letting them know that they've been seen or accepted.

After that, we are free to begin initiating recruitment drives.

Code:

[color=#109aed][size=xx-large]Unified Application for Executive and Legislative Government[/size][/color]

Use the guide below to select what area(s) of government you would like to apply to and what, if any, sub-departments you would like to work on within those areas. Pressing the [url=https://tspforums.xyz/form.php?formid=3][b][color=#109aed][New Reply][/color][/b][/url] button on this thread will take you to a form where you can post your information and interests. If you experience any trouble with this process, please contact one of the relevant authorities in the Get Help link below:
[spoiler=Get Help][table=100][tr][td][align=left][color=#109aed][size=x-large]Get Help[/size][/color]
[i]If you have trouble [url=https://tspforums.xyz/form.php?formid=3][color=#109aed]applying[/color][/url] using the application form or if you feel your application has been overlooked, contact the leadership of the group you're looking to join for help.[/align][/i][/td][/tr][/table]
[table=100][tr][td][color=#ff9900][align=left]Legislator Committee:[/align][/color][/td]
[td][align=left]@Roavin, @Penguin, @Nakari, @'Witchcraft and Sorcery'
Discords: Roavin#5410, Penguin#0738, Nakari#3538, WynkenBlynken#1150, respectively.[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=#ff9900][align=left]Ministry of Culture:[/align][/color][/td]
[td][align=left]@Quebecshire
Discord: Cubic#1608[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=#ff9900][align=left]Ministry of Defence:[/align][/color][/td]
[td][align=left]@HumanSanity
Discord: HumanSanity#9270[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=#ff9900][align=left]Ministry of Engagement:[/align][/color][/td]
[td][align=left]@Luca
Discord: Luca#0004[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=#ff9900][align=left]Ministry of Foreign Affairs:[/align][/color][/td]
[td][align=left]@'Jay Coop'
Discord: JayCoop#5045[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][color=#ff9900][align=left]Ministry of Media:[/align][/color][/td]
[td][align=left]@Moon
Discord: Moon_#5541[/align][/td][/tr]
[/table][/spoiler]
[hr]

[table=50]
[tr][td][hr]

[align=center][img]https://img.tspforums.xyz/tsp-graphics/assembly/assembly-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://tspforums.xyz/thread-5837.html][color=#019aed][Learn more the Assembly][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]

[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Make an impact in the legislature![/b][/size][/color]

[i]Joining the legislature is the first step on the road to making a difference in the South Pacific. In addition to being entitled to craft and vote on laws in the Coalition's Assembly, being a legislator also allows you to vote in the elections of the Cabinet.[/i][/align]
[hr][/td]
[/tr][/table]

[table=100][tr][td][hr][/td][td][hr][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][align=center][img]https://img.tspforums.xyz/tsp-graphics/moc/culture-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://tspforums.xyz/thread-9638.html][color=#019aed][Learn more about this ministry][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Culture Staff[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Aid the South Pacific and its activity by helping run and organize games, activities, and other collaborative events for the region to enjoy.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]RP Planning[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Coordinate with roleplay leaders and other staff members to develop and enhance the roleplay experience in the South Pacific.[/i]
[/list]
[/align][/td]
[td][align=center][img]https://img.tspforums.xyz/tsp-graphics/mod/defence-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://tspforums.xyz/thread-9471.html][color=#019aed][Learn more about this ministry][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Tsunami Force[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Engage in rapid deployments against raider forces at game update times (12 AM and 12 PM EST) via Discord.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Tidal Force[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Off-update and on-site defending work for those who cannot attend game update or use Discord. The Tidal Force helps fortify regions and restore them after invasions.[/i]
[/list]
[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][hr][/td][td][hr][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][align=center][img]https://img.tspforums.xyz/tsp-graphics/moe/engagement-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://tspforums.xyz/thread-9477.html][color=#019aed][Learn more about this ministry][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Cards Team[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Help create the cards program of the South Pacific, to bring resources we can all use to build our region and get people excited about untold sums of wealth.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Dispatch Team[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Work on keeping the gameside public infrastructure of TSP up to date though our robust series of dispatches, with legendary infrastructure here to make the process easy.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Graphics Team[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Guide the design spirit of the region with our world-class graphics presentation.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Wiki Team[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Maintain the infrastructure of TSPedia, the South Pacific's source of all knowledge.[/i]
[/list]
[/align][/td]
[td][align=center][img]https://img.tspforums.xyz/tsp-graphics/mom/media-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://tspforums.xyz/thread-9473.html][color=#019aed][Learn more about this ministry][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Writers[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Write articles about a wide range of subjects and issues, including latest events happening around NationStates, honest opinion pieces, and satirical parodies.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Interviewers[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Interview prominent figures from both home and abroad, including roleplayers, region leaders, community builders, military personnel, and WA resolution and issue authors.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Statisticians[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Conduct polls and surveys about various phenomena, collect data from the results, and analyze them to find patterns and other interesting observations.[/i]
[/list]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Editors[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Check over submitted articles and interviews, find inconsistencies and mistakes, and point out improvements the submitters can make in order to create better content.[/i]
[/list]
[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][hr][/td][td][hr][/td][/tr]
[tr]
[td][align=center][img]https://img.tspforums.xyz/tsp-graphics/mofa/foreign-affairs-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://tspforums.xyz/thread-6802.html][color=#019aed][Learn more about this ministry][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]Ambassador[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Represent the South Pacific, relaying information from our government, and making yourself available for questions and communications from your assigned region.[/i]
[*][i]Attend treaty talks and other negotiations to learn what it takes to become Minister one day.[/i]
[/list]
[/align][/td]
[td][align=center][img]https://raw.githubusercontent.com/TheSouthPacific/tsp-graphics/master/owl/owl-line-color%402x.png[/img]
[url=https://www.nationstates.net/page=dispatch/id=1385515][color=#019aed][Learn more about this ministry][/color][/align][/url]
[align=justify]
[color=#ff9900][size=medium][b]OWL Staff[/b][/size][/color]
[list]
[*][i]Be part of the discussion and add to the South Pacific's voice in the World Assembly.[/i]
[*][i]Develop analysis and collect opinions for the Office's recommendations.[/i]
[*][i]Become familiar with WA topics and learn what it takes to become an author.[/i]
[/list]
[/align][/td][/tr]
[tr][td][hr][/td][td][hr][/td][/tr][/table]

[table=100][tr][td][color=#109aed][size=xx-large]Apply Today![/size][/color]

Use the [url=https://tspforums.xyz/form.php?formid=3][b][color=#109aed][New Reply][/color][/b][/url] button below to lodge an application.[/td]
[/tr][/table]

[hr]

(This post was last modified: 08-15-2021, 04:34 AM by Luca.)

Reply

alright, then we are ready to go on our end for launch. I'll wait for confirmation from Roavin and we can fire on all cylinders. If we make the OP in the cabinet office I can move the thread to the welcoming center when it's time and request admins/mods to lock or otherwise disable the old application threads.

I'll log into the cabinet office account in a moment and create the OP.

EDIT: apparently I can't see this board as cabinet office. If my perms aren't changed in time I'll just post directly to the welcome center.

 
Witchcraft and Sorcery

---

Former Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. Formerly many things in other regions. Defender. Ideologue. he/they.

(This post was last modified: 08-15-2021, 11:39 AM by Witchcraft and Sorcery.)

Reply

Want to bump this thread. When Unified Apps were rolled out, Luca suggested some kind of system to notify Ministers/their relevant Deputies about new applications incoming. At the time, we sort of glossed over this and assumed things would work out.

Looking at the past 2-3 months, I don't think things are working out. Most applications for individual Ministries are sitting for over a week before getting processed. In an ideal world, I think it would be good if we could process non-security checked applications within 24-48 hours and security checked applications (MoD/Leg) within 72-96 hours. Parts of this are just understandably cyclical activity from Ministers, etc. but parts of it seem to be systematic issues with how we're running the Unified Apps form.

Is there anything you all think we could do, programatically, to make sure applications are getting looked at sooner rather than later. From my perspective, prompt application processing is hugely important for effective integration and retention, so I think this issue merits discussion

Minister of Foreign Affairs
General of the South Pacific Special Forces
Ambassador to Balder
Former Prime Minister and Minister of Defense

Reply

I absolutely agree, and I've been thinking about ways to do this recently because I noticed this myself.

I think this necessitates changes in LegComm processes, which are still based on the before-world. Programmatic solutions are possible but a bit hard to do without some special coding (stuff that will have to be done eventually anyway, but just isn't). But, we can change things to work better with what we have, and they could look like this:

• Each ministry gets a forum-side mask as well, so that there is parity. The minister and Prime Minister (and, in case of MoD, GenCorps) would be group leaders so that they can add/remove people.
  
• Each ministry gets templates for accepting/rejecting applicants in their application thread, similar to LegComm's templates.
  
• LegComm, at the conclusion of an application, handles masking everybody both in Discord and on the forum. (this would change later so that it can be done quicker)
  
• For non-Legislators making an application for things other than legislator, LegComm posts a security check message in some fashion in the thread.
  
• A new channel on Discord called #applications or such, containing all relevant personnel that handle these applications. So, LegComm, Ministers, and GenCorps.
  

On my Todo-List as admin is a feature that syncs Discord roles and forum roles, with the forum roles being normative. That would make several things easier.

Reply

I sort of think both of us are reacting to different problems. The problem I'm reacting to is "how do we create systems that help Ministers be prompt about addressing Ministry apps". Your problem seems to be "how do we mark those things/organize permissions for them", which is a different problem. Part of why I bring this up is that issues with processing apps persist even when Ministers are available and active, which makes me think we need a solution to make it easier for Ministers to make application checking/new applicant integration into a systematic process. This is also one of those areas where I feel like my tone/intent could be interpreted as "jfc get ur shit together" or where someone could be like "well, the solution is for the PM to bother people until they accept apps", but the fact that the issue is so systematic indicates that we need some kind of actual concrete solution instead.

I think Luca's suggestion from last term has some merit still:

If other ministries need additional eyes to keep an eye out for applications, this is also something MoE can probably help with and get the attention of the right person. Could just be a once daily check for new stuff. Maybe streamlined with a discord bot in the future.

There needs to be a system for Ministers (or their designated Deputies) to be able to be notified and more easily process their applications. Part of this might also involve people being able to designate Deputies to handle things, or designating the PM or a Cabinet Advisor as able to process applications for all Ministries and then that can be a distinct duty from regular Ministry work done by the Ministers, etc. A lot of these issues are best resolved by internal Cabinet and Ministry procedure rather than tech fixes, imo.

That said, I think as a long-term solution a lot of what you're saying has merit.

Each ministry gets a forum-side mask as well, so that there is parity. The minister and Prime Minister (and, in case of MoD, GenCorps) would be group leaders so that they can add/remove people.

Personally, think this is perfect. Would want possibility that Cabinet Advisors or Deputies could also have permission to use it (i.e. if someone delegated this responsibility to a Deputy or the Cabinet took on a Cabinet Advisor who this was one of their main responsibilities). Would be even better if the mask was tied to private forum areas we actually used but I'll keep my expectations realistic :p

Each ministry gets templates for accepting/rejecting applicants in their application thread, similar to LegComm's templates.

Sounds good, not a fix all for the core problem but can make things easier for sure

LegComm, at the conclusion of an application, handles masking everybody both in Discord and on the forum. (this would change later so that it can be done quicker)

Personally, I'm a bit skeptical of this because Legislator apps inherently are going to take longer than Ministry apps (outside of MoD) because they require IP security checks, whereas (especially for domestic Ministries) such checks are superfluous and unnecessary. So the idea of passing all masking responsibilities to LegComm seems like it would decrease efficiency and engagement. Also, what if an app only applies for a Ministry but not for Legislator status?

For non-Legislators making an application for things other than legislator, LegComm posts a security check message in some fashion in the thread.

This would require a commitment from LegComm to efficiently processing security checks that doesn't seem to exist in practice

A new channel on Discord called #applications or such, containing all relevant personnel that handle these applications. So, LegComm, Ministers, and GenCorps.

I think this idea could work. I think it could work well in combination with a Bot that cross-posts new applications (possibly even pinging the relevant Ministers/officials when there's an application for their Ministry). Not sure if that's feasible though

On my Todo-List as admin is a feature that syncs Discord roles and forum roles, with the forum roles being normative. That would make several things easier.

What would be the ETA on this?

Minister of Foreign Affairs
General of the South Pacific Special Forces
Ambassador to Balder
Former Prime Minister and Minister of Defense

Reply