Seraph would like to step down from the Legislator Committee, so let's find another member.

Roavin is an obvious choice, as he's been Legislator Committee before and knows all the security stuff, and has already agreed. However... Roavin would be doing it mostly out of duty instead of enthusiasm, which makes burnout easier, and it might be good to try and expand our pool of potential members.

Let's put a call out, including a short survey, to try and gather some names for people who would actually enjoy being LegComm (I promise they do exist!) If none apply, we can appoint Roavin. If people apply but are unqualified, we can appoint Roavin and keep an eye on the unqualified people, perhaps help them become more qualified. If people apply and are qualified, perfect!

I realise this is probably still going to end up with appointing Roavin, but if we just keep appointing the same people we'll be screwed when we run out of names...

Anyway, making a survey right now, will post later.

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North Prarie

What is your name as registered on the South Pacific forums? *

North Prarie

Why do you want to join the Legislator Committee?

I think it’ll be a unique and exciting opportunity to serve the region.

Describe any experience you have with forum administration, IP checks, email checks, or general NationStates security.

Uh.....none. I’m currently admin of a forum that is for a region that isn’t public yet, but that’s it...

Describe your experience and familiarity with NationStates Gameplay.

I’m a Deputy Editor and Governor in NationStates Today, and am pretty familiar with the scene. Most people in NSGP know who I am.

Describe any conflicts of interest or personal flaws that might impact your work on the Legislator Committee.

Resident in the International Democratic Union, founder of Portia and Prariez Fantastic Puppet Storage, former citizen of Osiris, and others. However, I don’t think it will impact my work.

How often are you online and available to perform checks on legislator applications?

Pretty much always available during the summer, during the school year (Sept. - early June) i’m available from 7-8 AM and 4-11 PM.

What is the maximum response time you are willing to commit to?

5 hours during the summer, 3 during the school year.

Views
What are your opinions on the current legislator application - should any questions be added, edited or removed?

I think we should add a mentorship question. (Would you like a mentor to show you the ropes in TSP?)

What information do you feel should, or may, be requested from an applicant privately?

Specifics of past involvement in regions, and interest in other NS orgs (maybe shouldn’t admit someone if they’re also interested in TBH)

How should the CRS and Legislator Committee co-operate, assuming that there is no CRS member within the committee?

Work together to share info and notify eachother of security threats.

How should the Chair of the Assembly and Legislator Committee co-operate, assuming that the Chair of the Assembly is not within the committee?

The Chair should notify the LegComm when they feel that a Legislator should have their membership suspended, or if they have security concerns about the member. Additionally, the LegComm should share info with the Chair about a member that the LegComm is unsure about, but still admits.

Do you feel that the committee should continue to track IP and/or email information throughout a member's legislatorship?

Yes.

Examples
There are no wrong answers here - we want to see how you think and what you consider. Please explain your reasoning.

A legislator applicant claims that they can only access the forum through a VPN, but displays no other suspicious behaviour. What is your course of action?

I would talk to them privately and discuss their specific situation. If the situation is necessary for a VPN (i.e; in a country like China, Saudi Arabia, or Egypt where there is free internet access problems) I would admit them, as they seem to be non-suspicious and dedicated enough to access websites like this that they use a VPN.

A legislator applicant is a member in several other regions. When comparing their application to the South Pacific to their applications in other regions, you realise they have not mentioned their membership in several regions in their application to the South Pacific - particularly, regions that have an antagonistic relationship with us. What is your course of action?

Talk to them privately and ask them why they didn’t include that membership, and ask the specifics of their membership in those other regions (activity, where they were involved, support of individuals). I would probably advocate to deny them, as they seem to be covering something up, but if they don’t seem to support those former regions, I might advocate to accept them.

While doing security checks before an election, you notice that two legislators used to have different IP addresses, but both now have the same IP address and similar login times. What is your course of action?

Speak with the Election Commissioner, and ask that their vote be disqualified. After the election, do further investigation into the matter. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Bzerneleg

What is your name as registered on the South Pacific forums? *

Bzerneleg

Why do you want to join the Legislator Committee?

My decision to join the Legislator Committee is fueled not only by a desire to serve, but a career dedicated to the Assembly and helping the integration of new legislators. I see the Legislator Committee as a vital part in maintaining the proper functioning of the Assembly. It is the body that helps shape the beautiful and respected Assembly as it is today. It is the impartial body that prevents ill-intentioned individuals from causing harm to this region. And it is the body to which I am today making my case on why I should be chosen as one of its members. I strongly believe that the Legislator Committee has a strong impact on the Assembly and the government, as a whole. Therefore, I wish to join and be a part of the Committee to execute the noble duties and uphold the values in which it holds.

Describe any experience you have with forum administration, IP checks, email checks, or general NationStates security.

I was the administrator of the Assembly forums, as part of chairing, for four months, therefore gaining considerable knowledge on forum administration. On security matters however, I have minimal knowledge but I am a fast learner and confident that I will be able to pick up new knowledge in a short amount of time.

Describe your experience and familiarity with NationStates Gameplay.

My experience and understanding differs among the smaller segments of NationStates gameplay. Having been part of the South Pacific Special Forces and other military organizations such as Antifa and Libcord, I have gained thorough knowledge on the fundamentals of military gameplay. Being an Ambassador in foreign regions, as well as a long experience in the South Pacific, have helped expose myself to the stances of our government and those of other regions on NS gameplay.
Describe any conflicts of interest or personal flaws that might impact your work on the Legislator Committee.

Since the current positions that I hold are inside the South Pacific and rarely time-consuming, I do not think it will impede my ability to work on the Legislator Committee.

How often are you online and available to perform checks on legislator applications?

I am online almost everyday and able to spend around two to three hours on processing legislator applications.

What is the maximum response time you are willing to commit to?

16-24 hours maximum.

Views
What are your opinions on the current legislator application - should any questions be added, edited or removed?

I think that the current legislator application is already comprehensive and covers the main facets of an applicant's profile. However, if needed, the Legislator Committee should ask for information on an applicant's criminal record. Lastly, the application should include a pledge at the end from the applicant that the information which they provide is truthful and accurate.

What information do you feel should, or may, be requested from an applicant privately?

If the Legislator Committee finds a particular applicant to be concerning, it has the implied power to interrogate them and request further information on their history and other matters regarding privacy, such as requesting the real location in the case of an applicant using VPN.

How should the CRS and Legislator Committee co-operate, assuming that there is no CRS member within the committee?

The Council on Regional Security and the Legislator Committee should maintain close communications and share information on potential threats to the region as well as collaborating on joint measures to respond to such threats.

How should the Chair of the Assembly and Legislator Committee co-operate, assuming that the Chair of the Assembly is not within the committee?

It is my belief that in an ideal relationship between the Chair and the Legislator Committee, both parties must inform each other of their intentions. That is because the responsibilities of the Legislator Committtee and Chair regarding ensuriung that Legislators follow requirements are different. When I was Chair, there was a group chat between the Legislator Committee and the Chair in order to facilitate faster communications on essential areas of cooperation like the Legislator Roster and disciplining disobedient legislators.

Do you feel that the committee should continue to track IP and/or email information throughout a member's legislatorship?

A dabatase of legislators' IP and email addresses should be made and updated when necessary. If there are legislators who are conducting suspicious activities or have a criminal record in the South Pacific or other regions, the Legislator Committee should be more cautious and monitor such Legislators more thoroughly.

Examples
There are no wrong answers here - we want to see how you think and what you consider. Please explain your reasoning.

A legislator applicant claims that they can only access the forum through a VPN, but displays no other suspicious behaviour. What is your course of action?

If the applicant has a convincing reason of using a VPN while accessing the forum, it should be acceptable. However, I would advise them against it since that would raise suspicion about their intent and activities due to a lack of transparency.

A legislator applicant is a member in several other regions. When comparing their application to the South Pacific to their applications in other regions, you realise they have not mentioned their membership in several regions in their application to the South Pacific - particularly, regions that have an antagonistic relationship with us. What is your course of action?

I would send a private message to inform them that their application is incomplete since they have failed to disclose all possible information on their involvement in other regions. Furthermore, if the applicant is suspected to be intentionally omitting information, they would be required to provide an explanation as to their actions.

While doing security checks before an election, you notice that two legislators used to have different IP addresses, but both now have the same IP address and similar login times. What is your course of action?

I would first further monitor the situation to ensure that it is an actual threat and that the individuals involved are, to a certain extent, intending to commit a crime. Then, I will contact the two legislators about the current situation and demand their full cooperation to resolve this issue. They will be interrogated to determine whether they have criminal intent. At the same time, this issue shall be reported to the Council on Regional Security and if necessary, other competent agencies or individuals, in order to keep them informed and ensure consensus and thorough consideration upon taking measures against such issue.

Roavin

What is your name as registered on the South Pacific forums? *

Roavin

Why do you want to join the Legislator Committee?

Sense of Duty

Describe any experience you have with forum administration, IP checks, email checks, or general NationStates security.

I literally wrote the book on LegComm that LegComm still uses to this day.

Describe your experience and familiarity with NationStates Gameplay.

I'm a household name in GP. I was at one point the de facto leader of Defenderdom.

Describe any conflicts of interest or personal flaws that might impact your work on the Legislator Committee.

None.

How often are you online and available to perform checks on legislator applications?

It would be rare that I'm not available at least once a day for a few minutes.

What is the maximum response time you are willing to commit to?

24 hours

Views
What are your opinions on the current legislator application - should any questions be added, edited or removed?

Content-wise, it's probably okay as-is. I do wonder if it could be arranged differently, and I do want to talk about making it a sort of multi-step interactive process.

What information do you feel should, or may, be requested from an applicant privately?

Optionally, anything apart from personal questions should be okay if LegComm needs it.

How should the CRS and Legislator Committee co-operate, assuming that there is no CRS member within the committee?

Ideally there always is a CRS member on LegComm. Otherwise it may get difficult; some sharing of information will have to be done proactively, probably through a dedicated channel/forum/whatnot.

How should the Chair of the Assembly and Legislator Committee co-operate, assuming that the Chair of the Assembly is not within the committee?

Not much interaction is needed. At this time, the CoA is responsible for tallying and checking votes so in theory LegComm just processes the CoA's work.

Do you feel that the committee should continue to track IP and/or email information throughout a member's legislatorship?

Depends on who it is. Obviously LegComm wouldn't track Tsunamy, but may track a suspiciously competent newbie.

Examples
There are no wrong answers here - we want to see how you think and what you consider. Please explain your reasoning.

A legislator applicant claims that they can only access the forum through a VPN, but displays no other suspicious behaviour. What is your course of action?

That depends on the reason for the VPN, and is for Administration to decide whether it's acceptable or not. For example, "my privacy" is not a good reason, while "I'm in China" is a better reason.

A legislator applicant is a member in several other regions. When comparing their application to the South Pacific to their applications in other regions, you realise they have not mentioned their membership in several regions in their application to the South Pacific - particularly, regions that have an antagonistic relationship with us. What is your course of action?

Denied because they did not submit, in public or private, the full story.

While doing security checks before an election, you notice that two legislators used to have different IP addresses, but both now have the same IP address and similar login times. What is your course of action?

Check other pieces of evidence that point to account sharing/multying, including the nations and their WA status, recent vote history of both accounts, previous interactions of those accounts with each other, etc. and see if a good case can be made for exoneration or not. After completion, approach them about the subject. If they deny wrongdoing, ask about additional information that couldn't be gathered beforehand. Depending on what comes out, it may be reasonable to file it as benign (i.e. two NS players hitting it off and moving together), or to file with the court a request for indictment and a request to the CoA for suspension of Legislatorship.

In either way, CRS would be informed and kept in the loop and, most likely, involved in the investigation in the first place.

Reply

I don't want Bzerneleg as LegComm. During his time as Chair he neglected things such as adding votes and generally managing the roster - which he would have some part in if he were Legislator Committee, and he'd have even more to keep track of. I don't really trust him with the technical side. The experience in TSP side is there, sure, but I think if picked he would be more of a 'filler' member.

North Prarie, I think, could technically do it. I was surprised to see he's no longer in Osiris, which definitely warms me to it. Not entirely confident with that though.

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My two cents — Bzern and Prarie have shown varying levels of commitment and activity to TSP.

I am not entirely sure of what the story behind Prarie's involvement with Osiris and why he has since detached himself from the region but it's more an IC matter than necessarily OOC which LegComm largely is. My issue is that I have seen little activity from Prarie this few months. He is currently in charge of media in the MoRA but Kringle has all but taken over that role which makes me uncertain if he will be available for the daily grind that is LegComm.

To an extent, I share Nakari's concerns about Bzern who, in my opinion, has the unfortunate record of not always stepping up to the roles he has been assigned.

Ideally, given Roavin's begrudging acceptance of what appears to be fate, there would be a greater selection of candidates.

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Unfortunately our available people remain the same. I wasn't aware that North Prarie might have similar issues to Bzerneleg, so in my mind as a Legislator Committee member... I want someone with a reputation of pulling their weight. Looks like Roavin is the best choice for that.

Anyone have anything in favor of NP or Bzern - as said I haven't really worked with NP so differing opinions would be interesting.

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I agree that Roavin is the best choice. However, with that being said, are we piling on too much work for him? I am not familiar with how the LegComm distributes duties but I do know that he has far greater commitments than the two alternatives. As such, I am interested in hearing for what length of time he is happy to serve.

Given the lacklustre response to the EOI, I also think we should consider requesting the LegComm take one of these (Non-Roavin) candidates under their wings and train them up for the future inevitability that we have another vacancy.

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Any movement on this?

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Any movement on this?

Waiting on any response from Viet right now...

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Any movement on this?

Waiting on any response from Viet right now...

All good

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Vote on Roavin.

I say aye.

Reply