McMasterdonia for Vice Delegate

Hello everyone.

While I had initially declined my nomination for the Vice Delegacy, I have decided to put my name forward for consideration. Both of my opposing candidates, Siwale and Bootsie, are consummate professionals, and this campaign is naturally not about them, but rather what I believe I can offer the region as Vice Delegate. I look forward to an interesting election and if the time is suitable, I look forward to a debate with my fellow candidates.

For new voters, who may be unfamiliar with my history in the North Pacific. I have served in the following positions:
- WA Delegate (Elected five times - last held briefly in 2015)
- Vice Delegate (1 term - last held in 2012).
- Minister at various times for for Communications, Culture, Education, Foreign Affairs, Welcoming, and Defence. I have also served as a Deputy Minister on a number of occasions.
- Security Councillor (with some breaks) since 2013.

I have not held elected office since 2015 and not long before the beginning of Pallaith's most recent term, I returned to full activity in NationStates. I was delighted to be appointed Minister for Culture in his government, and I believe I have led a very successful Ministry during this period. In addition to this, I have been one of the most active Security Council members both in our private discussions, on the RMB, and through in-game endorsements. I believe I would be well placed to secure the second highest endorsed position, should I win this election.

Despite my extensive experience in the cabinet, the Vice Delegacy is not about executive policy. It is about serving as the Chairperson of the Security Council. It is about ensuring that our security procedures are closely followed, that our regional security is maximised, and that the strength of the activity of the Council continues to grow. It is for this reason that I am standing for the Vice Delegacy. Over my time in NationStates, I have assisted the Security Council in fighting some vicious unendorsement campaigns, various transitions, challenges, and other issues that have come up before us.

Goals for the Vice Delegacy during my term

If I am successfully elected to the Vice Delegacy, I have a number of areas where I would put my experience in community building to the benefit of the Security Council.

Regional Endorsement Competition
In the recent term, the Security Council and the Ministry of Culture (in particular) led the TNP for #1 event in-game. This was an idea initially suggested by r3n, as a means to dramatically improve the overall number of WA Endorsements of the region. We smashed all expectations and seized back the #1 position from Europeia and Europe.

Like anything, however, this requires constant work. I believe that enough time will have passed by the middle of the coming term for this initiative to launch once more. We learned a lot from our experiences and I believe we can once again exceed these expectations and facilitate an encouraging event.

Improving the SC's engagement with the RMB
As a TNPer, and particularly as a member of the Government and the Security Council - I believe that improving our engagement and activities on the RMB is of vital importance. Participating in the RMB continues to be one of my favourite pastimes in NationStates.

I would like to see more SC members involved in the RMB. To facilitate this, I would propose a number of different ideas. Including:

- RMB Trivia (we previously used this with great success in 2015)
- Themed days or weeks on the RMB, sponsored by a particular SC member.
- Featuring a Security Councillor of the Week on the WFE/RMB - to encourage region members to endorse and/or get to know this person.

These activities will not only help to continue to engage our Government with the in-game community, but will also greatly assist in building the profile of SC members and improving our activity through encouraging endorsements and awareness of what the SC is and how it works.

I hope I can count on your support. If you have any questions about my campaign, please let me know.

What is one area that you feel the Security Council needs to improve on?

Where are the snowdens of yesteryear?

Lord Ravenclaw:

What is one area that you feel the Security Council needs to improve on?

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I think at the moment the main are I would like to see improvement in is in-game engagement. I think the SC needs to do as much as possible (above and beyond tarting) to make the body well known and accessible to TNPers.

Mall:

Where are the snowdens of yesteryear?

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Uh... i am not sure what you are referring to here.

Hi mcmasterdonia. Nice to see you running for VD. If elected. what are some goals you would like to accomplish as VD and why I should vote for you to become Vice Delegate. Thanks.

RKO:

Hi mcmasterdonia. Nice to see you running for VD. If elected. what are some goals you would like to accomplish as VD and why I should vote for you to become Vice Delegate. Thanks.

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Thank you for your question.

I've outlined some of my goals in the opening post. I'd like to improve our intake engagement, increase our endorsements as a region, and improve awareness of the SC and its role to nations of the North Pacific. I would also ensure that the SC keeps a close eye on endo levels in game and ensure that citizenship applications are processed quickly.

In terms of why you should vote for me, well, I believe that I am trustworthy, reliable, consistent and active. I believe I have some excellent ideas that would improve the activity and effectiveness of the SC. it's ultimately up to you - all three candidates are experienced in their own way, and I am excited to be standing in this race.

In the event that the Delegate is absent, resigns, etc; Why should the citizens of TNP feel assured that you are ready and able to step into the role of Delegate?

Artemis:

In the event that the Delegate is absent, resigns, etc; Why should the citizens of TNP feel assured that you are ready and able to step into the role of Delegate?

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Thank you for your question Artemis.

To answer it simply, I have served as Delegate on a number of occasions and I believe I am just behind GBM on longest terms overall (in cumulative days). I have a lot of experience holding the Delegacy.

Secondly, I have also had a lot of experience with transitions - both planned and unplanned. I've also assisted the Security Council in recalling a Delegate from office (in-game) after the RA voted such, while simultaneously fighting unendorsement campaigns.

I hope this answers your questions satisfactorily. I hope you will consider voting for me and let me know if you have any other questions.

It is at this time that I formally endorse McMasterdonia for Vice Delegate. I encourage all of my voters to switch their votes from me to him.

Thank you all for your votes, I know that both of us would serve the Vice Delegacy well.

Thank you for your endorsement Bootsie

The nations of the North Pacific have spoken, but we not yet have an answer. It is unclear yet whether or not a run off election will be held. It is simply too close to call. I am posting this statement in the hope that a run off election will be held, and in recognition, that it will be hard to post such a statement from a mobile phone or lecture theatre.

This election has resulted in historically close result, with unparalleled voter turnout. This is a testament to all the nations of the North Pacific who have come forward to vote, ask questions, and to hold all candidates accountable.

I would like to thank all voters who have put their trust in me to serve as their Vice Delegate, and I hope that you will vote for me again in the runoff election, in the event that one is held. I’d also like to thank Bootsie for his endorsement. Thank you for running a great campaign and assisting us in making this one of the most interesting elections I have ever campaigned in. I entered this race hoping that the election for the Vice Delegacy would be close to as interesting as the Delegacy race, and I believe we have done much more than that, and certainly more than anyone expected.

I hope that now we shall have a runoff election between Siwale and myself. That our voters will have an opportunity to decide who they wish to serve as Vice Delegate for the next four months.
Some more about my background

I have served the North Pacific since early 2012 when I joined the forum, and not long after that I was appointed the Minister of Defence responsible for recreating the North Pacific Army, and soon after was elected the Vice Delegate during one of Eluvatar’s terms in office. Since this time, I have served in almost all executive positions and I have been a Security Councillor for a number of years (with some breaks in between).

My philosophy for office has always been on providing a sense of government that works for everyone. This has always been focused on community building and supporting new members to find their way in The North Pacific and make it their lifelong home in NationStates.

I am committed and hard working, I do not shy away from a challenge or from difficulties, and I will serve the region to the very best of my ability if elected Vice Delegate.

Trusted, Committed and Hard working.

This election is about choice for the four months ahead. Many of you know me very well, you know exactly what I am about, and what I am like as a Leader, Minister, and citizen. Whenever The North Pacific has faced significant challenges as a region, I have always been a powerful advocate for our elected government, our region and our in-game security.

It is important that as Vice Delegate, whoever wins, that we remain this strong and independent voice. The Vice Delegate is not a Deputy Delegate, and this calls upon us, even when there is an executive role, to ensure that this office remains uniquely independent and focused on the tasks at hand. In whatever role I have held in this region, and whatever role I will hold in future, I have and will always be prepared to look our leader in the eye and tell them strongly, when I believe they are wrong.

I have fought against unendorsement campaigns, supported our allies against coups and rogue Delegates, argued to ensure our allies follow through on their promises, and rigorously defended our region and government when necessary. I would continue to bring this hardwork and dedication to the office of Vice Delegate should I be elected.

Building a better region and Security Council

My platform will bring my culture and community building expertise to our Security Council. The WADP and other policies have done an incredible amount to build up our raw WA numbers and our overall endorsements. I do however feel that more needs to be done to ensure that our community understands the Security Council - what it’s role is, how it works, who the members are, and what they do. It must be an approachable and open body, that any nation can feel confident in approaching should an issue arise.

Our in-game nations are incredibly supportive of our processes and of the elected Government. I am highly confident that our Security Council is extremely prepared to respond to any threat that it may face. The ideas I have are simply about ensuring that any response that is required, is met with the greatest deal of public understanding as is possible.

We need to continuously be engaging both as citizens as Security Councillors in the affairs of the regional message board, and through exchanging telegrams with in-game nations. When nations see that the Security Council is approachable and more than just a body that sends them a telegram when they have too many endorsements, the trust and support of our institution will last the test of time.

My ideas for the coming term will focus on showcasing the history of our Security Councillors - many of our members have great stories from their past, that many nations do not know about. How many people know how many rogue Delegate’s Great Bights Mum has fought against? Or how many times Romanoffia has served in the Cabinet? Or that Malvad was at one time, one of our greatest updaters for military operations. Or even how much convincing it took to get SillyString to accept The North Pacific was the right home for her? I think there is so much that we can showcase about our members that will make our community recognise them and get to know our members. This will help to boost public understanding of the Security Council and assist in building trust between our members and The North Pacific community. Telegram campaigns that I have led based upon this initiative have been hugely effective, and I look forward to seeing these bare fruit once again if I am elected.

The Security Council has proven itself as a strong outlet to support cultural initiatives in-game. It would be also a focus of my term, to utilise the various talents of Security Council members to host new activities that build the profile of this body. We have previously used trivia to great success - teaching nations about our history as a region and the challenges we’ve faced. I would like to revisit this, and other ideas with the Security Council should I be elected.

Of course, all of this would be in addition to continuing the roll out of the WADP, monitoring endorsement levels in the region, ensuring the Security Council is up to date with disclosure, citizenship checks, and the routine tasks of a Vice Delegate. I will bring my considerable experience, activity, and devotion to all tasks before me as Vice Delegate.

I hope that should the Election Commissioners decide that a run off election will be happening, that you will vote for McMasterdonia for Vice Delegate in the run off election.

Thank you, I will now take questions.

What is something that you intended to do differently than your opponent if this race is taken to a run off in terms of doing the Job of the Vice Delegate? How will you do the job differently than the previous terms you served as Vice Delegate?