Who is this guy?
Since starting NationStates in October 2021, I’ve always felt out of place in the User-Created Regions. I just never felt at home there. After almost two years of trying to figure this out, I eventually arrived in The North Pacific. I knew this was my spot, despite knowing I wasn’t one of the great legal minds of NationStates. The robust culture (and the rum) was what drew me to getting involved in the government. Starting as a staffer in various ministries and after its revival I took a particular interest in Communications under then-Minister Kaschovia. Working hard I was eventually elevated to Deputy Minister of Communications, continuing in this role after Kaschovia’s resignation under former Minister Bobberino.
After Kaschovia’s win in the General Elections of September 2023 and Robepierre’s replacement of Bobberino as Minister of Communications, I was appointed as Executive Deputy Minister of Communications, serving as his number 2 and managing our written publications and regularly featuring on the Northern Broadcast Service. After Kaschovia’s reelection and Robespierre’s move to Defense, I was finally appointed as Minister of Communications and served for one full term. In that time I oversaw the release of five TNS editions, three TNL issues and two NBS broadcasts. Later I was asked by Delegate Simone to replace former Minister of Communications AraFuttio to finish the term. Despite our differences, I decided to accept for the good of the region. I served for about 1.5 months and in that time we continued to release weekly issues of The Northern Notes and finished two editions of The North Star. Last term under Delegate Picairn I served as Minister of Culture. In that role, I contributed to semi-regular events and helped with the organisation of a large interregional event which has unfortunately been delayed due to factors beyond my control. I’ve also served as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Culture as well as a Gameside Advocate and soldier in The North Pacific war machine (aka the NPA). All in all, I have a decent amount of experience in the executive branch of TNP’s government.
But enough about my curriculum vitae.
What is the Vice Delegate?
Essentially the Vice Delegate is the head of our security branch and makes sure there are no threats to our region, both internally and externally. Here is my vision for the basics.
Chairing the Security Council
The primary concern of the Vice Delegate is the protection of the region against all kinds of dangers. To aid them in that task is the Security Council, a body filled with experienced and seasoned members of the region entrusted with combating any threats to The North Pacific. To effectively execute this very important task, there has to be a form of synergy between the Vice Delegate and the Security Council. We’ve seen how bad cooperation can lead to unnecessary tension between the two, which can jeopardise the highest priority of the VD and the SC: security. With the right person in the VD seat who’s willing to listen to the SC and take their advice, but will stand their ground when necessary this synergy can be achieved. The ideal situation involves both institutions challenging each other when necessary and cooperating when it counts.
I have experience working with staff members from various ministries, but I recognise that the dynamic in the Security Council is different. They are not my staff, and I am not their boss. We need to work collaboratively to reach a consensus, and, in the end, it requires a united effort. My track record shows that I can be firm when I believe my position is right, and I will continue to exercise that assertiveness. However, I understand that I will be working alongside individuals with much more experience than I have. Therefore, I need to set aside my stubborn personality and work constructively with the experienced and level-headed members of the Security Council in cases which require that.
Creating transparency
This region loves its transparency and open government. The Vice Delegate, together with the Security Council, contributes to and enforces that by declassifying all logs after they’ve expired. This is a lengthy and tiresome process, but if the right person is consistently endeavouring to release the logs after the Security Council has reviewed them, it can be done. I’m aware we have a large backlog, but I know a couple of members of the Security Council have been consistently working on clearing the said backlog. I will be working together with them to encourage conversation in the Council and speed the process along as much as possible. This will involve me regularly inviting Security Councillors to offer their thoughts on declassification through pings and DMs. I admit, I might be a bit annoying while doing this, but you’ll thank me later, I promise! On a serious note, though, we have a serious backlog that has to be cleared as much as possible. The Security Council obviously plays a very essential role in this and every member has to have had the opportunity to chip into the discussion. I would like to make sure they take that opportunity by regularly notifying them of the ongoing conversations in the channels and threads.
Endotarting and encouraging growth
The Delegate’s endorsements have been in a freefall since the release of F/S (or I guess it’s just Frontiers) and it’s really starting to make me nervous. We absolutely cannot fall under the 600 endorsements unless we wish to jeopardise our influence in the World Assembly, and more relevantly to this campaign, our security. Despite our efforts with various campaigns to halt this fall, we’ve continued to consistently lose endorsements and it’s getting to a point where we can no longer look the other way and assume we’ll always be at the top. We all have to step up and do our part. Endotart, send telegrams and encourage endo swapping on the RMB. These are things anybody can do, which is why the Security Council and I will also engage in this.
Alongside encouraging Security Councillors to do the above regularly, I will work with the Home Affairs Ministry to create a dispatch that pings SC Endo Slackers, inspired by our allies in The West Pacific with their ‘The Masses’ program. It’s an annoying task, which is why I will only require it to be sent out biweekly. I will also regularly send out regional telegrams addressing the region, notifying them of a new Vice Delegate Report (more on that later) and encouraging them to endorse the Delegate, Security Council, myself and each other. I hope this will create a dynamic where I will appear approachable to the game-siders by opening up a channel where they can voice their concern or in any other way have a form of dialogue. I will also regularly engage on the Regional Message Board instead of only appearing when I need to crack down on rule-breakers. This will also make it easier to request endorsements and encourage endorsement swapping. As for the card lottery, I will talk to Sil Dorsett about what this exactly entails and how I can make it work. Many thanks to him for fixing this and for all his work in the tech guild. Speaking of, the World Assembly Development Program is a key to our success with our endorsement counts. As it has finally been fixed since r3n’s disappearance I plan on utilising it to encourage further endorsement swapping and combating the decline in WA numbers. I will be discussing with the Security Council and the tech guild how to proceed with this, and I’ll be looking at both historical and recent examples of it being put into practice.
These are all very small tasks that only take a couple of minutes a day but will, in my opinion, have a significant influence on our regional endorsement counts. I will, of course, also regularly tart myself and I will advise the Delegate and the Security Council to do the same.
Processing applications
To safeguard our region from undesirable individuals and potential threats, the Vice Delegate is responsible for vetting citizen applicants before they are granted entry. This task is straightforward and has been effectively managed by previous Vice Delegates. I intend to uphold this tradition by regularly monitoring the applications thread and consulting the Security Council whenever I have doubts about an applicant. While it can be easy to overlook an application, I will do my utmost to ensure that does not happen.
Reporting to the region
Previous Vice Delegates have consistently released weekly Vice Delegate Reports to demonstrate their presence in the region and to actively monitor developing situations. These reports typically include a brief introduction highlighting recent activities related to endorsements, along with a chart showing the endorsement counts for both the Delegate and the Vice Delegate. Some Vice Delegates have also included a list of the top 20 nations with the most endorsements in the region to provide additional information to the community.
I plan to follow this format, but I will also include a graph representing the entire Security Council as an extra visual aid. While I cannot guarantee weekly reports, I commit to providing them at least biweekly, and I will issue additional reports as needed if situations arise that require closer attention.
My Vice Delegacy
The Vice Delegate is one of the highest-ranking members of The North Pacific Government, second only to the Delegate themself. The Vice Delegate has seen many changes over the years as a diverse set of individuals have held the office and given their spin on it. Here’s my philosophy regarding the office.
Establishing executive authority
In recent times, we have noticed that modern Vice Delegates are increasingly involved in executive matters. I intend to follow this example by staying fully informed about all developments in the executive branch. If the Delegate permits, I will seek access to the Executive Council and upper government channels, not only for executive purposes but also to monitor our security. I plan to engage regularly with the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Delegate to ensure the Security Council and I are aware of any foreign threats to the region. Being prepared to guide us through difficult times during emergencies is of the utmost importance, especially in times of war and an increasingly unstable and chaotic gameplay environment. I know that this job is separate from regular executive work, and while I will help out as needed and offer input, I would be there to keep up with events and know what is going on in case I need to step up. Some people see the Vice Delegate as being like the second in command to the Delegate, especially these days but that is not the case. I may be in the executive but I know the Security Council requires a different focus.
Preparing for the worst
As we’ve had two consecutive Acting Delegacies in recent years the electorate has made a shift to paying more attention to the Vice Delegacy and who occupies it. Even if it’s a rare occurrence, it’s possible that due to unforeseen circumstances, the VD has to take control of the region, either due to a resignation or worse, a rogue delegate. While it is always unlikely to happen, it is understandable that the citizenry is worried about another situation that could arise at any moment.
While I view myself as capable of taking the wheel in such a situation, some may not have the same confidence in me as I do. Hear me when I say, I get it. Your concerns are completely valid and wondering whether or not I am ready is good. I can confidently assure you that I am ready. I have served in the executive branch consecutively for almost two years now and as a member of cabinet for one year. I know how this region works and I have talked to experienced members of the region to seek their advice and thoughts on how to effectively tackle this imposing task should it come up. Some of you may have concerns not related to my experience, but rather my assertive personality and “say what I think” mentality, and these are real concerns I can understand. I have contemplated not running on this basis alone but ultimately decided against it.
Initially, I thought it would be odd to include this bit because it’s weird to basically promise that I’m serious and of course, I would not be a troll as Vice Delegate. This is a job that is all about consensus and agreement, and I know I can be part of that. But I’ve come to the conclusion it’s better to face my shortcomings head-on instead of trying to sugarcoat them. We’ve seen in the past that people with similar personalities as I, people who mess around or occasionally troll or make harsh statements, have always been able to stand up and do what needs to be done when the time comes to do the work. I have never had this opportunity before to really buckle down on something and let my serious side come to the forefront. I have always been a very loose and not-so-serious guy in public, but in private I can deal with incidents in an appropriate manner. I want to use this opportunity to also show that side of me to the public. I know a lot of you think I’ve gone too far sometimes with speaking my mind or acting out, but I’ve changed a lot since coming to TNP and that hasn’t stopped. This campaign is the ideal way for me to prove my other abilities that might not always come to the forefront, and the biggest chance to continue my progress. Some of you might not believe me or may need to see more, and I understand, but I ask that you take a chance on me as you have on other newcomers to this and other offices, and let me show you what I can do.
If you, the electorate, are willing to grant me this great honour of serving as your Vice Delegate I will be forever grateful and in your debt. I will show you that I have grown both as a person and as a politician in the years I’ve been on NationStates and in this region, even if you do not elect me. Some of you may also know that I am no longer 5’9”, I am now a grand 5’10”!
Conclusion
During my Vice Delegacy, I will…
- Responsibly chair the Security Council, listen to their advice, and create a synergy to successfully combat security threats to the region.
- Work with the Security Council on declassifying logs and plough through the backlog by regularly initiating conversation through various means.
- Halt the fall in endorsement numbers by requesting the Security Council to actively gather endorsements in multiple ways, utilising the WADP, and creating a cooperative culture with the RMB community to more effectively stimulate endorsement swapping.
- Swiftly process citizenship applications and consult the Security Council whenever I have concerns regarding an applicant.
- Regularly report to the region with Vice Delegate Reports on a biweekly schedule and divert from this whenever a serious situation calls for it.
- Stay up to date with the executive and be ready and briefed in case of a foreign threat.
- Stand strong and lead the region in an Acting Delegacy in case the elected Delegate resigns or goes rogue.
There are Banners of Appreciation available if you wish to show your support for my campaign. If you’re interested you can shoot me a DM on Discord and I will share them with you. Thanks in advance for your support.
For the North!
