Policy-8

#### **Transparency within Command Staff and Representation of the Empire at Large**

All command staff members are required to be notified of any proposal or policy that is going to be considered for voting. These notifications must be given through the 'usual' command staff channels such as facebook messenger and discord. If another chat service becomes the norm, that channel should be used in the future as well. This would put an end to 'inner-circle' command staff decisions that willfully exclude members that may not share the same opinion.

Additionally, policies such as disassociating from organizations, closing branches, and/or re-branding must go to a general popular vote. Not even the Verditian Lord can make this decision for the entirety of Verdite in such a profound way. These decisions are intimately linked with interpersonal relationships and feelings of security and warrant the vote of anyone it affects.

#### **Ending the current campaign (Crucible) and starting the next era**

As a new era in Verdite begins, it's common practice to start a new campaign. The next campaign is the Reclamation Campaign.

#### **Renaming new era designed weapons to old era names**

On the eve of Gen-9 weaponry's announcement, there has been a growing concern that names for new-era weaponry are getting confusing and out of control. New tech items are rapidly replacing old staples of the army and as such should be reflected in name, like we have always done before. This is not a ban on old era weaponry, it is just simply continuing a trend to update equipment of the new era. We will still be utilizing Tsuchi (earth) and Mizu (water) as variants. This need for two variants will become clear when gen-9 is announced.

Here's a guide to what will shift:

* Hanedachi will be a Kokatana
* Daihanedachi will be a Nodachi
* HaneKelv will be a Kelv
* 8 foot carbon glaives will be dai naginata
* Hanenata will be Naginata
* Zanbato will still be a Zanbato

Your **effective**armory will likely look something like this: (again this is just an example list, clearly there are more options than this)

#### **Implementing Protections against Nepotism**

Recent events have made it abundantly clear that having too much voting power tied up into one family is incredibly dangerous for empire stability. We cannot assume that members within command staff will remain unbiased to issues that involve a family member or loved one. As such I am proposing a twofold solution:

1.) No more than 2 members in command staff who have ties to the same family. This includes: siblings, parents, grandparents, cousins, children, etc. It also includes romantic relationships.

2.) When an issue affects or concerns a family member/relationship, Command members who have personal ties to the individual must abstain from offering a vote or entering debate (as we cannot discount the obvious bias). For example, if Command Staff had to intervene on issues with Vathtinkai, Derath is not allowed to weigh in on the decisions or enact policy protecting/damning him (because they are cousins).

#### **Dissolving the Position of High Priest of Kelm**

The title no longer serves a purpose. Any mention of it's authority will be removed from the law and concept.

#### **Expanding policies to ensure no member profits off of empire operations**

No member of Verdite may attempt to make personal profit off of empire operations, technologies, or iconography. Recent activity within another branch has made it clear that we need to protect our community's well-being on the national level. As such we are making the policies we've adhered to in central Verdite the official standard. (again it is important to note these standards are already in place in the Michigan/Ohio area)

For example: Benefactor funding can not be used to cover personal transportation, food costs (especially calling a dinner meeting an official verdish company dinner), or anything that doesnt fall under the following categories.

Benefactor funding is intended for:

1. Production and Upkeep - If we have to build/repair it to play the game to our current standards, then it is considered a production and upkeep cost. This also includes acquiring tools for production.
2. Research and Development - Attempting to make breakthroughs in technology through experimentation is often very expensive and can utilize benefactor funds.
3. Operations/Expansion/Marketing - A broad category that includes marketing supplies such as fliers, business cards, signs and banners. This also includes rental space for an event such as a hall-rental cost. It could also mean covering the startup costs of a fledgling branch.
4. Welfare - Ensuring all members, regardless of economic standing, have access to all Verdish operations in a way that promotes inclusiveness.

Any public project that doesn't easily and obviously fit into the above categories would need to be approved by a simple majority command staff vote.