Debates (Sen. 3/05)

[TheSensitiveNewAge]

What do the candidates believe to be the important issues at this time? What about down the road?

[Serconea]

Most important issues at the moment:
Immigration- we're nowhere near the 700 target. We should have 700 member nations and at least 120 endorsements for our delegate.
The magazine- falling into disuse. Needs fixing.
The North Pacific- we need to do something diplomatically to show our disapproval, i.e. closing our embassy.

In the long run:
Delegate elections- how to successfully switch delegates under the new system, getting people involved.
Regional publicity.

[Estayland]

I see immigration as a current and long-term issue. I remember that 10000 Islands used to be the #2 player-created region (ie excluding the Pacifics, the Rejected Realms that the creators of NS made). I'm not sure if that's still true or not. We should continue to support Yavanna, Thomason and other nations that help recruit. Also, I think we need more nations to volunteer to watch those who apply to join the UN (which is how I was recruted by Yavanna) or advertise in the Pacifics. In addition, I want the increase in population to be real, not just an increase in puppets. We should set realistic but hopeful targets for population.

I would also like to see continued use of the chat room and forums. The role playing in this forum is great. We might want to also consider using Fleeb's the10000islands.net site more for regional news, such as a magazine, and other regional happenings (of course, this would be with Fleeb's permission since it is his personal site).


EDIT: Changed Grub to Fleeb. You know what happens when you assume...

[Grub (Lenlyvit)]

Two small corrections.

Serconea - We don't have an embassy in The North Pacific.

Klington - The website is Fleeb's.

[Crackenback]

TheSensitiveNewAge said:

What do the candidates believe to be the important issues at this time? What about down the road?

In the short term, increasing internal regional information flow is vital. The correspondent program has fallen into inactivity due to cte's and resignations. I know this is in the process of being repaired, but it is still a high priority

Also, the 10000 Islands magazine should also be a high priority for activity increase in that department.

The XKI University is definitely something i'd like to see off the ground soon as well. There's been alot of great work being done by the educ. dept. and will be great to see this off the ground.

I guess you can see the general trend of my thoughts that education of new and existing nations is high on my list of priorities. I think that new blood and new knowledge is vital to the survival of this region.

A little further down the road, I think more immigration to XKI is an important thing, but also the use of the buddy system to orientate the influx of new nations to this region is also a vital service

[Klington]

Immigration, it is the lifeblood of our region.
But perhaps we need to work on education before immigration, because I have seen many nations come and go with a lot of potential, but they don't stay in the game or 10ki for very long, they just dont seem to grasp the game or enjoy it. If we develop a good education first, and after that focus on immigration. We can bring in many good people and have there potential realised right than. They won't lose interest, or leave because they don't know how to play, and they will be much more beneficial, in a whole lot less time. If we do it the other way, we will have a bunch of uneducated immigrants who have to wait a few weeks for us to develop a good education system(not that ours isn't good, it just needs to work on a bigger scale and we need to increase recruitment into education) before they can join in the game. Many will most likely lost interest and leave the game during this time period. Now, some may say, "Whats a few people gone?" Now there is a philosophy among men, that says that there are a 1000 Alexander The Greats, 1000 Napoleons, 1000 George Washingtons and Thomas Jeffersons. Not with the same name, but the same personality, the same destiny, they have the will to change a whole planet, but most never due because they aren't in the right time or place. Now I ask you this, Would you be willing to allow a George Washington to not benefit our region? That is why every man counts and we must support them and thrust them forward with are encouragement in this game.

In conclusion, Immigration could play a major role in increasing benefits for our region. However, if we do not take the extra step by educating our immigrants first, we will then be losing more in the end due to a lack of interest in the game or simply them not understanding it.

[The Peoples of Yavanna]

Interesting stuff. However, we cannot seem to get enough nations truly committed to either Immigration or Education. I can tell you, as an insider to both departments, that we really NEED people who are committed to the region in this aspect.

I have tried to get people interested in Immigration. I cannot speak for Fleeb, but I know he has put out the call for Education, as well. What I can tell you is that, for those of us actively involved in these departments, it is a time consuming effort; especially when one considers how few of us there are truly involved in this endeavor. From the Immigration end, I CAN say God bless to the mere handful (and I mean one hand) of people I have working for me... especially Thomason, who I cannot say enough good things about.

Estayland, I want to thank you for "Also, I think we need more nations to volunteer to watch those who apply to join the UN (which is how I was recruted by Yavanna) or advertise in the Pacifics". However, I want to say that I am strongly opposed to regional advertisement in the Pacifics. There are other ideas we are testing for regional growth that I like better. I suppose it seems like a good idea, on the surface (advertisement), and I can see how one would suggest it; however, if we simply had more nations truly interested in helping this region by volunteering for Immigration, I think we would see more results. Same goes, I think, for Education: Real, honest, committed people who want to take the time to welcome people, and answer questions would be most helpful, and help in nation retention.

So forgive me the rant; but what I want to know from the candidates is: What do YOU plan to do about Immigration and Education, seriously. What are your thoughts? Because, from where I sit, we have a region of over 600 nations, and I currently have 3 people who commit to helping Immigration, and a few others who help part-time. I think there are maybe 5 or 6 (correct me if I am wrong, Fleeb) who work in Education.

And of course there is also the question of endorsements for TSNA... 600 nations, and we can barely keep above 100 endos for our Delegate?

Yeah, it is all well and good to say we need more work in Education, or Immigration, but... what real plans do you all have to increase basic involvement of nations in this endaevor? I'm sorry, but without the nation involvement, all the propostions seem impossible to fulfill, to me.

[Estayland]

One question I have with TGing nations individually is where is the line drawn that determines whether its spam or not. If the NS mods don't mind nations TGing other nations, then we can use that more. I'd also like to know what your objection is to advertising in the Pacifics. I would understand if you consider it tacky.

What if we had some type of contest in which nation can recruit the most new nations in a week period? We can do this once a quarter. The winner would receive some type of recognition from the Council of 9 for the work. Of course, we would need a set of rules of what's acceptable and what's not.

As for the education department, maybe we should use the XKI chatroom at a specific time for the classes. Fleeb can arrange a time convenient to him to be in the room, and he can announce what is being taught. All those interested in going can go. He could also get suggestions about what to teach from those who attend. And instead of him just doing all the typing, other participants should have some material ready also.

We should also keep the buddy system going. Those who volunteer for it should list their screen name from one of the popular chat programs like AIM, Yahoo, or MSN Messenger to communicate. This could also work in the different parties.

[Klington]

Well, through your recent immigration work Yav, I can say that quality is better that quantity. If we can get people who are devoted to working souly on immigration or education and do it often, it will greatly make it eaiser. We can have less people in the departments because 1 good person may do the work of 3 mediocre people, and also this will help us to avoid full-scale recruiting for these departments.
Now, most people dont want to join these departments full time, and I plan to allow them this luxury, but I would greatly encourage people to work part-time in these departments. I plan to try to change the view of part-time work into something like giving blood or giving money to charities. Its just something that one should do. Also, perhaps we could provide incentive for people to try and work in these departments, maybe like a Immigration version of the battle star, and etc.
As a matter of fact, this could mix perfectly with some University class plans, In some classes the homework would be community service, and that would go straight to Immigration or education. Thats about all the ideas I have on the subject, but I might think of some more. Thanks for hearing me out.


Oh and if it really reallly gets bad, As a last resort, we could always do the poster campaign, which looks something like this:
www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/images/tlc0090.jpg

[The Peoples of Yavanna]

Hmm, yeah, ok, I get that. We can have less people in the departments because 1 good person may do the work of 3 mediocre people, and also this will help us to avoid full-scale recruiting for these departments.
Now, most people dont want to join these departments full time, and I plan to allow them this luxury, but I would greatly encourage people to work part-time in these departments.

Thank you for your kind words. And quality IS better than quantity. However, for the overworked nations currently in Immigration, I can say that we would appreciate more help... I mean, 1 hour a day isn't so much to ask, I would think... and I am certainly lenient if RL gets in the way. It has with me, at times.

The incentive idea is interesting, certainly, and one that members of Immigration have suggested to me as well. And... community service, you hit the nail on the head for me, there. I think anyone who has aspirations to 10K government should get involved in 'community service' (i.e., Immigration, Education, Correspondence,ect.), it shows a true commitment to the region. Actions speak louder than words, to me, and we need people who truly care.

[Klington]

Yavanna said:

Hmm, yeah, ok, I get that. We can have less people in the departments because 1 good person may do the work of 3 mediocre people, and also this will help us to avoid full-scale recruiting for these departments.
Now, most people dont want to join these departments full time, and I plan to allow them this luxury, but I would greatly encourage people to work part-time in these departments.

Thank you for your kind words. And quality IS better than quantity. However, for the overworked nations currently in Immigration, I can say that we would appreciate more help... I mean, 1 hour a day isn't so much to ask, I would think... and I am certainly lenient if RL gets in the way. It has with me, at times.

The incentive idea is interesting, certainly, and one that members of Immigration have suggested to me as well. And... community service, you hit the nail on the head for me, there. I think anyone who has aspirations to 10K government should get involved in 'community service' (i.e., Immigration, Education, Correspondence,ect.), it shows a true commitment to the region. Actions speak louder than words, to me, and we need people who truly care.

Well I'll try to get those extra recruits mighty fast, it looks like you guys are just about to die of exhaustion.

[Boolari]

I didn't read all of what the candidates said but I noticed Immigration is a big issue here.

So I would like to ask:

How many of you candidates have actually helped in Immigration or intend to? If it's such a big issue, why do you not lend your help to it??

[Estayland]

I'll put my money where my mouth is. I'll dedicate a bit of time each week to immigration.

[The Peoples of Yavanna]

Boolari said:

How many of you candidates have actually helped in Immigration or intend to? If it's such a big issue, why do you not lend your help to it??

Thank you, Boo. I was wondering the same thing; there are only a few candidates running that have actually helped Immigration in the past.

Estayland said:

I'll put my money where my mouth is. I'll dedicate a bit of time each week to immigration.

Why, thank you, Estayland, your help would be most appreciated! I'll PM you with the details.

[Klington]

Boolari said:

I didn't read all of what the candidates said but I noticed Immigration is a big issue here.

So I would like to ask:

How many of you candidates have actually helped in Immigration or intend to? If it's such a big issue, why do you not lend your help to it??

I don't have a very consistant schedule, and Immigration runs on time tables. Im willing to help in the weekends though.

[New Age Guilds]

actually, tging nations for imigration counts as spam. i once was warned by mods.

[Grub (Lenlyvit)]

It's not spam if you do it in the right way.

[New Age Guilds]

oh

[Greek People Nation (GPN)]

Grub said:

It's not spam if you do it in the right way.

What is the right way, so we don't get in trouble.