Kochers

Well, right now we are waiting for our wine making eqiipement to come in, ordered it on Amazon.com ya know. But hopefully soon we will have some great wine to share with all of Bob. At FreddieMercury: Well if you were on IRC you could have given me a normal flag. Also, thanks to everyone for the good luck. I know we need it.

Hello Planet Bob, I know most of you don't know me, but hopefully that will change in the coming months. I am here to announce to you all the creation of ANOTHER alliance (insert sarcastic phrase here). The Vineyard was formulated not too long ago between myself and my co-founder Lilkooz. Since then, it has grown from just a charter outline to a complete (and very long) charter, a few IRC channels, a forum, and a joint protectorate treaty. With that in mind, and without further adieu, I present The Vineyard's Charter. The Vineyard Charter Preamble We, the founding nations of The Vineyard, in order to form an alliance based equally on community, member activity, and in-game power and influence, hereby establish this charter. By affixing our signatures onto this document, we declare that we agree with its principles, character, and its goals. We realize that, despite our differences, we are all equal members and shall treat each other as such. Section I Members Subsection A Admission Any nation may apply to The Vineyard for full membership. This nation may not be at war with another alliance and cannot have any outstanding dues to another alliance. They must submit certain information to be determined by the DAM. Only the DAM, Deputy DAM or The Vintner may approve a new nations application. The new member nation must also sign this charter, hereby agreeing to its principles and recognizing it as the highest law in The Vineyard. Once accepted, the new nation should change their Alliance Affiliation to The Vineyard Trainee. Subsection B Members Code of Conduct and Rights Being a member of The Vineyard is not a right, it is a privilege. The Vineyard sets very high standards for its members. However, members are rewarded with some of the best rights and securities of any alliance in CyberNations. Member Code of Conduct: ● All members must log onto the forums at least once a week unless sufficient reasons is given (i.e. Vacation). ● All members are expected to represent The Vineyard in a positive light on the main CN forums. ● All members are expected to participate in the alliance in some way or another. ● All members must follow the wishes of the government official over them in their respective departments. Member’s Rights ● All members have the right to free speech. ● All members have the right to follow their own Sweetligion. ● All members have the right to apply for any job currently available. ● All members have the right to run in elections. Subsection C Expulsion The Vintner can expel any member nation for violating this charter or any law approved by the legislative branch of The Vineyard. Reason(s) for any expulsion must be given to The Winery. If The Winery disagrees it may call a veto of The Vintner’s actions and a trial shall take place for the expelled nation. The expelled nation may also refute his or her reason(s) for expulsion and ask for a trial. The trial will either be approved or denied by the Chief Justice. Section 2 Government Bodies The ruling bodies of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches and their respective parts. Subsection A: Executive Branch Subsection 1A: The Vintner The Vintner is the Head of State and the highest authority in The Vineyard. The Vintner makes all executive decisions and is responsible for the different departments. The Vintner has the power to grant all governmental positions and has the ability to outsource that authority to other individuals for specific positions. The Winery and The Secret Winery must approve all Ministers appointed by The Vintner. All government officials in the Executive Branch ultimately report to The Vintner. The Vintner serves at the leisure of the membership. The Vintner can declare a State of Emergency. The Vintner can veto a bill or charter amendment, but can be over-ridden if the item is approved again by the items required approval from the legislator. The Vintner is elected by The Winery and requires a simple majority to win. In cases where a simple majority is not achieved, the two tops candidates will run in a run-off election. Subsection 1B: The Vice Vintner The Vice Vintner is the right hand man of The Vintner. He is elected along with The Vintner and is his running mate. The Vice Vintner is the second highest authority in The Vineyard. He works with The Vintner to make sure that The Vineyard is running smoothly. Subsection 2A: Ministries There are six (6) different Ministries in The Vineyard. Each ministry is run by its respective Minister. Ministers are appointed by The Vintner and confirmed by The Secret Winery with a simple majority. Subsection 2B: Domestic Affairs A Domestic Affairs Minister (DAM) shall run the Ministry of Domestic Affairs. The DAM will be responsible for running the Department of Recruiting and general intra-alliance management. The exact responsibilities of the DAM will be posted in the Domestic Affairs head office for the membership to view. The Vintner is responsible for the maintenance of the DAM’s responsibilities. The DAM is the first in the line of succession if The Vintner and Vice Vintner are both unable to lead. The DAM also has the option of appointing Deputies for just Domestic Affairs in general and/or for each individual sub-department. The Deputy DAM (DDAM) functions in the DAM’s absence and has complete control of their respective sub-department with regards to day-to-day management. Subsection 2C: External Affairs A External Affairs Minster (EAM) shall run the Ministry of External Affairs. The EAM will be responsible for all relations with other alliances, the maintenance of foreign alliances embassies on the off-site forums, and the commission of Ambassadors to other alliances. The exact responsibilities of the EAM will be posted in the External Affairs head office for the membership to view. The Vintner is responsible for the maintenance of the EAM’s responsibilities. The EAM is required to keep the MAM up-to-date on the latest political happenings in Planet Bob that may threaten the security of The Vineyard. The EAM is the second in the line of succession if The Vintner and Vice Vintner are both unable to lead. The EAM also has the option of appointing Deputies for just External Affairs in general and/or for each individual sub-department. The Deputy EAM (DEAM) functions in the EAM’s absence and has complete control of their respective sub-departments with regards to day-to-day management. Subsection 2D: Military Affairs A Military Affairs Minster (MAM) shall run the Ministry of Military Affairs. The MAM will be responsible for all rouge responses, retaliatory and pre-emptive strikes concerning foreign alliances., and maintaining the military during peace time. The exact responsibilities of the MAM will be posted in the Military Affairs head office for the membership to view. The Vintner is responsible for the maintenance of the MAM’s responsibilities. The MAM is required to keep the EAM up-to-date on the status of the military so that the EAM is informed in case a decision must be made based of the military. The MAM is the third in the line of succession if The Vintner and Vice Vintner are both unable to lead. The MAM also has the option of appointing a Deputy. The Deputy MAM (DMAM) functions in the MAM’s absence. Subsection 2E: Communication A Communication Minister (CM) shall run the Ministry of Communication. The CM will be responsible for all communication between the executive and legislative branches and the general membership, as well as The Vineyard and the rest of Planet Bob. The exact responsibilities of the CM will be posted in the Communication head office for the membership to view. The Vintner is responsible for the maintenance of the CM’s responsibilities. The CM is the fourth in the line of succession if The Vintner and Vice Vintner are both unable to lead. The CM also has the option of appointing Deputies for just Communication in general and/or for each sub-department. The Deputy CM (DCM) functions in the CM’s absence and has complete control of their respective sub-departments with regards to day-to-day management. Subsection 2F: Economics A Economics Minister (EM) shall run the Ministry of Economics. The EM will be responsible for all tech deals, trade circles, donation deals, and the general economic health of the alliance. The exact responsibilities of the EM will be posted in the Economics head office for the membership to view. The Vintner is responsible for the maintenance of the EM’s responsibilities. The EM is the fifth in the line of succession if The Vintner and Vice Vintner are both unable to lead. The EM also has the option of appointing Deputies for just Economics in general and/or for each sub-department. The Deputy EM (DEM) functions in the EM’s absence and has complete control of their respective dub-departments with regards to day-to-day management. Subsection 2G: Academics A Academics Minister (AM) shall run the Ministry of Academics. The AM will be responsible for the education of all new members and the advancement of current members intellect with the development of. The exact responsibilities of the AM will be posted in the Academics head office for the membership to view. The Vintner is responsible for the maintenance of the AM’s responsibilities. The AM is the sixth in the line of succession if The Vintner and Vice Vintner are unable to lead. The AM also has the option of appointing Deputies for just Academics in general and/or for each sub-department. The Deputy AM (DDAM) functions in the AM’s absence and has complete control of their respective sub-department with regards to day-to-day management. Subsection 2H: The Advisory Council The Advisory Council is an optional organ of the government. If The Vintner wishes to hear the opinion of Vineyard-members who are not involved in the government, The Vintner can appoint members as Advisors. The Advisors can see the secret parts of the forums and can comment on any issues. They don’t have any power or vote. Advisors need to be re-appointed after each election. The Advisory Council can also be dismissed entirely and not re-established. Subsection B: Legislative Branch Subsection 1A: The Winery The Winery is the most basic level of the legislative branch. It is open to all members, but members most volunteer to be a Winery Member. Winery Members can call a vote on the status of The Secret Winery. If the vote is >50% in favor, then The Secret Winery is dissolved and elections will commence within one week’s time. Any Winery Member may submit a bill to The Winery Leader who shall approve or deny all submitted bills and can only be over-ridden by The Vintner or a majority vote of The Secret Winery. The Winery Leader is elected every two months following the same election guidelines as The Vintner. The voting powers of The Winery are: ● Voting on foreign treaties (50%+1) ● Dissolving The Secret Winery (66%+1) ● Approving an Amendment to the Charter (75%+1) ● Approving bills submitted by The Vintner (50%+1) ● Approving bills submitted by The Secret Winery (50%+1) ● Decommissioning any Minister or Deputy (66%+1) ● Electing Secret Winery Members ●Approving the Ministers (50%+1) ● Over-ridding The Vintner’s veto Subsection 1B: The Secret Winery The Secret Winery is made up of Winery Members elected to the position of Secret Winery Member. There are no requirements to run for The Secret Winery, as long as the member is a member of The Winery. Secret Winery Members are elected to their position every four months. Elections are held every two months for each half of The Secret Winery. If a Secret Winery Member resigns or is expelled, another election is held immediately, for that Secret Winery seat only. The Winery has the power to organize re-elections. If a majority of all Winery Members (> 50 %) vote to dissolve and re-elect The Secret Winery, The Secret Winery is dissolved and elections are held within the next week after that. The number of seats in The Secret Winery is determined by the latest calculation by the Domestic Affairs Office concerning the number of members. For every 10 members, there is one Secret Winery seat. The Secret Winery’s responsibilities are: ● Approving the Ministers (50%+1) ● Managing the election of The Vintner ● Voting on foreign treaties (50%+1) ● Dissolving The Secret Winery (66%+1) ● Decommissioning any Minister or Deputy (66%+1) ● Declaring War or Accepting Peace Terms (75%+1) ● General oversight of the alliance ● Approving a charter amendment (75%+1) ● Over-ridding The Winery Leader (50%+1) ● Over-ridding The Vintner’s veto Subsection C: The Judicial Branch The Judicial Branch is made up of The Drunkard’s Court. The Drunk Judge, who is elected every four (4) months by The Winery, oversees the court. The court oversees all ban appeals and law suits government v. member or member v. member. The jury is The Secret Winery. The Vintner watches over the trial and checks if the Trial System is applied properly. Trial System Art 1: A trial consists of one judge, a jury, a prosecutor and a defender. The accused may defend himself or be defended by someone else. Art 2: The prosecutor reads the accusations against the accused and shows proof to back up the accusations. Art 3: The defender shows proof to counter the accusations. Art 4: First the prosecutor shows his proofs, then the defender. When both are finished they may make a final speech. After the defender has finished, the prosecutor may react one time to his proofs. The defender may react one time to the prosecutor's reaction. Every step has to be made in one post only. Art 5: The jury confers over the proof. They need a unanimous vote for a decision; the unanimous vote is compulsory. The maximum time for reaching a decision is 7 days (to prevent stalling) The maximum time for a trial is 14 days (to prevent stalling) The minimum time for a trial is 3 days. After defender and prosecutor are finished, the jury has to confer at least 1 day (to prevent decisions out of the heat of the moment.) Art 6: The judge specifies the punishment of the accused. Art 7: Both the accused and the prosecutor may call for a revision once each. Three different judges (all appointed by The Secret Winery, The Drunk Judge will not participate in the revision) will re-examine the presented proofs and decide again. The maximum number of trials in one case is thereby set to three. The last decision is the final decision. Subsection C: State of Emergency The following people may declare a State of Emergency ● The Vintner ● The Vice Vintner ● The Domestic Affairs Minister ● The External Affairs Minister ● The Military Affairs Minister ● The Secret Winery (50%+1) ● General of the Military ● The Winery (66%+1) A state of emergency is a situation where the internal and/or external security of The Vineyard is threatened. Possible examples are: War, serious international tensions close to war, rebellion, collapse of the internal structure of The Vineyard, major unavailability of The Vineyard government - however, these possible scenarios are only a fraction of scenarios where a state of emergency may be announced. The goal of the state of emergency is to create a fast-acting government that can address and quell the source of the problem. If no one is available, but an emergency situation is obviously at hand (e.g. a full-grown frontal attack that is threatening the existence of The Vineyard and its members), the emergency is automatically declared and may be formally declared by any of the authorized members later. During a state of emergency, an Emergency Situation Committee (ESC) is created. The Emergency Situation Committee (ESC) consists of all members of the government (The Vintner, Advisors, Ministers (including Deputies and Director), and Secret Winery Members). The Emergency Situation Committee (ESC) rules by decree. It is organized in a hierarchy, corresponding with the list above. An order by the highest ranking available person can only be overruled by a 2/3-majority of the whole Emergency Situation Committee (ESC). Until such a majority is found, the order is valid and has to be followed. Normal constitutional decision-finding processes do not apply during a state of emergency. The State of Emergency ends with a Emergency Situation Committee (EEC) majority vote (> 50 %). If the state of emergency hasn’t ended after one month, The Secret Winery (not the Emergency Situation Committee (ESC)) has to support it with a majority vote or it ends. Subsection D: Elections Elections for The Vintner shall be held every four months. Candidates for the office of The Vintner shall run with a running mate who, if elected, shall be the Vice Vintner. The nomination for the position of Vintner shall last for a period of five (5) days, after which elections shall last for a period of five (5) days. The position of Judge shall following the same guidelines as the position of Vintner. The seats for The Secret Winery shall be elected to four month terms, on a rotating basis. Thus, half of he Secret Winery Members will be elected every two months. They shall also have a nomination period of five (5) days and an election period of five (5) days. Winery Members elect all public offices. Thus, The Winery, not the membership, elects The Vintner, the Judge, and The Secret Winery. Elections may not be postponed unless a vote is held that garners 75%+1 of The Wineries approval. Subsection E: War and Peace The Vintner must submit a proposal to The Secret Winery to declare war or accept peace terms. The Secret Winery must approve the proposal with a 2/3+1 vote. The only exception when The Vintner can declare war without The Secret Wineries approval is when the security of The Vineyard is at stake (i.e. The Vintner is informed that The Vineyard will be attacked at update, he can then start prepping the alliance for war and declare war). Subsection F: Charter Amendments The Charter can only be amended by a vote 75%+1 in favor by both The Secret Winery and The Winery. The Vintner can veto a Charter Amendment, but if it is passed a second time, it alters the charter regardless of The Vintner. Subsection G: Charter Restrictions Until such time as The Vineyard possesses 30 members, The Secret Winery is non-existent and all its authority is transferred to The Vintner. Until such time as The Vineyard possesses 20 members, The Winery is non-existent and all its authority is transferred to The Vintner. Until such time as The Vineyard possesses members with expertise in the required areas, all ministers positions not filled are the responsibility of The Vintner. Credit for different parts of the charter goes to NADC's, TFD's, and CCC's charters. And now, on to the Protectorate Treaty. The Vineyard was lucky enough to get not just one, but TWO alliances to protect it from those bullies on the other side of the playground. So now, with lots of extra adieu, is The "Le romance de trois (Triple Romance)" Protectorate Treaty. The "Le romance de trois (Triple Romance)" Protectorate Treaty Preamble: Recognizing the common bonds of friendship and the interest of protection and guidance The Foreign Division, the North Atlantic Defense Coalition and The Vineyard enter into the following protectorate agreement. Chapter I - Sovereignty: The Foreign Division, the North Atlantic Defense Coalition and The Vineyard recognize each other as sovereign and separate alliances. Chapter II - Mutual Respect: The three Alliances shall have the determination and good faith to prevent disputes from arising. In case disputes on matters directly affecting them should arise, especially disputes likely to disturb peace and harmony, they shall refrain from the threat or use of force and shall at all times settle such disputes among themselves through friendly negotiations. Chapter III - Protection and Defense: The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition will consider an attack on The Vineyard as an attack on themselves. The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition will attempt to resolve such an issue with The Vineyard through diplomatic means before force is ever used. While not required, The Vineyard has the option of coming to the defense of The Foreign Division or the North Atlantic Defense Coalition if the need for mutual defense is ever requested. Chapter IV - Aid: The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition will aid The Vineyard to help them grow as an alliance. The Vineyard will have access to the Technology Market of The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Business Exchange of the North Atlantic Defense Coalition for the lasting of this treaty. Chapter V – Advisors: The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition will both nominate one advisor, approved by The Vineyard, who will work directly with The Vineyard in the process of alliance structuring and offer guidance in Charter building. When these objectives are attained the Advisors will remain as consulter to The Vineyard government. The Advisors will hold no legal or executive power as defined in Chapter I. If a disagreement should ever arise between the two Advisors over an issue of great importance, The Vintner of The Vineyard shall consult the Ministers of Foreign Affairs for both alliances and make a decision based on their advise. Chapter VI - Aggression and Treaty Signing: The Vineyard agrees to alert The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition if they have decided to go on the offensive towards another alliance within 48 hours of doing so. The Vineyard will never declare war on another alliance without first discussing it with The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition leaderships. For the duration of this treaty The Vineyard will abstain from the practice known as Tech Raiding as well as from performing individual, unprovoked, aggressive wars. The Vineyard will also contact The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition before signing any treaties with other alliances and will discuss such decisions with them. Chapter VII - Disbandment: In the sad event that the The Vineyard decides it can no longer function as an alliance, The Vineyard agrees to contact The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition leaderships as soon as possible. If possible disbandment is an option, The Vineyard agrees to contact The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition within 24 hours to discuss other options. The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition shall do everything they can to help The Vineyard avoid such a fate. Chapter VIII – Extras: Both parties agree to give each other 72 hour notice before canceling this treaty. Once the 72 hours have expired, a 48 hour grace period begins. When The Vineyard feels it is capable of holding their security and do not need assistance from The Foreign Division or the North Atlantic Defense Coalition, the parties may discuss a possible upgrade of the treaty. This treaty will be reviewed every six months, at which time the leaderships of each alliance may discuss whether to continue, upgrade, or cancel this treaty. If The Vineyard declares war on another alliance without first discussing it with both The Foreign Division and the North Atlantic Defense Coalition in violation of Chapter VI, then this treaty is automatically void and the 48 hour grace period begins. Signed for The Foreign Division, Speaker Firebolt Senator Lusitan Senator Herbert Senator Italgria Senator KingAdam Minister of Foreign Affairs SupremePrince Signed for The North Atlantic Defense Coalition, TankKiller Secretary General Lord_Damien Minister of Foreign Affairs Laverick Minister of Education FreddieMercury Deputy of Foreign Affairs Heroica Deputy of Foreign Affairs Signed for The Vineyard, The Vintner Kochers Minister of Economics Lilkooz So now you know about all there is to know about The Vineyard. Our IRC channel is #vineyard and our forums are located at vineyard.pcriot.com so send your ambassador on over. EDIT: Added the flags

o/Capax o/ONE o/cp4 You were able to make the hard decisions and do things no one else would/could do. See ya around I hope.

Oddest protectorate treaty I have read so far. Its hopefully just the wording but its still a bit strange. Maybe a revision is in order? Congrats anyway NWO, hope to see you around.

o/app o/cello o/#app great memories lol Good luck to you cello and our reborn alliance. Also, where are the cookies?

Congrats Firebolt and thanks Lusitan for the great eight months you have been Speaker of the Senate.

o/CAM Good luck Coltra, hope it is everything you want it to be and more/

The smallness of teh posts is troubling. Ah well.

No Thor, you are still a failure. That is, until you help me with my math homework On Topic: Congrats to Ruggerdawg and all new and old NADC gov.

I'll bring the NADiCecream!! Congrats to TankKiller! 0 NADC!

bump. B) :lol:

I WANT UPDATE!!!!

I'm leanig towards PLanet Carl too. If an Admin of some sort could get it discussed officialy, then we will have Planet's Bob, Carl, and the pretend Planet *Earth* that we tell our kids at bed time. -Tdkocher of Kochers

Hey all. Was reading another topic and saw this question pop up. Thought it was a good one so I made this thread. What ARE we going to name CN's Tournament Edition's Planet? (Hopefully somethihng more interesting than "bob") Post any and all ideas in this thread. Cheers, -Tdkocher of Kochers

Watchman, I am making a members arrest. You are hereby relieved of you position and are charged with treason. (JK )

1TF moved to the Blue Sphere!