NationStates Jolt Archive

>>OOC: Background on Effrenata and its extremely chaotic (but functional) government HERE: http://www.nationstates.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=113835&highlight= <<

In the beautiful historic capital city of Ceyce, Effrenata’s various Socialist Special Interest Groups are preparing for a Conference, in anticipation of the expected Call for Elections. In hopes of securing enough delegates to grab a larger share of the SIG Executive Committee and ousting many long-serving Tidyites (Motto/Philosophy: “Leave everything a little tidier than you found it!”) from various Marginally Empowered Bureaucracies, they have thrown their support behind a substantial coalition of religious and left-wing SIGs.

Together, the coalition has been working hard to sway the largest SIG, the Big Mushy Middle (M/P: "Just leave us alone unless there's a problem, and there better not be any problems.") With the recent corporate scandals implicating a number of Figurehead Council members and rocking the Wealth Acquisition Market, it is looking like the BMM is finally perturbed enough to take action and vote in favor of the Call for Elections.

Having been in the political outer ring for so long, the 327 (or 328, depending on how you count the Borskyite Schism) socialist-oriented SIGs feel confident in the solidarity of their coalition. Their plan now is to meet together to create a unified Socialist Agenda that will target key Marginally Empowered Bureaucracies, apportion out the MEB slots to coalition members, and draft language for various Administrative Regulations they want implemented, including:

a more progressive taxation system,
an expansion of National Health and Retirement benefits,
nationalization of low-income housing production on public lands (including an Eminent Domain provision to wrest key properties from the bloated fists of wealthy capitalists and corporations,)
a liberalized immigration policy, and
the addition of six new mandatory national holidays to the calendar.


The Conference has invited Observer delegations from political parties of other nations who have succeeded in implementing socialist reforms, in the hopes of gathering strategic experience and reinforcing the power of Worldwide Solidarity for the People. They have arranged for these delegates to stay at the Regal Otter, the elegant traditional hostel that hosts many of the thousands of distinguished international visitors to the cosmopolitan diplomatic and financial districts of Ceyce. Its late medieval architecture (thoroughly modernized and updated to offer all the most cutting-edge amenities) and fabulous view of Lake Schmink are second in renown only to the excellence of the haut cuisine available in its seven restaurants. Hoverlimos have been engaged for the duration of the Conference, to ferry the honored guests from the hotel to the conference site.

In contrast to the exquisite accommodations for the visitors, the conference delegates have chosen to demonstrate their essential solidarity with The People by holding the conference itself in the West Ceyce Armory and Athletic Facility, a huge, crumbling, drafty, mausoleum-like structure in the down-at-heel district of Tilvasz Bottom. This neighborhood is populated by what are euphemistically called “guest workers,” (foreigners permitted to stay on temporary work permits, as long as they are willing to do for pittance wages the jobs too dirty and unpleasant for native Effrenati,) displaced rural citizens hoping for work in the city, and much of the more downscale end of Ceyce’s comparatively small criminal population.

Tomorrow the Conference will convene, but there are already signs of trouble. The Steering Committee is having a hard time reaching consensus on whether to let the catering contract to a small, local, Unionized, worker-owned company (which, strictly speaking, doesn’t really have the resources to efficiently handle an event of this size,) or to a large, efficient, non-union, guest-worker-exploiting company owned (purely coincidentally) by the brother-in-law of the Steering Committee’s Convener, the Delegate from the International Socialist Solidarity SIG (Motto/Philosophy: “Workers of the world, unite!”)

The members of the Steering Committee include:

Beldar Nyrchzk, Delegate from the International Socialist Solidarity SIG (76,352 votes last Election, 115 seats); Convener
Ole Hildallarna, Delegate from the Socialist Fishermen SIG (M/P: “Fish belong to people, not corporations!” 49,632 votes last Election, 75 seats): Co-Assistant Convener
Corva Rubloon, Delegate from the Christian Socialism SIG (M/P: “Share the wealth! It’s good for your soul!” 62,492 votes last election, 94 seats): Secretary
Tarn Sharprock, Delegate from the Militant Socialist Revolutionary SIG (M/P: “We’re all equal or you’re all dead!” 47,286 votes last election, 71 seats); Sergeant-at-Arms
DeSareth Freng, Delegate from the Democratic Socialist Union SIG (M/P: “Socialism up to a point.” 125,340 votes last election, 188 seats): Treasurer
Vern Markawannat, Delegate from the Pastoral and Agricultural Socialist SIG (M/P: “Land reform or we'll starve!” 31,429 votes last election, 48 seats): Committee Member
Eulate Highgrove, Delegate from the Unions for Socialist Solidarity SIG (M/P: “Working for all of USS!” 29,455 votes last election, 45 seats): Committee Member
Neldov Venkarych, Delegate from the Radical Socialist Reform SIG (M/P: “Keeping Socialism Pure!” 9,143 votes last election, 15 seats): Committee Member

also present, though not invited: Vengdal Bront, representative of the Anarchist for Socialist Solidarity SIG (M/P: “Same rules for everyone: None!”) (the ASSSIG doesn’t recognize the authority of the Steering Committee, so someone needs to keep an eye on them)

********************************************
Rubloon: “Well, I think perhaps Comrade Beldar has a point. After all, we will be having distinguished international guests, and it wouldn’t do to serve them inferior food.”

Highgrove (bristling): “Comrade Rubloon, are you saying that the Peoples’ Catering Collective, supplied by the FarmerWorker’s Co-Op, produces an inferior product?”

Freng (wearily): “I’m sure Comrade Corva meant nothing of the sort, Comrade Eulate… —by the way, can we drop the “Comrade” stuff? It’s getting on my nerves. Let’s save it for the platform, okay?— anyway, I’m sure she was only referring to the fact that…”

Venkarych (interrupting, haughtily): “YOU may find “Comrade” doesn’t come readily to your bourgeoise tongue, Freng, but those of us who have shed blood in the Cause of Socialist Revolution Worldwide will continue to honor the siblinghood of solidarity by forgoing the use of elitist titles!”

Freng (with careful patience): “Actually, Comrade Venkarych, I wasn’t thinking of using titles at all. I think it’s a more appropriate manifestation of the unique spirit of Effrenati socialism to simply use each other’s names, like friends.” (pause) “Comrade Venkarych.”

Nyrchzk (heartily): I think that’s an excellent idea, Freng. I certainly won’t take offense if anyone wants to call me Beldar, or Nyrchzk, or even Chizzy!” (laughs heartily)

Freng: “Fine. Great. Thanks, Beldar. Well, as I was saying, I’m sure that Corva was only referring to the fact that the PCC has only sixteen employees, and operates out of the back of the Good Times Launderette & Lunch Counter. Do they really have the facilities to cater a meeting for fifteen hundred people?”

Hilldalarna (earnestly): “Well, if we made it a potluck, like I suggested, I’m sure they could handle it. My wife makes a wonderful green jello salad….”

Venkarych: “A potluck is in the True Socialist Spirit of Solidarity!”

Sharprock (a trifle menacingly): “I don’t like jello salad.”

Highgrove (impatiently): “No one has to eat jello salad. I keep telling you, the PCC has over thirty temporary workers lined up to help with this opportunity, and they’re all underprivileged foreign guest workers, or unemployed laborers, or brothers and sisters just out of rehab who need the job. It’s a measure of our commitment to the welfare of all to give the PCC the contract!”

(There is a brief silence, as everyone contemplates the idea of a lunch prepared by underprivileged foreign guest workers, unemployed laborers, and rehab graduates.)

Markawannat: “Maybe you’re right, Beldar. It might be smart to make an exception to the Union rule this once, especially since we have distinguished guests coming….”

Nyrchzk (quickly): “Fine, let’s have a vote on it. All in favor of the TastyTreat Catering Co.?”

(Rubloon, Freng, and Sharprock’s hands go up, then, hesitantly, Markawannat’s joins them.)

Nyrchzk: “And all in favor of the People’s Catering Collective?”

(Defiantly, Highgrove and Venkarych’s hands shoot into the air. After a moment, Hilldalarna, looking offendedly at Sharprock, joins them.)

Nyrchzk: “Alright, I guess that’s it, then. Next: The placement of banners on the main podium. I think…”

Venkarych (angrily): “That’s not it! We agreed in the Ground Rules that all actions of the Steering Committee would be by consensus, and a majority vote is not a consensus!”

Freng (shooting up a sleeve to glance at his watch—it is long after midnight): “Consensus, unless we reach a deadlock, in which case the Convener may solicit a vote.”

Venkarych: “I never agreed to that! I never voted for that! That wasn’t part of the Ground Rules!”

Freng: “Yes it was. We passed it while you were having a smoke.”

Venkarych (voice rising hysterically): “That’s not fair! That’s a counter-revolutionary, reactionary capitalist capitulation! You’re a wanker, Freng!”

Bront (sepulchrally, from the corner): “You’re all wankers. This body has no authority. I’m bringing a bag lunch.”

************************************************

Meanwhile, at the Ceyce International Skyport, earnest-looking, freshly-scrubbed comrades holding neatly-lettered signs saying “Conference of Socialist SIGs—Distinguished Guests” are meeting incoming flights. In a diplomatic parking area, three shining, luxurious hoverlimos await the visitors.

---------------------------------------
Ceyce International Skyport
The Confederacy of Effrenata
---------------------------------------

The leader of the Green KGP party, Femke halsema stepped out of the chartered biplane. She was followed by her colleague, the relatively unknown SLP MP who had tax-affairs in his portfolio, Hans Meerdijk. Both were happy to be on the ground again after the long journey to the region of Schminkland. As their small plane taxied away again they stepped over the airport grounds. “Do you see them?”, asked Femke to the glasses-wearing tax-expert. “Uhm, no, not really. There are people moving over there though – oh wait, they are going into that plane.” “Well maybe we should ask?”, Femke suggested. The liberal flinched: “We just touched down! We’ll find them ourselves.”

They walked along, following people who looked like tourists judging by their outfits, into the central building…

Mirv Denkhal, the Intern in charge of the Meet-and-Greet delegation, scanned the entrances. The Big Board had just confirmed the arrival and debarkation of a flight from Schipol, coming into gate 37 on the Fuschia Concourse.

Mirv and Cintha MaGrall waited by the end of the concourse, holding their WELCOME SOCIALIST SIGS CONFERENCE VISITORS signs high. Mirv was a senior at the University of Effrenata in Ceyce, but Cintha had travelled from Orado, where she was a sophomore at Hub U, and Provisional Vice Chair of the Young Socialists Union, an action club of the Unions for Socialist Solidarity SIG.

Personally, Mirv was an ardent Revolutionary Socialist, and thought the more middle-of-the-road socialists were a bit precious and reactionary, but Cintha was quite a babe, so he'd been tolerant of her naive notions about "Limited socialism in the context of a free market for the security of key community needs."

Mirv was more your up-against-the-wall type, but his 'cover' was as a Young Internationalist, an ostensibly pacifist action group of the ISS SIG. He looked as clean-cut and well-scrubbed as any of the youthful volunteers, who'd all been chosen for their wholesome enthusiasm and polite manners. Mirv had blended in well so far, but he was hoping to make contact with some real Comrades from among the visiting observers and delegations.

"Oooh, look!! Is that them?" Blonde Cintha held up her sign and waved it frantically. Mirv forgot to look at the arrivals, as Cintha's upstretched arms were producing interesting effects related to the dynamic tension of knit fabric and rounded feminine secondary sex characteristics.

IC:

The Knootians were strolling over the airport when Hans Meerdijk first spotted the group, or more specifically, spotted Cintha. The middle-aged tax-expert halted abruptly and stared at the blonde woman with his jaw slightly dropped. Femke slowed her pace and turned around, asking: “Well? What are you waiting for Hans?”

Hans just nodded: “yeah”, and Femke walked back and poked her liberal colleague “well? Did you see the people we are waiting for?” “Uhm, I think so not sure… there they are”, he pointed at Cintha. Femke had already figured it our: “Perhaps the big sign is an indication?” Hans turned to Femke with a distracted expression on his face: “Sign? What sign… oh, that sign. Uhm, yeah, the sign.”

The two Knootians walked over to the sign. Femke, being a party leader, naturally took the initiative and greeted the socialists warmly, introducing herself and Hans. The liberal, he simply introduced himself as “Meerdijk”, stood slightly behind Halsema.

OOC: heh :D

Cintha, conscious that she'd let her enthusiasm get away with her just a touch, was blushing slightly as the visitors introduced themselves. She met the woman's eyes with a slightly deprecating smile, and let Mirv handle the greetings.

"Welcome, Friv Halsema and Frir Meerdijk," he was saying, as Cintha straightened her tunic and rearranged her shoulder pouch, "we're very glad you could make it. If you'll follow Cintha, she'll take you to meet Friv Rubloon and look after your ground transportation."

Mirv looked like any earnest, well-intentioned, businesslike student, but the ardent revolutionary inside him was disappointed in the pedestrian appearance of the visitors. Clearly, Knootoss wasn't the Worker's Paradise he imagined any country with a truly progressive income tax would become. But he concealed his disappointment and waved them smilingly toward the big doors clearly marked "Ground Transit," collecting the sign from Cintha with a wink as she passed.

"Oh, we're so honored to have you!" Cintha said a little more demurely as she led the way. "This is such an important opportunity for Effrenata. We think we finally have the opportunity to bring about some real, progressive change, with this next election. But it's been so long since we've been able to put together an effective Socialist coalition, we really have to use the opportunity."

They emerged onto a platform that gave access to several covered, moving walkways, as well as a small curving bridge that led to a broad parking/waiting area just beyond. "The hoverlimos are over here," Cintha gestured as she led them over the bridge.

In the distance, they could see the skyline of Ceyce, with it's quaint and lovely combination of medieval spires and turrets, and modern high-rises. The distinctive neo-deco stepped shape of the famous Commerce Alley building centered the array.

In the nearest waiting area, three large, sleek, rounded cars hovered a few centimeters off the tarmcrete. Standing by the nearest one was a plumpish, middle-aged woman in a smart navy tunic ensemble, her graying hair elegantly styled. On her shoulder was a badge showing a golden cross superimposed over a red plowshare, executed in elegant enamelwork.

"Welcome, welcome!" she smiled and offered her hand. "I'm Corva Rubloon, Acting Vice Chair of the Christian Socialist SIG. You must be our observers from Knootoss?" She gestured to the nearest of the limos, pressing the bar that opened the roomy four-passenger compartment. "Cintha, could you stow our guests' bags?"

The blonde student smiled. "Of course!" She opened the luggage bin in front of the passenger compartment, and turned, holding out her hand to Hans Meerdijk.

The Knootians were pleased with the warm welcome and returned the greetings enthusiastically. “Well, we’d love to observe. Progressive change is always a good thing”, replied Femke happily.

Hans Meerdijk meanwhile put the luggage in the luggage bin, together with Cintha. Their hands touched, just for a moment.

The hoverlimos looked nice, though very different from the cars used in Knootoss that are still largely hydrogen-fuel based. Even though many allies had antigrav-technology it wasn’t widely implemented.

When everything was arranged the Knootians and the socialists got in the hoverlimo’s. Driving to their destination the Knootians chatted and admired the landscape, the distant skyline of Ceyce. “Interesting combination of architecture you have here”, commented Hans.

((OOC: now that UN resolution has made it flat again :S Well, I’m through with it… ICLy this income tax stays progressive until I say it is otherwise :) I intended it to stay progressive. Well, I have less characters and no “control” over environment so please don’t mind that my posts are somewhat shorter.))

((OOC: Hoverlimo isn't anti-grav, we're not that far tech advanced. It's a modified maglev/airflow that operates on a no-rail field network. Doesn't get more than 15-20 cm. off the street.))

Corva nodded. "It is a nice skyline, isn't it? A mix of old and new... if only that darn Commerce Alley weren't ruining it, you'd see the dome of the old Tribal Assembly Hall-- that dates back to 1674."

She sighs. "Not that I'm completely anti-capitalist, or anything... though you'll meet lots at the conference who want to outlaw virtually all private enterprise, huh. But they do tend to be a bit, uh... assertive... when it comes to getting their message across."

(As the hoverlimo gets closer, joining a stream of hover- and conventional traffic, they can see the huge, animated advertising displays on the side of the building, changing every few minutes.)

"I really think it ruins the feel of the skyline, myself. But even the Public Beautification SIG has never been able to put together enough clout to get an Administrative Regulation on the matter."

She sighs again, and shakes her head. "Well. We might just consider sliding that in, if we can gather enough momentum. It would certainly please the 'stick-it-to-big-business' crowd. But the main points of our agenda are far more important. Did you have a chance to look over the informational document I sent?" ((OOC: Just the plan in the first post in this thread...))

((OOC: well, they aren’t technicians but politicians, I’m sure they were mistaken :) ))

Meerdijk shudders at the mentioning of “anticapitalists”. He visualises a room filled with their representatives ranting at him for his evilness. “I hope not…” The experiences with the CACE have obviously been slightly traumatic.

When asked about the document, Femke comments: “Yes, I had a chance to read it. There were some interesting proposals you made there. I suppose that they can attract voters. I can only say I would agree with most of them… progressive income tax, welfare, immigration – though often a sensitive issue - well, and of course holidays.” She smiles, but nationalisation of housing goes obviously unmentioned here.

The liberal Meerdijk just nods. “And cleverly worded.”

Rubloon chuckles. "Well, it takes all kinds... and here in Effrenata, we have all kinds. Of course, our key problem, " she says, as the hoverlimo rounds a corner onto the magnificent Boulevard Ermetyne, "is that even with almost all of the Socialist SIGs on board, we're still not enough to put it through. We've had to pull together a most, um.... interesting coalition." (She sounds a little doubtful.)

"You'll meet some of them at the Conference, I think. The Coalition partners were all invited to send observers."

She falls silent a moment, looking out the window, appreciating the fabulous view of Lake Schmink on one hand, and the grand and stately buildings on the other.

"I do hope you'll find your accommodations comfortable," she continues, as the hoverlimo glides smoothly to a halt under the vast canopy of the Regal Otter. A uniformed doorman moves quickly to help with the door, and, with a gesture, summons a bellperson to assist with the luggage.

"I'm sure that the accomodations will be fine. We do always seem to get lucky at conferences and such where accomodation is concerned.", replies Femke politely.

The two politicians stand surprised as they see a ...lake... on one side and high-rise buildings on the other. "In Knootoss that would have been reclaimed land", ponders Meerdijk. "But this is nice too"
The Knootians seem pleased, and follow the group inside into the conference hall.

(OOC: Into the lobby-- the conference is not being held at the hotel, see the original post.)

Efficiently, Corva assisted the Knootians to check in. The Regal Otter had several levels of accommodation, and the Socialist SIGs couldn't justify the most lavish, but even the comparatively modest accommodations at one of Ceyce's premier hotels were luxuriously comfortable.

"Do take some time to refresh yourselves. The Opening Plenary is in" she checked a watch, "two hours. There will be hoverlimos here at the main entrance to take conference attendees to the Conference site at the West Ceyce Armory and Athletic Facility. A buffet dinner will be served as part of the opening, but," she chuckles a little wickedly, "there may be a few speeches first, so dinner might be late. Do have a snack if you're at all hungry. And, given the nature of some of the speeches, I don't think that a drink or two will come amiss, either."

"Don't worry," she said, as if sensing a little dismay, "we will get the worst of the hot air out of the way tonight, and the Conference itself will be much more businesslike. You must understand that in Effrenata, our Special Interest Group Meeting has been in continuous session for more than seventy years, with more than seven thousand Interest Groups represented. So any excuse for a little hot air brings out the orators. We will let them have their say tonight, like letting the pressure out of a balloon, yes?"

She escorted the Knootians to the elevator.

OOC: sorry – my NS time has been limited lately and keeping up with the conference has been a lot of work already. The rest kind of slips down… Well I’ve got a day off now so, here goes… moving things on.

IC:
The Knootians grinned. “Understood”, said Femke. The pair followed the Corva’s advice, and they refreshed themselves and had a drink. The hotel room was nice, though of course it wasn’t home. With ample time left before the start of the conference they strolled back to the main entrance of the Hotel. ((If the Effranata reps are still there they’ll go along.))

They greeted the people behind the check in desk and went outside. “Where are these things again?” muttered Hans looking outside from behind the main entrance door. Femke was first to spot the hoverlimos outside. “There they are”, she replied. The pair approached one of the drivers of one of a hoverlimo that seemed to be waiting for them. The driver then took them
Conference site at the West Ceyce Armory and Athletic Facility.

Hans and Femke thanked the driver kindly for taking them there, and Hans slipped the good man a tip…

The West Ceyce Armory and Athletic Facility was a huge, aging building in a definitely down-market neighborhood of Ceyce. But the Socialists had expended a lot of effort to spiff the place up, and banners over the door ("Welcome Socialist Comrades," "Welcome Distingished Foreign Guests"--yes, misspelled) and big tubs of mixed greenery and flowers made the entrance festive. The steps had been swept and even the street area around the hall had been cleared of litter, junked vehicles, etc. A number of street vendors hawking t-shirts, beverages, 'genuine Socialist mugs', 'real Effrenati watches,' and various things that had fallen off the backs of trucks added a carnival-like atmosphere to the neighborhood.

However, it was clear that order would be maintained. A number of obvious Comrades in various pseudo-uniformish attire stood around, a good many of them discreetly armed with stunrods and light-ammo automatics. Most of them wore flowers attached to their outfits somewhere, and everyone was smiling.

In the lobby area, large tables with plastic cloths in blue and green held reams of name tags and conference materials. Blue, green and white bunting was draped over the big trophy cases (mostly holding old bits of athletic equipment and dusty photos and holos) and the doors to the main hall. A huge sign with bright red arrows directed attendees to the bathrooms, and a beverage wagon was set up at the other end dispensing water and juice, courtesy of "Hydraulic Workers' Locals 123, 165, 171, and 14."

There were still a good many people milling animatedly around in the lobby area, although the crowd was drifting slowly through the doors to the main hall. There was every type of Effrenati, from the dark-skinned Maccadol Tribes, the northern-fair Svaldi Tribes, to the tall, dark-haired creamy-skinned urbanites of the Seven Tribes. One could hear snatches of conversation in Svaldi and some of the Maccadol dialects, but most of the chatter was in English.

People moved politely out of the way as the visitors moved towards the registration tables.

The two Knootians moved towards the registration tables, nodding and smiling to the other people.

The liberal politician adressed the person behind the desk: "Good morning, I'd like to register. Mrs. F. Halsema and Mr. H. Meerdijk. We are here from Knootoss on behalf of the KGP and SLP respectively."

There were two people behind the reception table the Knootians had approached. One was a suave-looking, young-middle-aged man in very conventional business attire, but wearing the red, green and blue rosette of the Democratic Socialist Union on his lapel. The other was a thirty-somthing woman whose long, unstyled, flyaway hair showed a quantity of split ends. She was wearing a dusty-red workman's coverall, with a shoulder-to-waist sash in a clashing bright red. White letters on it spelled out "Feminist-Socialist Solidarity SIG." Her feet were hidden by the long table cloth but it didn't take much intuition to guess that her shoes were probably very comfortable.

She looked the Knootians over with a touch of disapproval "Mrs.?" she sniffed. "Sister, you should free yourself from the patriarchal oppression of a title that defines you by your relationship with a" (her nostrils flared and lifted slightly) "man."

The man sitting next to her shot her a look that could have flayed an arctic bear, then he turned back to the visitors with a 'sorry about that, you know how it is' deprecating smile.

"We're so honored, MRS. Halsema, Mr. Meerdijk. Welcome to Ceyce." A sudden wince of pain flitted across his features, as though some unseen hand (or foot?) had inflicted a sharp impact somewhere on his body, but he recovered himself quickly.

He found the two name tags, mounted on white rosettes. At the top, they said "GUEST" in large black letters, and the names of the Knootians were printed clearly underneath, with "Knootoss" in smaller letters below.

He also handed them each a conference programme:


All-Effrenata Socialist Solidarity Conference

Day One

3:00 - 7:00 PM Registration

6:00 - 7:00 PM Social Hour (Sponsor: Communitarian League)

7:00 PM Welcome - Jervik Redbranch

7:30 PM Buffet (Sponsor: International Socialist Solidarity)

8:00 PM Conference Introduction - Beldar Nyrchzk, Steering Committee Convener

8:30 PM Keynote - Ygndahl Hilgisin, Democratic Socialist Union Figurehead

9:15 PM Alternate Keynote: Fervi Treth Margan, Militant Socialist Revolutionary Solidarity Coalition

9:45 PM Musical Performance by the Schtilvank Inter-Socialist Men's Glee Club

10:00 PM Adjourn


Day Two

8:00 AM Registration/Breakfast Buffet (Sponsor: Svaldi Socialists Inter-Group Coordinating Committee)

8:45 AM Convene Plenary Session (Main Hall): Frenk Marnihen, Conference Moderator

9:00 AM Panel Discussion: Our Unique Opportunity
(Panelists: Corva Rubloon, Christian Socialist SIG; Templan Gems, Effrenati Humanist SIG; Silinoi Kamanan, Marenkali Freedom SIG; Velchik Tremp, Orado Social Welfare Coalition)

9:45 AM Agenda Working Groups:

*Taxation Strategy: Moderator Kelvar Nyrchzk, Room A
*National Health/Retirement: Moderator Strengi Hyirdahl, Room B
*Housing: Moderator Eulate Highgrove, Small Conference Room
*Immigration: Moderator Vendallan Brins-Kenk, Muster Room

12:00 PM Lunch Buffet (Sponsor: Justice For Guest Workers, Orado Chapter)

1:00 PM Agenda Working Groups (Continued)

3:30 PM Plenary Session: Working Group Recommendations (Moderator: Frenk Marnihen)

5:30 PM Adjourn

Optional Dinner Activity: Goat Roast at the Skilled Trades Labor Hall Shuttle bus from Armory, 6:00 PM

Evening: SIG Meetings and Private Caucuses

Day Three

8:00 AM Breakfast Buffet (Sponsor: Fairness For Poor People Interfaith Council)

8:30 AM Plenary Session for Formal Adoption of the Agenda (Main Hall) Frenk Marnihen, Moderator

11:30 AM Musical Entertainment: Kerteben Virdanger Fiddles, "Songs of Solidarity"

12:00 PM Lunch Buffet (Sponsor: Economic Reform Study Group)

1:00 PM Keynote: Victory in Unity Geralda Sellers Farradan

2:00 PM Strategy Panel: A Spectrum of Choices
(Panelists: Rahai Mnol'anh, Militant Socialist Revolutionary SIG; Ford Ponadan, Democratic Socialist Union SIG; Emmeret Trang, Interfaith Social Reform Council; Morget Hildallarna, Nice Counts SIG)

3:30 PM Plenary Strategy Discussion and Vote

5:30 PM Adjourn


"We're all very honored to have you, and hope you enjoy your stay in Ceyce." The man had all the smooth charm of a future figurehead, as he waved vaguely toward the doors to the Main Hall.

OOC:
Question: Its a very nice programme and the post was really funny, but can we just skip to the introduction / the parts you want to say / the part where I come in? if so I can write a post that covers everything untill that part.

(OOC: Please do. Part of the reason I posted the detailed programme was so you could "go" where you want, based on the clues in there. Observations about what took place 'off thread' as it were, can still be inserted. I imagine everyone will have a headache from the speeches, but there's no need to RP them, if you see what I mean?)

At the Conference of Socialist SIGs, the ALERT2 drill was immediately assumed by about a third of the conferees to be a conspiracy on the part of other SIG interests to interfere with their Conference. Loud calls for Official Inquiries rang through the Armory as the conference attendees scrambled for the Primary Weapons most had stashed in the Armory’s Ready Room, and streamed out the doors.

As they were streaming out, other Effrenati citizens were streaming in. The Armory was a local Assembly Point for three Reserve Units, and if the ALERT2 status was upgraded, CMF units would be deployed there. The Logistics unit was already clearing chairs and tables even as the conference attendees were heading for the doors.

Corva Rubloon looked around for the Knootian guests. “I am SO very sorry. Effrenata has just gone to ALERT2 status. Probably just another National Defence Drill, and a very badly timed one, at that. You’ll be quite safe here for now. The lower level of the Armory is a Safe Point for non-military assembly, so please, just grab some food from the snack bar and head down there and make yourselves comfortable for an hour or so while the drill is completed.”

She rummaged in her purse. “I think I have a spare Cbox--- yes, here.” She handed the unit to Femke. “It might entertain you to watch what’s going on. Don’t worry. In the extremely unlikely event that the alert is upgraded, the Civilian Logistics Corps will ensure the safety of all foreign nationals. Your arrival was noted, and the hotel will update the CLC of your whereabouts, so in that extremely unlikely event, they’ll be able to find you and make sure you’re safe, or even get you evacuated if needed.”

She laughed. “Please don't worry. We have these drills once or twice a year. They’re very costly, but they do keep us from going soft. It’s part of the national defense budget.”