The Political Structure of the Imperial Bear Empire
Most of you will be familiar with the terms leader and elder. However the Imperial Bear Empire has several other ranks. These other ranks are not part of the game, but help to ensure our group of clans function efficiently and work as a team.
Emperor
This is the highest position. This is an elected position. The Emperor is responsible for:
1) Determining the allocation of members from each clan in times of new clan
creation and in times when an imbalance of numbers in clans requires members to
shift.
2) Creating policies and procedures that ensure the Bear clans
work together as a unified whole.
Guardian
This is the second equal highest position. This position is offered by the Emperor to members who are willing to accept it. Each bear clan has one Guardian. The Guardian is responsible for
1) The administrative duties of their clan. This includes detailing information for the Leader with respect to donation counts.
2) Proposing changes to existing clan rules and overseeing the voting on such proposals.
3) Enforcing the directives of the Emperor.
4) Advising the Leader.
Leader
This is the second highest position. Leaders are chosen by Guardians. Each clan has one Leader.
Leadership rotates among Elders according to the rules of each clan. The Leader is responsible for the following:
1) Enforcing the rules of the clan as an Elder.
2) Promoting members who fulfil the requirements of Eldership
3) Changing the entry requirements for their clan to allow recruitment or to close recruitment.
4) Enforcing the directives of the Emperor.
5) Kicking members who do not meet donation standards.
Sergeant at Arms
This is the third highest position. Sergeants at Arms (SAA) are ex-leaders of bear clans, ex-Guardians, and any member who has made an outstanding contribution to the the Bear Empire, be it recruitment, marketing or artistic expression. SAAs are responsible for the following
1) Voting on the Imperial Council.
2) Assuming leadership of a clan at any time at the request of the Leader.
Elder
This is the fourth highest position. Elders are nominated by Leaders and must be approved
by Guardians. Elders are responsible for
1) Screening new recruits
2) Enforcing the rules.
Where a member has broken a rule three elders are required to agree to kick the member. This is to ensure the member is kicked fairly and with good reason. However there is one exception. Only one elder is required to kick a member for using obscene or deliberately offensive language.
The Imperial Council
The Imperial Council is made up of the Emperor, Guardians, Leaders and SAAs.
The purpose of the council is to discuss and vote on matters that:
1) Affect all the clans
2) Affect the creation of new clans
3) Affect nonbear clans within the Empire.
4) Elect the Emperor.
Election of the Emperor.
The Emperor is elected on a monthly basis at the end of each month.
All members of the council may submit names for election.
Each Guardian vote carries a weight of 3
Each Leader vote carries a weight of 2
Each SAA vote carries a weight of 1
In the case of a tied vote, voting will be repeated three times until the tie is broken. If the tie is
not broken then the existing Emperor will continue in the role for another month.
Proposals
Any member of the council may introduce a proposal.
The Emperor may veto any proposal.
In voting on proposals the following weighting applies.
The Emperors vote carries a weight of 5
Each Guardian vote carries a weight of 3
Each Leader vote carries a weight of 2
Each SAA vote carries a weight of 1