The Tabellae Principatus A Senatus A ROMA
We, servants of ROMA, trace our service back to the founding of our great city by Romulus and his creation of the Council of Elders. Through the passage of time, our body has protected the people of ROMA and nurtured our fine city to become the most glorious in the world. From such service, we draw our right to continue to provide the following services to the people:
--To meet to discuss items, both historical and current, vital to our illustrious city
--To make recommendations to the Emperor, recognizing that He holds ultimate authority in ROMA
--To invite guests to share with us their experience of the world and to show them our great city
--To enjoy the rights of the role of the status afforded to our position within the city
We hereby adopt the following principles to guide us in our mission:
I. Membership
A. To be eligible for the Senate, a ROMA Citizen must meet the following requirements:
i. A Candidate must be a member in good standing of the ROMA Citizens group, active in the community in ROMA and on the Message board for a minimum of three months.
ii. A Senate Candidate must have been a SL resident for at least four months before admittance.
iii. A Senate Candidate must petition the Senate officers directly with a note card explaining why s/he wishes to join the Senate and what s/he can bring to the Senate.
iv. A Candidate must request an active Senator in good standing to mentor her/him for one month and for one formal senate meeting prior to a Senate interview.
v. The Candidate will be interviewed by the senators at the next formal Senate meeting. Following the Candidate's questioning, the Senate will retire to the Back Room to vote on the candidate.
B. The Emperor, in consultation with existing Senators, will appoint Senators to the Senate.
C. The number of Senators shall be limited to 29; the Emperor may grant additional seats at his discretion.
II. Responsibilities of Senators
A. Maintain an active role in the Senate and ROMA while enjoying its people and atmosphere.
B. All Senators must follow and support the Laws of Conduct for all those who visit ROMA. They must also act honourably whenever they are wearing their ROMA SENATOR title.
C. Senators will be given the exclusive set of tunica clavas and the Senatorial ring when inducted into the Senate. Senate meetings will have a dress code set by the leader of the Senate.
D. The role of Senator instils no inherent real authority within ROMA. However, all Senators will be trained in their specific rights and responsibilities within the sims.
E. Senators will be allowed to wear their ROMA SENATOR title while in the sims.
F. Senators can be removed from the Senate.
i. One or both of the Censors can initiate removal proceedings at a meeting of the Senate.
ii. Senators under investigation may temporarily lose rights and privileges.
iii. Senators can be removed completely after a 3/4 vote in the Senate. Removal proceedings may go on no longer than a month after formal proceedings are initiated.
G. Senators are encouraged to assist the Collegia of Priests in organizing and running ROMA's festivals and offer frequently to host the Ave Weekend parties.
III. Leadership
A. Although all Senators hold an equal rank, we recognize our leaders as the Princeps Senatus (president) and two Censors (past-president, vice-president).
B. Nominations to Leadership Positions
i. Any seated member in good standing may be nominated for a leadership position.
ii. Nominations need to be proposed and seconded, and voted on at a Senate meeting at least one month before the expiration of the current officers' terms.
iii. Every candidate will be allowed to make a speech.
iv. The Princeps and Censors will oversee the vote.
v. The incumbent Princeps and Censors will be considered candidates unless they withdraw their names from consideration.
vi. If the current Princeps moves into a Censor position, there is no need to hold a vote on one of the Censor positions. The spot is filled automatically.
vii. If the Princeps moves into a Censor position, the senior Censor (the one holding the office the longest) will step down unless s/he decides to seek another term as Censor.
viii. In the case of a tie vote, there will be an immediate run off vote between the individuals who received the highest tie vote.
C. Responsibilities of the Princeps Senatus
i. Serve a six month term, with an option to remain in that position if unopposed as long as they wish until retirement or challenge, or take one of the Censor positions following her/his term as Princeps.
ii. Summon and adjourn Curiate Assembly meetings (Princeps will announce meeting, start meeting, and adjourn).
iii. Formalize an agenda for Curiate Assembly meetings (Princeps will put together the agenda with help from others and set place).
iv. Impose order on other members within the Curiate Assembly meetings (Princeps will make sure that the tone is civil, discussion is organized).
v. Speak first on any topic during a Curiate Assembly meetings (one privilege s/he can choose to decline).
D. Funds
i. The Princeps will hold the Senate's funds.
ii. The Censors will both keep records of the fund amounts.
iii. This money will be passed on to the Princeps directly.
E. Responsibilities of the Censors
i. Serve a 6 month term, unless s/he wishes to remain in office and is unopposed.
ii. Admit members in good standing and in proper dress to Curiate Assembly meetings.
iii. Aid the Princeps Senatus in organizing Curiate Assembly meetings (suggesting topics, staying on discussion, keeping environment amicable and moving discussion along).
iv. Lead Curiate Assembly meetings when Princeps Senatus is unable to attend.
v. Keep minutes of Curiate Assembly meetings, share them with Emperor and keep an archive.
vi. Enforce the Code of Conduct among the seated members of the Senate; investigate misconduct and initiate expulsion proceedings.
vii. Each Censor will keep financial records for the Senate, but the Princeps will hold the actual amount. They will also submit financial records to the Emperor.
IV. Meetings
A. Curiate Assembly meetings will be announced by group notice at least one week prior to the date of the meeting.
B. Curiate Assembly meetings will occur at 11:00am on the last Sunday of the month..
C. All members in good standing and wearing the proper tunica clava, as called by the Princeps Senatus, and the Senatorial ring will be admitted to a meeting.
D. All senators have an equal right to speak, following the order established by the Princeps Senatus.
E. Voting
i. Voting during an Assembly meeting will most often be used to ratify a "We would like to do this" motion or a "Can we do something about this" motion after discussion. It will be by declamation (“Yes” or “No” in chat), but the Princeps can defer any vote to the Message board if more discussion is needed or more input is desired. Secret ballots, though probably unnecessary, are also allowed.
ii. Once the Assembly votes on a proposal, it technically goes to the Emperor for ratification. Most of the time, Angelia will be able to ratify it immediately (“rubber stamp it”) during the meeting in her role as Consul. Action, such as planning, then can immediately commence. On some matters, particularly those needing more discussion amongst the Estate Managers, Angelia will defer immediate ratification and instead refer the proposal to a committee or to the Imperium management group. It may even be sent back to the Assembly at a future time for more discussion and another vote.
iii. The Princeps may also defer any vote no more than one week.
iv. There is no quorum for voting, but the Princeps may allow voting in abstentia.
v. Only Senators in good standing (not under investigation) and group representatives may vote on proposals
F. Each part of the Curiate Assembly ("chamber"), Senate, Group Reps, and Public, sits in its own designated area inside the Curia in order to make clear who is a voting member.
G. Non-voting members will be excluded from discussions and meetings in closed session.
H. All may be recognized to speak by the Princeps Senatus; Senators may petition that a non-member speak by IMing the Princeps Senatus.
I. The working language of the Senate shall be English.
V. Procedure for amending/changing the Tabellae Principatus a Senatus a ROMA
A. The Princeps, Censors, and Prefect will draft suggested changes.
B. Amendments/ changes will be presented to the Senate who will vote to accept or deny suggested changes. Majority vote will carry the amendments/changes forward to present to the Emperor.
C. Prior to being permanently instituted in the Tabellae, all changes must be ratified by the Emperor.
Respectfully submitted to the Emperor on VIII March MMIX.
--To meet to discuss items, both historical and current, vital to our illustrious city
--To make recommendations to the Emperor, recognizing that He holds ultimate authority in ROMA
--To invite guests to share with us their experience of the world and to show them our great city
--To enjoy the rights of the role of the status afforded to our position within the city
We hereby adopt the following principles to guide us in our mission:
I. Membership
A. To be eligible for the Senate, a ROMA Citizen must meet the following requirements:
i. A Candidate must be a member in good standing of the ROMA Citizens group, active in the community in ROMA and on the Message board for a minimum of three months.
ii. A Senate Candidate must have been a SL resident for at least four months before admittance.
iii. A Senate Candidate must petition the Senate officers directly with a note card explaining why s/he wishes to join the Senate and what s/he can bring to the Senate.
iv. A Candidate must request an active Senator in good standing to mentor her/him for one month and for one formal senate meeting prior to a Senate interview.
v. The Candidate will be interviewed by the senators at the next formal Senate meeting. Following the Candidate's questioning, the Senate will retire to the Back Room to vote on the candidate.
B. The Emperor, in consultation with existing Senators, will appoint Senators to the Senate.
C. The number of Senators shall be limited to 29; the Emperor may grant additional seats at his discretion.
II. Responsibilities of Senators
A. Maintain an active role in the Senate and ROMA while enjoying its people and atmosphere.
B. All Senators must follow and support the Laws of Conduct for all those who visit ROMA. They must also act honourably whenever they are wearing their ROMA SENATOR title.
C. Senators will be given the exclusive set of tunica clavas and the Senatorial ring when inducted into the Senate. Senate meetings will have a dress code set by the leader of the Senate.
D. The role of Senator instils no inherent real authority within ROMA. However, all Senators will be trained in their specific rights and responsibilities within the sims.
E. Senators will be allowed to wear their ROMA SENATOR title while in the sims.
F. Senators can be removed from the Senate.
i. One or both of the Censors can initiate removal proceedings at a meeting of the Senate.
ii. Senators under investigation may temporarily lose rights and privileges.
iii. Senators can be removed completely after a 3/4 vote in the Senate. Removal proceedings may go on no longer than a month after formal proceedings are initiated.
G. Senators are encouraged to assist the Collegia of Priests in organizing and running ROMA's festivals and offer frequently to host the Ave Weekend parties.
III. Leadership
A. Although all Senators hold an equal rank, we recognize our leaders as the Princeps Senatus (president) and two Censors (past-president, vice-president).
B. Nominations to Leadership Positions
i. Any seated member in good standing may be nominated for a leadership position.
ii. Nominations need to be proposed and seconded, and voted on at a Senate meeting at least one month before the expiration of the current officers' terms.
iii. Every candidate will be allowed to make a speech.
iv. The Princeps and Censors will oversee the vote.
v. The incumbent Princeps and Censors will be considered candidates unless they withdraw their names from consideration.
vi. If the current Princeps moves into a Censor position, there is no need to hold a vote on one of the Censor positions. The spot is filled automatically.
vii. If the Princeps moves into a Censor position, the senior Censor (the one holding the office the longest) will step down unless s/he decides to seek another term as Censor.
viii. In the case of a tie vote, there will be an immediate run off vote between the individuals who received the highest tie vote.
C. Responsibilities of the Princeps Senatus
i. Serve a six month term, with an option to remain in that position if unopposed as long as they wish until retirement or challenge, or take one of the Censor positions following her/his term as Princeps.
ii. Summon and adjourn Curiate Assembly meetings (Princeps will announce meeting, start meeting, and adjourn).
iii. Formalize an agenda for Curiate Assembly meetings (Princeps will put together the agenda with help from others and set place).
iv. Impose order on other members within the Curiate Assembly meetings (Princeps will make sure that the tone is civil, discussion is organized).
v. Speak first on any topic during a Curiate Assembly meetings (one privilege s/he can choose to decline).
D. Funds
i. The Princeps will hold the Senate's funds.
ii. The Censors will both keep records of the fund amounts.
iii. This money will be passed on to the Princeps directly.
E. Responsibilities of the Censors
i. Serve a 6 month term, unless s/he wishes to remain in office and is unopposed.
ii. Admit members in good standing and in proper dress to Curiate Assembly meetings.
iii. Aid the Princeps Senatus in organizing Curiate Assembly meetings (suggesting topics, staying on discussion, keeping environment amicable and moving discussion along).
iv. Lead Curiate Assembly meetings when Princeps Senatus is unable to attend.
v. Keep minutes of Curiate Assembly meetings, share them with Emperor and keep an archive.
vi. Enforce the Code of Conduct among the seated members of the Senate; investigate misconduct and initiate expulsion proceedings.
vii. Each Censor will keep financial records for the Senate, but the Princeps will hold the actual amount. They will also submit financial records to the Emperor.
IV. Meetings
A. Curiate Assembly meetings will be announced by group notice at least one week prior to the date of the meeting.
B. Curiate Assembly meetings will occur at 11:00am on the last Sunday of the month..
C. All members in good standing and wearing the proper tunica clava, as called by the Princeps Senatus, and the Senatorial ring will be admitted to a meeting.
D. All senators have an equal right to speak, following the order established by the Princeps Senatus.
E. Voting
i. Voting during an Assembly meeting will most often be used to ratify a "We would like to do this" motion or a "Can we do something about this" motion after discussion. It will be by declamation (“Yes” or “No” in chat), but the Princeps can defer any vote to the Message board if more discussion is needed or more input is desired. Secret ballots, though probably unnecessary, are also allowed.
ii. Once the Assembly votes on a proposal, it technically goes to the Emperor for ratification. Most of the time, Angelia will be able to ratify it immediately (“rubber stamp it”) during the meeting in her role as Consul. Action, such as planning, then can immediately commence. On some matters, particularly those needing more discussion amongst the Estate Managers, Angelia will defer immediate ratification and instead refer the proposal to a committee or to the Imperium management group. It may even be sent back to the Assembly at a future time for more discussion and another vote.
iii. The Princeps may also defer any vote no more than one week.
iv. There is no quorum for voting, but the Princeps may allow voting in abstentia.
v. Only Senators in good standing (not under investigation) and group representatives may vote on proposals
F. Each part of the Curiate Assembly ("chamber"), Senate, Group Reps, and Public, sits in its own designated area inside the Curia in order to make clear who is a voting member.
G. Non-voting members will be excluded from discussions and meetings in closed session.
H. All may be recognized to speak by the Princeps Senatus; Senators may petition that a non-member speak by IMing the Princeps Senatus.
I. The working language of the Senate shall be English.
V. Procedure for amending/changing the Tabellae Principatus a Senatus a ROMA
A. The Princeps, Censors, and Prefect will draft suggested changes.
B. Amendments/ changes will be presented to the Senate who will vote to accept or deny suggested changes. Majority vote will carry the amendments/changes forward to present to the Emperor.
C. Prior to being permanently instituted in the Tabellae, all changes must be ratified by the Emperor.
Respectfully submitted to the Emperor on VIII March MMIX.