[AMENDMENT] SOM Closed Sessions

[Zukchiva]

I’ve thought for a while that our closed sessions proceedure is really weird. To initiate a closed session we need to… publically post about it?

So here’s a way to get around that:

Section IV. CLOSED SESSIONS

1. A Magister may motion a matter to be considered in a closed session via a private motion to the Provost.
   …1.1. If the motion is seconded by the Provost, such a vote shall be held on whether or not to consider the full matter in closed session (“session initiating vote”). If the Provost does not agree to second, the Provost shall open a closed session to see if another Magister may wish to second the motion, whereupon a second from another Magister shall trigger the session initiating vote.
   …1.2. The session initiating vote shall not reveal to the public the topic at vote for consideration of a closed session; the topic at vote shall be relayed to only Magisters in closed session while the vote itself shall remain public.
   …1.3. Discussions about the session initiating vote shall also remain in closed session until the vote closes. Regardless of the session initiating vote’s outcome, the discussion regarding the session initiating vote shall remain in closed session.
   …1.4. A majority of Magisters in favor of holding a closed session, as expressed in the session initiating vote, shall allow the full matter to be discussed in closed session.
   …1.5. If the Provost believes discussion of the full matter cannot be delayed by a week, a closed session discussion for the full matter being considered in a session initiating vote may be opened for the duration of said vote. If the session initiating vote fails, the discussion of the full matter shall be made public. If the session initiating vote passes, the discussion of the full matter shall remain in closed session.
2. The Delegate or the Provost may initiate a meeting of the Foreign Policy Committee to discuss treaty negotiations or declarations of war without a vote.
   …2.1 A Foreign Policy Committee meeting is established as a meeting of the Magisterium, and it shall meet in a closed session.
   …2.2. The Foreign Policy Committee will be chaired by the Provost.
   …2.3. The Delegate and any Minister(s) they designate will be members of the committee without voting privileges.
   …2.4. The Provost shall publicly announce the opening and closure of any such meeting.
3. If a motion is drafted as a result of a closed session, whether that session was begun/confirmed by a session initiating vote or is a meeting of the Foreign Policy Committee, the vote to approve that motion shall be held publicly with the full text of said motion being displayed.

[ernestdrake]

This has my support; it’s a sensible amendment to our Standing Orders.

@Zukchiva

…1.4. If the Provost believes the matter cannot be delayed by a week, a closed session discussion for the matter being considered in a session initiating vote may be opened for the duration of said vote. If the session initiating vote fails, the discussion of the full matter shall be made public. If the session initiating vote passes, the discussion of the full matter shall remain in closed session.

I’m unsure if the repetition of “1.4” is intentional, but I’ll point it out anyway. Good luck with this.

[Zukchiva]

naur it wasn’t, thank you for the feedback + support!!

[Lucklife]

Zuk, I’m confused, could you explain how 1.1 would work in practice if Provost declines?

[Zukchiva]

Yeah - basically if the Provost declines, the Provost will open a closed session thread asking if any other Magister wants to second the motion for a session initiating vote.

I did this primarily so that minimal time is wasted in the case the Provost approves, but if the Provost declines then at least the matter isn’t wholly prevented from being in Closed Chambers.

Let me know if I didnt explain that well

[Mangegneithe]

So to be clear (I didn’t get much sleep last night bear with me): Someone privatelt says to Prov hey pls closed sesh. Prov says yes or opens a closed sesh to discuss entering closed sesh. Then vote on opening closed sesh?

Also:

@Zukchiva

The Delegate or the Provost

Why not just the Delegate? The Provost can’t propose the bills to be considered.

[Zukchiva]

yes to both, will fix latter at some point

[Mangegneithe]

If there’s going to be a closed session about whether or not to have a closed session, if the Provvy says no, why not just take the choice away from the Provost and allow any Magister to initiate a proposal in closed session? Then there can be a system for voting to bring it to open session or smth. That way instead of concentrating the bureaucracy on starting the conversation, it’s concentrated a bit on finishing it, ensuring that time sensitive topics aren’t delayed but still empowering Maggies on whether or not it deserves to be closed or open.

[Zukchiva]

good point ill fix it up