Powers of a sodality
Overview
Unlike the larger, more organised branches of government, most sodalities employ their powers in a simpler, more direct manner by simple resolution during their formal sessions.
A sodality can appoint titles, issue bequests and direct allies without any oversight, but any legal powers they employ are subordinate to the authority of the Senate. They must be announced in the Senate after they are employed, and are subject to veto by the Throne and by the Synod.
Powers
- Each member is entitled to cast a single vote on each issue that comes before the sodality
- Members who wish to employ one of the sodality's powers need to contact the civil service to add it to the agenda
- Most votes are counted by simple show of hands
There are four broad classes of powers that can be employed by any sodality. They can elect Imperial titles, issue bequests, provide direction to allies, or enact legal powers. In each case, any member of a sodality present, is entitled to a single vote on each resolution (the equivalent of a motion or declaration for a sodality) that comes before the sodality.
The civil service will automatically schedule any election for a title appointed by the sodality that has fallen vacant. To use other powers, members of the sodality are encouraged to find an appropriate member of the civil service before the session begins, to add the matter to the agenda. Otherwise they will need to raise the matter personally at the end of the session after all other business is concluded.
For an election, members can simply vote for whichever candidate they wish to elect. Members are invited to give a short speech in favour of their proposed candidate before everyone who is eligible is questioned by the members.
For other votes, the person who proposed the vote presents their case. If a single member of the sodality is prepared to oppose the proposal, then they are invited to give their rebuttal. If multiple members of the sodality wish to speak, then the civil service will moderate the ensuing debate, otherwise members are invited to ask questions.
Once all the questions have been answered, the matter is put to the vote. Most votes are counted by a simple show of hands.
The civil service would explore options for more formal arrangements, if it was clearly needed based on the size and frequency of meetings.
Elections
- Sodalities can elect national or Imperial positions
- The citizen elected need not be a member of the sodality
Appointment by sodality is the well worn path for any title whose responsibilities overlap substantially or totally with the responsibilities of a sodality, as laid down in their manifesto.
It is possible for a sodality to appoint titles that are Imperial or national. If a position is national, then only a citizen of that nation may be appointed, but every member of the sodality is still eligible to vote on the title. In most cases, the chosen citizen need not be a member of the sodality, but they must be proposed by a member.
Bequests
- Bequests are donations from groups who want to support the sodality
- Each bequest can only be endowed in its entirety and must be given to a member of the sodality
- A citizen cannot receive the same bequest again until a year has passed
It is common for a sodality to receive regular donations from outside groups who want to support their aims and goals. These gifts are called bequests, and the civil service keep track of all resources donated to a sodality in this way.
If a sodality is in receipt of a bequest then they can endow the whole bequest to a single citizen with a simple vote. The citizen who receives the bequest may do as they like with it, but the sodality can only choose a single citizen to receive it - it is not possible to split an individual bequest up.
A citizen who receives a bequest may not receive the same bequest again until a year has passed, otherwise they are subverting the agencies of state. They may receive other bequests from the same sodality, or from different sodalites, but they may not accept a specific bequest from a sodality if they have already received that bequest in the past year.
If a bequest is not endowed on anyone from the sodality at a summit, then the resources available are added to the value of that bequest at the following summit. The total amount must still be endowed on a single member of the sodality.
Allies
- Sodalities may enjoy the support of allies whose aid they can call on
- Most allies will require the sodality to pass a resolution explicitly asking for their help
An established sodality with a credible manifesto may gain the support of allies outside Anvil who can help the sodality further it's goals. These allies will usually require the sodality to take a vote if they want to call on their aid. The vote helps the sodality's associates be certain that they understand what is being asked of them and that the request is genuine. In cases where the exact wording of the request is important, the civil service will record it so that it can be faithfully communicated to others.
In the rare case that a sodality issues conflicting requests to a single set of allies, then the last request to pass the sodality is considered to be definitive.
Legal Powers
- The Senate can grant one or more legal powers to a sodality
- Any exercise of legal power by a sodality must be announced in the Senate before the end of the summit
- The civil service will make the arrangements and ask the Speaker or their proxy to present the announcement
- Any announcement can be vetoed by the Synod or by the Throne if they are present
The Senate can use a Senate motions to grant additional legal powers to a sodality. These may be new legal powers that have not existed previously or they may be existing legal powers that the Senate wishes to delegate to the sodality. The sodality must take a successful vote of members present at a session to employ one or more of the legal powers available to them.
To exercise their legal powers, a sodality must announce their use in the Senate before the end of the summit, otherwise the vote will not carry any legal weight. The civil service will raise the announcement with the Speaker for the Senate, but it must be presented by a member of the sodality. The Senate will ask the sodality's Speaker, or their proxy, to make this announcement if they are available, otherwise they will call on another member of the sodality. If a sodality has exercised more than one legal power, they must be announced at the same Senate session.
The Throne may veto any announcement in the Senate, if they are present when it is made. The Synod may veto the announcement of any legal decision made by a sodality. Any legal power that would have constitutional implications could be vetoed by the General Assembly or by the Assembly of Nine, and any normal legal power could be vetoed once per summit. The Synod has until the start of the next Senate session to complete a veto of any decision taken.