February 2011 UDL Convention... IT'S ELECTION TIME - VOTE - VOTE - VOTE!!!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Roll up, roll up one and all...

I was thinking it was about time for this.

Let's firstly nominate a city...

I'll take nominations for the next 24 hours, then we'll have a vote - then start working on the agenda.

[Kaine for Senate '18]

I nominate Charlotte, North Carolina

[Хahar 🤔]

Personally, I think that the whole pretense of having it in a city is rather silly. Let's not waste time with this and just get down to business.

[ilikeverin]

Personally, I think that the whole pretense of having it in a city is rather silly .Let's not waste time with this and just get down to business.

Seconded.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Whatever, some people like it.

I frankly don't care.

If the prevailing wisdom is that we don't want to bother, we won't.

[The Artist Formerly Known As and Now Again Known As Ogis]

Let's not bother with the city.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Unless I get people who desperately want a city, let's move to an attendance check.

Then we can get started.

[The Artist Formerly Known As and Now Again Known As Ogis]

Present

[Sewer]

Also present.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Present.

(if we want a city, I'd like Burlington)

[Marokai Backbeat]

Present.

(if we want a city, I'd like Burlington)

[Insula Dei]

Present

[ilikeverin]

Here

[Sbane]

Present.

[Hash]

present

[Hans-im-Glück]

present

[hawkeye59]

Here.

[HappyWarrior]

Present.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Alright, that's more than half, so let's commence.

Would anyone like to make any statements before we get into the business...

I put together a general agenda...

1. Member statements

2. Chairman's Address

3. Endorsement issues

4. Executive Council/President election

5. Other business

6. Incoming President's closing address

7. Close

[Kaine for Senate '18]

'Sup dudes.

[Insula Dei]

Fellow members of this great party,

I'd like to raise the issue we're all thinking off here. Let's face it, either this convention deals with the issue at hand or the UDL is doomed to fail like so many parties before it. I'm referring, obviously, to the primary process and what came before it. I am referring to the fact that we're running a candidate with an appropiate background,the right profile, a strong platform and an extended list of proposals that would, as I think we can all agree, make Atlasia stronger and better, and yet won't be the first preference of at least a couple of members and (alas) former members, myself included.  What happened?

How is it possible that such a rift could be born in this young party? I think, and I know my analysis is probably not that of some other members, that the smal clicque (let's call a cat a cat here) that started this party (and perhaps even only a few parts of it) forgot that a presidential nomination is never to be assumed and that some people on the ground, myself included, forgot that the open field is not the place where our grudges should be taken. I still think that our Presidential nominee made a error of judgement when he posted Private Messages by another highly esteemed mamber or when he was perhaps a bit too eager to engage certain highranking members of the JCP, thus putting the coalition that he Atlasian left should always be at risk. But I don't intend to open old wounds here.

So what am I trying to say here? Well, that's actually rather simple. I'd like to suggest that -we try to effectively regulate the primary process within the party, both for senatorial and presidential races.
- we adopt a policy of silent co-operation with the JCP. 'Silent' in that we should try to not openly clash with them or their leaders, even if there are personal feuds between some of our members and theirs.
- we should perhaps ask the Council to set out a couple of guidelines which should be taken into account when running for party offices, even if they should be informal rather than official.

I think that if we take these three simple ideas into consideration we might prevent a repeat of this cycle's unfortunate events. It is to this goal that I have adressed this joint session and it is with this goal now explicitly stated and hoping that everyone will now be forced to speak their mind about it, that I will now return to silence.

I thank you for your attention.

[Insula Dei]

And oh: Anyone up for #UDL at Mibbit?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS

I want to thank all of you for being actively involved in your party.

This has been a difficult time to be chair, but my belief that was this party represents is just and right, has made those difficult times easier. I have also kept my sanity, through the support those I have called on for advice during that time.

Just after the primary vote, I said that this period was a great test for this party, and like all tests there was really only two options, pass or fail. I am so proud to say that in the time after the party endorsement vote, that we have united, not only within our own party, but have made greater efforts to form a much stronger working relationship with the JCP and all those who want a progressive agenda driven forward in this country.

This presidential election will be extremely close and requires the full efforts of all of us. The conservative ticket of Governor Tmth and Senator Dallas is one of the strongest the united right have put before the Atlasian people.

Given that there are now two strong progressive parties in Atlasia, we should accept we will not win the primary vote. But that should not surprise anyone. This election will be won and lost in preferences.

The future of the progressive movement lies in your hands. This is not a time for petty personal disagreements. This is a time for pragmatism and facing reality. I say this also to our fellow progressives in the JCP and like-minded Independents, we have to work together. We cannot afford a single vote to disappear into the ether, for every vote that's extinguished is another vote that's lost.

It will be a tough road, but this election is far from lost.

I ask all of you to work as hard as you can, we cannot do this without you.

As for my future, the Executive Council will make a determination as to who the Chair of the UDL will be at the end of this convention. I have been proud of what we have started to build, and whether I'm Chairman or not, that will not change my belief in the future of this party.

Thank you all...

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

OK let's move to the council election.

Can we have 24 hours for nominations for the 5 seats?

[The Dowager Mod]

I nominate BelgianSocialist.