Diplomacy Nazi, please!

[DeepO]

Obviously, we need some diplomatic structures in here. I take it this job will only start to kick in when we first meet someone, but is anyone ready to take responsibility here? Set up a system of ambassadors, be available for chats (this used to be one of our major shortcomings, it seems very few of our members like to chat ), start to keep logs, organize diplo debates, etc.

Ambassadors and such will be decided later, but I'd really like to see a show of hands when it comes to those interested in diplo. I am, like I was last time, interested to participate, not to lead this effort.

I take it that, just like last time, apart from the minister of diplomacy two more people will have a little more diplomatic weigth: the current turnplayer and nye.

DeepO

[Krill]

I'm not going to volenteer for the main job, as I don't have the ability, or the time, to do it. However, I will volenteer to be the diplomat to the Horde, as I know several of their members well, and I have been in an alliance with them before in the C3CDG...

[Arrian]

The most important thing, IMO, is accessability - other teams need to feel like they can reach us and have a substantive conversation about something easily.

We need to shoot for fairly streamlined diplomacy, and thus some standing rules/guidelines for negotiation would be good (so we don't hold up a negotiation by debating it to death and earning the ire of the other teams).

I will of course be in the discussions and am happy to help word diplomatic missives when I'm available, but I'm just not online enough - consistently - to be an ambassador. Maybe a backup, though (we should probably have two ambassadors for each contact, so we have good coverage).

-Arrian

[Arrian]

More thoughts on streamlining our diplomacy, within reason:

We should hash out some basic strategic diplomatic goals and communicate these goals clearly to the ambassadors (especially if/when the goals change in any way).

Then, when the ambassador is in negotiations, they can post here about the goings on, but discussion should generally be restricted to a certain time period, after which we respond. I'm thinking 48 hours, max, for something like a tech trade proposal. Alliances, etc, are another beast and I think we can take a bit more time for that.

What do you all think? Shall we set some basic time limits on discussion in order to speed up our diplomacy, or should we just be content to remind ourselves occasionally not to take too long?

Personally, I find that nothing spurs action like a deadline.

-Arrian

[DeepO]

I think we should indeed work with deadlines... which is why we need a diplomacy nazi. He has to be the one making sure the deadlines are respected.

For tech deals, I would even shorten the period: 48h of discussion means 4 days at most before acceptance: 1 day to receive a PM, and 1 day to send one (and the other to receive it). 24h might not be viable, but when something has been discussed before, 24h guaranteed for discussion, and a guaranteed response period smaller than 48h might work.

I agree that we need some kind of diplomatic guidelines, and give our ambassadors considerable leeway while moving within these guidelines.

The biggest decisions will always be group decisions, but tech trades with allies should for instance should be decided long before either of the teams has either of the techs. We don't need delay on what exactly the compensation for a possible beaker-difference would be, let the ambassador decide this (within limits)

DeepO

[Arrian]

Good points re: receiveing/sending PMs. 24hrs for discussion, then.

-Arrian

[Hot Mustard]

I can be relied upon to give me 2c to any internal discussion regarding diplomacy, but that's it. I'm an introvert with an implosive tendancy - I'll blow up on someone eventually if they keep needling me - not a good diplomat's attribute.

[Solomwi]

I'll volunteer for an ambassador's post, with the caveat that depending on school, I may have to take a leave of absence here and there. The flip side of that is if I'm going to be unavailable, I'll make sure not to just disappear.

[DeepO]

We need backups for every job that requires a more continous participation. Diplo nazi is one of those jobs: we need someone who is more or less going to check into the forum every single day. You don't need a lot of time invested, but it has to be constant... every day a little bit.

That does not mean such jobs require a 24/7 attendance, though. backups should be foreseen for every job, and if we know people are e.g. not going to be as available in the weekends as on work-days (because they generally surf from work) it is no problem. Students having exams, everyone having a vacation, a family tragedy, or whomever else having rli is of course welcome to take a break.

If this absence is planned, or people are able to warn us ('Sorry, I won't be available for 2 weeks after this post' is more then enough), excellent. Otherwise we understand, and backups will kick in so you never have to feel obliged to invest more than you should into the team.

DeepO

[Arrian]

I can be counted on to check in on the forums 5 days per week. I'm totally unreliable on the weekends, though.

I'd be happy to serve as a backup (or as backup to several different posts, if need be).

-Arrian

[History Guy]

If I may be so bold, sirs - in prior democracy games I have had some experience as a diplomat. I do not seek the lead position either, but I would be more than pleased to offer my services as an ambassador.

[Theseus]

Originally posted by DeepO
You don't need a lot of time invested, but it has to be constant... every day a little bit.

And we need your phone number.

[DeepO]

That was one heck of a night It started with: 'ohoh, we just got attacked by immortals!' and ended with 'but no worries, we'll beat them in the end'.

History Guy: great!

But we really need a lead too, I'm afraid.

DeepO

[notyoueither]

I've been thinking I might do it if needed.

[DeepO]

Originally posted by notyoueither
I've been thinking I might do it if needed.

Looking good

Now all we need is a save to play

DeepO