[ZRT CONVENTION SPEECH] On future strategy

[Óïn Ursüm]

The Chair gives the floor to Carlüs Xheraltescù. The Chair will then give the floor to the entire Convention to discuss the speech.

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Ladies and gentlemen of the ZRT National Convention, Mr Chair, and worried observers, thank you for granting me the privilege one more to speak at our first Convention - it is an honour.

In my previous speech, I highlighted the main points, or victories rather, that were notable in the recent election. Certainly, our achievements were manifold, and for that we should all feel very smug. However, in this woeful attempt at speech-writing, I will draw our collective attention to what could be done in the future in addition to what has already been done in the past.

Activity
The most important thing of all for us to remember is the importance of activity. We cannot allow ourselves to be taken by apathy - for apathy is the enemy of change, and will serve only to perpetuate the maintenance of the status quo. It is important also for the leadership of the party: the future Central Committee and party executives must ensure the active participation of the rest of our membership too.

As with all large parties, the ZRT suffers from the plague of active leadership with the clear exception of a few others. If we don't nip this in the bud, we'll end up with the same people running the show every election with an increasing number in our pool of inactive voters. This is as much a failing of our leadership - myself more than anyone - as it is with the inactive members themselves. The solution to this - more avenues for participation among new members. A programme developed by the CC to co-ordinate activism at a provincial level should be a focus for us after the Convention, I believe.

Moderation, well... a little anyway...
It was the policy of our previous leader to speak publicly with an aggressiveness which some people had issue with. I personally supported Miestra Schiva's leadership then and I won't speak ill of it now, but I would ask of our next Party Leader (if I am not elected) to heed my words: the tactic of fierce debate will only take us so far. We must also learn to be moderate as well. We need to proactively work with our fellow opposition members, which we found difficult at times due to clashes of personality. The fire of the Democratic Revolution is comprised of the very same elements as every fire is comprised of: heat and light.

Of heat, we have been in no short supply; this isn't a criticism of the tactics of our previous leader either. What the heat of our ferocity allowed us to achieve is a place in Talossan politics which has an indisputably strong foundation. It was important then that we got our ideas across, and put ourselves in a strong position with a reputation for not taking brown stuff from anyone. Does this mean we should stop? No! Carry on, I say, but not to the extent to which we would see ourselves alienated from our opposition brethren.

On future election strategy...
Multimedia campaigning is the way forwards! In the next election, I want videos, recordings, flashy images, the works! We're going to need to pull out all the stops to defeat our opponents, so let's give 'em hell, Harry!

Thank you, Mr Chair.

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

A programme developed by the CC to co-ordinate activism at a provincial level should be a focus for us after the Convention, I believe.

Any suggestions?

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

A welcome pack type programme for new members/citizens. A preparatory measure detailing how to get involved in Talossan politics.

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

How can we avoid, thereby, accusations that the ZRT is trying to poach newbies out of the immigration queue, the kind of thing that we rightly criticise the RUMP for?

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

I am not advocating the poaching of prospectives - rather, we should wait until they have naturalised.

[Colonel Mximo Carbonèl]

I agree

[Gödafrïeu Válcadác’h]

How long, then, after naturalization, should we wait before ambushing a new citizen, then? Perhaps this can be a gentlemen's agreement between all parties that certain definable actions may not be done with new citizens until, say, three months after they are naturalized?

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

Nobody said anything about ambushing a citizen. My vision is that we have an information pack at the ready to pass to each citizen as they naturalise. Just your usual welcome to Talossa from the ZRT and a side of A4 about us (including contact details). Nothing pushy, and no obligations.

[Gödafrïeu Válcadác’h]

I used 'ambush' in a humorous way. :-)

[C. Carlüs Xheraltescù]

I thought you did, though I wanted to crush those rumours before they started.

[Moritz Fernaodescu]

Back in the days when I was just became a citizen, Adam Harušinec sent me this very clear summary of Talossan politics through a personal message which was an excellent introduction for me to understand Talossan politics better. Of course I still had to Wiki some stuff but at least I had the basics. Wouldn't it be a good idea if we send every new fresh Talossan some kind of summary of the Talossan politics? I doesn't have to be all perfectly detailed, just a short but clear so they'll get the idea right away. If they like the idea, then I am sure they'll get involved into the political side of Talossa in a blink of an eye.

[Miestrâ Schivâ, UrN]

We ought to have our Immigration spokesperson delegated to do this.