ill give a 2nd write on this, after typing 2 paragraphs and hitting post it crashed.

Ok. From memory, and i witnessed 2 elections maybe 3, this concept was something that appealed to a lot of players. In a way the elected members were acting like Vols and watching over things like theiving and other trivial acts and giving them the power to investigate and punish. A lot of thought and work with regards to maps and creating a judical system  in game was establishmed in theory. I believe a court was made also. The Main problem I saw however was the diffiuculty of getting the elected to act in game. there were many constraints, that is players on different times, players leaving, infrequent, or not organised with the help of external contact software like Skype. Getting the elected government to act as such with the above constraints, it was always destined for failure, there was no ingame scripts to help them either by keep upto date with happenings in the game. considering numbers have dropped so much at the moment I dont think this concept is even worthy of consideration at the moment.

I cant give you too much more in a historical sense, apart from naming founding members and take over presidents, but the above pretty much sums up the troubles of making it viable and the way the numbers are at the moment dont see it worthwhile for consideration

*YAY, i remembered by password and login*
* taking a short brake from trying not to fail college to deliver to this here forum a drive by posting*

The player base/community probably shouldn't have a procedural say over who becomes a Vol. 

Why, you ask? Well, if the community votes for a popular person, then that player would have to deal with making unpopular decisions.  If that player was everybody's friend before becoming a Vol, there might be problems in enforcement of the rules.  Unless the Vol selection process has become much more streamlined from my experiences with it *cough* years ago, it takes quite a bit of time already.  Having a procedural community vote would just make things take even longer.

I'm sure Smacky would rather be beat with a splintered 2x4 than have to make up a procedure for a community vote on Vol candidates.  So, when you think about wanting the community to have a vote on Vol candidates, keep this in mind for Smacky's sake.  Please?

The community probably already has probably the most important role in who is selected as a Vol, anyways. 

Its the interactions between community members that brings out and develops the qualities in a player that would make him or her a Vol candidate.  That right there is a heck of a lot of work that is already done in the development and selection process for a Vol, all done by this community.  Seriously, take a break, find something cold and tasty to drink, and enjoy some satisfaction from hard work you all already do.  Seriously, there's no need to go out and give yourselves more work.

Happy hunting.

*drives away*

Good to see you're still around Ell.

I'm sure Smacky would rather be beat with a splintered 2x4 than have to make up a procedure for a community vote on Vol candidates.  So, when you think about wanting the community to have a vote on Vol candidates, keep this in mind for Smacky's sake.  Please?

With a rusty nail through it. But I don't have anything to do with that anymore, so no beatings for me.