Mayor’s Council

The Mayor’s Council will consist of, at the least, the Mayor, the Voice of the Elder Council and the Hawk’in Captain. Other council members may be added at the mayor’s discretion.

The Mayor’s Council will be used to address the larger and more serious issues of the Dale that are not able to be handled by the Elder Council, Hawk’in Leaders or Mayor individually.

Both the Hawk’in Leader and Elder Voice will be expected to have communicated before the meeting to attempt to reach a resolution. The suggested resolution will be brought to the Mayor’s Council meeting. If no resolution could be reached, one will be sought at the Mayor’s Council meeting.

They will be authorized to act in the mayor’s stead in an emergency. Members will have authority to act in the name of the mayor’s office. Issues acted upon must be brought to the mayor or a Council meeting as soon as possible. The mayor can reverse or change any actions taken by a member.

Hawk’in Leaders

Hawk’in Leaders will consist of the Captain and the Commander. Both leaders will be expected to have knowledge of the current state of affairs of Bendir lands and be actively engaged in the safety of Bendir and her citizens.

The Hawk’in Leaders will be approachable with the safety and military concerns of Bendir. They will work closely with each other and the other members of the Hawk’in to solve any issues they are able to handle.

Any large decisions should be addressed with the Mayor or the Voice of Elder Council and then taken to a Mayor’s Council meeting prior to taking official action.

The Hawk’in Captain will be a member of the Mayor’s Council. They will be expected to have met with the Voice of the Elder Council prior to any Mayor’s Council meeting to address any issues either wishes to bring to the Mayor’s Council meeting.

Elder Council

The Elder Council will be composed of kin who have been a member in good standing with Bendir Dale for four or more years, who have demonstrated a knowledge and interest in Bendir’s inner workings and show a desire to aid the governing body in the various aspects of running the Dale.

The Elders of the council will be approachable by any kin and show an honest desire to aid their fellow kin and Bendir citizens. They will listen to, advise and guide any kin or Dale member to the best of their ability.

The council will keep record of all official meetings and issues addressed. Records will be available for public viewing and viewing by the mayor upon request. They will be responsible for addressing personal issues between Dale members and small issues not requiring the mayor’s direct intervention.

The council will elect a member to be the Voice. The Voice will be responsible for attending meetings of the Mayor’s Council, meeting with the Hawk’in Leaders prior to Mayor’s Council meetings and bringing forward the concerns the Elder Council feels needs to be directly addressed by the mayor.

Alderkin

Alderkin are hin or other earthkin who have been chosen to fulfill a certain role in Bendir. They will have been chosen by the Mayor or the Council because of their ability to meet the obligations their position requires.

Alderkin positions may vary depending on the needs of Bendir. There may be one Alderkin or several at any given time.

Alderkin may be asked to join a Mayor’s Council meeting at the Mayor’s discretion. As with any other Bendir official an Alderkin should take any large decision to the Mayor or a Mayor’s Council. They are expected to work with the Hawk’in Leaders and the Elder’s Council when at all possible.

Administration and Exiles

There are several administrative positions within Bendir all meant to be filled with trusted officials. Each official can have powers to help with the running and protection of Bendir Dale and the surrounding lands.

Officials can have the power of conditional exile. All exiles must be approved by the mayor or the Hawk’in Captain, both working in tandem would be preferable.

An official with the power of exile may only place a temporary exile. Proper dated notice and reason must be posted on a designated board. Exile reason must be brought to and approved by the mayor or Hawk’in captain within one month of placement or it is to be lifted after the month time has passed.

Placing temporary exiles back to back excessively will be considered an abuse of the official’s conditional exile power.

Removal of an exile may only be done after approval by the mayor or Hawk’in Captain, again working in tandem would be preferable. Removal of an exile may be done by a trusted official if directed by the approving party.

Elders and Shunning

With Winterfoot and the merchants of the Dale deciding to recognize the severity of being shunned, or 'pariah' as the isle calls it, it falls within my duties to remind or even inform the community of one of the obligations of an Elder.

As many know, Elder of the Dale is not a title given or accepted lightly. It is far more than just 'being married', though those are elders as well in their own rights.

An Elder of the Dale is one who has shown a dedication to the people and land, and chosen by those same people to be held to a high standard.

Elders serve as the backbone of the community and have many duties and obligations. One of those is shunning.

Shunning is not to be confused with exile. There is a separate write up about exiles, elders and other government officials.

Traditionally the shunned wore the gray robes of shame. It is an old hin tradition and one I've seen used only a handful of times during my time here.

As the Dale has evolved to include other earthkin races, the gray robes may not always be required but are certainly still a traditional option.

When it comes to the actual decision and act of shunning, that is something that traditionally falls as one of the duties of the Elders.

It is part of the reason why the the Elders must be chosen carefully and trusted by the community.

The Elders do not take the act of shunning, or the dispensing of any discipline lightly. They gather information and discuss. Only when they are certain, they pass the judgment.

As times change, so do those who call the Dale home. New arrive as the old leave. I ask that this tradition not be dismissed. It is part of our heritage and part of what makes us who we are.

Writers Note: This book was originally created in the year 118 by Mayor Dirtytoes at the end of her twenty year term. It was updated as the Dale evolved over the years by the Elder Dirtytoes by request of various Dale officials. This copy is current as of the year 153