Message posted on Stardate 99020.8 at 0154 hours
Posted by Mike Bourdaa (STF President).
The newest edict… hopefully easier to understand than some of my previous ones, but I’m not holding my breath:
First of all, I want to make clear that this edict is not meant as a reflection on any past or current EDir of STF, merely as a recognition of a problem that may occur because of the way the EDept operates.
Two of the last three EDirs, however, had occasion to make a ruling on a design or technology on which they were the primary designer of. The problem with this is, rightly or wrongly, such a proposal can be interpreted as ramming through ones own tech ideas.
Additionally, this edict is not a justification for recinding the approval of previously approved designs. However, the future will be a little different, as a result of it.
From this day forward, no Engineering Director will have the power to approve any tech design, whether a technology, or an entire ship class, without the unanimous concurrance of the top three eligible persons on this list:
Assistant Engineering Director
Dockmaster
Another Cabinet officer, appointed by the President.
At the time that an Engineering Director seeks to submit a design, the EDir must advise the President of the necessity to choose a third voter for the design, via an email message. If the AEDir or DM positions are vacant, the President shall also fill that vacancy on the triad.
The Vice President (or, if the EDir is also the Veep, the AEDir instead) will collect the votes by e-mail of the three appointed persons, and announce whether the design is passed or not. The person collecting the votes is not permitted to say who voted against the design, if anyone did. (This is to ensure the balloting is secret and fair.)
However, any person who voted against is free to announce it voluntarilly, and explain why, however, to assist the EDir/Designer in improving their idea.
Executive summary: EDir can’t past their own designs without a committee of three people (AEDir, DM, and a designee of the Prez) concurring unanimously with the design.