Summary: A proposition format that assures regularity and consistency in the method in which propositions are constructed. This guarantees a uniform process that provides for the highest degree of understanding and communication. For examples of proper proposition format see any of the rules for this site. Each part of the rules section on this site follows the current proposition format requirements.

1. Order of Proposition Contents

A. Title

B. Summary

C. Index

D. Body of Proposition

E. Definition of Terms

F. Supporting text     index

2. Construction

A. Proposition

i. Nature

Each proposition must be brief and directly address the specific action to be taken or policy to be implemented (as if it were a piece of legislation). The proposition may not be in an essay form or an expression of thought. It should be a complete, specific, and detailed procedure of how something is done. The proposition is the who, what, where, when and how of a policy -- not the "why."

ii. Size

The body of the proposition may not exceed the authorized word limit. Registered members may change the word limits by proper notice in the settings section of this site.

B. Supporting text

i. Nature

The supporting text is the “why” or extended clarification of the proposition. If a proposition has more than one author, the authors, other than the submitting author, should be listed at the beginning of the supporting text. The author is also required to enter a statement at the beginning of the supporting text concerning which parts of a proposition have been copied and pasted from another existing proposition.

ii. Size

The author(s) of each proposition may attach supporting text, including charts and graphs, with no limit within the space provided by the site’s Web master.

iii. Structure

The supporting text may begin as a general statement of support. But when an author makes reference to specific parts of the proposition, those references should follow the same order of the sections found in the proposition.

iv. References

Reference to existing published material is encouraged.     index

3. Page Format

A. Section Identification

Each Main Section shall be numbered with 1, then 2, etc. Each sub-section of a main section shall be lettered using the upper case letters of the English alphabet. The subsequent sub-section shall be lettered using the lower-case roman numerals. The subsequent sub-section shall be lettered using lower case letters of the English alphabet. If a list exceeds the alphabet, the letters shall be doubled, then tripled, etc.

      i. Example:

          1. Main Section

               A. Sub-section

                    i. Subsequent Sub-section

                        a. Subsequent Sub-section

               B. Sub-section two
               /
               /
               Z. Sub section 26

               AA. Sub-section 27

        Index

4. Miscellaneous Requirements

A. Language

Each proposition, summary and its supporting text, must be submitted in the applicable language.

B. Address Issue

It must also specifically address the subject matter of the designated issue.

C . Grade Level

The language of the proposition and supporting text must be written at the individual organization’s prescribed grade level. The grade level is determined by the registered members. The grade level is rated by using the Flesch-Kincaid method or equivalent.

D. Font

The font used will be 12 point Arial or Helvetica.

E. Grammar

The proposition and supporting text must be grammatically correct.

F. Copyright

There will be no legal copyright recognized for any submitted propositions on this web site. However, credit will be given to the respective contributor(s) to a proposition as per the guidelines stipulated in the rules.

In the case where segments of an existing proposition are used in a subsequent proposition submitted by a different author, credit must be given to the original author at the beginning of the supporting text of the subsequent proposition. This applies to exact "cut and paste" extractions and paraphrased extractions. If the original author is not included in an agreement with the subsequent author and listed in the subsequent proposition’s supporting text as a co-author (written agreement required), the subsequent author must give notice to the original author in the original author’s proposition forum of such use. The original author must then submit a suggestion to the author of the subsequent proposition. In the suggestion the original author needs to precisely define the percentage of his or her material that is used in the subsequent proposition and request credit for it. That percentage is based upon the word count and it applies whether the used material is an exact! copy or in paraphrased form. Failure to comply with this rule could be cause for an organization to remove the offender from the Member Registry -- restricting that member from further use of the site.

G. Date

The date of submission is automatically stamped on the proposition.     index

5. Rejection

Propositions that do not adhere to the required format may be rejected by the Issue Participants during the discussion, proposition rating or voting phases of an issue.    index

Co-authors: None
Part of proposition copied from a previously submitted proposition: None

1. General Statement in Support:

Some may question the need for format. Consistent format, grammatical correctness and grade level allows members to easily and efficiently view and review all propositions submitted to the site. The United People site does its best to enable all propositions to begin the decision-making process on a good, fair and equal footing. Since it is vitally important that each potential author of a proposition understands the structural needs of a proposition, an analogy will be used in an attempt to make this need very clear. If one were to visit an automobile dealership with the intent of purchasing a new automobile, he or she would expect to be presented with a complete automobile -- ready to turn the key and drive away. One would not expect to see a partially finished automobile -- one without doors, or an engine, etc. When an Issue Participant on this site goes to the issue lists to view propositions, she or he will expect something similar. He or she will want to know exactl! y what that policy is -- in detail. He or she will also like to know exactly how and when certain functions within a policy are proposed to be implemented. She or he will also like to know by what authority and method an individual will be selected or appointed in order to implement the policy -- if applicable. And, of course, if a proposed policy involves certain costs, all members would like to know those costs and where the funds would be found to support the implementation of the policy. It is the responsibility of each author to do his or her best to submit a proposition that is demonstrative of their best efforts to present all these facts of a proposed policy -- and keeping the complete "why" of the policy in the supporting text section. The policy should be as complete as the automobile in the dealership’s showroom. When it is submitted to the overall United People membership or any of its subdivisions on this site, the other applicable members will help fine tune ! it in order to make sure it is complete and in harmony with the true needs and standards of all other applicable members. The organization, including all of its members, does not desire to be involved in unnecessary dress rehearsals. The organization’s decision-making process should be a precise, complete, purposeful and an efficient exercise. The results of this exercise should be various policies that are fully intended to be immediately implemented for the benefit of the overall United People organization or its subdivisions if the policy is to be accepted in the final vote.

It is possible to also use this format within the United People system to elect individuals to certain offices.     index