Article I The Purpose of Holy Tree

The Holy Tree is a peaceful City State centered around the Holy Tree. We are dedicated to the expansion of the Holy Tree throughout the world, to any that are willing to shelter and worship her. The Holy Tree does not require its citizens, allies or friends to worship The Tree. The Holy Tree’s safety is guaranteed by this document in full faith by all it’s followers.

Article II The People’s Representative

I. Powers

(a) It is the duty of The People’s Representative (Representative) to gather information on the well being of the citizens of Holy Tree City and to inform the Chancellor. No position created by the People’s Representative will be recognized by the state.

(b) The Representative has the power to call to a vote on a law made by the chancellor. The vote will be binding to the Chancellor and be concluded in a timely manner.

(i) This provision is not in effect during the voting period.

(c) The Representative has the right to revoke the citizenship of any player in violation of Article IV of the Holy Tree Constitution.

(i) All revocations of citizenship by the Representative are subject to final approval by The Grand Lorax.

(d) The Representative has the right to impeach or exile the Chancellor after passing a majority vote.

(e) Any power not given to the Chancellor is given to the Representative, pending approval by the Grand Lorax.

Section II. Responsibility

(a) It is the duty of the Representative to execute their duties in the furtherance of Holy Tree in all aspects. It is the responsibility of the Representative to advise the Chancellor publicly on all matters. They are also to act professionally in all affairs and to always project and defend the good image of Holy Tree.

(b) In the event that the Chancellor becomes unfit to perform their duties, or is deemed to be a traitor to the Holy Tree or its people, it is the responsibility of the Representative to bring evidence to the people and act according to the majority vote.

(c) The position of People’s Representative may not be vacant for any longer than one week, if the position is left vacant, the Representative will be removed and a new Representative will be appointed.

Section III. Appointment

(a). The People’s Representative is appointed by the Grand Lorax into their position. The Grand Lorax may give the position to any citizen of Holy Tree. In the event that the Lorax is either unable to appoint a people’s representative, or refuses to, an election will be held to determine who holds the position, following the same procedure outlined for the Chancellor.

Article III Chancellor

Section I. Powers

(a) The Chancellor is the executive power of the nation. He/she enforces laws that bind and structure the nation.

(b) The Chancellor has the power to create decrees that bind and structure the nation.

(i) Decrees created by the Chancellor may not contradict this constitution.

(ii) Decrees by the Chancellor may be overridden by The Grand Lorax.

(c) The Chancellor has the power to act in the capacity of, and can veto the orders of his state-recognized advisors.

(d) The Chancellor may appoint an unlimited number of advisors.

(i) Chancellor appointed advisors have no state recognized responsibilities or authority. An advisor simply gives his/her opinion on a topic.

Section III. State Recognized Advisors

Minister of Defence:

The duty of the Minister of Defence is to organise the militia of Holy Tree and ensure they are supplied with equipment either from the community chests, or equipment donated from elsewhere. Responsible for the detention of criminals, and the protection of Holy Tree and its citizens.

Minister of Interior:

Responsible for planning the structure of the city, upholding architectural integrity, ensuring that Holy Tree has enough resources and informing people when there is a shortage of a particular resource. Has the power to plan new streets (the street’s name will be decided by whoever builds it), decide upon the location and/or presence of public works and settling minor disputes between players within the nation.

Minister of Justice:

The Minister of Justice is responsible for the judicial system of the city. He/she are required to organize trials when necessary and preside over all cases and issues between citizens, serving as a judge and mediator. It is the duty of the Minister of Justice to prescribe relief in the form of punishment or in equity. All forms of relief, be it punishment or in equity must be approved by the Grand Lorax. The minister must also assist and serve as counsel to the Grand Lorax in the event of a Supreme Court case.

Section II. Responsibility

(a) The Chancellor is to execute their duties in the furtherance of the city of Holy Tree in accord with the law and constitution. As the face of Holy Tree to the world of Civcraft, the Chancellor is required to act professionally in all affairs and to always project and defend the good image of Holy Tree. They are also responsible for providing for the defence of the Holy Tree and its surrounding city. Responsible for maintaining good relations between Holy Tree and other cities, as well as overseeing the process of becoming civilians and citizens.

Section III. Election

(a) The Chancellor is to be elected every 2 months (a month herein defined as the period from the 1st of one calendar month until the day before the 1st of the next) by means of a vote. Any citizen can be a candidate for the role of Chancellor pending they have been citizen for at least 3 weeks, (First election exempt) and are encouraged to post a platform to the subreddit. All citizens may vote in the election.

(b) Elections shall be determined by a simple majority vote by the citizens of Holy Tree. An election lasts for a week. If an election occurs in which none of the candidates hold at least 51% of the votes, a three-day run-off election is to be held between the two candidates who received the most votes.

Section VI. Impeachment and vacation of office

(a) The office may be vacated in one of five ways:

(i) Through resignation;

(ii) Through the command of the Grand Lorax;

(iii) Through the loss of the Chancellor’s citizenship;

(iv) Through an impeachment trial;

(v) or through a vote of no confidence.

(b) Impeachment Trials can be begun by a petition by 1/3 of citizens members. Once the trial is begun, if a simple majority of the population of Holy Tree votes that the Chancellor is unfit in their duties within 3 days of the start of the trial, then the Chancellor is impeached and a new election will begin.

Article IV The Citizens and Civilians of Holy Tree

Section I. Definitions and Process

(a) A civilian is a person who lives in the territory of Holy Tree, but has not yet decided to become a citizen of Holy Tree. While living in Holy Tree territory, civilians are bound by Article IV of this Constitution.

(b) A citizen is a person dedicated to the betterment of Holy Tree who has chosen to swear allegiance and avail itself her laws and constitution. Citizens hold special rights and responsibilities granting them more favor in the state.

(c) A person becomes a civilian by being approved by the Minister of the Interior. After a week has passed, the civilian may apply to become a citizen. If the Minister approves, the civilian becomes a citizen and will receive a free housing plot. The Representative is permitted to create requirements to become a civilian, including, but not limited to: working on public works, being “vouched for” by other citizens, gathering resources, or other means of devotion.

Section II. Rights

(a) Civilians and citizens have the right to vote in general elections

(b) Civilians and citizens have the right of free speech and expression. Both have the freedom to live and to be protected by the state. Both civilians and citizens are entitled to freedom of religion, be it Jeffreyism, the Old ways, or any other religion, or secular.

(c) Civilians and citizens have the right to build wealth, conduct business and own property.

(d) Citizens have the right to a plot upon which to build a home.

(e) Citizens have the right to start a vote to bring forth an impeachment trial of a member of government.

(f) Citizens have the right to run for office.

(g) Citizens have the right to fair trial.

(h) Citizens have the right to vote on amendments to the constitution.

Section III. Responsibilities

(a) Civilians and citizens may not attack, steal from or in any way harm or illegally hamper another player without justification.

(b) Citizens and civilians must remain active, or else they forfeit their position in society and any assets, property or goods.

(c) A player is deemed inactive if he has an unexplained absence of greater than a week from the civcraft server.

(i) Activity is based upon presence on the Civcraft server or activity on the subreddit (reddit.com/r/theholytree).

(d) Citizens and civilians have the responsibility to report all dangers to public safety and suspicious activity. Reports must be made over the world chat and in its own topic on the subreddit.

(e) Citizens may not be citizens of another city or nation.

(f) Citizens and civilians must be ready at all times to defend Holy Tree. Citizens must answer distress calls of fellow inhabitants of Holy Tree, and immediately participate in the defense of the region if called to arms by the Grand Lorax, Chancellor, or Defense Minister.

(f) Anyone within Holy Tree territory, be they civilians, citizens or foreigners have a responsibility to act in good faith and accordance to the laws, constitution, and government of the Holy Tree.

Article V The Grand Lorax

Section I. Powers

(a) The Grand Lorax is the ultimate authority within the nation of Holy Tree. He is also the religious head of Jefferyism in Holy Tree city and the head of state of Holy Tree city. He can countermand the decisions of Chancellor and of the Representative, including areas of enforcement, and may force the removal of a particular person from office.

(b) The Grand Lorax may remove any judicial case to the Supreme Court, during which the Grand Lorax serves as judge and mediator.

Section II. Responsibilities

(a) The Grand Lorax is responsible for setting the goals of the nation, establishing priorities, ensuring the stability of the nation and being its head of state. He/she reserves all right to call any citizen or civilian of Holy Tree to trial. Responsible for ensuring that each civilian has a respectable standard of living, protecting the happiness, security and freedom of all civilians.

Section III. Succession

If, for unforeseeable circumstances, The Grand Lorax’s position dissolves or is relinquished, a new constitution must be approved within 2 weeks of The Grand Lorax’s absence. If the Grand Lorax is able, he/she will preside over the creation and voting in of a new constitution. If the Grand Lorax is unable to preside over the creation of a new constitution, the next able individual in the chain of command will serve as the interim Grand Lorax and facilitate the creation of a new constitution only. The interim Grand Lorax will serve simply as a facilitator for the creation of the new constitution, and will not have access to any veto powers pertaining to the creation of the constitution or its contents.

Article VI Miscellaneous

Section I. Constitutional Amendment Process

(a) New Amendments can be made to the Constitution, provided that it a 2/3rd vote from all citizens and the approval of the Grand Lorax.

Section II. Quorum

(a) Votes by 2/3rds of all active citizens shall constitute quorum. Quorum shall be required for every vote pertaining to the laws or Constitution of Holy Tree.

Section III. Voting Procedure

(a) All votes must be cast on the applicable voting topic on the subreddit. Votes cast must be in “Yea,” “Nay,” or “Abstain” format.

Section IV. Voting Window

(a) All votes have a 72 hour (3 day) window in which votes may be cast, beginning from the time the vote topic is posted on the subreddit.

Section V. Chain of Command