One of the most important aspects of participating in a crisis committees is the amount of paper you push. Of course, it’s important to generate a large volume of documents, but keep in mind the idea of quality over quantity. It’s much better to introduce a few well-planned documents and get them passed, rather than introduce thirty rushed documents, none of which end up passing. Before you can begin writing these thorough, high-quality, documents, it’s necessary to understand what kind of documents crisis committees use, and how you can use each type to your character’s advantage.
Directives
These are the documents that are used most regularly in crisis committees. Unlike General Assemblies, there are no resolutions in crisis, and directives take their place. The primary purpose of directives is to take action, to respond to the crisis at hand and (hopefully!) solve the problem. One important distinction is that directives are executing an action, rather than recommending an action, like in GA. For example, a directive could directly send troops into a contested region, rather than suggesting that UN peacekeepers be brought in. Another important note is that directives are much more informal than resolutions, they are usually shorter, and are written much more frequently. They don’t include preambulatory clauses, and instead jump straight in with operative clauses. In crisis, time is of the essence! While there are significant differences between GA resolutions and crisis directives, your directives do need sponsors and signatories, and they need the majority of the committee’s vote to pass.
Directive Example
Directive: Take Action
- Immediately send 500 of the kingdom’s spies eastward through Donetsk towards the contested region of Ukraine at once.
- These operatives will travel only at night, disguised as weary travelers in groups of 4 or less, so as not to attract unwanted attention.
- Each operative will be provided with one cyanide pill, to be used if they find themselves in a compromising position.
- Any and all information these royal operatives discover will be brought back to the royal advisor’s committee immediately and shared with all royal advisors.
- Regardless of what is discovered, all operatives will be called back to the kingdom in exactly three weeks’ time to begin training for the next mission.
Press Releases
These are used less frequently than directives, but can still be very effective, if utilized properly. Instead of taking action like a directive, a press release releases information to the public. These can be helpful in trying to get the public on your side, which is always beneficial. For instance, if there were rumors spreading about government corruption, your committee could issue a press release clarifying the rumors and reiterating that it is there to serve the people, not its own interests. These documents also need sponsors and signatories, as well as the majority of the committee’s support.
Press Release Example
Headline: Keep Calm and Carry On
Information to release: Our beloved citizens, it appears that we, your upstanding government, are under attack. Vicious rumors have been spreading rapidly about our supposed wrongdoings, and we will not stand idly by while we are slandered. Citizens, rest easy knowing that your government, your public servants, are working tirelessly to keep you safe. We work only with your best interests in mind, and never to further our own agendas. Stay safe, and send any tip-offs of further rumors to yourgovernment@gov.org.
Source: Your Loyal Government
Communiqués
These documents are used even less frequently than press releases, but are super fun to utilize, if you work them into your strategy! Communiqués are used for official communication on behalf of the entire committee. For example, a communiqué could be passed by a Sons of Liberty crisis committee for the purpose of sending a message to King George III, letting him know that they will soon be writing the Declaration of Independence, and giving him one last chance for reconciliation. They can be sent to heads of state, other government organizations, prominent individuals, corporations, and presidential cabinets, among others.
Communiqué Example
Addressee: King George III
Message: Dearest King George III,
Our patience has worn thin over the past few years, and the colonies will not cooperate with your tyrannical reign much longer. The many injustices you’ve inflicted upon us and our brothers have not gone unnoticed, and the time for action has arrived. We issue this message as a warning: we will soon be taking action to further our own interests, and this action will have major repercussions for you and your country. We’re offering you one last chance to meet our demands. Be warned that if you do not take this option, you will surely regret it.
Sincerely,
The Sons of Liberty
