More Possible Responsibilities
The first part of this series describes the main function of the advisory board. It provides the elected bodies with additional insights as decisions are being made. Having an outside, trusted, and respected voice in these meetings can steer the elected bodies to better directions.
But there are other functions the advisory board can perform.
Administer the TDG Elections
Elections at all the tiers will require some administration. Voters’ lists need to be maintained. Ballots need to be handled and later counted.
While I believe the TDG elections will be conducted honestly and fairly, having the advisory board manage the elections will create another layer of clean elections. There is a big disconnect between how the representatives get their elected TDG jobs and how the appointed advisors get their advisory jobs. It will be difficult for the two sides to “exchange favors” to keep and enhance their TDG jobs. So if the advisory board is handling the elections, there should be less perception that elections are somehow rigged to give certain TDG positions to certain individuals.
Another Avenue of Complaint
If a citizen is unsatisfied with the neighborhood or district representative, that citizen can turn to the local advisor. That advisor can do a little investigation as to whether that citizen’s concerns are valid and worthy of consideration.
Providing a more Global Perspective
Each advisor will be interacting with multiple parts of the TDG. They can bring the workings of these parts together. For example, if an advisor is assigned to Neighborhood E, F, G, & H, the advisor can provide these neighborhoods with what each other are doing. Good solutions in Neighborhood E might be useful in Neighborhood H.
As well, the advisors will be meeting amongst themselves. They can share knowledge of each other’s assignments, and good ideas from one part of the TDG can be introduced to other parts. For example, a good solution in Neighborhood E might move through two advisors to find a home in Neighborhood T.
In essence, the advisors are in a good position to learn about the bigger picture of the TDG.
Conveying Decisions to Citizens
We should not expect the TDG to get universal approval for all the decisions it makes. There will always be a few unhappy citizens. The advisory board can play a role in getting an understanding of the thoughts and efforts made by the elected bodies to make their decisions. Advisors can assure dissatisfied citizens that their concerns were given appropriate consideration.
Conveying Citizen Concerns to the Elected Tiers
While neighborhood representatives should be bringing concerns of their neighbors to the higher tiers, the lower tier advisors could be doing the same. The advisory board could be another mechanism for the elected side of the TDG to learn about overall attitudes and concerns of the citizens. Trends can be spotted quickly and brought to the attention of the highest tier.
Interpreter of the Constitution
If elected representatives come to different interpretations of the TDG constitution, the advisors could form a committee to resolve this issue. Then the elected bodies would know a wise source has looked at all the facts and come up with a reasonable decision. The elected bodies can move on with that decision.
In a like manner, the elected bodies should form a similar committee to resolve any disputes within the advisory board.
Teaching the TDG Way
Advisors could play a critical role in how citizens vote. The salient feature “voting for good character" and "capacity for governance” is something that citizens need to be constantly reminded. Advisors, who have no personal stake in the elections, would be a good source of constant reminders.
Remember, the citizens decide on their own criteria, then decide which of their neighbors or fellow representatives best fit that criteria.
The Cult of Celebrity
Unfortunately, human nature still has an attraction for celebrities. I kind of doubt this part of human nature will go away when the TDG is implemented. It must be managed well.
If the TDG gives more of the celebrity status to the top advisory tier rather than the highest elected tier, the elected tiers will not be subject to the demands of being a celebrity. With fewer of these demands placed on them, the elected tiers will have more focus for their job, which is solving society’s problems. And they can make those decisions without having to worry about gaining or losing celebrity status.
In other words, the members of the top advisory tiers can be the ceremonial leaders of the TDG, attending many functions of state, allowing the elected side of the TDG to focus on the problem solving.
Remember that the advisors do not have a direct role in the decisions.
Conclusion
All these extra responsibilities for the advisory board will be something for each TDG to figure out for itself. The more responsibilities of the advisory board, the TDG will need more advisors. And a more complex constitution arrange these advisors.
The advisory side is a unique position in governance for the 21st century.
Published on Medium & Substack 2025
What if a Celebrity Endorsed the TDG?
