Post by Tami on Feb 28, 2007 13:17:24 GMT -5
THE WHIP
Sometimes, even the most organized Primogen can be overworked and stretched too thin with demands for his time. Add to this the slow-moving discussion at clan meetings, recalcitrant clan members and gernal voter lassitude, and the task of Primogen can become unmanageable for any lone Kindred. It was these times that the position of Whip was created.
The Whip is not an official position within the hierarchy of the Camarilla, but rather a recent phenomenon that seems based almost solely in countries with a democratic legislature. Whips are used in the mortal governments to keep members of a political party informed as to each others doings, to keep discussions productive and to round up the appropriate members when it is time for voting. In Camarilla cities, a number of clans employ Whips for similar purposes. Princedoms within the United Kingdom and United States make the most use of the post.
A Primogen may choose not to employ a Whip if the situation does not merit it. After all, when the local branch of a clan numbers four and one is serving as Primogen, keeping the rest informed is usually a simple matter. On the other hand in a large city with eight clan members, a Whip can be very useful. Some clans have occasionally pressed their Primogen to appoint Whips when it became obvious that the Primogen was overwhelmed with business. Whip appointments are usually conditional; often the Whip is a Kindred who is of some influence within the clan so she will be listened to, but not so much that she potentially overshadows the Primogen himself. A Whip who begins to outshine his employer is likely to be replaced. Sometimes, a Whip position may not be a reward but a warning. Since the Whip is required to stay close to the Primogen and mind his ways, appointing a trouble maker can be an effective way to put him on the hot seat and channeling his energies into something more constructive ( or put him under the spotlight until he inevitably makes a mistake).
Whips in clan meetings serve to goad discussions along by whatever means necessary. This can include filling in details the Primogen has inadvertently forgotten, shouting down more vocal clan members to allow the quiet ones a chance to speak up, insulting someone into blurting out his true opinion or throwing out the occasional inflammatory gambit just to get the ball rolling. Whips may also attend to those reclusive clan members who cannot n will not attend clan meetings for reasons of their own.
In some cities the Whip is viewed as the Primogens second, given authority to sit in Primogen meetings if his master is absent, or standing at his right hand during the meetings, ostensibly to serve as "stenographer" for the clan. More often, the Whip is taking notes on everything else occurring during the meeting that the Primogen may not notice while speaking or dealing with the Prince, such as clothing worn by other Primogen, gestures and mannerisms, tone of voice and reactions by those not primarily addressed. Such an observant Whip can be worth his weight in gold when it comes time to interpret the meaning behind another
Primogens uncharacteristic objection.
Sometimes, even the most organized Primogen can be overworked and stretched too thin with demands for his time. Add to this the slow-moving discussion at clan meetings, recalcitrant clan members and gernal voter lassitude, and the task of Primogen can become unmanageable for any lone Kindred. It was these times that the position of Whip was created.
The Whip is not an official position within the hierarchy of the Camarilla, but rather a recent phenomenon that seems based almost solely in countries with a democratic legislature. Whips are used in the mortal governments to keep members of a political party informed as to each others doings, to keep discussions productive and to round up the appropriate members when it is time for voting. In Camarilla cities, a number of clans employ Whips for similar purposes. Princedoms within the United Kingdom and United States make the most use of the post.
A Primogen may choose not to employ a Whip if the situation does not merit it. After all, when the local branch of a clan numbers four and one is serving as Primogen, keeping the rest informed is usually a simple matter. On the other hand in a large city with eight clan members, a Whip can be very useful. Some clans have occasionally pressed their Primogen to appoint Whips when it became obvious that the Primogen was overwhelmed with business. Whip appointments are usually conditional; often the Whip is a Kindred who is of some influence within the clan so she will be listened to, but not so much that she potentially overshadows the Primogen himself. A Whip who begins to outshine his employer is likely to be replaced. Sometimes, a Whip position may not be a reward but a warning. Since the Whip is required to stay close to the Primogen and mind his ways, appointing a trouble maker can be an effective way to put him on the hot seat and channeling his energies into something more constructive ( or put him under the spotlight until he inevitably makes a mistake).
Whips in clan meetings serve to goad discussions along by whatever means necessary. This can include filling in details the Primogen has inadvertently forgotten, shouting down more vocal clan members to allow the quiet ones a chance to speak up, insulting someone into blurting out his true opinion or throwing out the occasional inflammatory gambit just to get the ball rolling. Whips may also attend to those reclusive clan members who cannot n will not attend clan meetings for reasons of their own.
In some cities the Whip is viewed as the Primogens second, given authority to sit in Primogen meetings if his master is absent, or standing at his right hand during the meetings, ostensibly to serve as "stenographer" for the clan. More often, the Whip is taking notes on everything else occurring during the meeting that the Primogen may not notice while speaking or dealing with the Prince, such as clothing worn by other Primogen, gestures and mannerisms, tone of voice and reactions by those not primarily addressed. Such an observant Whip can be worth his weight in gold when it comes time to interpret the meaning behind another
Primogens uncharacteristic objection.