MEMORANDUM 09/20/2023 Imperial Royal Sovereign Court of the Desert Empire, Inc. Board of Directors Re: Restructuring of College to Council and Role of Past Monarchs and ICPRs Your Majesties and Highnesses, It has come to the attention of the Board of Directors and the Council of Monarchs that there are some questions and confusion surrounding the restructuring of the College of Monarchs into the formalized Council of Monarchs, and the roles in which Past Monarchs and ICPRs play within the organization. We hope that with this memorandum we will be able to address the questions and provide some clarity. 2023 and Reign 25 has been a year of transformation and progress for the IRSCDEI, including the formal addition of proclamations from Reign 21 that included non-binary titles into our lifetime title categories, and Reign 23 establishing permanent titles, the expanding of eligibility for our community to vote for their representatives, and formally creating the Council of Monarchs within our governing documents as restructured from the entity previously named the College of Monarchs and provided the Council a full member seat on the Board of Directors which provides a single unified and representative vote on all matters before the board of directors. In this year’s Board of Directors’ efforts to move our organization forward, in a way that clearly defines and sets parameters on what the Council is and what the expectations of its members are, we were able to include the structure of the Council in our newly ratified Bylaws and Policies & Procedures, which can be found on our website, www.irscdei.org. And while we understand that there are some concerns and uneasiness of these changes among some, we have found it important that the Council be comprised of members who are physically available to assist the active reign, contributing to regalia (the application fee), and able to see and know, firsthand, locally, the interactions of our members, titleholders, and representatives. While we believe in the importance of the Council Members being actively involved, regularly available for assistance, and part of the regular in-person interactions, we also do not want to let go of celebrating the work and efforts of all our Past Monarchs. Not being on the Council does not remove a Monarch from our History or our Traditions. It simply allows us to celebrate them, while those more locally available and involved can help with the work of the Organization.
What the Establishment of the Council of Monarchs does, is: 1. Define eligibility for Council Membership. The Members are made up of any Successful Past and Present Monarchs and ICPRs that are paid active members in good standing of the organization (must meet eligibility requirements, including residing within the realm), and fill out and complete the Council of Monarchs Application including paying a $20 Council fee (which is earmarked for Regalia costs). The fees for Active Membership and Council Membership must be renewed each year. The application process is simply to provide information that a past Monarch or ICPR wishes to join the council and the approval is based on reviewing payment, active membership status, and to confirm that the applicant is an Active Member in good standing with the organization. 2. Define Council Responsibilities. a. The Council of Monarchs is a body that is designed to provide Guidance and Assistance to the reigning Monarchs and ICPRs and the Board of Directors. b. They maintain and enforce the Chronicles of History and Tradition. c. They may establish their own Policies and Procedures, which do not supersede or impede the Organization’s Bylaws, Policies & Procedures, Board Votes, or Board Decisions. d. They guide and mentor aspirants and reigning Monarchs in their duties, responsibilities, and fundraising efforts. e. They elect their own Dean of the Council from their membership who meets qualifications outlined in the Governing Documents. f. They must hold a meeting of the council in every odd numbered month. 3. Creates a full Board Seat for the Dean. The Dean of the Council is appointed to the Board of Directors by the Council of Monarchs and assists in management of The Corporation as a voting member at board meetings. This role will assist in the development of the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures when the board addresses governing document changes. This person initiates the Regency process in the instance that there are no Imperial Monarchs. And the dean will be the collective voice of the Council to the board for guidance, recommendations, and suggestions and must submit a completed report to the Board for every Board meeting, following all expectations and attendance requirements for all Board seats. What the Establishment of the Council of Monarchs does not do, is: 1. Eliminate Proclamation or Lifetime Titles. The restructuring of the College to the Council did not eliminate the Proclamations or Lifetime Titles created by past monarchs. These continue to be managed and upheld by the Council of Monarchs. 2. Eliminate the Titles of Past Monarchs or ICPRs. There has been no change or removal of titles of Past Monarchs or ICPRs. Each reign is still visible, valuable, and beneficial as a part of our history and traditions. All past title holders are encouraged to be involved and provide assistance, aid, guidance, and/or time to help the organization continue to serve the community. 3. Eliminate Anniversaries. Anniversaries for past Monarchs, whether in the Council or not, continue to be celebrated as a part of our tradition. While Coronation and its order of
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  • Reign 25
  • Reign 24

The Council of Monarchs

The Council of Monarchs, also referred to as “Council”, has been established to provide advice and assistance to the Reigning Monarchs and their family lines. This Council has a duty to maintain and enforce the Chronicles of History and Tradition, which contains the proclamations of past Monarchs. All past Monarchs and ICPRs whom have successfully complete their Reign, are Active Members in Good Standing, and submit the $20 Council Application fee (which goes towards regalia costs) are encouraged to join each year.

The Council has been established as follows:

  1. Under no circumstance will an individual of the Council and/or the Council as a whole be able to make decisions for the Corporation, bind the Corporation in contracts or agreements, and/or hold the Corporation liable for any action.
  2. The Council will maintain the Chronicles and Traditions of the Organization. Any changes to the Chronicles and Traditions must be approved by the Board of Directors at the first available meeting of the Board.
  3. The Council shall act in an advisory capacity to the Board of Directors, Reigning Monarchs, and family line.
  4. The Council may establish their own Policies and Procedures for their own operation which shall not supersede or impede on The Corporation’s Bylaws, Policies and Procedures, or board votes and decision.
  5. If there is a conflict between the Council documents and the Corporation documents, the Corporation documents shall be the deciding factor.
  6. Membership in the Council of Monarchs is not automatic and will follow the below requirements:
    1. Must meet the qualifications for active membership in the Corporation, as stated in the Bylaws and Policy and Procedures, and maintain that membership each year.
    2. Must be a previous Monarch, in good standing, of the Corporation or previous Imperial Crown Princess/Prince Royale in good standing.
    3. Must submit an application for membership in the Council and pay any fee’s associated with membership in the Council.
    4. These membership requirements must be renewed each year at the beginning of the Corporation year.
  7. The responsibilities of the Council are as follows:
    1. The Council shall be responsible for mentoring and guiding reigning monarchs and aspirants in their duties, responsibilities, and fundraising efforts.
    2. The Council shall elect a “Dean of the Council” at the beginning of each year. The Dean of the Council shall sit as a voting member on the Board of Directors as a representative of the Council.
    3. The Council of Monarchs will hold their meetings in every odd numbered month.
    4. The Dean of the Council will be required to prepare and submit to the Board of Directors a report of their meeting at the next Board Meeting held by the President of the Corporation.

Additionally, As proclaimed by Empress 5, Ida Slapther,

Let it be known from this day forward that any Monarch who successfully completed their reign,
from another realm, after one year of residency in our realm, shall be eligible to be a member of the
Council of Monarchs.
HMISM Empress 5, Ida Slapther The Return of the Crystal

Join the Council