The President's Cabinet
President Mike Ferguson mikeferg1@yahoo.com
Vice President Steve Elliot UFPVP@aol.com
Do you have friends that you turn to for advice? When the President wants advice he asks a group of people called the Cabinet. The purpose of the Cabinet is to advise the President. They are the President's closest and most trusted advisors. The Cabinet includes the Vice President, the heads of several executive branch departments, and other Government officials chosen by the President. The Cabinet meets at least once a week to discuss matters that effect the United Federated Planets.
The Secretaries from the executive departments and the Attorney General are nominated by the President, and they must be approved (confirmed) by a majority vote (51 votes) of the Assembly. Nominees can not be a member of the Council or hold any other elected office. Executive department Secretaries and the Attorney General serve as long as the President is in office.
Presidential Cabinet Explained
Why "Cabinet?"
The term "Cabinet" comes from the Italian word Cabinetto, meaning "a small, private room." A good place to discuss important business without being interrupted.
Does the Constitution provide for the Cabinet?
Not directly. Constitutional authority for the Cabinet comes from Article 2, Section 2, which says that the president "... may require the opinion, in writing, of the principal officer in each of the executive departments, upon any subject relating to the duties of their respective offices. ... " Similarly, the Constitution does not specify which or how many executive departments should be created. Just another indication that the Constitution is a flexible, living document, well capable of governing our country without stifling its growth.
Which president first established a Cabinet?
George Washington held the first recorded meeting of a "Cabinet" in 1791.
How are the secretaries chosen?
The secretaries are appointed by the president, but must be approved by a simple majority vote of the Council. The only qualification is that a department secretary cannot be a member of Congress or hold any other elected office.
How long do the secretaries serve?
Generally, they serve as long as the president who appointed them remains in office. Executive department secretaries answer only to the president and only the president can fire them. They are expected to resign when a new president takes office, since most incoming presidents choose to replace them, anyway. Certainly not a stable career, but U.S. Secretary of State 1993-2001, would certainly look good on a resume.
When does the Cabinet meet?
There is no official schedule for Cabinet meetings, but presidents generally try to meet with their Cabinets on a weekly basis. Besides the president and department secretaries, Cabinet meetings are usually attended by the vice president, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and other top-level officials as determined by the president.
The Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff Currently held by First Lady Laura Ferguson mikeferg1@yahoo.com
POSITION SUMMARY:
Directs the President’s support staff, ensuring the President’s needs are met. Facilitates staff coordination on actions sent to the President; and ensures the quality of actions forwarded.
POSITION KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:
More detailed description of the Chief of Staff
DEPARTMENTS OF THE SECRETARIAT
The Departments of the Secretariat are under the direct supervision of the UFP President and make up the UFP civil service. These departments are:
Department of Starfleet: Secretary of Starfleet ADM. Hugh Brower fadm@rushmore.com
The Department of Starfleet is the civil and administrative organization responsible for the supervision and support of Starfleet Command operations. Acting primarily as a liaison between the Assembly and the Chief of Starfleet Command Operations, this department works closely with Starfleet Command personnel to coordinate long-range planning and control of Starfleet Command resources and to formulate policy and civilian-Starfleet Command relations. Typically, the Secretary of Starfleet is a retired Fleet Admiral or other high-ranking individual with intimate knowledge of Starfleet Command, it's objectives and it's personnel.
Department of Defense: Secretary of Defense Position Open For Appointment
The Department of Defense works for and reports directly to the UFP President. Also works with the Secretary of Starfleet. This secretary holds the Starfleet Command rank of Admiral.
The duties of this position include: Evaluate and prepare recommendations for changes to Starfleet Command operations. Prepare recommendations for Starfleet Command inter-chapter activities. Prepare recommendations for improving communications within Starfleet Command. Prepare presentations for the UFP President and the Secretary of Starfleet upon request of the UFP President. Prepare recommendations for Starfleet Command special activities. Work on special projects related to Starfleet Command appointed by the UFP President. Oversee and coordinate role-playing scenarios for Starfleet Command chapters.
Press Department: Press Secretary Shirley Amauric samauric@cox.net
The press secretary is a senior advisor to the UFP President who provides advice on how to deal with the media and, using news management techniques, helps to maintain a positive public image of the UFP Presidential government. The Press Secretary acts as the UFP White House senior spokesperson.
News management is a term in the political and public relations fields for any strategized processes by which information with regard to UFP White House is controlled within the news media. Often this includes planning and controlling any direct interactions with the media outlets and journalists, in order to maximize the benefits that media exposure brings.
OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL OF THE UFP Laura Ferguson sfmamadoc@yahoo.com
The United Federated Planets chief health educator, giving UFP citizens the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
SECRETARY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) Position Open For Appointment
This advisor would report directly to the UFP President on matters pertaining to advancing information technology within the corporation and the fan club. The duties of this position will include:
Department of Planetary Development: Secretary of Planetary Development Myron Moody surik90@yahoo.com
The Department of Planetary Development (PD) is concerned with the development of planetary resources both natural and agricultural. To a greater or lesser extent, it is involved in all major planetary systems as well as new colonies with either protectorate or associate-member status. Within this department are three major bureaus.
The Bureau of Planetary Agronomy is responsible for regulating and advancing efficient agricultural practices on UFP worlds. This bureau maintains research and development as well as cultural/ technological exchange agencies.
The Bureau of Planetary Geology specializes in regulating geological exploration and planetary mining practices on mineral-rich planets.
The Bureau of Planetary Relief conducts relief efforts to member planets stricken by famine or unexpected natural disasters. When necessary, this office will work with the UFP Security Council to coordinate relief efforts on a system-wide scale.
Department of Finance: Secretary of Finance Position Open For Appointment
The Department of Finance (DF) is responsible for collecting and administering all UFP finances. Such finances are the result of levies voted by the UFP Assembly for specific projects as well as the general operative fund to which all full-status member worlds contribute. To manage such astronomical sums, the Department of Finance has three principle bureaus: the Bureau of Budgetary Control, the Bureau of UFP Revenue and the UFP Comptroller’s Office.
The Bureau of Budgetary Control maintains the solvency of the UFP’s various departments and agencies as well as the soundness of the UFP monetary system. This bureau not only regulates current monetary conditions through numerous UFP banking institutions but also formulates policy for the future monetary security of the UFP.
The Bureau of UFP Revenue is involved in the actual collection of levies ordered by the UFP Assembly. It collects each member’s contributions in standard credit amounts or in kind which requires local currencies to be converted into credits for the proper estimation of levy obligations.
The UFP Comptroller’s Office administers the disbursement of UFP funds to departments and agencies based on operating expenses and various special projects and discretionary funds. It also ensures that such funds are not misappropriated or otherwise misused. On behalf of the UFP, the Comptroller’s Office is also authorized to make investments in businesses and corporations both within and outside UFP space.
Department of Education: Secretary of Education K'leigh Thomas MajDK1@aol.com
The Department of Education (DE) is responsible for the free exchange of information concerning UFP cultures and the education and social integration of member cultures. To accomplish these aims, this department controls two major bureaus: The Bureau of Educational Exchange and the Bureau of Cultural Exchange. In addition, each bureau sponsors numerous cultural programs and exhibitions involving the arts and humanities. These programs forge closer ties between member worlds through better understanding of each society’s social values.
This departments Bureau of Educational Assistance helps individuals of all races to achieve higher levels of education. In addition, this office also encourages non-Humans to enter major universities, including the Starfleet service academies.
Department of Justice: Attorney General Position Open For Appointment
The Department of Justice (DJ) is the UFP’s internal law enforcement and security arm. It deals with all criminal acts not subject to local planetary sovereignty. This includes acts of piracy within UFP space, illicit transportation of prohibited technologies or goods to foreign powers and acts of treason against the UFP.
Under the Secretary of Justice is the UFP Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney general is the chief prosecutor of the United Federated Planets and acts as the UFP’s chief legal advisor in matters involving the UFP judiciary.
The Bureau of Corrections is responsible for maintaining the UFP penal system, appointing directors and staff for such institutions as Tantalus Colony and the Elba Correctional Facility. The bureau also manages the transfer of incorrigibles from local facilities to high-security institutions.
Like its old Terran namesake, the UFP Federated Bureau of Investigation (UFP-FBI) is the primary investigative arm of the Department of Justice. This bureau is composed of Special Agents empowered to investigate possible crimes against the UFP and may aid local criminal investigations whenever local resources are inadequate.
The Bureau of Investigation also appoints a dozen marshals for each quadrant of the UFP. The UFP Marshal Service is the primary law enforcement arm of the Department of Justice. This bureau is composed of UFP Marshals who act as the local police force within each quadrant of UFP space. They initiate many investigations to be conducted by the UFP-FBI and they also make the arrests and conduct preliminary investigations for criminal acts committed within their quadrants of authority.
These marshals are responsible for the maintenance of civil order throughout UFP space. Their judicial authority is equal to that of Planetary Governors and under conditions of martial law they may temporarily supersede such authority. Each marshal acts as the planetary representative of the judicial system within his zone of the quadrant. He can call upon any person, civilian or military, for assistance. When necessary, he may take extraordinary measures to maintain order and to deal with violations of UFP law that do not involve Starfleet Command.
The X-Files fans will find a home in the UFP Federated Bureau of Investigation as an X-Files Special Agent in which they get to act as Fox Mulder in setting up their own cases and working them to their unsolvable solutions. This is a lot of fun and there is no pressure from Assistant Director Skinner. Reports on progress are sent to the UFP-FBI Director but that is just so that everyone gets in on the fun.
Department of Interstellar Relations: Secretary of Interstellar Relations Position Open For Appointment
The Department of Interstellar Relations (IR) discharges all diplomatic obligations and responsibilities of the UFP. Not only does it handle the routine operations of hundreds of UFP embassies, diplomatic mission teams, and independent diplomatic corps operatives, it also coordinates all diplomatic activities between the UFP and various foreign governments. Under this department are three principle agencies: the Diplomatic Affairs Bureau, the Diplomatic Corps Service Bureau and the Interstellar Information Bureau.
The Diplomatic Affairs Bureau assigns diplomatic corps specialists to various tasks within and without UFP space. This bureau is likewise concerned with the establishment and routine maintenance of embassies and the operation of contact teams and special envoys to other interstellar powers. In addition, this bureau decides whether a planet is to be placed under the Prime Directive. A major service agency under this bureau is the UFP Arbitration Agency, which mediates disputes between UFP members at the request of the Assembly.
The Diplomatic Corps Service Bureau is responsible for recruiting and training all diplomatic corps personnel. This bureau also handles the relocation and cultural adjustment of field operatives and their families.
The Interstellar Information Bureau provides firsthand information on all unclassified diplomatic activities for public viewing. This bureau is also responsible for providing detailed information on diplomatic activities to the Council and Assembly members. The bureau’s Infonet Service is responsible for the accurate and unbiased reporting of all newsworthy events within UFP space.
Department of Colonization: Secretary of Colonization Position Open For Appointment
The Department of Colonization (DC) is responsible for locating, administering and supporting new colony worlds. It is also responsible for selecting and relocating civilian settlers to newly opened colony systems. Whenever applicable, the Secretary of Colonization is authorized to appoint planetary governors to individual settlements. Since the imposition of the Organian Treaty, the Department of Colonization has also been responsible for developing colony worlds within the Organian Neutral Zone. This department also maintains ties with various settlements within the Triangle Zone on an informal case by case basis. Under the control of this department are several bureaus concerned with colonial affairs: the Bureau of Civilian Exploration, the Bureau of Planetary Classification, the Bureau of Colonial Administration and the Bureau of Claims And Settlements.
Not all galactic exploration is accomplished by Starfleet Command. Independent scouts, explorers and prospectors are locating a growing percentage of newly discovered worlds. The Bureau of Civilian Exploration acts as a liaison between the Starfleet Office of Exploration and the civilian sector in such matters. It administers bounties to individuals for discovering Class M planets as well as funds to civilian agencies that promote further exploration.
Once a system has been identified and surveyed, the findings are submitted to the Bureau of Planetary Classification for analysis. The chief responsibility of this office is to determine whether a given planet should be opened for colonization or, whether for scientific or social reasons, it should be granted hands-off status under the guidelines of the Prime Directive. Assuming that the newly discovered planet is deemed suitable for exploration, the bureau then decides to what extent individual and corporate concerns may begin economic or social development of the planet.
The Bureau of Planetary Administration handles all matters involving the actions of UFP planetary governors. It reviews the qualifications of various candidates for positions as governors or assistant governors, makes recommendations to the Secretary of Colonization on the most likely candidates and handles colonial affairs involving individual governors and colonial populaces throughout the UFP.
When UFP colonization personnel inadvertently incur damage to a population, the Bureau of Claims And Settlements is called in to settle the matter and, if necessary, to allocate a fair and equitable compensation. This office also handles any disbursements made directly to civilians as part of actual colonization efforts, such as requisitions in kind, emergency appropriations and so on.
Department of Scientific Research And Development: Secretary of Scientific Research And Development Position Open For Appointment
This department is responsible to the Assembly for all matters related to the advancement of new sciences and technology throughout the UFP. Receiving the highest departmental budget within the UFP government, SRD administers major scientific research projects, both civilian and military. It also sets policy and determines standards governing the ethical conduct of scientific investigation throughout the UFP. Through it’s subordinate, the UFP Science Foundation, SRD provides research grants and loans for scientific research conducted at major universities and interstellar corporations.
SRD’s Patent Bureau, which maintains offices on each full-status world, acts as the final arbiter for granting licenses for new technologies.
It’s Bureau of Scientific Investigation maintains permanent staff members at the Vulcan Academy of Science and the Terra University on Sol III to evaluate new scientific breakthroughs and inventions for civilian and military application.
Finally, SRD maintains the Bureau of Starfleet Science, a full-time advisory board that assesses the technological needs of Starfleet Command. This board acts as liaison with Starfleet weaponry development teams, reporting annually to a special closed session of the UFP Security Council.
Department of Interstellar Trade And Commerce: Secretary of of Interstellar Trade And Commerce Position Open For Appointment
The Department of Interstellar Trade And Commerce (ITC) is responsible for regulating and controlling all aspects of interstellar trade between members of the UFP, UFP colony worlds and independent civilizations within the UFP sphere of influence. This considerable task is managed through various bureaus: the Bureau of Interstellar Navigation, the Bureau of Interstellar Trade, the Bureau of Corporate Development, the Bureau of Interstellar Weights And Measures and the Center For Economic Development, which in turn controls various agencies and offices of considerable importance.
The Bureau of Interstellar Navigation maintains the safety of major interstellar shipping lanes and the free flow of commerce throughout every quadrant of UFP space. The bureau is responsible for constructing, locating and maintaining navigational-communications beacons at specific intervals in space. Civilians must file copies of their interstellar flight plans with this office. Also, this bureau is responsible for constructing and maintaining deep-space stations used as way-centers and free ports of trade in remote regions of space.
The Bureau of Interstellar Trade administers major starports and civilian space centers throughout the UFP. In particular, this bureau enforces customs regulations and inspects commercial cargo carried between worlds. Special effort is made to prohibit the exportation of potentially dangerous life forms and contraband. No cargo may be shipped offworld from a major UFP port-of-call without the approval of the local Interstellar Trade officials.
The Bureau of Corporate Development manages interstellar trade concerns among major interplanetary corporations within the UFP. This bureau’s Securities And Exchange Commission is responsible for chartering newly formed UFP corporations and enforcing UFP regulations governing corporate activities. The Bureau of Corporate Development also maintains agencies that enforce UFP laws dealing with fair business practices, industrial safety and off-world mining.
The Center for Economic Development is a watchdog bureau that supervises the economic development of planets and planetary societies placed under the conditions of the Prime Directive. In particular, this bureau is responsible for safeguarding newly emerging civilizations from the harmful social impacts that new technologies might create. This bureau also determines what corporate operations may be permitted in and around systems falling under Prime Directive guidelines. To enforce it’s decisions, the Center for Economic Development has it’s own investigators and may call upon any other governmental departments for assistance when necessary.
Department of the Interior: Secretary of the Interior Position Open For Appointment
The Department of The Interior (DTI) heads a collection of bureaus dedicated to the management of the internal UFP affairs not assigned to other departments.
The Bureau of Native Resources administers all major recreational areas (such as Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet) and cooperates with local planetary officials to preserve areas of cultural or historical significance.
The Bureau of Archeological Study works with local planetary agencies to fund and administer private research into the location and excavation of ancient civilizations, such as the Preserves of the Triacans.
The Bureau of Commerce And Immigration is responsible for issuing travel permits and visas to private citizens, with respect to local regulations and restrictions concerning alien visitations.
The United Federated Printing Bureau is responsible for publishing printed, visual and audio materials originating from the various governmental departments and bureaus.
The Federated Bureau of Records And Archives maintains the UFP archives housed at Memory Alpha and administers various UFP museums and collections at various locations on different worlds.
"Building on a Tradition of Excellence and Meeting the Challenges of the Future."
The United Federated Planets Secret Service is mandated by statute and executive order to carry out two significant missions: protection and criminal investigations. The Secret Service protects the President and Vice President, their families, heads of state, and other designated individuals; investigates threats against these protectees; protects the UFP White House, Vice President’s Residence, Foreign Missions, and other buildings within the UFP Capital; and plans and implements security designs for designated UFP Special Security Events. The Secret Service also investigates violations of laws relating to counterfeiting of obligations and securities of the United Federated Planets; financial crimes that include, but are not limited to, access device fraud, financial institution fraud, identity theft, computer fraud; and computer-based attacks on the UFP’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure.
After the assassination of President William McKinley in 1901, Congress directed the Secret Service to protect the President of the United States. Protection remains the primary mission of the United Federated Planets Secret Service.
Today, the Secret Service is authorized by law to protect:
The Secret Service was established as a law enforcement agency in 1865. While most people associate the Secret Service with Presidential protection, our original mandate was to investigate the counterfeiting of U.S. currency--which we still do. Today our primary investigative mission is to safeguard the payment and financial systems of the United Federated Planets. This has been historically accomplished through the enforcement of the counterfeiting statutes to preserve the integrity of United Federated Planets currency, coin and financial obligations. Since 1984, our investigative responsibilities have expanded to include crimes that involve financial institution fraud, computer and telecommunications fraud, false identification documents, access device fraud, advance fee fraud, electronic funds transfers, and money laundering as it relates to our core violations.
The Secret Service believes that its primary enforcement jurisdictions will only increase in significance in the future. For this reason, the Secret Service has adopted a proactive approach to monitor the development of technology and continue to use it in the interest of federation, state, and local law enforcement.
Special agents are charged with two missions: protection and investigation. During the course of their careers, special agents carry out assignments in both of these areas and must be available to be assigned to duty stations anywhere in the UFP galaxy.
The U.S.P. Secret Service Uniformed Division began as the White House Police, which was originally created as a separate and distinct organization by Public Law in 1922. This force became operational on October 1, 1922. The White House Police came under direct supervision of the U.S. Secret Service in 1930. On March 19, 1970, the White House Police increased its protective responsibilities and changed its name to Executive Protective Service (EPS). On December 27, 1974, the Executive Protective Service was mandated to protect the Vice President, members of his immediate family and the Vice-President's official residence. On November 15, 1977, the name "Executive Protective Service" was change to "United States Secret Service Uniformed Division."
The Uniformed Division officers provide protection for the United Federated Planets President, Vice-President, families, President-elect, Vice-President-elect, their immediate former Presidents, their spouses and visiting minor children until the age of 16, foreign heads of states/governments, their accompanying spouses, major Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, their spouses, and others designated by law. In addition, Uniformed Division officers provide protection for the UFP White House Complex, the Vice-President's residence, the Main Treasury Building and Annex, and foreign diplomatic missions and embassies in the UFP Capitol area. Uniformed Division officers also travel in support of the Presidential, Vice-Presidential, and foreign heads of state/government missions. Uniformed Division officers are also responsible for the enforcement of mandated protective responsibilities.
