As we proceeded to point four, I let my attention broaden to take in the whole hall and all of us there. All sixty-six members of the colony had arranged themselves in an oval like circle that accommodated the rectangular length of the hall. There were, more or less, three rings of this oval, sitting and standing and facing toward the “alter end” where sat Father Donovan at his writing table. The inner circle was comprised of the nineteen children of our wee band. They sat on fur cushions, well behaved, indeed quite attentive to what was being said. They were from ages four months to fourteen, some of them with the smaller ones in their laps. Randy O’Donnel held his baby Sister born just this September and Susy O’Brien held her baby Brother who had come to us in early August. These wee ones were sound asleep, safe and comfy in their older sibling’s laps.

In chairs especially made for them, and comprising the second “layer” of the circle were the “Elders”. There were seven of them, each over fifty years old. It was expected that Father Donovan would advocate that these old ones would be a formal and recognized counseling body in our society. These were the most experienced in life, and, hopefully, had the most wisdom to apply to problems that would come. They all desired to leave as good a legacy of themselves as they could to us in their final days.

That left the Family heads, bachelors and bachelorettes, the main stream of our community, to fill in the third and outer ring of our oval assembly. These numbered forty, more or less healthy, persons in their prime. Herein lay our physical strength…our warriors and suppliers of things needed…our Mothers and their true good guidance in everyday life.
It was these souls…all we were…that formed our circle to discuss and decide. I read point four to them to continue the process of our deliberations, which I dearly hoped, we would eventually become masters of.

Point (4): “Our ‘leaders’ are a reflection of Us and it will be their responsibility to be this reflection with as little blemish as possible, within Human abilities. This will be especially true in the areas of moral and ethical conscience, as opposed to possible ‘mass emotional activity’ that may become out of balance with the best moral and ethical positions and potentials of the majority of the People.”

“It seems that what we are trying to say with this”, Colleen started, “is that there has to be a knowledge of and harmony with, the aspirations of the people. At the same time, there is the responsibility to inspire the people to be better, as a people, at certain times.”

“It sounds like the leaders will become out of harmony with the people at certain times.” sneered Salvadore, “Nothing new there.”

Lorenzo stood and addressed what Salvadore said. “But being out of harmony doesn’t mean going against, or defying, the will of the people.” He thoughtfully tugged at his goatee for a second and then said, “Though it could be a sign that the leader is beginning to feel the need to go against the will of the people.”

“We must remember that we will have safeguards built into our cornerstone declaration of leader/people relationships,” Douglas O’Leary reminded the assembly. “Even if a leader wanted to, he could not by any right go against the will of the people, in action…other than pointing out the error in their will.”

“Even if the people are clearly wrong about something?” asked Lynn O’Bannion.

“Not even then!” Kerry emphatically stated “It is ultimately the responsibility of the people to be right and to avoid wrong.” Then he added, “That is the whole point of the leader…to be someone who can point out right and wrong, or the lesser of two evils, to all of us. He or She has to be really dedicated in this.”

“This is also where our trust in our leader plays an important role in the relationship.” I responded, “We, having seen fit to place him in the leadership position, must be very diligent in listening to his advise…to try very hard to understand what he is trying to share with us. When this discordance of opinion becomes evident, we have to make sure that we really understand what the leader is trying to help us see. Then if we still disagree and feel that we must pursue our course, then we will do so knowing that our leader has fulfilled his or her obligation to us.”

“Also, no action, outside of defense against attack, should be taken until our leader has exhausted themselves as to their effort to convince us.” Jerome put in. “We have to let him do his job.”

“Or them do their job.” Liam O’Shaunasee quietly hinted.

“What do you mean Liam?” Colleen responded.

“Well…Should we lay this burden to convince entirely at the feet of our leader?” Liam asked. “Wouldn’t it be a good idea to position others to help in this circumstance?”

“Are you talking about some kind of assistance committee for the leader, Liam?” Kerry asked.

“Well yes, I suppose so.” Liam responded, “Why should one person have to do all the work of advising and convincing us? Wouldn’t it be a good thing to provide assistance to the leader…a few persons of evident like minds who can throw different shades of perspective in with the leader’s presentation of the issue?”

“And demonstrate that his or her position is a possibility worth sincerely considering?” Lynn added.

“I think this would work best as a response to a specific issue.” Lorenzo suggested. We looked at him in silence, for him to further explain and he struggled to find the best Irish words to express his thoughts. “It occurs to me that not everyone will agree with the leader on all of the advisory issues, all of the time. If the goal of the assistance committee is the greatest compatible expression of the essence of his or her thoughts about an issue, then they should be selected on a specific issue basis.”

“This makes sense to me.” I agreed, “ but it would be strange if no one could find agreement with the leader’s viewpoint on a given issue.” I scratched my head, not knowing fully what to make of the thought I just mentioned.

“Lets cross that bridge when we get to it.” Morgan O’Dannon gruffly voiced. “We wont know that until we hit it. I can’t imagine that such a thing could happen…unless the leader has completely gone off the deep end. ”

“Yeah. Let’s vote for the fourth point with the understanding that there be a “framework” for a leadership assistance committee to be filled when the need arises” Douglas said.

“So…do I hear a motion for the vote to proceed on point four?” I asked the hall.

“I so motion.” Offered Jaleen.

“Do we have a second to the motion” I continued. About four hands went up.

“Ok. Those in favor of adopting the concepts of point four into our cornerstone declaration of social foundation, with the addition of an “Leadership Assistance Committee” framework, designed to be activated should the need arise.”

The show of hands was unanimous. Little hands as well as large ones. The children voted their hearts and minds along with the adults. Oh, a few voted the way the peer next to them voted and some voted even though their minds couldn’t completely grasp the meaning of the points discussed. Some even raised their hands just because the others were doing it. But this was true of some of the adults as well. I was glad to see the young ones taking part…being a part of what we were trying to become. After all, what we did today would benefit them when they assumed their “full place” in society. We were setting valuable precedents today…planting good seed for, God willing, a wonderful tomorrow. While my attention was on the children, I noticed a strange occurrence. Eight year old Shanna O’Keefer, lifted both of her hands when we voted. Ryan “O’Hennesee, tried to pull her left hand down and seemed to be trying to keep her from voting twice. He seemed to be urgently whispering something to her about cheating. She struggled against him and persisted in holding both hands up. Finally I went over to them, knelt down in front of Shanna and quietly asked her why she was holding both hands up. She looked back at her Mother, Mary, who softly told her to answer and to tell the truth. Then Shanna, looked at me and in her sweet little voice answered, “I’m not trying to cheat Mr Urchurdan, honest. My second hand is up for Kay. I’m sure she would want me to.” The blood rushed to my face as I realized what she was talking about.

I was getting a lump in my throat, but managed to reassure her, “I’m sure that is just fine Shanna. You do what you feel you should do.” I stood and went back to my place near Father Donovan, who gave me a teary wink. Then I addressed the assembly of my Brothers and Sisters.

“Let the record show the people’s decision in this matter. The ‘Fourth Point’ has been adopted into our cornerstone.” I intoned formally.

Then, “This discussion has made me hungry. What do you all say to breaking for lunch and reconvening about two this afternoon?” There was general affirmation to this suggestion as we all got up and went our ways from “the circle” to our places of shelter and sustenance and to perform various duties for the security of our village. Through the walls of our Town Hall, I could hear, in all directions, discussions of the morning’s events. It seemed to me that there was a good feeling of confidence and an aura of pride emanating from my Brothers and Sisters as they strode to their abode.

Here comes Patrick, Estaban and Kerry. Looks like they have something important on their minds. I turned to look at Father Donovan. With a smile at the three men he rose from his chair to greet them.
Shane