Grand Unified Micronational

From MicroWiki, the free micronational encyclopædia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Grand Unified Micronational
Logo of Grand Unified Micronational
Logo
Membership
  • 35 full members
  • 2 provisional members
  • 3 observer states
  • 2 observer organisations
Leaders
• Chair
Anthony Barauskis
Sertor Valentinus
Jonathan I
• Director General
Adam I
Establishment
• Foundation
5 January 2009
• Constitution ratified
14 April 2009
• Attempted dissolution
20 September 2010
• Restoration
14 August 2011
• Constitution revised
19 February 2012
• Implementation of 2014 Charter
15 February 2014
• Reformed into formal discussion venue
14 June 2015
4 June 2016
21 March 2021
Website
Website

The Grand Unified Micronational (abbr. GUM), is an intermicronational organisation. It aims to promote intermicronational communication and cooperation. It is one of the largest, most influential, and most active organisations in micronational history, particularly in the MicroWiki community, where it originated.

GUM membership is open to any independent sovereign state. Members send delegates to Quorum, the organisation's legislative body. A chair is elected every six months to preside over Quorum and lead the Executive – this is one of MicroWiki's most prestigious offices. The chair is assisted by a vice-chair and a team of staff. The judicial branch is the Supreme Court, which consists of the supreme justice and a number of associate justices. These three branches are supported by the Permanent Office, the GUM's independent civil service.

The GUM was founded in January 2009.[1] Between 2009 and 2010, it held a powerful sway over the community, especially under Robert Lethler's leadership. However, it was gradually weakened by competition from the new Organisation of Active Micronations. The GUM effectively collapsed after Lethler left the community in July 2010.

After several months of dormancy, the GUM was re-launched in August 2011 (this coincided with the OAM's decline). Guided by the 'Troika', its influence grew over 2012, but by 2014 inactivity beset the organisation. A new charter was adopted, but in 2015 members dissolved the GUM and transformed it into a simple discussion venue.

In 2016, the GUM re-launched again, adopting a third charter. In 2018, the organisation moved from Skype to Discord; since then, its membership has surged to an all-time high. In March 2021, the GUM adopted a fourth charter that modernised its procedures and clarified its internal law. The modern GUM has around 50 members and observers. About 70 diplomats and politicians serve as delegates and delegation staff.

The GUM has outlived a huge range of general-purpose intermicronational organisations. Its members claim territory on every continent. As of July 2020, an estimated 1000 people are residents of GUM member states, with a total of approximately 1600 citizens.

History

Background

The Grand Unified Micronational traces its origins to the Countries United in National Trade (CUNT), an organisation created by Joe Foxon of Stigistan on 18 October 2008 and based around the Hontui Sector of six micronations. Danburnia and Jonnyland both became member states on 28 November, followed by non-Huntui Sector micronations Petorio and Scientopia—the latter rejoining the organisation—on 29 November. On 28 November, both Danburnia and Jonnyland left the organisation in protest following the ejection of Tozland after President Harry Meek posted "offensive comments on the Stigistan and Danburnia Wikia [MicroWiki] pages."[2] All three micronations created the rival breakaway organisation called the Hontui Islands in Peace (HIP) on 30 November. Though, both organisations appear to have peacefully coexisted by mid-December.

2009-10

To unite the MicroWiki community under a single banner, Tsar Royalé Jacob Tierney of Scientopia sought a merger between the two organisations, and founded the GUM on 5 January 2009.[a] Tierney initially invited all member states of both organisations to become member states, as well as Erusia, Camuria, the Ohio Empire and St.Charlie. By 7 January, all micronations except Erusia[b] had accepted membership into the GUM; the CUNT fully integrated into the GUM on 17 January, with the HIP becoming dormant by March. The constitutionally recognised founding members were Camuria, Erusia, Scientopia, Petorio, Stigistan, Tozland and St Charlie. Camuria was suspended in February. During Black March (2009), the GUM dealt with peace negotiations in the Meissner-Antifan War between Scientopia and the Empire of New Europe.[3]

The GUM's first Charter was written by Robert Lethler, and was officially adopted on 19 April.

The GUM helped negotiate between Erusia and New Europe during their 'Cold War.' These were the community's most powerful states, and so this helped the GUM become MicroWiki's most influential organisation. When war eventually broke out in July 2009, the organisation was involved in peace talks. The Treaty of Universal Non-Aggression ended the conflict, and the GUM encouraged all its members to sign.

The GUM also mediated disputes over Antarctic claims. In the Siple War, the organisation originally backed Finismund and Flandrensis, but later adopted a neutral position. Other such disagreements included the Poaching Conflict and the Rhodesian War. The Rhodesian War led to the UNMCN's dissolution. This organisation was the GUM's only remaining competitor, and so its collapse cemented the GUM's hold on the MicroWiki community.

From late 2009, many older micronations fell into inactivity and many new micronations joined the community. This destabilised the status quo and decreased the GUM's influence. This was exacerbated by the rise of the Organisation of Active Micronations. However, the GUM was still respected by older micronationalists. It played a vital role in the Austenasian Civil War, negotiating for the referendum which ended the conflict.

Diplomatic tension in the community grew during the summer of 2010. This was caused by the arrival of micronations like Starland and Rajputistan, and the rise of the Intermicronational Conservative Alliance. The GUM struggled to deal with these conflicts.

Dormancy

After Robert Lethler's departure and the collapse of Erusia and Sandus in July 2010, the organisation became inactive. A merger with the Organisation of Active Micronations was proposed, but the OAM rejected all terms offered. On 22 August, acting chair James von Puchow announced reforms to revitalise the GUM. However, the only action taken was the disbanding of the Councils. James von Puchow announced on 20 September that he had dissolved the organisation.

2011-12

First re-establishment

The GUM's logo prior to 2016

Due to the GUM's inactivity, von Puchow's dissolution went unopposed. However, in February 2011, questions arose; it was unclear if dissolution was within the chair's power. In August, it was discovered that von Puchow's term had actually expired when he made his announcement; therefore, legally, the GUM was dormant and not dissolved. So, national leaders, led by Jacob Tierney and Will Sörgel, formally re-established the GUM on 14 August 2011.

A poster of support left by the GUM at Occupy London

Acting leaders were quickly elected. Tierney became acting chair, Sörgel became acting vice-chair, and Crown Prince Jonathan became Supreme Judge. Members decided that the GUM needed to consolidate for a month before its rebirth was announced. This was both to protect delegates from reprisals from other organisations (like the OAM) and to make sure the GUM could deal with whatever came its way.

Former members which were unaware of the GUM's rebirth were brought on board, suspended, or expelled, and new members like Tiana and Dorzhabad were welcomed.

The scheduled relaunch was disrupted by TASPAC. The recently returned Robert Lethler wrote a dossier making accusations against Aldrich Lucas, which Lethler presented to the GUM. Joseph Puglisi leaked news of the dossier to TASPAC, and the organisation's response led to the Yablokogate diplomatic crisis. This resulted in Tiana's and Stodænna's departure from the GUM and expulsion from TASPAC.

Following new leadership elections, all acting leaders retained their positions.

Growth

A paper signed by the delegates at the GUM's only face-to-face Quorum to date.

In late 2011, the GUM shifted away from being a micronational United Nations to become an organisation focused on serving its own members. Its work included sending a representative to Occupy LSX to express support for the Occupy movement, and successfully encouraging three-quarters of its members to sign the Treaty of Universal Peace.

New elections were held in December, won by then Crown Prince Jonathan. Constitutional reforms followed: conventions were codified and bureaucratic and defunct provisions were removed. The new document was adopted on 19 February 2012.

The next chair, Bradley of Dullahan, was the first to be removed by a vote of no confidence. On 22 April, Quorum removed him because of his disregard for the Constitution and his lack of knowledge of proceedings and conventions. Bradley was replaced with Will Sörgel as acting chair until June, when Crown Prince Jonathan was re-elected.

On 15 July 2012, Crown Prince Jonathan chaired the GUM's first in-person Quorum, following the 2012 Polination Conference.[4] Austenasia, St.Charlie, Renasia, Sandus and Juclandia were present (James Stewart was appointed as a provisional Juclandian delegate).

Also in 2012, the GUM organised the 24 Hour Quorum – the first event of its kind. This ran from 14 to 15 August and was attended by micronationalists from the community and beyond. Five or more people stayed online and talking for 24 hours. Some participants were sponsored, leading to around 80 GBP (US$128) in charitable donations.[4]

During this time, great influence was still wielded by Soergel, Tierney, and Jonathan, who were referred to as the Troika.

2013-15

Leadership scandal and a new charter

January 2013 saw controversy. Chair Yaroslav Mar and vice-chair Bradley of Dullahan were accused of conspiring with Haakon Lindstrom (the Security Council secretary) to remove Sandus and Juclandia for political reasons.[5] The dispute led to some members departing and all three officials resigning.

Crown Prince Jonathan became acting chair on 19 January.[4] The organisation soon returned to normality, with former members rejoining and the March, June and September elections going as planned.

In late 2013, activity declined, and the December elections were nearly forgotten. This prompted new efforts to revitalise the organisation. On 15 February 2014, Quorum approved a new Charter. This abolished the Security and Advancement Councils and introduced the Secretariat. Re-elected as chair, Bradley of Dullahan introduced the GUM Staff, a body that combined all executive offices with the supreme judge. This group met regularly.

Brooklyn Hewitt became chair in June 2014. Following supreme judge Taeglan I Nihilus's recommendations, more charter revisions were made. A mock trial was also held, to give the organisation some experience with legal matters. These projects continued into Adam I's term. In September, the Quorum expanded the Secretariat by creating junior secretaries.

Lounge phase

During Taeglan I's term, activity declined again, and Wyvern, a long-time member state, left in February 2015. In March, campaign promises to restore the GUM's reputation were fatally undermined: the election was invalidated for low turnout. Consensus was growing – both internally and externally – that it was time to dissolve the GUM for good.

On 12 April, Adam I (eventually elected in April) began the process of turning the GUM into a formal discussion venue. This was based on a proposal from Austenasia. After this motion was passed, the GUM ceased all activity for almost two months. Finally, on 14 June, an extraordinary constituent Quorum repealed almost all of the Charter.[6]

Graph showing the number of full member states since 2014.

Following the GUM's dissolution as an organisation, the Lounge Skype group was retained. This functioned as a formal venue for discussion between micronationalists, with the chair as moderator. On 30 July, under new electoral rules, Emperor Jonathan I was elected for a third term.

2016-21

Second re-establishment

The GUM continued as a discussion group until 2016. On 14 April, after several weeks of private discussion, Jonathan I and others proposed restoring the GUM as an organisation. Likely opponents were removed from the Lounge, and a Quorum was held. Meetings and discussion continued for several weeks, until a new charter was approved on 23 May. The first eighteen states to ratify became the GUM's new members. The organisation was officially restarted on 4 June. Fionnbarra Ó Cathail was elected chair by nine votes to one, and took power on 25 June.

The GUM's logo between 2016 and 2021

The GUM's membership grew over the next year. On 7 May 2017, the organisation – then with Henry Clémens as chair – held a second 24 Hour Quorum, which raised over US$140 for charity. But in December 2017, following a community-wide dip in activity, Quorum decided to meet only monthly.[7][8] Activity declined to a low point under Adam I of Uberstadt.

Discord and COVID-19

Adam I of Adammia, elected in July 2018, moved the GUM from Skype to Discord (months after the rest of the community). This resulted in membership doubling to 32. To celebrate the GUM's tenth anniversary, a third 24 Hour Quorum was held in January 2019. In June, the Birmingham Summit became the UK's first micronational summit for four years. It was also the first summit organised by the GUM.

The GUM continued to grow under Bradley of Dullahan, Thomas Bainbridge and Newton von Uberquie, reaching a record 40 members. However, the latter two chairs' terms were marred by scandals, with Bainbridge often criticised for acting ultra vires.[9]

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a community-wide surge in activity, as other events were cancelled and micronationalists were forced to stay home. The GUM's activity was also boosted by perceived toxicity in the MicroWiki@Discord server, with some seeing the GUM as a safe haven.

In May 2020, the fourth 24 Hour Quorum raised GBP 266 for COVID-19 relief.[10][11] However, plans for more in-person summits were postponed due to the pandemic. Despite this, Newton von Uberquie and Matthew of Essexia made history by being the first chair and vice-chair to meet in-person for over 8 years. The two had a formal meeting in Greater Baddow, Essexia on 20 July 2020.[12]

In December 2020, the supreme justice came under scrutiny when – just before an election – he banned a vice-chair candidate, Leon Mountain. Thomas Bainbridge, an observer delegate, advised Supreme Justice Bradley of Dullahan that Mountain had a criminal record in Hrafnarfjall (an observer); at the time, anyone with a criminal conviction under any member's law was ineligible to serve as a delegate. But intense debate broke out, as it was not clear if this also applied to observers. Delegates also questioned whether the original conviction was sound. The dispute was resolved when Quorum granted Mountain clemency, nullifying the ban.

At the end of his term, after controversies like the one surrounding Leon Mountain, Newton von Uberquie initiated the GUM's first charter reform since 2016.

Charter reform and new projects

Jack Dean became chair in January 2021, elected with the most votes in the organisation's history. The 2020 election had the highest turnout on record: 95.8%.[13]

Newton von Uberquie's charter reform continued under Dean, with supreme justice Anthony Clark leading a special commission. Clark drafted an all-new document, updating procedures and clarifying internal law. On 21 March, the GUM adopted its fourth charter.[14] At the same time, the GUM also adopted its current logo, designed by Clark. Throughout 2021, four amendment packages were passed, further refining the new document. A key change was converting large parts of the charter to statutory law, making it easier to amend.

In April, multiple members left the organisation, which led to a statement from Dean. While recognising that each one left for domestic reasons, Dean still announced two new projects: the Green Development Project and a new Micronational Guide Project.

Anthony Clark became the next chair in July 2021. His administration initially focused on internal matters, like recordkeeping and the GUM's online presence. Under previous administrations, recordkeeping was so poor that even the chair didn't always know which states were members. As the term progressed, the Clark administration organised the GUM's first Asia event, the 2021 24-Hour Quorum, a GUM Census, and a GUM World Map. Work also began to re-launch the GUM Guides as a quasi-journal.

In December 2021, Clark suspended James Frisch, who was the acting supreme justice, and Brooklyn Hewitt, the delegate for the New Richmond Republic, for inappropriate conduct and breaches of decorum.[15] Both Newton von Uberquie, then the supreme justice, and Patrick Renwick, then an associate justice, resigned over Frisch's suspension, claiming that it was arbitrary.

2022

Controversy and inactivity

Adam I became chair in January 2022. The first months of his term were beset with controversy. On 2 January, Quorum considered the suspension of James Frisch and Brooklyn Hewitt. Members chose to hold a closed session, before voting to lift Frisch's suspension and extend Hewitt's by one month.

On 13 January, several delegates sued the GUM over the vice-chair's decision to delay giving Sophia Albina delegate roles. The delay was first because of the alleged drunkenness of the appointing primary delegate, and then second because of alleged safeguarding concerns. The lawsuit alleged illegality, defamation, and discrimination, and led to the first completed trial of modern GUM history (in Quebec et al. v Baustralia, the supreme justice ruled that no actionable claims were raised). After extended and acrimonious legal arguments (lasting two weeks and running to nearly 12,000 words), the supreme justice found that drunkenness was not grounds to delay an appointment, but found in favour of the GUM on the safeguarding, defamation, and discrimination claims. No orders were made against either party.

On 29 January, controversy erupted over the MicroWiki administration's decision to lift a user's ban. The administration received a furious response to both its decision and its subsequent response to criticism. The backlash peaked when the supreme justice, Abrams Wiucki-Dunswed, in protest against the decision, used a technical exploit to remove nearly 2,000 users from MicroWiki@Discord. Wiucki-Dunswed was removed by a vote of confidence on 31 January, making his term the shortest of any supreme justice. In the GUM's history, this was the first vote of no confidence against a supreme justice, and only the second vote of no confidence against any official (the first was against Bradley of Dullahan when he was chair).

On 21 March, Jack Dean resigned as vice-chair and was replaced by Brooklyn Hewitt. The remainder of Adam I's term suffered from executive inactivity; it also saw nearly a 30% decrease in the GUM's total number of members and observers.

June 2022 election and Barauskis administration

The June 2022 election was highly controversial. There were five tickets, including two joke campaigns. Brooklyn Hewitt, the vice-chair, was the clear favourite to win, but her involvement in a rumourous in-joke damaged her reputation. Ultimately, Anthony Barauskis and Rory Leonard won a shock victory; Hewitt received a huge number of last-preference votes. Hewitt began disrupting the GUM server, leading to her administrator powers being revoked by the chair. A vote of no confidence was tabled against her, but she promptly resigned as vice-chair, before withdrawing the New Richmond Republic from the GUM. She was later banned from the organisation on 18 August.

The chair, Adam I, then announced his brief incapacity, leading to Bradley of Dullahan becoming acting chair. A chaotic emergency Quorum followed, where Leonard, Dullahan, and Jonathan I were all rejected as potential replacement for Hewitt. The acting chair was subject to vote of no confidence petition for his handling of the Quorum. Newton von Uberquie was eventually confirmed as the new vice-chair, replacing Bradley of Dullahan as acting chair; the petition against Dullahan was therefore dismissed.

On 15 August 2022, following among other things the resignation of Varuna Sriraya as Membership Development Secretary, a vote of no confidence was brought against Barauskis by six delegations. On 16 August, Barauskis announced his resignation as chair, at which point Leonard, his deputy, took office as his acting replacement; Barauskis served only 46 days in office.

Present

On 6 September 2022, Jonathan Augustus and Newton von Uberquie were elected Chair and Vice Chair of the organisation. At the end of their administration, a package of reforms was passed, which, amongst other things created the Permanent Office, and the offices of the director general and advocate general.

In January 2023, Shiro Mephistopheles and Jonathan Augustus took office as chair and vice-chair. After the end of their respective terms on July 1 2023, Simon White and James Bornstein took office as chair and vice-chair. On December 11, 2023, Anthony Baruskis and Sertor Valentius announced their candidacy for the Chair and Vice-chair positions in the GUM, and after winning elections, took office as chair and vice-chair on January 1 2024.

Structure

The GUM is comprised of four branches: Quorum, the Executive, the Supreme Court, and the Permanent Office. Quorum is the supreme legislative body. The chair acts as the executive leader of the GUM while the Supreme Court enforces GUM law.

Quorum

Quorum is the main assembly, where members discuss and vote on motions.[16] The frequency of Quorum sessions have changed over the years: originally weekly, they became monthly in 2017. Currently, they're held irregularly at the chair's discretion. Quorum's permanent general legislation is published in the GUM Statutes.

Executive

The Executive is led by the chair and vice-chair, and consists of all non-judicial staff. There are six secretaries: development, events, press, recruitment, regional, and statistics. There is also a safeguarding officer, an archivist, and a head technical administrator, as well as a team of mentors.

The chair is the GUM's executive leader. Experienced delegates are elected for six-month terms (before 2015, terms were only three months long). They chair Quorum sessions, administer the Executive, and represent the organisation. The chair is also often involved in diplomatic conflict resolution.

The first unofficial chair was the GUM's founder, Jacob Tierney, although the official inaugural chair was Kalvin Koolidge of Petorio.

Portfolio Founded Responsible for Current secretary
Events 2019 organising events and summits of any sort James Murray
Recruitment 2019 promoting GUM membership and observership; vetting applicants Philip J
Communications 2022 merged from press and statistics; covers both media presence and running surveys to collect data of member states. Matthew Xia

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the GUM's judicial body. The court's most senior judge is the supreme justice (currently Henry Clémens), who is elected by Quorum for six-month terms. There are also three associate justices. The Court is administered by a registrar.

The supreme justice is second-only in power to the chair, and their responsibilities extend beyond hearing cases. They serve as the GUM's chief legal officer, and often advise Quorum and the Executive. The supreme justice can veto unlawful Quorum motions and any charter amendment. In certain cases, they can unilaterally demote members, expel observers, reject applicants, and suspend delegates.

The Court also deals with civil claims. Only a handful of cases progress to trial. The protracted lawsuit Newton von Uberquie et al. v GUM was the first case in the Court's recent history where contested claims led to a judgement. New Florence v Development Secretary et al. was uncontested and ended in default judgement, but was one of only three recent cases that led to binding orders; Jaax J prohibited the GUM from incentivising the purchase of plastic bags for life (the other two cases were applications from Quorum asking for members to be expelled; both applications failed).

Much of the Court's time is spent issuing non-binding advisory opinions. Anyone can file a reference with the Court, asking for guidance on specific legal questions.

The Court's procedures are modelled on English, Welsh, and US common law. The procedures are complex and sometimes require specialist counsel to navigate.

Permanent Office

The Permanent Office is the GUM's independent civil service, led by the director general (currently Anthony Clark). The office consists of a number of deputy directors:

  • the safeguarding officer (deputy director of safeguarding)
  • the advocate general (deputy director of legal services)
  • the archivist (deputy director of archives) and assistant archivist
  • the technology officer (deputy director of technology)
  • the registrar (deputy director of court administration).

The Permanent Office also includes mentors – experienced delegates appointed to assist new ones.

Heritage Council

The GUM Heritage Council (GUMHC) is an assembly within the GUM that is "responsible for creating and maintaining a public database of significant micronational sites, cultural works, and documents."[c] Chaired by the Convenor, the assembly meets in continual session with a rolling membership of four 'assessors' from amongst GUM delegations chosen by lot every month from a pool of all delegations of the GUM. Once a nation has served as an Assessor, it is withdrawn from the pool of potential assessors until every delegation has had a chance to sit on the council. The council is limited to hearing four applications to its database per month to prevent a monopolisation by one set of assessors. The incumbent Convenor is Newton von Uberquie.

Defunct organs and positions

Security and Advancement Councils

The Advancement Council was responsible for development within and between members. The Security Council was responsible for intermicronational peace and security.

Both councils consisted of up to five members, elected by Quorum. They were both disestablished in August 2010, but reformed a year later. The Advancement Council was deactivated in March 2013, as an indirect result the 2012-13 GUM leadership scandal. The Security Council was disestablished in March 2013, due to a lack of business. The Advancement Council was disbanded permanently when the new charter was adopted in February 2014.

Former secretariats

After the Security and Advancement Councils were dissolved, three secretarial positions were established. The Secretary for Security and Community Affairs was to continue the Security Council's work, and the Secretary for Culture and Education and the Secretary for Science and Research were to continue the Advancement Council's work. These positions were abolished in June 2014 when the organisation transitioned into a discussion group. In 2016, Quorum set up the short-lived Secretariat for Conflict Resolution and Intermicronational Law. The Secretariat's establishment was led by the Mcarthian delegation; it was dissolved when Mcarthia left the GUM.

Other previous secretariats include press, recruitment, development, statistics, and regional.

Justice Commission

The Supreme Court was formerly known as the Justice Commission. Before August 2010, Robert Lethler was often perceived to control Justice Commission proceedings. With few established legal conventions, the other justices were often forced to follow him. The Justice Commission tried New Scientopia over negligent disclosure of information regarding New Europe, offered trial to Camuria, banned hacking, and published legal opinions regarding events like the Rhodesian War.

Members and observers

The GUM's membership includes members, provisional members, and observers (both states and organisations). Provisional members are almost all recent applicants who are 'on trial.' If their provisional period goes well, they are promoted to full membership.

Members and provisional members send up to three delegates, who can contribute to discussions and debates. Only delegates for full members can vote and stand for election.

Observers send just one delegate who can observe proceedings and join in discussions in the lounge, but can't speak in Quorum sessions. Observership must be renewed every three months (by notice to the chair), or it expires.

Full members

Member state Code Date of admission[d] Incumbent Offices
 Empire of Adammia ADM 17 December 2017[e] Technology Officer
 Confederation of Antarctic Islands ANI 8 January 2023
 Empire of Austenasia AST 4 June 2016[f] Supreme Justice; GUMHC Convenor
Republic of Avalonia AVA 31 July 2022
Soyuzist Republic of Azameen AZA 21 September 2022
 Kingdom of Burdette BUR 4 June 2021
 Elmwycke ELM 17 September 2021
German Empire CSM 4 May 2023[g]
 Gymnasium State SGY 8 December 2018
 Imperium Aquilae IPA 14 January 2021
 Empire of Imvrassia IVR 13 October 2022
Krlesia KRL 25 January 2022[h]
 Empire of Levinia LEV 16 December 2023
 Kingdom of Lytera LYT 8 September 2019
 Mercia MRC 4 June 2016[i]
 New Rubix Republic NRR 14 May 2023
 Commonwealth of New Virginia NVA 27 May 2020
 United Micro-Federation of Northudankton NDK 23 September 2023
 Kingdom of Pibocip PBC 9 July 2021 Recruitment Secretary
 Kingdom of Queensland QSL 11 February 2021
 Sovereign Kingdom of Ranzania RZA 8 January 2023
Great Renostopian State FKJ 27 November 2019[j]
 Revalian Kingdom REV 4 December 2021
Kingdom of Salanda SAL 4 April 2023
 Principality of Sancratosia SNC 3 October 2022
 Saspearian SAS 11 February 2021
Serene Beaconite Republic SBR 27 May 2020[k]
 Snagovian People's Republic SGV 11 February 2021 Advocate General
 Triumvirate of Sonderan SON 11 August 2019 Safeguarding Officer
 Republic of Tinland TIN 31 October 2021 Chair
 Uber-Essian Union UEU 1 June 2020[l] Archivist
 State of Vishwamitra VHM 31 August 2020
 Kingdom of West Sayville WSV 23 December 2020 Vice-Chair
 Kingdom of Wyvern WYV 3 July 2016[m]
 Imperial Federation of Zenrax ZNX 21 June 2022[n]

Provisional members

Provisional member state Code Date of admission
Hilbertian Republic HBD 7 January 2024
State of Lasetia LST 21 January 2024

Observer states

Observer state Code Date of admission
 Republic of Upper Shwartz Morgen Lorgen Land GML 11 January 2020
State of Rovia RVA 19 March 2023
 Empire of Paravia PRV 7 January 2024
Kingdom of Landopia 11 February 2024
Democratic Republic of Baliga 18 February 2024
Empire of Yata 3 March 2024

Observer organisations

Permanent observers

St Charlie, Bokonton, and Francisville were at one point permanent observers. They were members in September 2010 (when the GUM was allegedly dissolved), but did not participate in the 2011 relaunch. They had stated that they might consider resuming membership in the near future.

Permanent observership did not have to be renewed. In April 2012, permanent observership was abolished, as it gave preferential treatment to former members who by this point were clearly uninterested in properly rejoining. The three permanent observers became ordinary observers and new permanent observers were banned. In July 2012, the status was revived, but it was re-abolished in February 2014 when the new charter came into force.

See also

Notes

  1. The GUM was originally known as the Grand United Micronation until 24 January 2009, when it was renamed by Alexander Reinhardt.
  2. Erusia joined the GUM on 23 January.
  3. GUMSC (3rd edition), (2022), 10.1.(1)
  4. Date that the state became a provisional member prior to full membership. If a state has been a member a number of times, the most recent date of admission is given.
  5. Adammia first became a provisional member on 12 May 2013, and again became a provisional member on 5 June 2016. At its request it became an observer on 27 March 2017.
  6. Austenasia first became a member on 11 October 2009.
  7. As the German Empire's predecessor state, the Cosminian Empire.
  8. Krlesia is the successor state to the Rednecks Republic, which became a member on 31 August 2020.
  9. Mercia's predecessor state, Burnham, first became a member state in 2012.
  10. As Renostopia's predecessor state, Jusin.
  11. The SBR's predecessor state, Beacon City, became a member on 5 June 2016, but left on 27 November 2016.
  12. Of Uber-Esse's predecessors, Uberquiesenberg became a member on 3 July 2017; Esse was recognised as the successor state to the United States of Wings on 5 February 2017, and Wings became a member on 11 December 2016.
  13. First became a provisional member on 4 July 2010, promoted to full membership in August 2011 and left in February 2015.
  14. When previously known as Zenrax, became a member on 4 June 2016, and became an observer at its request on 31 July 2017. Again became a member on 27 November 2016, but withdrew on 16 May 2017. They withdrew again on x, and finally rejoined as a member on the 21 June 2022.

References

  1. Augustus, Jonathan. Taeglan I Ninilus Elected GUM Chair, 13 December 2014. Austenasian Times. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  2. "Land of Toz Boz ejected from CUNT". 28 November 2008. The Stigistan Times. Retrieved 7 August 2023 – via MicroCommons.
  3. Grand Unified Micronational on Twitter. It's our 10th birthday! The Chair has just made this speech to the 24 Hour Quorum.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Augustus, Jonathan. Crown Prince appointed acting Chair of the GUM, 19 January 2013. Austenasian Times. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  5. GUM in turmoil as member states expelled, 31 December 2012. Austenasian Times. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  6. Augustus, Jonathan. Grand Unified Micronational reformed, 14 June 2015. Austenasian Times. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  7. Augustus, Jonathan. On the Grand Unified Micronational and what plagues it, 27 November 2017. Austenasian Times. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  8. Eden, Horatio. Quorum of Delegates to be relaxed, will only meet on a monthly basis, 28 December 2017. Abeldane Telegraph. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  9. Marcel, Luis (29 October 2020) El Reino de Hrafnarfjall sale del GUM. (In Spanish), retrieved 15 March 2021.
  10. Skye, Zabëlle et al. (2 December 2020) MicroWiki Most Influential (2020). Published by Statistic-Dime — Google Docs. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  11. "Grand Unified Micronational; helping fight COVID" on GoFundMe.
  12. S, Matthew. Essexia and Uber-Esse meet again, 20 July 2020. The Essexian Post. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  13. S, Matthew. Jack Dean beats Adam Belcher in historic win to become the next Chair of the Grand Unified Micronational, 1 January 2021. The Essexian Post. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  14. Charter of the Grand Unified Micronational, 21 March 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  15. Submission to Quorum regarding recent suspensions, 2 Jan 2022, https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WevJiGKd5liN38f8s4XmvPDF6hRMiC_viotHuJ_msdk/edit?usp=sharing
  16. Augustus, Jonathan. Crown Prince re-elected Supreme Judge as GUM elections conclude., 12 December 2012. Austenasian Times. Retrieved 26 January 2020.

External links