Trusts.

Trusts are similar to companies elsewhere, they are created and controlled by a trust document, and each has there own set of rules built in, which all new members agree to abide by. Some requires the agreement of the president to join or modify while some others may require the agreement of all existing members.

It is accepted that trusts contain a level of risk, and the trust document should define how people can join or leave, and if they leave, what commitments they need to give.

A basic model can be used to create it, or be written by the founders. The Trust document should contain all the rules. It is based on a system of honour. The President is the head of  and a special honouree member of every trust, and can appoint a representative to help out or represent him, if needed

There are a number of types of Trust:

Honour Trusts

          All honour grades above knight are federal trusts. When appointed to a position or given a title, the individual joins the relevant trust.

Family Trusts

          Some might say marriage set up like a company. People become members (trusties) and accept duties and responsibilities. To add new members requires the approval of all existing members, as do changes in the rules. People who leave do so under the clause which covers how there obligations are to be met, maybe giving a contract into the future.

          Children have the choice when they become New Atlantis citizens, of becoming a member, with the other members of the trusts approval, but are not obliged to be. If they do not, then a standard contract between them and the trust applies. Up to the age of 14, a standard contract applies. This defines the obligations of the family trust and the child member.

          People when entering a family trust, undertake responsibilities, and acknowledge duties, but can retain their own individuality as well. They have within the trust document to define what is put in and what is kept out. If a family trust is dissolved, everyone must honour there obligations, and once agreed this is binding.

          The trust can be any combination that the members agree to, so Islamic families with multiple wives or gay or lesbian relationships present no problems. However once established the total agreement of all members is required to make changes.

          As the rules are decided by the members of the trust a simplified family trust can also be established by people who are living together, with easier leaving arrangements, until they are ready to make more permanent commitments.

          Any family trusts that do not contain leaving arrangements can be referred to the presidents office, who after consultation with all sides, will insert a suitable clause.

          To help people to set up family trusts a standard form of trust document with options is included in the members handbook.

          People can also be a member of several family trusts, and so children can remain members after moving out but with there obligations and roles redefined.

          Where members, wish but they do not need to, they can use a formal declaration of membership to a family trust, before an assembled group, and then celebrate the fact. This could be considered the equivalent to a civil wedding and reception in other cultures.

          Members may also take part in religious or civil services, that establishes  the equivalent in there culture, in addition to creating a family trust.

Companies

          Business interests, that are transferable.

          Similar to a combined memorandum and articles. it should state the ownership, responsibilities and commitments of members, method of appointment, and method of leaving.

          The company trust will nor qualify under legislation in countries of residence so should be duplicated as Limited liability companies, partnership arrangements etc.

          No documentation produced by the New Atlantis Company Trusts should give any information that could be misinterpreted, even by the very dim, that New Atlantis has any direct responsibility or control associated with transactions between the company and others.

          At a later point the house of deputies will establish and supervise an ombudsmen based system to allow Company trusts to offer an independent ombudsmen as a means of resolving disputes.

Federal

          Federal Trusts are central utilities & support. Including franchised services, and projects. Examples could include the New Atlantis university of Life, or the choices Project. There are a number of special federal trust which are detailed later in the rules

Property Owning Trust

          Any individual can sell there own property to New Atlantis, for a fee, and pay the same fee, or similar for a life, self insuring and repairing lease.

          On the death of the holder and there spouse, the lease expires. The value of the property can either be split equally between the surviving members of the trust, including the President (Into Presidents Fund Trust), or rented for the life of a family member still in the property, at a fair market rent and then when they move, sold with the proceeds going to the New Atlantis Presidents Fund. The President of Atlantis is a member of every trust, and will either personally or through a representative supervise the situation.

          Should a life tenant have to go into care, there personal property is either put in one room, moved to safe storage, or given for safe keeping to a family member of friend selected by them, and the property let until such time as they need it again, or it becomes clear that they never will. Should they then at a later date be released into the community, and the property having been sold, the trustees who benefited, undertake to provide another suitable house.

Monies received as rental will go into New Atlantis General Funds, and costs associated with the upkeep, storage of property etc. will be covered from New Atlantis funds.

Trust records

Trust File

          A file is to be made on each trust. It is to contain a copy of the trust document or contract, any movement in trustees or disputes involving the trust. A separate section contains any claims that trust has not been maintained, with the answer of the accused.

Member index

          An Index by person, of trusts they have been, or are a trustee of. Has a separate section to detail claims of breach of contract between them and the trust and the accused answer.

General principles in maintaining records and handling disputes.

          Notices can be removed after three years or with the agreement of the person who lodged the complaint, or by the person maintaining the index. Complaints are limited to half a page and responses to a page.

          Their is a none confrontational approach, so no  court to interfere with trusts, but the President as the head of the trust can intervene either personally, or through a representative.

          Their is no limit to the number of trusts that a person can belong to.

          Trusts are members of New Atlantis and as is with individuals the basis of membership. All trusts other than federal and honour trusts, when filling any document, including trust documents and refuting claims made, pay a standard fee of £10, to help to cover costs.

          At a suitable time the registry will be franchised.

Subscription

          The subscription is monthly at a minimal rate of £17. This, for information, was calculated by adding a £10 basic subscription, £2 administration and banking costs and £5 worth of Favours credited to the members account.

          Favours are the unit of currency used within the Bargain and Barter club.

          Family trusts pay only one monthly subscription, to cover all family members resident at the family address, or only temporarily away as for example when being involved in a project or in full time education.

          Each member of a family trust is able to become a full member at any level.

          Each over the age of 14 has a favours account, and the monthly subscription should include some payment into each account even if only minimal. The member can choose any payment level into there favours account, providing there is a minimum of £5 for one member of the family trust.

          The subscription can also be increased to include a donation to either the presidents fund or to general funds.

          Members of the New Atlantis Royal Family Trust although an honour trust is treated for subscription purposes as a family trust but members may be resident at various locations as instructed by the President. This special trust is excused from subscription payments.

Membership cards

Every member will be given a membership card, which will contain there name, membership number and date of issue. It will be able to be used as identity and for identifying there number for there bargain and barter account.

The 13 digit membership number comprises Card issue no (x), barter franchise (XXX), trust/family no(XXX  XXX), individual(XX), check digit.(X)

i.e. 1 001 001 000 01x

VIP Identity Cards

Members who become Knights, or above also have a larger version of the membership card designed so that it can be worn