DEFINITION OF TERMS
The Secular Xenophyte Synthesis, or the SXS, is an organization based in Zurich, Switzerland. Effectively, it is the headquarters for the International Synthesis Party. The SXS charters, monitors, establishes standards, policies, operating procedures, and provides technical assistance for Synthesis Parties at the national level around the world.

As it applies to the SXS, the term "secular" has a dual meaning. First, it refers to the more "worldly" administrative, organizational, political and governmental functions of the SXS, as opposed to the more "transcendental" functions of the TXS. Secular also applies to the "world wide" or "universal" scope of its mission and philosophy, which extends beyond all national creeds, allegiances and borders.

The term "Xenophyte" applies to people who believe in and live in accordance with the principles of the Xenophyte Code. The Xenophyte Code is a small but crucial part of the comprehensive philosophy known as "Xenophytism" (pronounced zen-ah-fit-ism). Those who identify with this philosophy are known as Xenophytes, or simply as "Xen."

As it applies to the SXS, the term "Synthesis" is used in a somewhat unconventional sense as a synonym for an "organization."  In this context, synthesis can be thought of as simply a "synthesis" of people who share a common perspective or world view. Synthesis should not be confused with the related term "Synthesist."

People who believe that the principle of ideological synthesis is an important element of the optimal political belief system describe themselves as "Synthesists." The main idea behind the principle of ideological synthesis is that neither liberals nor conservatives have a monopoly on the truth, and that both liberal and conservative ideologies contain things that people need to know in order to form a more comprehensive and accurate view of the public interest over the longer term. There are no important distinctions between people who identify themselves as "Xenophytes" and those who call themselves "Synthesists." Synthesists merely choose to emphasize those aspects of the Xenophyte Code which relate to the idea that the optimal political ideology involves a synthesis of liberal and conservative principles, or a synthesis of viewpoints that have traditionally been more closely associated with either the political left or the political right.

Some More Facts About "Synthesists" and "Xenophytes"
Synthesists come from all walks of life and from all parts of the world. Their numbers are growing, along with the realization that neither liberal nor conservative ideologies are adequate to deal with a variety of serious problems that humanity now faces, or will likely face in the near future. The belief systems of liberalism and conservatism have increasingly limited utility in dealing with a variety of complex problems, and they represent an obsolete and outmoded way of viewing social, economic and political phenomena.

Those who call themselves Xenophytes choose to emphasize the more comprehensive philosophy of which the idea of ideological synthesis is an important part. By contrast, those who describe themselves as Synthesists are more likely to emphasize those aspects of the Xenophyte Code that relate specifically to the idea that the optimal or most functional political ideology requires a synthesis of liberal and conservative principles. While all Xenophytes are also Synthesists, because the idea of synthesis is an important element of the Xenophyte Code (see chapter 25 of NATLAW.NET for the annotated version of the Xenophyte Code); not all who describe themselves as Synthesists will also be Xenophytes. Some people who describe themselves as Synthesists may hold a belief in ideological synthesis which exists apart from the other principles of the Xenophyte Code. However, most often, people who describe themselves as Synthesists will also be Xenophytes.

The term Xenophyte is derived from the Greek word "xeno" meaning stranger or foreigner. It is used to refer to the standpoint of ideological neutrality that could theoretically be achieved by a group of foreigners who had little or no knowledge of the conventions of a particular society. Theoretically, such a group of disinterested observers could more easily identify those social, economic, and political arrangements which would be optimally functional, or those which would be most conducive to the long term welfare of a particular society. And while this standpoint of complete ideological neutrality is only an ideal, it is important to note that it is an ideal which is opposed to the polar ideological views of both liberals and conservatives. The Xenophyte Perspective does not initially favor concepts or policies which are more closely associated with either the political left or the political right. This perspective only ends up favoring concepts or policies which are more closely associated with the political left or the political right, according to where the best arguments happen to be, in light of certain "functional" considerations. From the Xenophyte Perspective, the most important functional considerations are those related to the goals of maximizing the stability and progress of human society, or achieving an optimal balance between the two.

Xenophyte also refers to the moral and ethical philosophy of Xenophytism. Xenophytism is a comprehensive value, attitude and belief system, or an ideology. But, unlike other ideologies, it has been designed with knowledge derived from a scientifically based understanding of human nature, a generally accurate assessment of the challenges facing humanity, and with knowledge of the functions that ideologies in general are intended to serve. Thus, Xenophytism is an ideology in a good sense. It is also a functional ideology by virtue of the fact that it is a belief system which is not dominated by values associated with only one pole of man's temperamental essence. Xenophytism integrates values and beliefs associated with both poles of man's temperamental essence to form a synthetic belief system. By holding such values and beliefs, Xenophytes are somewhat immune to the influences of ideological distortion. At the very least, they are less susceptible to such influences than people who identify themselves as either liberals or conservatives.

Thus, to answer the question of where the SXS stands in relation to the great overarching political ideologies of liberalism and conservatism, the party philosophy is a "synthesis." That is to say, it is based upon some views that are decidedly to the left on certain issues, and decidedly to the right on other issues. On still other issues, the party may hold positions that are closer to the center of the ideological spectrum. The position that the party takes on a particular issue is dictated by an understanding of its functions for society, and not by considerations of ideological orthodoxy, or by a desire to remain loyal to a particular ideology. Yet, where the party stands on various issues is more than just the result of  mixing views that are more closely associated with either liberalism, conservatism or centrism. It also involves forming a complex system of intermediary structures between these sets of opposing ideas, in order to reconcile conflicts between them. And, it involves establishing complex interrelationships that exist between various issues in order to form a "comprehensively rational" picture of the public interest over the longer term. This latter requirement is satisfied by holding a belief system which effectively subsumes elements of the polarized ideologies and then reintegrates their elements as part of a new conceptual system, to produce a synthetic ideology (a belief system which contains elements of the polar ideologies).

More About the Concept of Ideological Synthesis
Synthesis is the key to understanding the perspective from which the SXS addresses matters related to politics, ethics and philosophy. A belief system which is based on the concept of ideological synthesis has a number of qualities that recommend it over other belief systems, and over polar belief systems in particular. There are good reasons to believe that a synthetic belief system will stand a better chance of being able to defy the limitations that have historically been associated with ideologies more generally. To begin with, a synthetic belief system is more conciliatory than either of the polar ideologies. One of the major goals of a synthetic belief system is that it tends to neutralize conflicting values associated with the polar ideologies. Because it is based upon a more extensive and eclectic knowledge base, and one which has a better grasp of aggregate human interests, it enjoys the benefits of the knowledge bases of both polar ideologies (liberalism and conservatism). Also, because it accounts for the two major poles of human interests, or the totality of the normally occurring range of human temperamental essence, it stands a better chance of actually being able to identify human interests overall that either of the polar ideologies standing alone.

According to the idea of synthesis, there is no practical need to have absolute certainty when attempting to design an optimal belief system. To be considered "optimal" a belief system only needs to be more functional, or more conducive to the survivability of the species, than competing doctrines, like liberalism and conservatism. Because of its overarching goal of maximizing species survivability, the synthetic approach, transcends and subsumes both liberal and conservative ideologies.  The Xenophyte Perspective makes use of both of these ideologies, but it is not bound by them. It mediates the conflicting priorities of stability and progress within a larger conception of the species interests over the longer term, in the quest to maximize survivability. As an ideology, the synthetic perspective considers a wide variety of human interests and concerns within a comprehensive, long term framework. It reflects a truly "species level" consciousness. By contrast, liberalism and conservatism are polar ideologies which are designed to promote the narrow interests of particular groups in society over the shorter term, often at the expense of the public interest over the longer term.

As a way of interpreting social, economic, and political realities, Synthesists employ an approach that is initially just as skeptical of liberal views as it is of conservative views. Liberals believe that truths about human beings consistently favor policies which aggregate near the left of the ideological continuum. Conservatives believe that truths about human beings consistently favor policies which aggregate near the right of the ideological continuum. By contrast, synthesists believe that truths about human societies favor policies which are distributed throughout the ideological continuum. Synthesists also believe that human societies in general, and the vast majority of social, economic, and political issues, are too complex to be understood by reference to either liberal or conservative principles alone. An understanding of society which is most likely to be maximally conducive to the survivability of the species is based upon a more comprehensive understanding of human beings and their behaviors. To use the analogy of light waves, these truths are presumed to be "incoherent" in the sense that they defy the polarizing force of liberal and conservative ideologies. Consequently, these truths are associated with points all along the ideological "spectrum."

Some More Facts About The ASP and the SXS
The ASP (American Synthesis Party) and the SXS were founded jointly in January of 2000. Membership in both organizations remains small and both organizations remain obscure. However, a number of developments are taking place which strongly suggest that, at some point, both organizations could enjoy a sudden rise from obscurity. First, social, economic and political events around the world appear to be unfolding roughly in accordance with predictions which are at the core of the Xenophyte doctrine. Secondly, there is a corresponding and growing skepticism toward the older ideologies of liberalism and conservatism. These ideologies are revealing an inability to deal with a variety of serious problems which humanity now faces, principally, those related to overpopulation and the resulting strain on the environment and the resources needed to maintain a high standard of living. Until world population growth is brought under control, these problems are destined to get worse, and people will be expected to do more with less. As a result, political discontent throughout the world will surely tend to rise. The SXS is positioning itself to benefit from this discontent. By contrast, all that supporters of conventional ideologies appear able to do is to tell people that, in the future, they will need to do more with less. What they should be telling people is that merely by showing a little self restraint in the exercise of their reproductive freedoms, or merely by making a small sacrifice now, they could expect a much brighter future tomorrow. Showing such restraint would substantially reduce competitive economic pressures throughout the world, and it would make everyone's quality of life better over the longer term. Yet, virtually no government on Earth has fully embraced the idea that population control is necessary, except perhaps, the PRC. Apparently, such a long term view is beyond their grasp.

For all of its human rights abuses, the PRC may actually come closer to defending the ultimate human right (the right of survival, according to the Prime Criterion) than any other nation state. Thus, it may actually set a better example than many other nations which ostensibly have a better record on human rights. Ultimately, the right to survival is the highest human right. And we are forfeiting this right by our failure to control our population growth. Liberals are generally unwilling to concede this point because it suggests that some restraint of individual freedoms is needed to achieve a larger public goal over the longer term. Conservatives are unwilling to concede this point for similar reasons. Conservatives also believe that people should be allowed to have as many children as they want, because this leads to the expansion of consumer markets, and the continuing expansion of these markets is necessary to maintain economic growth. These arguments are false. The fact that both liberals and conservatives continue to rely on them illustrates how morally and intellectually bankrupt their ideologies have become. It also illustrates that both ideologies are poorly equipped to deal with a number of the most fundamental challenges now facing humanity.

The ideologies of liberalism and conservatism are increasingly showing signs of wear. They are showing signs of having run their historical course. The limitations of both belief systems are destined to become more apparent over time. Something must eventually take their place. Synthesis is the most likely alternative. This conclusion is reinforced by the fact that the number of Synthesists is growing worldwide. This includes both those who openly proclaim their support for the idea of ideological synthesis, or those who openly identify with the synthesis movement, and it includes the growing  multitude of "closet Synthesists," who, for one reason or another, want to pass themselves off as either centrists or moderates, or simply as people who are more even handed in their approach to issues; those who hold more eclectic world views, and those who want to distance themselves from the ideological extremes. Eventually, a mass exodus from liberal and conservative ideologies can be expected. The Synthesis Movement is the most logical beneficiary of this flight from failing ideologies.

The SXS also clarifies and promulgates matters of doctrine; it communicates information that is critical to the party's mission, it distributes organizational directives; policies and procedures governing Synthesis Parties and affiliated organizations; it serves as the source of standard interpretations of the party doctrine, and it serves as the arbiter of last resort in settling disputes over the party doctrine.

The SXS is also tasked with chartering, denying, or revoking the charters of Synthesis parties and affiliated organizations around the world. As such, it either affirms or denies the status of these organizations as official representatives of the SXS. In addition, as the headquarters of the International Synthesis Movement, the SXS performs the following functions:

1) To keep records and chronicle all major developments and events within Synthesis Parties around the world.
2) To maintain membership statistics and to collect demographic information about members to be compiled in a membership database.
3)To conduct searches of the membership database to locate qualified personnel for filling vacancies within the party.
4)To render technical and financial assistance to local and national party organizations.
5)To insure that all party organizations and affiliates conform to and act in accordance with doctrine as a condition of maintaining their charters, or to insure that any exceptions to standard policies and procedures are authorized and based on local customs, and do not constitute a violation of the central doctrine.
6) To serve as a principal news organization for the promulgation and dissemination of important information through the party.
7)To be active in drafting legislation which is consistent with the party philosophy.
8) To establish policies and procedures and to compile these in policy and procedure manuals covering all aspects of party operations, and to distribute these manuals.
9)To organize travel and good will tours between party members of different nations.
10) To serve as the final authority for all standards, practices, policies and procedures for Synthesis parties and their subsidiary organizations, including, but not limited to: the ACC (American Centrist Coalition), SST (Social Science Tech),  CONQUISTACORPS, and the TXS (The Transcendental Xenophyte Synthesis), etc.
11)To monitor all Synthesis parties and subsidiary organizations for compliance with SXS policies and procedures, and to insure that all Synthesis parties conform and remain true to the principles of the Xenophyte Code and the principles of The Xenophyte Perspective.
12) Additional purposes of the SXS include, but are not limited to: serving as the leading or ruling party where Synthesis party candidates have been elected to majority, executive or ruling positions within their government; performing all functions of government; and all affairs of state, in those nations where representatives of the Synthesis party have been elected to majority, executive or ruling positions within their government.

( FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE PARTY ORGANIZATION AND STRUCTURE, SEE WWW.WSXS.COM )

THE SYMBOLISM AND MEANING OF THE TEMPEST
The tempest is the primary graphic symbol of both the International Synthesis Movement, which is embodied by the Secular Xenophyte Synthesis, and it is the major symbol of the American Synthesis Party. For members of these organizations, the tempest symbolizes a number of things. First, the tempest symbolizes animation and movement. This reflects the dynamic spirit of the party. Secondly, the tempest symbolizes the storm that renews by sweeping away the old order of things. The black color of the tempest symbolizes the mystery and the secrets of the universe that are yet to be unlocked. The white background of the tempest symbolizes purity, and the guiding light of what we already know about ourselves and the universe. The blue background of the party flag symbolizes the tranquility and strength of a social, economic and political order that is based on natural law, and the Xenophyte Code.

The abbreviated version of the Xenophyte Code has been reproduced below. It is the most concise statement of the Xenophyte creed, or what it means to be a Xenophyte.

1) A Xenophyte believes that maximizing the survivability of the human species is the highest value.
2) A Xenophyte believes that ideologies or belief systems fundamentally affect the survivability of the human species.
3) A Xenophyte believes that Xenophytism is the most functional ideology, or the belief system that will prove maximally conducive to human survivability.
4) A Xenophyte believes that reason, not the emotions or faith, is the highest faculty that man is given to discover the natural order, natural law, and divine will.
5) A Xenophyte believes that the ideology that will prove most conducive to human survivability is also the one that is most in accord with the natural order, natural law and divine will.
6) A Xenophyte believes that to be most stable, progressive, and conducive to survivability, human societies must be organized according to principles of natural law.
7) A Xenophyte is a functionalist. (One who judges morality in terms of how it functions, or how it conduces to the survivability of the species.)
8) A Xenophyte is a synthesist. (One who synthesizes or combines elements of opposing ideologies such as liberalism and conservatism.)
9) A Xenophyte is a cosmopolitan. (One who believes that highly homogeneous societies are in closest accord with natural law.)
10) A Xenophyte is disciplined.
11) A Xenophyte is dynamic and industrious.
12) A Xenophyte is devoted to learning.
13) A Xenophyte observes moderation in habits of living.
14) A Xenophyte is foresighted and responsible.
15) A Xenophyte values fitness and health.
16) A Xenophyte values fidelity and the family.
17) A Xenophyte is a heterosexual.
18) A Xenophyte is a eugenicist and a preservationist.
19) A Xenophyte is an environmentalist.
20) A Xenophyte believes that man ultimately lives for a higher cause than the maximization of his own happiness.
21) A Xenophyte believes that because humans have freedom of will and the ability to reason and learn, they are naturally obligated to be judgmental, and they are generally capable of reaching correct moral conclusions.
22) A Xenophyte believes that all religious works (including those which serve as the basis for the great religions) are products of man, and are only in accord with divine will (rationally understood) in the degree that they are functional, or conducive to human survivability.
23) A Xenophyte believes that Christianity, Buddhism (especially Zen) and the TXS are the most functional religions, or the religious and moral forms that are in closest accord with divine will.
24) A Xenophyte believes that an incorrect conception of either God or divine will is a moral failure that reduces human survivability.
25) A Xenophyte believes in a God of natural laws, and a God which operates through natural laws alone.

Note: The annotated version of the Xenophyte Code can be found at the end of Chapter 25 of NATURAL LAW AND ETHICS at  WWW.NATLAW.NET

To have the opportunity to advance within the party, one must be a Class A member. Class A membership requires that one read, understand and agree with the Xenophyte Code. The Xenophyte Code is the most concise statement of the Xenophyte or Synthesis Party philosophy. A more complete understanding of the party philosophy is required for all higher posts within the party. Class A membership further requires that one be sworn, or that one take an oath stating that they have read, understand, and agree with the Xenophyte Code.

Like all organizations in which people seek membership on the basis of a shared system of beliefs, the SXS excludes those who do not share its core beliefs. For instance, it would make no sense for people who identify themselves as Republicans to want to join the Democratic Party. Similarly, it would make no sense for a person who does not agree with the Xenophyte Code to seek membership in the SXS or one of its national affiliates. Membership in a Synthesis party depends on one's fundamental understanding and agreement with the essentials of the party doctrine. This excludes all who do not identify themselves as either Synthesists or Xenophytes. This also excludes people who identify themselves as either liberals or conservatives!

The main qualification for membership in a political party which is defined principally by an ideology is agreement with that ideology. Not all political parties are so ideologically exclusive, or so strict in their ideological allegiances. For instance, one can belong to either the Republican or the Democratic parties regardless of whether they identify themselves as liberals, conservatives or libertarians (although more commonly it will be the case that Republicans are conservative and Democrats are liberal). These parties are designed to be "catch-all" parties and are not tightly organized around a set of ideological principles. They do not require their members to abide by a political creed or they do not define their membership exclusively  in ideological terms. They do not require their members to be bound by a set of ideological principles.  By contrast, the Synthesis Party is much more of an ideological party. It functions more on the basis of its members' commitment to a philosophy, or a set of ideological principles.

The Republicans and the Democrats are much more loosely structured parties, ideologically speaking. Being so loosely structured along ideological lines can have certain advantages. It is advantageous to be ideologically flexible when there is great uncertainty about which ideology will be most likely to serve human interests over the longer term. It is also advantageous in gaining converts who are generally unwilling to commit themselves too strongly to any set of beliefs. But being loosely structured along ideological lines carries disadvantages for a party as well. It is disadvantageous when a more functional ideology is available; and it is not conducive to maintaining a high degree of solidarity, cohesion and strength within a party.

Member Obligations
Again, no oath is required for regular membership. However, it is required for anyone who applies for employment or any positions within the party.

OATH (required for class A membership in either the SXS or the ASP)

I swear (or affirm) that I have read, understand, and agree with the Xenophyte Code. The Xenophyte Code is a statement of the values and principles that all people who describe themselves as "Xenophytes" or "Synthesists" are expected to abide by. (the annotated version of this code can be found at the end of Chapter 25 in www.NATLAW.NET).

Member's signature:________________________________________

Member's name:___________________________________________
Mailing address:___________________________________________
City, State and Zip:_________________________________________
E-mail address:_____________________________
Date:________________________

Advancement
In addition to Class A membership, which only requires a very basic knowledge of the Xenophyte Code, more extensive knowledge of the party philosophy is required for advancement. The greater your mastery of the party ideology, and the more hands on experience you have in building parties or similar organizations, the greater your chance of making an important place for yourself in the SXS.

Advancing within the party first requires having an interest in the basic principles to which the party is dedicated. It requires agreement with these principles. From this point, it requires having the intellectual stamina that is needed to master the party doctrine or philosophy. Having a commanding knowledge of the party philosophy is the most important requirement for advancing in either the SXS or its national affiliates. You can gain this knowledge simply from reading the websites that makeup the party's primary network. There will be 16 sites in this network, including this one. Altogether, these sites will contain about 1600 pages of text that one should become familiar in order to apply to the higher party positions. In addition, there are other party publications that you should become familiar with, although knowledge of these will not be essential for you to pass your examinations.

To obtain a true mastery of the party philosophy, it will be very helpful for you to read large portions of the secondary materials from which important elements of the party doctrine have ultimately been derived. Many of these are listed in the reference sections or appendices of various party websites, such as A Social Science Critique, and Natural Law and Ethics.

Basic communications skills are also important for advancing in the party. Even if you have relatively weak communications skills, you can compensate for this deficiency by having an above average understanding of the party philosophy. This level of understanding is in fact the most important requirement for advancing in the party.

In addition to meeting the formal academic requirements, advancing to higher positions in the SXS requires you to be a person of demonstrated moral character and integrity. You cannot have a criminal record, and ideally, you will have already distinguished yourself either academically or professionally.

Even if no party has been established in your area, or even in your country, you can begin to informally meet with other party members in your area, merely to socialize with others who have similar interests and outlook, or to begin building the foundations for a party organization. Who emerges as your local party chairman, or even the founder of the Synthesis Party in your country, will depend mainly on your competition, your own knowledge of party doctrine, and your own communications skills.

The first person to become proficient in the party doctrine, and the first to pass their level three exams, will generally emerge as the party leader in their area, or even their country, if no Synthesis Party has been established in their country. If one or more people apply for level three exams at or near the same time, the position of local party chairman will generally be awarded to the person who has the highest test scores; although other factors may be considered in making this determination, such as one's seniority, and how active one has been in assembling the local party organization.

If there is currently no Synthesis Party in your community, you can still convene informal meetings with other Synthesists in your area, either purely to socialize with others who have similar views and interests, or to discuss the finer points of the party doctrine, and to begin to evaluate other members for their leadership potential. You can also begin to informally recruit members at this stage. For instance, lets say that you and a group of friends have decided to join the party, or to form a local chapter. You all find that you agree with the Xenophyte Code, which is at the core of the party philosophy, and you have taken the Class A membership oath. You all want to know what you can do to better serve the party, and to advance within the party. From this point you will need to begin studying the finer details of the party philosophy to enable you to pass a series of exams. The next thing that you must do is actually arrange to be tested. On the basis of your test scores, you will be assigned an eligibility rank for various positions within the party. By constantly improving your knowledge of the party philosophy, and by constantly improving your test scores, you will be positioning yourself to advance within the party, as your local membership base begins to grow. At this stage, you will have "informally" established a local party chapter, even if it is only composed of you and a few of your friends. However, once your local membership has reached around 20 or more members ( a number that could actually be significant in a local election in a small community), then you will need to take the next step, which is to apply for provisional "Sector" status. Basically, the sector is the organizational unit in the party which corresponds to the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) in which you live.

Ideally, in addition to meeting the above requirements, you will have some higher education (at least a four year degree in one of the social or behavioral sciences), but this is not required. What is required is that, at a particular point in time, you are the one person in your area who exhibits the most interest and ability to lead the party in your area. And just because you are best qualified to lead the party in your area at a particular point in time does not guarantee that you will be able to retain your position. As the party becomes more popular in your area, you may have to face competition from other members. It is only by virtue of your determination, competence and integrity that you will be able to retain your position at the local level, or even advance beyond the local level. The principle of merit, not internal party politics, is what will determine your success in the party as much as anything else.

After you have passed your qualifying exams, and once your local membership has reached a certain point, and even before you become entitled to full pay as a "Sector Chief" you will become eligible for a smaller salary in recognition of your efforts. This salary will be commensurate with your qualifications, the size of your local membership, and the amount of contributions to the party that come from members in your area. For instance, if you have a local membership of 200 members, and you are able to collect annual dues in the amount of $4000 (all dues and contributions must be made payable to the national party), depending on the party's budget, you can expect to receive a substantial portion of the funds which you helped to raise.

What other skills or resources will I need to start a local party?
Most importantly, you will need a basic understanding of the English language. At this stage, the party does not have the resources that will be needed to translate the party doctrine into other languages. Until it does have these resources, all documents, communications and business between Synthesis parties and their affiliates must be conducted in the English language, and all tests and examinations will be administered in the English language.

In terms of financial or physical resources, most importantly, you will need a place for local members to meet. Initially, and as long as your local membership remains small, you can use your own residence if you choose. However, do not expect the party to reimburse you for any use you make of your personal resources, including your residence, for conducting party business. Alternatively, if you do not wish to use your home as an informal gathering place for party members, in some parts of the US (and in some other countries as well), it is possible to use public facilities (such as a school auditorium or classroom, during after hours, or on weekends) for political purposes. Consult local officials to determine if this is possible in your community. But, as long as your membership remains small (under 20 people), your personal residence is the logical choice for a meeting place. Besides, its not like you will be inviting complete strangers into your home. For, at least initially, only more highly educated, intelligent and presumably, people of good character, will be interested in joining your local chapter anyway. The principal tool that you will have to recruit and retain members are your own communication skills and your own powers of persuasion. Beyond these basic resources, not much else is required, unless of course you want to serve food or refreshments at your meetings.

To help you with either giving lectures to larger groups (greater than 20) or informal talks to smaller groups (less than 20), formal lesson plans will be made available to you upon request at no charge. Otherwise, if you are an accomplished public speaker, you can just shoot from the hip. However, in either case, you will be expected to have a commanding knowledge of the party doctrine. For the studious and dedicated member, this can be gained in as little as 6 weeks . However, it is strongly recommended that you devote a considerably greater period of time to develop a complete appreciation of the party doctrine.

If you aspire to the highest leadership positions in the party, you will need to have a commanding knowledge of both the primary and the secondary doctrines. The primary doctrine is the party doctrine per se. The secondary doctrine is that voluminous body of material from which the primary doctrine has been derived.

Training Seminars
Depending on the public's response and demand for them, the party may sponsor training seminars, mainly for the benefit of prospective Sector Chiefs. These seminars will expose candidates for the position of Sector Chief to the formal requirements of the Sector Chief (the highest salaried position at the local level) and it will also allow prospective Sector Chiefs to share their experiences and knowledge with each other. Lesson plans for lectures will also be made available at these seminars.

Record Keeping
Accurate record keeping of membership is your responsibility, whether your party has been chartered or not. Even at the stage where your local chapter is little more than an informal gathering, you should begin to keep records to establish the routines that you will need to follow when your group has been formally recognized.

General Conduct
You only serve in an official capacity as a party representative for as long as you are a party member in good standing. If anything happens to tarnish your good name, whether it is justified or not, you can be removed from your position, or asked to resign. Your office may not be an elective position, but it carries many of the same obligations as elective office. As a de facto public official who represents the party, you will be expected to conform to the highest standards of ethical conduct. Any financial or other malfeasance will elicit severe penalties, and, punishment may extend beyond what is prescribed by the laws of the jurisdiction in which the offense was deemed to occur.

Publications
PEPTALK (POLITICS, ETHICS and PHILOSOPHY TARGETING AMERICANS LOOKING for KNOWLEDGE) and other publications can be purchased through the ASP site at www.mypoliticalparty.com

Paraphernalia
Lapel pins, tempest bumper stickers, and other paraphernalia can also be purchased through the ASP site.

Contributions
Currently, all contributions to either the SXS, ASP or to a Synthesis Party outside the United States must be made to the ASP. The ASP main site is now set up to receive contributions electronically. Contributions in any amount are welcome and badly needed. You cannot make the world a better place to live without spending money.

HOW DO I ORGANIZE A CAMPAIGN OR RUN FOR OFFICE ON THE PARTY TICKET?
The following applies mainly to running for political office in the United States. If you are a class A member of the SXS or one of its national affiliates, and after you have passed your level 3 examinations and have received provisional appointment as either a Director, Commander or Sector Chief, depending on how successful you have been at recruiting and organizing members in your community; you may decide to run as a candidate for local office (preferably on the Synthesis Party ticket, if you can meet the ballot requirements in your state). Or, you may simply choose to remain in a more purely organizing capacity. If you decide to run for office on the Synthesis Party ticket, you should expect to encounter considerable obstacles.

Unless you plan to run on one of the other party's tickets, you will need a strong base of support, just to get your name on the ballot in most jurisdictions. In the United States, election laws and ballot requirements may differ considerably from state to state. But, they are all uniformly unfriendly to third party candidates, and they are especially unfriendly to candidates who would run for "small, obscure third parties," which Synthesis Parties tend to be. So, if you intend to run for office, become familiar with your own state election laws to determine if you have a snowball's chance in hell of running on the ASP ticket. If you have been a particularly successful grassroots organizer, you can obviously make your chances much better. The best way to organize a campaign, is to have a strong local base of support. After this initial requirement has been met, other things, including your chances of winning, naturally tend to fall into place.

Until the ASP is viable, it is perfectly acceptable for our members, or non-members who support our party's philosophy, to run as either Democrats or Republicans. Even if you are a Class A member of the ASP or the SXS, this would not constitute a violation of your oath. The most important requirement in remaining true to your oath is to support and promote the party philosophy by whatever means are necessary. Running as a candidate of another party that does not require an oath which would negate your sworn commitment to the philosophy of the SXS is an acceptable expedient over the near term.

More than anything else, the SXS is a party of ideas. Its aim is not to seek power for the sake of power, but in order to promote those values, attitudes and beliefs which are at the core of the party's philosophy. The most important thing in running for office is to remain true to this philosophy. One should only seek public office with the aim of translating this philosophy into law. You can still consider yourself to be a Xenophyte or a Synthesist and run under another party's ticket, because, being a Xenophyte or a Synthesist is more of a commitment to a philosophy than it is a political or party affiliation. However, ultimately, we hope that our numbers will allow our members to run on our own party's ticket with a reasonable chance of winning.

HOW DO I START A SYNTHESIS PARTY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES?
The SXS charters Synthesis Parties at the national level. The most important requirements for obtaining a charter for a Synthesis Party outside the United States are the personal credentials of the applicant. If applicants have distinguished themselves professionally in some field and if they have a working knowledge of the party doctrine, and especially if they are registered as the founder of the Synthesis Party in their country, then they will be more likely to receive a charter. These are the most important conditions that you must meet in order to be "recognized" by the SXS as a charter member. The benefits of charter membership include access to technical and financial assistance needed to build or operate your party, and the exclusive right to use the name "SYNTHESIS PARTY" in your native language, to be either preceded or followed by the designator of your nationality.

You should also be knowledgeable of the election laws, and laws governing the establishment of political parties in your own country. In the United States, and provided you are just in a membership building phase, and are not yet fielding candidates for office, laws governing the establishment of political parties tend to be rather permissive. This is related to the fact that any inhibition of their formation would tend to constitute a violation of constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, namely, freedom of speech and assembly. However, many other nations are not so generous in their freedoms. So before you try to form a political party in your country, make sure that you have a good knowledge of your political culture, and make sure that the authorities will not come knocking at your door. Presumably, you will already have this knowledge before you take the step of trying to form a political party.

Applying for Official Status or a Charter
Ideally, assuming you have met the personal and professional requirements, and have passed your level three examinations, you will want to have a national membership base of at least 500 members before you apply for a charter. While 500 might not seem like a politically significant number, in some smaller countries (like Luxembourg, for instance,) it could be a significant number. And, you must consider the possibility that the larger your national membership, the more likely it is that someone else with better qualifications or credential than you will apply for a charter before you do. So, if there is any doubt that this could happen, it is suggested that you beat your potential rivals to the punch and apply for official recognition as soon as your party has a membership of 500. You will want to do this for another reason as well. You will want to gain complete access to the technical and financial assistance that is available to your party from the SXS in order to build your party organization to a point that will be capable of processing a significant spike in membership, without placing a strain on your resources. Due to a convergence of world events, such a sudden spike in membership should be anticipated.

Naming Your Party
If you form a party based upon the basic principles of the Xenophyte Code, what should it be called? First of all, to distinguish it philosophically and ideologically from other parties, to emphasize the major political element of its philosophy, which is the idea of ideological synthesis, and to identify its affiliation with the International Synthesis Party (SXS), the party designator should contain the term "synthesis" in the national language of the nation in which the party is to be established. The party name should also include a  national designator, to denote the nation in which the party is to be established. And finally, the party name should include a designator indicating that the entity to be formed is in fact a political party. So, the name for a synthesis party must contain three elements: 1)The national designator 2)The ideological designator 3)And the political party designator. The order of these designators in forming the title of a national party will depend on your language and on the names of parties that are already in existence at the time. Problems with naming your party will occur mainly when an acronym has already been taken by another national party, as in the case of the American Synthesis Party, or ASP, which effectively prevents the Australian Synthesis Party from using the acronym of ASP. Hence, the Synthesis Party of Australia would have to be assigned the designation SPA.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
The following positions are open to individuals who have been party members for at least two years. There are multiple openings for each position, and no closing date has been set.

Liaison Officer
Establishes primary communications between SXS Central Command and regional or national party affiliates. Represents the SXS internationally as a senior advisor to party organizations at the national level. Advises SXS commanders and staff concerning the capabilities and uses of communications technology, and assists in the planning of communications and operational protocols.  Provides expertise in such areas as: laws governing the establishment of political parties, and election laws of the host nation. Serves as a focal point for the detailed integration of operational plans.  Briefs SXS commanders and staff on the resources required to meet mission objectives, and of progress in meeting mission objectives. Researches and troubleshoots problems related to the formation and operation of political parties of the host nation; establishes contact with officials of the host nation, may be tasked with administering exams to officials of the host nation, introduces officials of the host nation to operating standards and procedures, monitors for compliance with standard operating procedures; conducts audits and operational readiness inspections of party organizations; gives briefings to party members and executives; gives briefings to members of the press; travels internationally on "good will" missions to represent the party; may serve as publisher or publicist for party publications; may be tasked with assembling and directing the activities of a small clerical staff; maintains expense accounts and prepares budgets; recommends strategies for meeting mission objectives.

Qualifications: At least 2 years seniority as a party member. Good standing as a party member. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year personnel or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. At least 24 months experience, education, or training which provided a general knowledge of the principles of organization, management, and administration. At least 12 months experience in a managerial capacity, with experience in developing and recommending policy; organizing and carrying out specific programs, evaluating and recommending changes in methods of operations; experience in supervisory, staff or technical work which included study, analysis or evaluation leading to the development or improvement of managerial or administrative policies, practices and procedures; experience preparing written communications and oral presentations and/or briefings or which required the candidate to communicate orally at the level of the position to be filled; progressively responsible experience which demonstrates the ability to provide technical guidance and assistance in the type of work or in comparable work of the position to be filled.  Experience in any position that required compiling reports, letters, memoranda, etc., and required person-to-person contacts to convey information. Knowledge of the principles and standard practices of management; knowledge of the techniques of organization, direction, coordination and control;  the ability to formulate and execute long range plans and programs; skilled in oral and written communication.

Salary: commensurate with experience and other qualifications, starting at $33,000

Human Resources Specialist
Functions as a specialist in one or more related areas such as: recruitment and selections, placement, training, classification and compensation, testing, performance evaluations, retirement benefits, wellness and employee assistance counseling; may develop or recommend appropriate written or performance tests; schedules tests and supervises their administration; receives and processes requests to fill vacancies; conducts classification studies to obtain personnel and job analysis data; analyses and writes class specifications and related classification documents, designs wage and salary surveys; compiles and analyses statistical data; conducts special assignments; develops recruitment literature including brochures and advertisements; assists in developing personnel policies and procedures; reviews and analyses personnel transactions for conformity with policies and procedures; promotes understanding of objectives and methods; evaluates, revises and writes training materials, including course outlines and training guides; may supervise the maintenance of personnel records; answers inquiries and counsels employees; supervisors, and managers on policies, procedures and regulations; may function as a lead worker by giving direction to other staff.

Qualifications: At least 2 years seniority as a party member. Good standing as a party member. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, and one year personnel or related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Salary: commensurate with experience and other qualifications, starting at $29,000

Administrative Assistant
Performs varied administrative services, including clerical bookkeeping, office machine maintenance, budget preparation, payroll and routine personnel transactions and purchasing; reviews work methods and initiates changes to improve effectiveness. Prepares annual reports, brochures and other descriptive literature; maintains records and files of unit reports, studies and operations; prepares correspondence and other documents pertaining to unit activities. Assists in developing departmental programs and policies; prepares agenda for hearings and meetings; may supervise administrative services and do varied administrative research as assigned; oversees special projects. Answers questions and provides information in reply to public and interdepartmental inquiries; establishes and maintains cooperative interdepartmental working relationships; performs varied public relations duties. May supervise a small clerical staff.

Qualifications: At least 2 years seniority as a party member. Good standing as a party member. Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in business or public Administration, or a related field, and one year work experience in responsible office management, or five years clerical experience at or above the Senior Clerk level.

Salary: commensurate with experience and other qualifications, starting at $22,000

Secretary
Takes and transcribes dictation or correspondence, memoranda, reports and other material; types from rough draft copy or dictating machine records; checks and reviews a variety of data for completion and conformance with established procedures; obtains and gives out or applies information or explains interpretations concerning departmental policy, procedures and a variety of laws, rules, regulations, polices and procedures; receives telephone calls and visitors; processes incoming mail, answers routine questions; routes technical questions to proper persons; makes travel arrangements; takes minutes at a variety of meetings and conferences; collects and accounts for funds; posts and makes entries in financial records; operates office machines and equipment; compiles statistics; notifies interested parties of conferences and meetings; keeps time reports; prepares summaries on the proceedings of conferences; orders supplies and equipment; mails legal notices to news media; composes correspondence from brief instructions, marginal notes or own knowledge; maintains files and compiles data for reports; independently prepares reports; maintains supervisor's calendar and makes appointments as instructed, relays messages from supervisor to subordinates.

Qualifications: At least 2 years seniority as a party member. Good standing as a party member. Graduation from high school and 4 years of general clerical experience, including responsible secretarial work and word processing experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must be able to type a minimum of 50 wpm. Shorthand or speed writing at 70 wpm may be required.

Salary: commensurate with experience and other qualifications, starting at $20,000

Nepotism Policy
No applicant will be employed in a position where a member of his immediate family would serve in a supervisory capacity which could directly affect his job performance, job assignments or job evaluation.

Application Process
To be considered for any of the above positions, qualified party members should submit a resume' and supporting documents to: ava333@mindspring.com. After your submissions have been received, you will be emailed an occupational questionnaire. To determine if you are qualified for the position for which you are applying, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be made and compared against your responses to the occupational questionnaire. The rating you receive is based on your responses to the questionnaire and supporting documents. If, after reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score will be adjusted to more accurately reflect your eligibility.

ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE PLANNING
Consistent with generally accepted management and accounting practices, the goal of OMAP is to outline the requirements needed to maintain high standards within the SXS, and to create a world class organization which conforms to the highest managerial, fiscal and ethical standards, in support of the primary mission of the SXS.

SXS Job Classification and Management Plan
As per the SXS Job Classification and Management Plan, the SXS retains the right to administer all national party organizations and to insure that all national party organizations conform to certain standards, and that they abide by all organizational directives, policies and procedures.
The SXS retains final authority to manage national party organizations, to institute changes in managerial practices of any party organizations at the national party level; to replace personnel; to grant, deny or renew charters; to consistently monitor party organizations and activities; to establish performance standards and standards for evaluation of all personnel within national parties; to either affirm and support, or withhold support for party officials at the national level; and to retain the exclusive right to manage its affairs in accordance with all directives, policies and procedures. These include but are not limited to the right to:
1)Determine the number, structure and location of departments and divisions.
2)Determine the kinds of services to be performed.
3)Determine the number of positions and their classifications.
4)Direct the work of its employees or delegate the authority to direct.
5)Establish qualifications for filling positions, design and administer tests and other selection procedures; to hire, promote, retain, assign or transfer employees; or delegate these rights to national party organizations.
6)Demote, suspend of discharge employees or members within any national party which is a charter member of the SXS.
7)Release employees from their positions because of lack of work or lack of funds or because of termination of the activity to which they have been assigned
8)Maintain the efficiency of operations of all employees by determining the method, the means and the personnel by which such operations are conducted.
9)Take whatever actions are deemed reasonable, acceptable and necessary to conduct party operations, and necessary to carry out the missions of the various departments to which they are assigned
10)Make reasonable rules and regulations pertaining to personnel policy procedures and practices and matters relating to working conditions.
11)Reserve total discretion with respect to the function or mission of the various party organizations, the budget, organization or the technology of performing work
12)Insure that all policies, procedures, operations, activities and utilization of party resources are consistent with mission requirements.

Management Objectives
The organization and functions of administration must conform with SXS publication: Functions and Responsibilities of Administration, Policies and Procedures Manual. The organization commander/director/chief is responsible for the management and proper utilization of all adminstrative personnel and resources under his/her command.

Administrative Leadership
Depending on the level of assignment within the command, the senior administrator of the command may be designated as either the Director, Sector Chief, or Commander. This individual is responsible for ensuring that the best possible administrative support is provided the unit of assignment consistent with mission requirements. An essential part of administrative leadership is maximizing the performance of subordinate personnel. This requires proper motivation, training and professional development. Administrative managers must conduct a positive and aggressive personnel training program and use the checklists associated with ACC-09 Assessment of Performance and SST-30 Performance Evaluation Guides.

Management Administrative activities should be ready for inspection by members of Central Command or their designates at all times. Management effectiveness inspection ratings are critical to the maintenance of charters. A party's charter can be revoked for unsatisfactory performance evaluations. Normally, less severe remedial action will be taken to correct deficiencies in organization or management.

Training and Job Performance Evaluations
Job training in the SXS is a continuous process. Most of the time every employee will be in the capacity of either a trainer or a trainee. Every specialty described in the classification manual includes statements about their responsibilities as either supervisors or trainees. Every member is expected to observe and evaluate the duty performance and make recommendations concerning their job training. OJT requires those in a more skilled capacity and experience level to serve in a supervisory capacity, and it requires those with lower skill and experience levels to serve in the capacity of trainees. OJT is designed to qualify personnel to perform in a specialty while actually working in a duty assignment. Most of the training in the SXS is conducted on the job. Personnel are expected to perform in a specialty while actually working in a duty assignment.

Career Development Requirements
According to the SXS job classification plan, there are three basic requirements for skill level upgrading for the purpose of job advancement. First, there is specialized knowledge that is critical to the tasks that one performs for the organization. Second, there is actual  job proficiency which one is expected to demonstrate over the course of actually performing one's job. And, there is the time in grade or the actual time that one has been performing a particular job. All of these are carefully considered as the primary criteria for advancement.

Career Development Courses
Career development courses are standardized tests for evaluating job performance. They may be administered to personnel at any stage of their training, but are most frequently associated with evaluations for the purpose of career advancement. The CDC's are generally used to demonstrate familiarity or expertise within narrow areas of specialization, but in the case of promotions to management positions, they may be more comprehensive and general in nature. Such CDCs may also require extensive knowledge of party doctrine as well as a complete mastery of applicable policy and procedure manuals.

Estimated hits since publication, based on current rate