[jason taylor]

Council of Old Ladies:

The Senate must approve any clans title to representation in the Senate. It must satisfy the others that it is capable of contributing to public funds and the common defense, and to reproduce children. It also must satisfy that it's internal laws are honorable and will not bring disgrace on other clans.

When talking on the later point the ones casting their vote are prodded by relations stereotypically elderly females who are plugged into the gossip network. These form the ironically termed Council of Old Ladies.

The COL does not just approve new Senate members but are a general forum for discussing the honor or lack thereof of members of society. They are not, repeat, not an official government function. However their ability to put pressure on office holders gives them an unusual place.