A memorandum (abbrev.: memo) is from the Latin verbal phrase memorandum est, the gerundive form of the verb memoro, "to mention, call to mind, recount, relate",^[1] which means "It must be remembered (that)...". It is therefore a note, document or other communication that helps the memory by recording events or observations on a topic, such as may be used in a business office. The plural form of the Latin noun memorandum so derived is properly memoranda, but if the word is deemed to have become a word of the English language, the plural memorandums, abbreviated to memos, may be used. (See also Agenda, Corrigenda, Addenda)

Memo done by President Carter or a staff member during his tenure in the White House.

A memorandum may have any format, or it may have a format specific to an office or institution. In law specifically, a memorandum is a record of the terms of a transaction or contract, such as a policy memo, memorandum of understanding, memorandum of agreement, or memorandum of association. Alternative formats include memos, briefing notes, reports, letters or binders. They could be one page long or many. If the user is a cabinet minister or a senior executive, the format might be rigidly defined and limited to one or two pages. If the user is a colleague, the format is usually much more flexible. At its most basic level, a memorandum can be a handwritten note to one's supervisor.

Dean Acheson famously quipped that "A memorandum is not written to inform the reader but to protect the writer". Charles Peters wrote that "bureaucrats write memoranda both because they appear to be busy when they are writing and because the memos, once written, immediately become proof that they were busy."^[2]

Policy briefing note[link]

A specific type of memorandum is the policy briefing note (alternatively referred to in various jurisdictions and governing traditions as policy issues paper, policy memoranda, or cabinet submission amongst other terms), a document for transmitting policy analysis into the political decision making sphere. Typically, a briefing note may be denoted as either “for information” or “for decision”.

Origins of term[link]

The origins of the term “briefing” lie in legal “briefs” and the derivative “military briefings”.^[3]

Purpose[link]

The primary purpose of a briefing note “for decision” is to support decision making – to “help (or sometimes influence) a decision-maker to make a better decision in a particular problem situation than he might otherwise have made without the analysis”.^[4]  Conveying Information  Informing Decisions  Making Request  Issuing orders and Instructions  Providing Response  Providing Suggestions  Presenting informal report  Solving Problems  Using as reference in future

Structure[link]

As the communication mechanism of the policy analysis process, the briefing note should provide a coherent synopsis of a policy problem, identify different policy options for addressing the problem, articulate opposing perspectives and advocate a recommended option. The typical structure for a briefing note includes: a description of the proposed policy; relevant background information; a discussion of key considerations (including implementation concerns, financial considerations, stakeholder impacts, and possible unanticipated consequences), a summary of arguments for and against the policy and a recommended decision. Policy documents that start with a proposal and assemble an argument that position are more accurately referred to as a government white paper. A government green paper which raises a policy option and is meant to open a dialogue on the proposal is more similar in tone to a briefing note than is a white paper.

Quality criteria[link]

There is no universal standard for a briefing note, but it is generally understood to be a concise, coherent summary of a public policy problem with a clearly articulated logic for following a recommended course of action. ”Next to a political nose, and a logical brain, the most important skill of the good treasury [person] resides in [their] fine drafting hand. The concise, coherent and penetrating note is the final expression of all other talents.”^[5] In many Westminster / Whitehall governance settings, policy analysts are expected to analyze the issue and write the briefing note from a neutral public service perspective. However, the briefing note “for decision” must contain a recommendation, acknowledging that “to say anything of importance in public policy requires value judgments, which must be explained and justified to Mr Alex”.^[6]

See also[link]

Look up memorandum in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Bench memorandum
• Memorandum of agreement
• Memorandum of association
• Memorandum of understanding
• Mémoire
• Presidential memorandum
• Private Placement Memorandum

References[link]

External links[link]

• RPI.edu, The Writing Center: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
• Washington.edu, Memorandum Writing, Patrick, Richard F. Elmore, Laurie Werner.

This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008)

Lacrimas Profundere is a gothic rock band from Germany. Their name means "to shed tears" in Latin. Their stylistic aesthetic has evolved over time; originally a death doom rooted gothic metal band, they have progressively changed their style to a more mainstream gothic style with the later albums.

Biography[link]

Lacrimas Profundere was founded in 1993 by guitarist Oliver Schmid. At the time, the band was influenced by doom metal, and also made use of feminine vocals and classical elements. With the entrance of vocalist Anja Hötzendorfer, they drew enough attention to themselves to be able to record their debut, entitled ... and the Wings Embraced Us, which was released in 1995 and was followed by La Naissance d’un Rêve (French for "Birth of a Dream"), from 1997.

After the said releases, the band was granted a deal with Napalm Records which included five albums. A harpist was added to the band's line-up and they proceeded to record Memorandum (1999).

Burning: A Wish from 2001 was Lacrimas Profundere's first album to receive attention from the international specialized press. This album featured the removal of the band's classical elements to some degree, and was also the first time they employed baritone vocals, supplied by Oliver's brother, Christopher Schmid. Their first international tour then began, including countries of Europe and Latin America.

Lacrimas Profundere's subsequent albums were Fall, I Will Follow from 2002 and Ave End from 2004.

Filthy Notes For Frozen Hearts received considerable attention from Jackass star Bam Margera and the songs My Velvet Little Darkness, Short Glance, Should and Sweet Caroline along with a vocal excerpt from Sad Theme For a Marriage were played on his show Bam's Unholy Union.

In April 2007, Christopher Schmid, the band's founding member and vocalist left the band; citing prolonged stress from touring. It did not take long to find a new vocalist: Peter Kafka, who also sings for the German band Sonicslave. A Few months later basist Daniel Lechner left the band and vocalist Peter Kafka became the new basist and Rob Vitacca employed as the new vocalist, who also sings for the German Rock band Lost. Long time keyboardist Christian Steiner also left the band but supplied some parts for the new album. The album called "Songs For The Last View" was released in the summer of 2008. This was the first album featuring their new singer, Rob Vitacca.

Lacrimas Profundere's new album, The Grandiose Nowhere has been released on 30 April 2010.

Members[link]

Current members[link]

• Rob Vitacca - Vocals
• Oliver Nikolas Schmid - Guitars
• Tony Berger - Guitars
• Domonik Sholtz - Drums

Former members[link]

Guitars[link]

• Marco Praschberger
• Christian Freitsmiedl
• Stefan Randelshofer
• Manuel Ehrlich (Seraph (Ger))
• Ryan Gabriel Short

Bass[link]

• Markus Lapper
• Rico Galvagno (ex-Darkseed)
• Daniel Lechner
• Peter Kafka

Drums[link]

• Willi Wurm (ex-Darkseed)
• Christian Greisberger
• Stefan Eireiner
• Lorenz Gehmacher
• Kevin Sumner

Other[link]

• Christopher Schmid - Vocals
• Christian Steiner - Keyboards
• Anja Hötzendorfer - Violin, Backing Vocals
• Ursula Schmidhammer - Harp
• Eva Stöger - Flute, Keyboards

Extra Members[link]

• Tony Cheirichetti
• Alexandra Diehl

Discography[link]

• ...And the Wings Embraced Us (1995)
• La Naissance D'Un Rêve (1997)
• The Crown of Leaving (1997)
• The Embrace and the Eclipse (1998)
• Memorandum (1999)
• Burning: A Wish (2001)
• Fall, I Will Follow (2002)
• Ave End (2004)
• Again It's Over (2006)
• Filthy Notes for Frozen Hearts (2006)
• Songs for the Last View (2008)
• The Grandiose Nowhere (2010)

Videos[link]

• "Ave End" (2004)
• "Amber Girl" (2004)
• "Again It's Over" (2006)
• "My Velvet Little Darkness" (2006)
• "A Pearl" (2008)
• "And God's Ocean" (2009)
• "The Letter" (2010)
• "Lips" (2011)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Lacrimas Profundere at Napalm Records
• Lacrimas Profundere at MySpace