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Dear Co-citizens,
unfortunately I
could not follow all the recent procedures in WDDM, as I worked hard for the
greek participation in the International D.D. Conference under the
title "No Europe without its people", that took place in Berlin (March 24-25,
2007- www.berlin2007.org), where I
met also the founding member of WDDM Franz Isemann and we had some
good chances to express all the seven years old direct democratic culture and
good or bad experiences of WDDM to the participants. Finally we gave a DD
message to the 27 leaders of European Union about Citizen Initiatives
etc.
I am also very much working on
the local level in Athens, where I have to coordinate a Committee of
Direct Democracy in a main suburb and I could not express my thoughts for
the procedure and results of the new WDDM Charter, as a draft. I notice that
there is no reference to the binding decisions already made by
collective bodies of WDDM, as the last (3rd) international Conference of WDDM ,
having taken place in Prague (September 2005). As I have the order to fulfill
the initial establishment of WDDM in Athens and I am waiting the final text of
the Charter, I wonder if the text below is the whole one, as it doesn't follow
all the requirements, already specifically expressed writtenly after the
Prague Conference.
As it is very important to
continue well after this new interesting attempt , thanks to Mark Antell,
I wish to participate in the new executive Board feeling that it is
necessary to assist as a Bridge (founding member and ex
V.Spokesperson of WDDM) between our tradition and future. In any way , I have to
mention that ONLY the text below is NOT enough, although
practical, for our aims. We should also find a solution to the problem
of the original MISSION STATEMENT (signed in Delfi 2000)that is binded legally
with the terminology and name WDDM and the current situation that looks to
have NO Mission Statement, therefore it may not use as it is approved
now the mark WDDM etc.
I am flying to
France , Cannes in three hours, as a lawyer of the audiovisual sector for
the Film Market taking place there and probably I will not be able
to respond to any comments before the next weekend. So, please wait before any
new procedures, as we have to pay attention to the possible dates
and obligations of all serious participants in the Direct Democratic Movement.It
is good to help every real re-birth of collective works with respect and
conciousness to every tradition.
Congratulations for this
serious attempt!
George L. Kokkas
Coordinator of NGOs
"Forum for Citizens'
Democracy"
and "Democratic Euro-Vision".
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 1:12
PM
Subject: [OPEN_WDDM] Approved WDDM
Charter
Hi All,
The proposed charter, excluding section 3 (mission statement) was approved by a vote of 2/3 of the voting membership. Therefore it is adopted. A copy is attached.
All governance is restrictive, however I think this charter will not be a heavy burden. Sure, it establishes an executive board, but the actions of the executive board are automatically subject to referendum. Further, fairly do-able procedures are put in place for the membership to propose and adopt rules and charter changes via initiative.
The charter does require election of a three member executive board, each with a one-year term of office. It does not establish a procedure. Probably the easiest thing to do is to call for volunteers and to hold an election with the three top vote getters winning seats.
We also need someone to run the election. So, this note is also an urgent request for a respected member to volunteer for the short-term but very important activity of election supervisor. I'd prefer not to run the election; I'd rather run for one of the board positions. I support the notion of a neutral but powerful electoral authority. If I ran the election, I couldn't very well be a candidate for the board (I would however consider appointment to a vacancy by the elected board).
Mark Antell
On a personal note:
1. Maria Ivanova has published an on-site discussion of what’s happening in Ukraine at www.citizenpowermagazine.net. Nice article.
2. I just received via mail the newest edition of the Worldwide Direct Democracy Newsletter from Jiri Polak. It's dated March 2007. The newsletter includes discussion of current events and thinking concerning direct democracy. Nice read. I don't see the newest edition posted on the WDDM site (http://www.world-wide-democracy.net) yet, but I presume that will happen shortly.
3. I’ve been intensely involved in local civic activity of late — trying to save a park. It’s only local; nevertheless I recommend this kind of activity. One learns how things operate, and one also learns how to work with decent-minded issue-focused people. Also, it’s fun.
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Approved Charter for WDDM - 4/12/2007
I. Charter Review and Adoption Process
1. The sponsor for this charter proposal is Mark Antell. If 10% of the
membership second this proposal it will be considered a charter
motion. Due to uncertainties about the current membership, this
requirement shall be met by 3 seconds. (Sponsor's note: This
requirement has been met). The charter motion will then be posted
for a two week period of discussion and voting. The charter will be
considered adopted if it receives 66% approval by the voting
membership. Individual points of the charter motion are separable so
it would be possible, for example, to adopt several principles without
necessarily adopting any or all of the proposed business rules.
II. Principles of WDDM.
2. Definition
Direct democracy means enhancement and broadening of initiative,
referendum and recall. It also means improved methods for deliberation
and discourse.
3. Mission Statement
Not adopted.
4. Organizational Goals.
WDDM is dedicated to the study, education, and implementation of direct
democracy, deliberation, and consensus at all levels of governance from
the local to the supra-national level. Our immediate goal is to
develop a multilingual global network of websites and offline efforts
committed to encouraging more direct democratic processes for public
policy decision making.
5. Membership.
Membership is limited to those who tend to think that governance would
be improved by expansion and facilitation of direct democracy,
deliberation and consensus. Members must also commit to review
proposals and vote on motions. Further, members commit to civility
towards each other, and respect for minority opinions. After all, we
have similar goals.
6. Organizational Methods - commitment to direct democracy
WDDM will be an exemplar for direct democracy. As much as possible,
decision making power will flow from direct vote of the membership.
And we will strive to test and implement cutting-edge methods to
enhance deliberation.
7. Organizational Methods - encouraging discourse
WDDM shall continue to maintain a Bulletin Board to which all members
may post proposals or opinions. Many electronic BBS systems are
afflicted with a problem that they provide high visibility to the most
aggressive multiple posters. The executive board shall propose (for
membership adoption) methods to calm this problem.
III. Business Rules
8. Structure
We will start with a very simple structure: a three member executive
board - elected for a one year term by majority vote from a self
nominated slate of candidates. Executive board communications, and
other committee communications shall be open for review by the
membership.
9. Initiative.
Initiative means a process which allows the membership to raise an
issue for discussion and to bring it to binding vote of the membership.
Any member may post an initiative for discussion. If, after a
discussion period of no less than one month, 10% of the membership
agree to second the proposal, then it will be posted as a motion. Due
to uncertainties about the current membership, for 2007 the seconding
requirement shall be met by 3 seconds.
10. Approval of Initiative Motions
Motions shall open for vote for two weeks after posting. Business
motions are adopted by a simple majority vote. Charter modification
motions require a super-majority (of those voting) of 66%.
11. Referenda on Executive Board Decisions.
Referendum is a process whereby actions of a governing body are brought
to the membership for validation.
The executive board is empowered to pass temporary business motions;
however executive board decisions will be posted for referendum vote.
A simple majority of voting members is required to confirm executive
board business motions. Decisions not approved will cease to have any
force.
The executive board is also empowered to interpret the charter, subject
to validation by the membership as above.
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