Hello George, Richard, Nicolas, All,
We've got a charter (posted below as recommended reading) and we've got
an elected board (George, Richard, Mark), with an alternate (Nicolas)
if Richard decides not to take on the responsibility.
There's some unfinished business - a mission statement for example.
The charter proposal included a mission statement, but that part of the
proposal did not receive a 2/3 majority vote and therefore did not
pass. A mission statement is part of a charter, and like all charter
amendments requires a 2/3 approval*.
Also, we probably should start looking into ways to improve
deliberative discussion. The charter specifically suggests we should
look into controlling aggressive posting.
There's some new business - like establishing some working
relationships with organizations like More Democracy, the Initiative
and Referendum Institute, and many more. Perhaps we would want to ask
volunteers to approach organizations to discuss some ways of working
together. Once negotiated, any working agreements would be normal
business items and would only require majority vote* for approval.
Those are my suggested agenda items for now. I like your idea,
George, of asking others to propose other agenda items for board
review.
Recognize that the executive board has limited powers under our
charter. It may approve business motions but that approval is
temporary, and must be validated by a majority vote. Note also that
proposals can be posted for discussion by any member. If a proposal is
seconded by a substantial number of members (10% of the membership) the
sponsor of the proposal may be post it as a motion for vote regardless
of the executive board's position.
I also suggest that the executive board normally carry out
conversations in the open, that is to say, via posting to the whole
membership. Why not?
Mark Antell, member
WDDM Executive Board
* Majority approval here means a majority of those voting. 2/3
approval means 2/3 of those voting.
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