Hi All,
I'd like to discuss the following three points concerning WDDM business.
#1. Moving from discussion to decision - with specific
reference to PVR's thoughts about 'partyless or truer democracy.'
#2. Richard Moore's resignation from the executive board.
#3. Executive board communications.
These points are discussed below.
#1. Moving from discussion to decision
PVR's most recent note of 5/28 (attached below) defines a specific
program:
"The first step, I think, should be to come to a conclusion that we
cannot do away with representative democracy at least for the time
being. We need to redefine Direct Democracy as Democracy where people
have direct say in matters of governance through their representatives
without the intermediary of political parties within the elected house"
If PVR, or anyone else, has a firm recommendation on goals for WDDM, we
do have a charter which specifies how programs and issues may be
brought to decision. That charter is published at the following
address:
http://www.world-wide-democracy.net/charter.html
The following steps are specified by the WDDM charter:
A. A member posts a proposal for discussion. Perhaps s/he modifies the
proposal based on that discussion.
B. A member posts a proposal and requests that it be seconded by other
members. For the current year, the charter sets the number of seconds
required at three.
C. The initiator or 'owner' of a properly seconded motion tells WDDM to
post the motion for decision (adoption/rejection) by the membership.
Business motions require a simple majority of votes for adoption. A
charter amendment however, requires approval by 2/3 of the voters.
#2. Richard Moore's resignation.
Disappointing. I just haven't seen anything deeply troublesome in the
recent WDDM discussions either at a personal or political level.
Given that the election occurred only a few weeks ago, we should ask
the fourth certified candidate, Nicholas Durand, to fill the position
vacated by Richard.
Nicholas, are you willing to take on this responsibility?
#3. Executive Board Communications
Charter item 8 specifies that executive board communications shall be
open. Both George Kokkas and I have agreed to implement that
requirement by adding a forum for executive board communications. That
forum is write-enabled for all candidates for the board in the recent
WDDM election, and is read-enabled for all other members. Charter item
11 specifies that all decisions of the executive board are subject to
automatic referendum, but this decision seems pretty obvious. If no
one objects we will skip the referendum on this. But if
anyone
objects to this executive board decision we'll take it to referendum
vote as called for in the charter.
Mark Antell, member
WDDM Executive Board