[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]

Re: [atlarge-discuss] Bylaws process/confidence/consensus,



Judyth and all,

  A pretty good short list here.  However it was in it's entirety, however
in different term, several times before...

espresso@e-scape.net wrote:

> Hello, all,
>
> This may just be my arrogrance and impatience speaking here but
> I'm guessing it's time we redefined our working methods so as
> to get some real work done.
>
> To that end, I'd like to suggest (based on nothing better than
> personal experience and the expression of confidence in me
> during the polls) that we start by drafting individual bylaw
> items which seem to emerge from the polling results.
>
> Would it be acceptable to this group if I got the ball rolling
> by posting my own draft articles for our eventual constitution
> one by one for discussion and amendment? (This process has
> worked pretty well in other groups, eventually leading to
> a consensus document that could be put to a formal vote.)
>
> If so, here is the outline of the areas which must be covered
> in such a document. Different conventions apply in different
> places about how this information is presented -- both as to
> the order and what clauses are usual under some headings.
> Some of these headings do not apply to our present informal
> coalition; others could form the basis of our operations
> until we are incorporated.
>
> My personal guidelines for this organization would be:
> - start with the clauses which apply to us now;
> - write this without reference to any particular jurisdiction
>   or form of incorporation -- that is, make it what we want
>   and then find an appropriate jurisdiction;
> - keep the language as simple and clear as possible so that
>   non-native speakers of English can understand it and
>   people translating into other languages can do so accurately;
> - draft and debate each clause individually (not necessarily
>   in sequence) and then have the parliamentary "readings" of
>   the whole document to make sure all the parts work together
>   as we would like them to;
> - conduct an official vote on the resulting document;
> - remember that individual bylaws can be amended from time
>   to time by referendum/AGM as needed but that the Constitution
>   determines the fundamental direction of an organization and
>   should need only minor adjustments over the years to keep
>   it up-to-date.
>
> CONSTITUTION
>
> 1. Identity and purpose
>
> 1.1 Name of the organization
> 1.2 Location of incorporation
> 1.3 Location of head office/legal address
> 1.4 Aims/mission of the organization
>
> 2. Membership
>
> 2.1 Categories/criteria of membership
> 2.2 Members' obligations (dues, etc.)
> 2.3 Members' rights (vote, etc.)
> 2.4 Method of registration
> 2.5 Method of resignation
> 2.6 Disciplinary measures (suspension and/or expulsion)
> 2.7 Membership roll (who maintains it, has access, etc.)
> 2.8 Privacy and security procedures
>
> 3. Organizational structure
>
> 3.1 Officers: positions, terms of office, duties, etc.
> 3.2 Directors: positions, terms of office, duties, etc.
> 3.3 Other elective positions: committee chairs, representatives
> 3.4 Committee (working group) members (volunteer and/or appointees)
> 3.5 Staff: selection, conditions of employment, responsibilities
> 2.6 Independent auditors
>
> 4. Organizational processes
>
> 4.1 Election of officers and directors
> 4.2 Other elections and appointments
> 4.3 Annual general meeting
> 4.4 Special general meetings
> 4.5 Referenda and polling
> 4.6 Notice of meetings, elections and referenda
> 4.7 Maintenance of books and records (routine business); access to same
> 4.8 Signing authority, custody of corporate seal, etc.
> 4.9 Budgeting and financial control, reporting to board and members,
> etc.
> 4.10 Preparation and audit of financial statements and reports
> 4.11 Removal and replacement of elected persons (cases of
>     incapacity, non-performance of duties, etc.)
>
> 5. Other business processes
>
> 5.1 Banking and finance
> 5.2 Insurance (general, liability, etc.)
> 5.3 Engagement of professionals and consultants
> 5.4 Tendering and award of contracts
> 5.5 Appointment of agents and representatives with specific mandates
>
> 6. Dissolution
>
> 6.1 Under what circumstances (bankruptcy, etc.)
> 6.2 Distribution of any remaining assets
>
> That's probably not an exhaustive list and I know it looks very
> daunting (as does any of the many model constitutions available)
> to people not accustomed to dealing with this sort of thing.
> In our case, some clauses will be very easy to agree on; others
> will generate a lot of discussion or be postponed until we know
> more than we do now.
>
> ##########################################################
> Judyth Mermelstein     "cogito ergo lego ergo cogito..."
> Montreal, QC           <espresso@e-scape.net>
> ##########################################################
> "A word to the wise is sufficient. For others, use more."
> "Un mot suffit aux sages; pour les autres, il en faut plus."
> ##########################################################
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> To unsubscribe, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-unsubscribe@lists.fitug.de
> For additional commands, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-help@lists.fitug.de

Regards,

--
Jeffrey A. Williams
Spokesman for INEGroup LLA. - (Over 129k members/stakeholders strong!)
================================================================
CEO/DIR. Internet Network Eng. SR. Eng. Network data security
Information Network Eng. Group. INEG. INC.
E-Mail jwkckid1@ix.netcom.com
Contact Number: 214-244-4827 or 214-244-3801



---------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-unsubscribe@lists.fitug.de
For additional commands, e-mail: atlarge-discuss-help@lists.fitug.de