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Difference between revisions of "Articles of Association"
Conflict Steward + clarifications + minor churn -- OFFICIAL EDIT!
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==Article 0. Name== | ==Article 0. Name== | ||
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===Section 2.0 Definition=== | ===Section 2.0 Definition=== | ||
'''sudo room''' is a deliberative collective, meaning there is horizontal democratic control and participatory management of the organization, which is composed of all individual members. However, the group actively strives to substantially incorporate interested community participants and beneficiaries who are non-members. Members agree to decisions made by '''sudo room''' as well the terms of these Articles of Association and all future | '''sudo room''' is a deliberative collective, meaning there is horizontal democratic control and participatory management of the organization, which is composed of all individual members. However, the group actively strives to substantially incorporate interested community participants and beneficiaries who are non-members. Members agree to decisions made by '''sudo room''' as well the terms of these Articles of Association and all future amendments. | ||
By using spaces or services operated by '''sudo room''', community participants and beneficiaries are obligated to respect all decisions by '''sudo room''' as well as the terms of these | By using spaces or services operated by '''sudo room''', community participants and beneficiaries are obligated to respect all decisions by '''sudo room''' as well as the terms of these Articles of Association and all future amendments. | ||
===Section 2.1 Qualifications for Membership=== | ===Section 2.1 Qualifications for Membership=== | ||
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===Section 2.2 Sudo Functionaries=== | ===Section 2.2 Sudo Functionaries=== | ||
As a collective, functionary positions are voluntary roles taken on by willing members and intended to change regularly. No person may hold more than one position simultaneously, unless permitted by '''sudo room'''. The positions and respective duties are listed below: | As a collective, functionary positions are voluntary roles taken on by willing members and intended to change regularly. No person may hold more than one position simultaneously, unless permitted by '''sudo room'''. Any member of sudoroom may perform any of the functions of any of the Functionaries, but the Functionaries are expected to perform their duties regularly and must perform them if no one else can or will. Any Functionaries can voluntarily cede the role to another member any time, and is replaced if another member is voted into the function by a simple majority vote. | ||
The positions and respective duties are listed below: | |||
* Facilitator | * Facilitator | ||
** | ** Maintains the agenda for meetings, ensures topics are dealt with, and recognizes speakers in a fair and inclusive way. | ||
** | ** Ensures that all group business is handled and all group decisions are made in the way described in these Articles of Association, by bearing them in mind and referring to them whenever needed. | ||
* Scribe | * Scribe | ||
** Takes notes during meetings | ** Takes notes during meetings and collaborates with others to include their notes in final meeting minutes. | ||
** Posts notes publicly after each meeting | ** Posts notes publicly after each meeting. | ||
* Exchequer | * Exchequer | ||
** Presents the budget during meetings, as articulated in the budget process below. | ** Presents the budget during meetings, as articulated in the budget process below. | ||
** Coordinates with Scribe to ensure budget-related information is accurate with | ** Coordinates with Scribe to ensure budget-related information is accurate and available to all members. | ||
** | ** Co-facilitates (with the Facilitator) the budget process below. | ||
* Conflict Steward | |||
** Facilitates the conflict resolution process according to the Articles of Association, but not necessarily a moderator. | |||
** Stewards selection of a moderator and schedules meetings among conflicting parties and moderator. | |||
** Documents meetings and communications relevant to the conflict resolution process. | |||
** Promotes good-faith participation in the process by conflicting parties on a basis of mutual respect and growth towards better relationships and a stronger community. | |||
** If conflict resolution goes before the whole group, co-facilitates with Facilitator, and handles points of information about conflict resolution with reference to the documentation. | |||
** Does not act as Conflict Steward in conflicts involving self. | |||
===Section 2.3 Benefits=== | ===Section 2.3 Benefits=== | ||
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** Items are up to the discretion of '''sudo room''' to determine through its budgeting and decision-making processes. | ** Items are up to the discretion of '''sudo room''' to determine through its budgeting and decision-making processes. | ||
* A ''safe space,'' which is defined as: | * A ''safe space,'' which is defined as: | ||
** "A place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability; a place where the rules guard each person's self-respect and dignity and strongly encourage everyone to respect others." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe-space | ** "A place where anyone can relax and be fully self-expressed, without fear of being made to feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, or unsafe on account of biological sex, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, cultural background, age, or physical or mental ability; a place where the rules guard each person's self-respect and dignity and strongly encourage everyone to respect others." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe-space — Advocates for Youth via Wikipedia]. | ||
==Article 3. Decision-Making== | ==Article 3. Decision-Making== | ||
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====Sub-Section 3.0.1 Agenda==== | ====Sub-Section 3.0.1 Agenda==== | ||
Agendas will be initiated with a default structure left open to addition until the beginning of the next meeting. Additions to the agenda during the meeting require a simple majority to be added, otherwise they are tabled | Agendas will be initiated with a default structure left open to addition until the beginning of the next meeting. Additions to the agenda during the meeting require a simple majority to be added, otherwise they are tabled until the next meeting. | ||
Agenda structure: | Agenda structure: | ||
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# Fiscal Solvency (Budget) | # Fiscal Solvency (Budget) | ||
#* '''Decision Procedure:''' Automatically approve the budget formed using the procedure outlined below. All amendments to the automatic budget must be made using a consensus process. | #* '''Decision Procedure:''' Automatically approve the budget formed using the procedure outlined below. All amendments to the automatic budget must be made using a consensus process. | ||
# | # Conflict Resolution | ||
#* '''Decision Procedure:''' ''Fair Process'' described below. | #* '''Decision Procedure:''' ''Fair Process'' described below. | ||
# Proposals for Amendment | # Proposals for Amendment | ||
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#* Official '''sudo room''' endorsements of other events, activities, groups, or actions. | #* Official '''sudo room''' endorsements of other events, activities, groups, or actions. | ||
===Section 3. | ===Section 3.2 Conflict Resolution=== | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.2.0 Process==== | ||
The resolution of disputes and disagreements within '''sudo room''' is encouraged through informal process and the spirit of a collaborative environment. There is a process, however, by which issues that are not resolved informally and that arise within the scope of these articles of association | The resolution of disputes and disagreements within '''sudo room''' is encouraged through informal process and the spirit of a collaborative environment. There is a process, however, by which issues that are not resolved informally and that arise within the scope of these articles of association: | ||
# Conflict | # The party who seeks resolution finds someone to act as '''Conflict Steward''' in the matter, and works with this '''Conflict Steward''' to find a '''Mediator'''. | ||
# The | ## The '''Mediator''' is an impartial and uninvolved third party who consents to assist, and with whom all conflicting parties consent to work toward a solution. | ||
# | ## The '''Conflict Steward''' organizes meetings for conflict resolution and maintains records of all meetings and relevant communications among the conflicting parties. | ||
## | ## The '''Conflict Steward''', '''Mediator''', and the conflicting parties arrange to meet to work out a resolution to which all conflicting parties consent. | ||
##* '''Decision Procedure:''' 2/3 vote | # If at least one conflicting party does not consent to meet, or if at least one conflicting party is unavailable to meet in a reasonable time, all relevant circumstances considered, or if the '''Conflict Steward''' and '''Mediator''' agree after at least one meeting that further meetings would not be likely to lead to resolution, the issue is brought before the group in the following way: | ||
## | ## The issue is added to the agenda of the next official meeting scheduled at least one week in the future, and documentation is gathered by the '''Conflict Steward''' and made available to the group at least one week beforehand (on wiki), and notice is broadcast to the group (on mailing list), but information that would compromise anyone's privacy or dignity is not made public. In the description of the issue, the form of remedy sought by the plaintiff(s) is included. Both the '''Conflict Steward''' and '''Mediator''' must give their approval of the factual content of the documentation before it is posted. Both the '''Conflict Steward''' and '''Mediator''' must expressly affirm that the form of remedy sought by the plaintiff(s) is consistent with '''sudo room's''' [[Articles of Association#Values | values]]. The request for remedy must include an implementation plan approved by the '''Conflict Steward''' and the '''Mediator''' if it is not obvious how to implement it. | ||
## | ## During each meeting's agenda item on Conflict Resolution, all unresolved issues on the wiki are brought up for discussion followed by a vote. | ||
## | ### First, the '''Conflict Steward''' presents all relevant documentation about the issue. | ||
##* '''Decision Procedure:''' 1/2 vote | ### Then, a category of severity is established by '''consensus''' according to '''sudo room''''s [[Articles of Association#Values | values]] and the facts of the case. The category determines the voting threshold for sustaining a sanction against any party to the conflict. The categories are (in order of decreasing severity): | ||
## | #### Conflict calling for membership suspension or termination. | ||
##* '''Decision Procedure:''' Consensus | ####* '''Decision Procedure:''' 2/3 vote | ||
# | #### Conflict where only material compensation is sought. | ||
## | ####* '''Decision Procedure:''' 1/2 vote | ||
#### All other conflicts. | |||
####* '''Decision Procedure:''' Consensus | |||
### Then, the opportunity to represent perspective is granted to each conflicting party and to the '''Mediator''', and general discussion may be held about the issue if any member wishes. The '''Conflict Steward''' co-facilitates with the '''Facilitator''' in order to answer questions specific to the conflict and provides information about the history of the conflict by referring to the documentation. | |||
[[ | ### Then, a brief period of deliberation of definite time is held, during which members are free to consider the issue or discuss it directly with others. | ||
### Then, members may propose alternative remedies to the conflict, along with any appropriate implementation plans. | |||
### Finally, a vote is held on the plaintiff(s)' proposed remedy, and then alternative remedies are voted upon in the order they were proposed, but only if at least one member indicates that the remedy under consideration is still relevant. After all remedies have been considered in this way, the matter is considered resolved. The '''Conflict Steward''' then ensures all relevant parties understand the remedy or remedies that passed and any corresponding implementation plans. | |||
### Any conflicting party unsatisfied with the decision may place an appeal on the agenda in the same way that conflicts are placed on the agenda, except that a majority of the group must vote to accept the appeal during a meeting, and the process begins anew. The appeal must propose an alternative remedy and refer to [[Articles of Association#Values | values]] that were not served by the original decision. | |||
### If at the end of any step in the process more than an hour has passed during the current meeting in considering the conflict, any member may request that a majority vote be held on whether to table the conflict until the next meeting. | |||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.2.1 Principles and Values Specific to Conflicts==== | ||
In the pursuit of fairness, due process in the resolution of conflicts must include: | |||
# | # Presumption of innocence. | ||
# the | # Right to an appeal and a fair process. | ||
# | # Respect for the privacy and dignity of all members. | ||
# Proportional and effective remedies. | |||
## [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice Restorative] remedies are strongly preferred over [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retributive_justice retributive] remedies. | |||
===Section 3. | ===Section 3.3 Corporate and Tax Status=== | ||
The diversity of organizational structures shall be preserved, in order to maintain the opportunity for the most effective means of instituting incentives for creativity and innovation. | The diversity of organizational structures shall be preserved, in order to maintain the opportunity for the most effective means of instituting incentives for creativity and innovation. | ||
===Section 3. | ===Section 3.4 Fiscal Solvency=== | ||
[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At_6qzhQZBX8dHU0bWZaNkxpSkcyeG5WMVRwMVQ4aWc#gid=4 FYI, here are the fiscal solvency sheets ya'll] | [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0At_6qzhQZBX8dHU0bWZaNkxpSkcyeG5WMVRwMVQ4aWc#gid=4 FYI, here are the fiscal solvency sheets ya'll] | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.4.0 Assets==== | ||
* '''sudo room''' assets are managed through member benefits above and the budgeting process below. | * '''sudo room''' assets are managed through member benefits above and the budgeting process below. | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.4.1 Budgeting==== | ||
'''sudo room''' employs a transparent, and collaborative budgeting process that attempts to reflect the shared values of all members as articulated by the group's purpose. The budget is located (insert link here). It is managed through the following procedure each month: | '''sudo room''' employs a transparent, and collaborative budgeting process that attempts to reflect the shared values of all members as articulated by the group's purpose. The budget is located (insert link here). It is managed through the following procedure each month: | ||
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** Operations fund (for necessary, small operational expenditures) | ** Operations fund (for necessary, small operational expenditures) | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.4.2 Income==== | ||
'''sudo room''' accrues income through several sources, including events, crowd-funding initiatives, and membership dues. | '''sudo room''' accrues income through several sources, including events, crowd-funding initiatives, and membership dues. | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.4.3 Dues==== | ||
The recommended monthly dues for members is calculated as follows: | The recommended monthly dues for members is calculated as follows: | ||
* dues = average over all members of ( 1 month's overhead + a % of any defecit in each standing fund + a risk premium (min. 5% of all other dues components) | * dues = average over all members of ( 1 month's overhead + a % of any defecit in each standing fund + a risk premium (min. 5% of all other dues components) | ||
** For instance, early on, overhead could be (rent + utilities + services), in which case dues = (500 + 100 + 20 + (10 + 5 + 0 + 10) + 64) / 23 = $30.83 per member | ** For instance, early on, overhead could be (rent + utilities + services), in which case dues = (500 + 100 + 20 + (10 + 5 + 0 + 10) + 64) / 23 = $30.83 per member | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.4.4 Expenditures==== | ||
* Internal Projects | * Internal Projects | ||
** Infrastructure, maintenance and improvements. | ** Infrastructure, maintenance and improvements. | ||
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* External Projects | * External Projects | ||
** Not funded this way. Use alternative methods, such as through discounts or crowd-funding opportunities offered as Benefits above. | ** Not funded this way. Use alternative methods, such as through discounts or crowd-funding opportunities offered as Benefits above. | ||
====Sub-Section 3. | ====Sub-Section 3.4.5 Surplus==== | ||
'''sudo room''' strives to maintain a zero-sum budget, in which there is no surplus. | '''sudo room''' strives to maintain a zero-sum budget, in which there is no surplus. | ||
* Definition: surplus = income - expenditures - standing funds | * Definition: surplus = income - expenditures - standing funds | ||
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===Section 4.1 Process=== | ===Section 4.1 Process=== | ||
Amendments shall be made by: | |||
# Announcing the proposed amendment | # Announcing the proposed amendment by posting: | ||
#* On the official '''sudo room''' wiki. | #* On the official '''sudo room''' wiki. | ||
#* On the '''sudo room''' ''discussion'' email list | #* On the '''sudo room''' ''discussion'' email list | ||
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#* On any '''sudo room''' email list. | #* On any '''sudo room''' email list. | ||
# Adding an agenda item to an official meeting's agenda. | # Adding an agenda item to an official meeting's agenda. | ||
#* The agenda item includes time to review the feedback, | #* The agenda item includes time to review the feedback, receive in-person feedback, and discuss. | ||
#*'''Decision procedure:''' Consensus | #*'''Decision procedure:''' Consensus | ||
===Section 4.2 Dissolution / Termination of Association=== | ===Section 4.2 Dissolution / Termination of Association=== | ||
Dissolution must be proposed in the same manner as all other amendments to these articles. For clarity, the decision procedure will use '''consensus'''. | Dissolution must be proposed in the same manner as all other amendments to these articles. For clarity, the decision procedure will use '''consensus'''. | ||