BOARD DECISION MAKING POWERS
The Baron PublicSeen by 13A place to discuss the hierarchy of board powers.
1. Discretionary decisions and powers: The greatest amount of power in the organisation, where the board can make decisions that do not require any input from other components of the org.
2. Powers and decisions requiring consultation: These powers require discussion with the community but the community has no functional impact on the decision making process.
3. Reserved powers: Decisions that require a community decision in order to action. Directors cannot go against the community direction in these cases.
hierarchy - be careful here how we embed dominant language. I do not see board as higher, lower, just requiring different skills, hence how does it read? What terms are we using to describe board responsibilities, not power.
I agree that we should try and limit systems of dominance and the language that empowers it, however it is important to flag these elements where they actually exist. In this case, it is functionally hierarchical where a small group can make decisions for a larger group without their consent. The most extreme example being a dictator who can individually make decisions for an entire population. To eliminate the hierarchical nature of governance bodies within an org is synonymous with limiting their actual powers, making them non-hierarchical would in effect render them advisory bodies rather than decision making ones.
The value of that hierarchy is what I believe is most important to diminish (in this case, where a BoD and other standing committees are inevitable) because that is what people get attached to and trip off, which undermines their decision making capacity and increases the tendency toward corruption of whatever kind.
We could figure out some checks and balances? Members could move a motion of no confidence in the Board or peak bodies IF we set up a really good, independent process?
When thinking and talking about this over the years, in preparation for this day, the idea of participatory democracy was always high on the list of desirable qualities of particularly the CultOrg. @Baron I heard that you are involved with Flux, can you tell us a bit about how those ideas might be applied here?
All board members should have one vote. The board should be able to agree to delegate decision making powers (and revoke them) wherever they choose. Decisions should require a quorate majority.
The formation of sub committees of the board delegated with the purpose put before the board.
Ensure Sub Committees have their own Terms of reference approved by the board.
Board decision making powers (part 1)
proposal by Madeline Fountain Closed Wed 30 Mar 2022 1:00PM
All board members should have one vote. Decisions should require a quorate majority. The board should be able to agree to delegate decision making powers (and revoke them) wherever they choose. Decisions should require a quorate majority.
Results
| Results | Option | Votes | % of votes cast | % of eligible voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agree | 6 | 100 | 75 |  | |
| Abstain | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Disagree | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Block | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Not voted | 2 | 25 |  |
Is there a provision for special resolutions (ones that change foundational documentation?)
Perhaps also a place to discuss the role of a reserved, non-director, board seat.