Difference between revisions of "Talk:Board Election Checklist"

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== Bylaws changes, FG Council transition and new board of directors ==
+
== Notes on Bylaws changes, FG Council transition and new board of directors ==
  
−
=== Town Hall Agendas (September(?) 2011 example) ===
 
  
−
Notes from committee meeting with [[User:Paulm|Paulm@freegeek]] about process, structure and content of the new Annual Town Hall Meetings. --[[User:Kathey|kathey]] 17:52, 6 May 2011 (UTC)
+
=== June 2011 Election Committee meeting on upcoming Town Hall Meeting (updated Sept 2, 2011)===
 +
 
 +
ELECTION COMMITTEE DUTIES
 +
 
 +
  Educate FG family re THM and election
 +
  THM logistics - space, supplies, agenda, food/drink
 +
 
 +
 
 +
TOWN HALL MEETING
 +
 
 +
  Proposed date: October 2nd, 2011, four hours, with a meal (*consider a workday instead?)       
 +
  Proposed location: Eagles' (Jeff as liaison)
 +
  Facilitator: To be hired (* Paul + Kathey generating list of possible facilitators)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
AGENDA
 +
11 prep
 +
12 convene
 +
x meal
 +
x open voting box
 +
5 adjourn, cleanup, empty hall, happy hour in adjoining bar.
 +
 
 +
REPORTS: 5 min each/3 slides ~40 min
 +
  Board (10 min)
 +
  Warehouse (recycling, reuse, Adoption)
 +
  Sales (store + online)
 +
  Reuse (Build + Post-Build)
 +
  VETS (volunteer services, education, Tech Support)
 +
  Admin
 +
  Inreach
 +
  Action Committee (re building)
 +
  Space cadets + Technocrats
 +
 
 +
PRE-SELECTED, PLUS DISCUSSION TOPICS GENERATED FROM THE FLOOR:
 +
  Tech support restructuring
 +
  Desktop-to-laptop switch in Build
 +
  State of the lease, 5-year lease plan
 +
 
 +
LINKS:
 +
 
 +
See Board outreach committee's write-up on job descriptions on the wiki
 +
 
 +
 
 +
=== CURRENT COMMITTEE PROGRESS AND TASK LIST NOTES JULY 5, 2011 (needs Sept 2, 2011 update) ===
 +
 
 +
    + Designer: ballots, info sheets, physical signs/reminders, e-reminders, visual materials for meeting (Paul stepping forward to fill this need with an eye toward publicizing materials as well.. additional Publicity role?)
 +
 +
  * THM Publicity? to educate staff - train NPA's - update wiki, check additional info channels, Paul will solicit Jessa and Tony for PR, (Progress notes: letter went to paid workers re positions to be filled)
 +
 
 +
  * Submit Budget: meeting materials we don't own + food, venue etc.
 +
 
 +
  * (Done, needs testing) Tech: voting software installation (Technocrats: vote.freegeek.org is reserved but needs updating with voting software), website updating (Tony), speakers and mics
 +
 
 +
  * (Done) Recruit additional committee members: timelines of availability for current election comm. members? Sarah - volunteer coordinator (Paul to invite to meeting), Jessica - facebook, Tony - website, Party Planning committee (Jeff to discuss with L2.0) *has tony recieved  follow-up, ?
 +
 
 +
  * (Done) Kathey to post action plan to wiki
 +
 
 +
  * (Done) Stephen to create a news announcement text
 +
 
 +
=== Time line for board transitions ===
 +
 
 +
'''Town Hall Meeting (THM) Design'''
 +
 
 +
'''Time zero: 0) Announcement of Nomination month'''
 +
 
 +
* 1) At this time a '''Nominating Committee is appointed by board'''. The nominating committee may include board, non-board, volunteers, collective management and union or other non-collective staff as deemed appropriate by the board. Nominating Committee members are chosen for their broad trustworthiness in their judgement and knowledge of people across the greatest segment of FreeGeek's voting membership, rather than for any particular skill level. It is a wise politically minded committee. This is a 30 day period for committee to oversee self, peer, and staff nominations and create running list of candidates, and keep a public profile of those activities, such as a publicly posted (physical wall hung) bulletin board. An effort is made to make upcoming elections broadly inclusive of volunteers.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''30 days before the Town Hall Meeting (THM)"
 +
 
 +
* 2) At this time, the '''board posts access to full annual reports'' from across working areas of the organization. This transparency is needed to engender the most meaningful community participation (see reports list in the proposed agenda below.)
 +
 
 +
* 3) Also at this time, there is an '''announcement of the Town Hall Meeting''', an agenda is posted, and Nomination Statements are distributed.
 +
 
 +
* 3b) This period allows 30 day candidacy for the '''community to research candidates and discuss'''. It also  gives time for '''education of candidates about time commitments and professional developement''' (This professional development education may be the responsibility of Nomination Committee, Volunteer Coordinator, Education Coordinator, or HR)
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''Town Hall Meeting convened'''
 +
 
 +
(see Board_Election_Checklist discussion page on wiki) – '''"Nominee statements and community responses to reports''' are recorded to make publicly available video or other media link on the wiki for the duration of the voting period.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''After the Town Hall Meeting'''
 +
 
 +
* 5) (There is a time line problem because new Board members must be brought on board before end of October.) '''Voting, ballots are collected''' for a full month, (at least 2 more weeks of open ballots, depending on when ballots were distributed).
 +
 
 +
* 6) '''Follow up report from the THM and new board installed''' – training and preparation of new members responsibility of board  but probably delegated. For example: potentially duty of Volunteer Coordinator, Education Coordinator, or hired out.
 +
 
 +
* 7) '''Monthly board meetings'''
 +
 
 +
 
 +
---
 +
 
 +
'''Town Hall Meeting (THM) agenda model'''
 +
Kathey and Paul M. presented.
 +
 
 +
http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Talk:Board_Election_Checklist
 +
 
 +
 
 +
'''discussion points concerning the THM agenda''
 +
 
 +
* a) What is the '''purpose of the THM''' for the board?, For the demos? Ie: Are we just discusing policy, or do we cover operations and long-term strategy as well?
 +
 
 +
* b) What are the '''connotations of a volunteer annual meeting''' vs corporate annual meeting? We reached consensus that “Town Hall” means the demos, the people get a voice! 
 +
 
 +
* c) How do we '''generate topics for THM?''' Before? From internal discussion? (Not lacking currently..happens all the time and is the current board model) At least to some extent, discussion topics will be generated After reports!
 +
 
 +
* d) During 1st break – ''facilitators sort topics'''. For example: separate topics to be “siphoned to operations” from topics that are “good small group THM topics”
 +
 
 +
* e) Why '''second small groups after lunch?''' To get more rich input after everyone is on full page from earlier reports and small social interactions.
 +
 
 +
* f) We received a 120 sec education on '''nonprofit corporate structure''' by Kathey! The Board is closest to “owner” (signs checks to IRS) but does not necessarily contact recipients/constituents directly. Board contacts operations and operations serve public. Executive Directors/Managers – collective managers – are the link between board and operations. Board doesn't have to, or should not need to bother with items handled by operations.
 +
 
 +
* g) (done Sept 2, 2011) Add a summary of organizational structure to opening remarks''', followed by the format and intention of the THMs – between items 1 and 2 on current grid (after call to order and before reports given), culminating with what the board will do with items raised in meeting: For example, “Some things you point out will go to operations and will not be discussed in the THM or in a board meeting.” And: “FG hosts board meetings, THM is a community meeting hosted by the board – the board members are not merely talking to each other but the board and the community are talking to each other.”
 +
 
 +
* h) When do we (volunteers) '''Volunteers will hold the board responsible to unresolved issues'''? Concerns sent to next year's agenda (this maintenance role done or delegated by the board)
 +
 
 +
* i) '''Duties of the Election Committee''': (previously the Council's board transitions committee) Promote self/peer/staff nomination month including checking legal financial disclosures (paid non-staff (such as "volunteers" paid by outside agencies) can vote but not run!) Organize Cork Board o' Candidates – election statements. Educate nominees. Coordinate tabulation of votes at 2 weeks and announce results? Paul M: Outsource! THM Facilitation Team?
 +
 
 +
* j) '''Duties of THM Facilitation Team'''? logistics meeting. Record/post nominee statements at THM, Prepare qualitative meeting report with requests to the board for specific responses.
 +
 
 +
* k) '''Duties of Board re THM/voting''' Host THM - sort through generated topics. Report back on last year's issues as satisfied by this year's meeting + issues resolved in this years or siphoned to operations etc.
 +
 
 +
* l) '''Respond to qualitative meeting report''' from facilitators – immediately at and at an interval. That is, get report from facilitators at next board meeting, and respond at second board meeting after the THM, regarding delegation plans, what groups will be working on which issues, and etc.
 +
 
 +
* m) done June, 2011 '''When does the board start meeting monthly?''' Designate last half hour of council meeting to the board discussion, open but more like a fishbowl, to have official board meeting starting in June.
 +
 
 +
* n) First THM in Sept = in keeping with our timeline to use a month to prepare for nomination month by creating nomination committee:
 +
 
 +
July = Nomination Month
 +
 
 +
August = Candidacy Month
 +
 
 +
Sept #? = THM
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* o) Do we call this a pilot to allow for '''streamlining the month-long processes''' in the future?
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* p) '''Revised Timeline'''
 +
 
 +
-90 days: (latest)  Monthly board meeting establishes Election Committee/ Nomination Committee ('''same or dif. groups?''')
 +
 
 +
-60 days: Election Committee/ Nomination Committee facilitates nomination month
 +
 
 +
-30 days: FG Voter Guide and Reports released for candidacy month
 +
 
 +
-15 days (or 0 days): Election Committee releases ballots (for those who can't make THM? '''No consensus on date'''.)
 +
 
 +
0 days: THM Facilitation Committee manages Town Hall Meeting – polls open for (2 or 4) weeks.
 +
 
 +
(+15 or +30) days: polls closed: someone tabulates and THM Facilitation Committee reports on meeting
 +
 
 +
~ +30 days: At first monthly board meeting after votes are tabulated, new board installed and meets to hear report/s from THM.
 +
 
 +
+60 days: At second monthly board meeting after votes are tabulated, new board responds to THM report/Facilitation Committee's or reported concerns generated by the THM.
 +
 
 +
 
 +
* q) '''Schultze voting model''', presented by Kathey, '''Schultze v Concordiset''' (?) presented by Paul M.
 +
 
 +
'''Voting instructions draft'''
 +
 
 +
''(1) Number candidates by preference.
 +
 
 +
(2) Use the numerals 1-n with 1 as your most preferred.
 +
 
 +
(3) You may use the same number more than once.
 +
 
 +
(4) You need not use all the numbers.
 +
 
 +
(5) Unranked candidates will automatically be ranked least preferred.
 +
 
 +
(6) [You may vote for Empty Seat over any of the candidates] ...this allows for registering a lack of faith. If an empty seat is appointed, the board will either appoint, hold a re-election, or have an empty seat (to be determined before election).
 +
 
 +
 
 +
--------
 +
''
 +
'''Concerns to share w Council in proposal:'''
 +
 
 +
* Should the nominating committee also take on responsibility for the rest of the election process and be more of an "elections committee" specifically watching ballot box and tabulating-reporting votes? Some feel this needs a separation of roles.
 +
 
 +
* Duration of voting period (30 days) related to frequency of most volunteer's attendance patterns. Should it begin before or during the THM?
 +
 
 +
* 2-month requirement of advance participation – what is the cost of opportunity lost by closing nominations 1 mo before?  What is the value of the write-in?  IS it ok not to include the write-in option?
 +
 
 +
* We don't want to reduce an informed election to a popularity contest.
 +
 
 +
* Some doubt any energetic board member will emerge in the 30 days of candidacy after nominations close and before the election.
 +
 
 +
* What if the political climate changes dramatically in this last month?
 +
 
 +
* When does council disband?  We feel council should keep meeting, but til new board is elected in Sept?
 +
 
 +
* Disclosure of financial interest happens at nomination phase.''
 +
 
 +
'''END OF MEETING MINUTES''' --[[User:Kathey|kathey]] 20:20, 18 May 2011 (UTC)
 +
 
 +
=== Town Hall Agenda draft for October 2nd, 2011 ===
 +
 
 +
Notes from committee meeting with [[User:Paulm|PaulM]] about process, structure and content of the new Annual Town Hall Meetings. --[[User:Kathey|kathey]] 17:52, 6 May 2011 (UTC)
  
 
Annual reports and information on vetted board nominees are distributed a minimum of thirty days before the annual meeting.  
 
Annual reports and information on vetted board nominees are distributed a minimum of thirty days before the annual meeting.  
Line 26: Line 224:
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
! 5 minutes + 2 min. clarifying questions per report
+
! x min
 +
! summary of organizational structure, followed by the format and intention of the THMs
 +
! Katheryn Sutter (Kathey)
 +
! providing context
 +
! brief (under a 100 words?)
 +
|-
 +
 
 +
|-
 +
! 45 minutes (This needs cleaning up: 5 min including clarifying questions, for each of (estimated 9) reports, (except first from board, which is 10 minutes?) 5 minute wrap-up at end.)
 
! annual reports: finance, mission-driven service, operations, policy changes
 
! annual reports: finance, mission-driven service, operations, policy changes
−
! Board directors, and/or presenters chosen by the board
+
! Board directors give first , and/or presenters chosen by the board
 
! everyone "on the same page" working with the same information, formally accounting for FG service to the world.
 
! everyone "on the same page" working with the same information, formally accounting for FG service to the world.
 
! 5 min Oral "executive summaries" with 2 min of clarifying questions only. Max of 3 projected slides per report. Each report includes: how concerns raised at last year's Town Hall Meeting have been addressed, the year's successes & challenges. Should briefly by accurately reflect the reports that were distributed before the meeting.
 
! 5 min Oral "executive summaries" with 2 min of clarifying questions only. Max of 3 projected slides per report. Each report includes: how concerns raised at last year's Town Hall Meeting have been addressed, the year's successes & challenges. Should briefly by accurately reflect the reports that were distributed before the meeting.
Line 34: Line 240:
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
! x min
+
! x min (begins 2 hours before lunch)
−
! explaining the voting procedure
 
−
! board or someone designated by the board
 
−
! simplest possible accurate explanation of the voting method for board seats
 
−
! share simple graphics and maybe 3 projected slides, or simple drawings on paper.
 
−
|-
 
−
 
 
−
|-
 
−
! x min
 
 
! generating topic suggestions
 
! generating topic suggestions
 
! all with voice
 
! all with voice
Line 59: Line 257:
 
|-
 
|-
 
! x min
 
! x min
−
! open discussion
+
! clarifying questions, then discussion
 
! all with "voice"
 
! all with "voice"
 
! topics addressed by the core from a "big picture" perspective, with comments and questions from all
 
! topics addressed by the core from a "big picture" perspective, with comments and questions from all
 
! board directors and staff in a core circle "fishbowl" with concentric circles of chairs outside
 
! board directors and staff in a core circle "fishbowl" with concentric circles of chairs outside
 +
|-
 +
 +
 +
 +
|-
 +
! x min
 +
! explaining the voting procedure
 +
! board or someone designated by the board
 +
! simplest possible accurate explanation of the voting method for board seats
 +
! share simple graphics and maybe 3 projected slides, or simple drawings on paper.
 
|-
 
|-
  
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! nominees
 
! nominees
 
! familiarize the community with name, face and FreeGeek interests, background etc.
 
! familiarize the community with name, face and FreeGeek interests, background etc.
−
! speak and answer questions
+
! nominees speak and answer questions
 
|-
 
|-
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
! x min
+
! 15 min (for serving and eating, then social time)
 
! lunch  
 
! lunch  
 
! all
 
! all
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|-
 
|-
−
! x min
+
! x min (closes one hour from beginning of lunch)
 
! milling around after-lunch  
 
! milling around after-lunch  
 
! all except facilitator group who are re-arranging tables.
 
! all except facilitator group who are re-arranging tables.
Line 90: Line 298:
  
 
|-
 
|-
−
! x min
+
! x min (now 2 hours before adjournment)
 
! reconvene the plenum
 
! reconvene the plenum
 
! all
 
! all
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|-
 
|-
−
! x min
+
! x min (1/2 the period for each of two sessions)
 
! small topic-group discussions  
 
! small topic-group discussions  
 
! all, but in multiple small groups
 
! all, but in multiple small groups
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|-
 
|-
−
! x min
+
! 15 min
 
! closing speech
 
! closing speech
 
! someone officious, or the facilitator
 
! someone officious, or the facilitator
 
! evaluation of the day, closing the meeting, and distributing voting materials if needed.  
 
! evaluation of the day, closing the meeting, and distributing voting materials if needed.  
−
! e
+
! Thank people for coming, remind people how follow up will be delivered
 
|-
 
|-
  

Latest revision as of 15:00, 12 September 2011

Notes on Bylaws changes, FG Council transition and new board of directors

June 2011 Election Committee meeting on upcoming Town Hall Meeting (updated Sept 2, 2011)

ELECTION COMMITTEE DUTIES 

 Educate FG family re THM and election 
 THM logistics - space, supplies, agenda, food/drink


TOWN HALL MEETING 

 Proposed date: October 2nd, 2011, four hours, with a meal (*consider a workday instead?)        
 Proposed location: Eagles' (Jeff as liaison)
 Facilitator: To be hired (* Paul + Kathey generating list of possible facilitators)


AGENDA 11 prep 12 convene x meal x open voting box 5 adjourn, cleanup, empty hall, happy hour in adjoining bar.

REPORTS: 5 min each/3 slides ~40 min 

  Board (10 min)
  Warehouse (recycling, reuse, Adoption)
  Sales (store + online)
  Reuse (Build + Post-Build)
  VETS (volunteer services, education, Tech Support)
  Admin
  Inreach
  Action Committee (re building)
  Space cadets + Technocrats

PRE-SELECTED, PLUS DISCUSSION TOPICS GENERATED FROM THE FLOOR: 

  Tech support restructuring
  Desktop-to-laptop switch in Build
  State of the lease, 5-year lease plan

LINKS:

See Board outreach committee's write-up on job descriptions on the wiki


CURRENT COMMITTEE PROGRESS AND TASK LIST NOTES JULY 5, 2011 (needs Sept 2, 2011 update)

   + Designer: ballots, info sheets, physical signs/reminders, e-reminders, visual materials for meeting (Paul stepping forward to fill this need with an eye toward publicizing materials as well.. additional Publicity role?)

 * THM Publicity? to educate staff - train NPA's - update wiki, check additional info channels, Paul will solicit Jessa and Tony for PR, (Progress notes: letter went to paid workers re positions to be filled)

 * Submit Budget: meeting materials we don't own + food, venue etc.

 * (Done, needs testing) Tech: voting software installation (Technocrats: vote.freegeek.org is reserved but needs updating with voting software), website updating (Tony), speakers and mics

 * (Done) Recruit additional committee members: timelines of availability for current election comm. members? Sarah - volunteer coordinator (Paul to invite to meeting), Jessica - facebook, Tony - website, Party Planning committee (Jeff to discuss with L2.0) *has tony recieved  follow-up, ? 

 * (Done) Kathey to post action plan to wiki

 * (Done) Stephen to create a news announcement text

Time line for board transitions

Town Hall Meeting (THM) Design

Time zero: 0) Announcement of Nomination month

  • 1) At this time a Nominating Committee is appointed by board. The nominating committee may include board, non-board, volunteers, collective management and union or other non-collective staff as deemed appropriate by the board. Nominating Committee members are chosen for their broad trustworthiness in their judgement and knowledge of people across the greatest segment of FreeGeek's voting membership, rather than for any particular skill level. It is a wise politically minded committee. This is a 30 day period for committee to oversee self, peer, and staff nominations and create running list of candidates, and keep a public profile of those activities, such as a publicly posted (physical wall hung) bulletin board. An effort is made to make upcoming elections broadly inclusive of volunteers.


30 days before the Town Hall Meeting (THM)"

  • 2) At this time, the 'board posts access to full annual reports from across working areas of the organization. This transparency is needed to engender the most meaningful community participation (see reports list in the proposed agenda below.)
  • 3) Also at this time, there is an announcement of the Town Hall Meeting, an agenda is posted, and Nomination Statements are distributed.
  • 3b) This period allows 30 day candidacy for the community to research candidates and discuss. It also gives time for education of candidates about time commitments and professional developement (This professional development education may be the responsibility of Nomination Committee, Volunteer Coordinator, Education Coordinator, or HR)


Town Hall Meeting convened

(see Board_Election_Checklist discussion page on wiki) – "Nominee statements and community responses to reports are recorded to make publicly available video or other media link on the wiki for the duration of the voting period.


After the Town Hall Meeting

  • 5) (There is a time line problem because new Board members must be brought on board before end of October.) Voting, ballots are collected for a full month, (at least 2 more weeks of open ballots, depending on when ballots were distributed).
  • 6) Follow up report from the THM and new board installed – training and preparation of new members responsibility of board but probably delegated. For example: potentially duty of Volunteer Coordinator, Education Coordinator, or hired out.
  • 7) Monthly board meetings


---

Town Hall Meeting (THM) agenda model Kathey and Paul M. presented.

http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Talk:Board_Election_Checklist


'discussion points concerning the THM agenda

  • a) What is the purpose of the THM for the board?, For the demos? Ie: Are we just discusing policy, or do we cover operations and long-term strategy as well?
  • b) What are the connotations of a volunteer annual meeting vs corporate annual meeting? We reached consensus that “Town Hall” means the demos, the people get a voice!
  • c) How do we generate topics for THM? Before? From internal discussion? (Not lacking currently..happens all the time and is the current board model) At least to some extent, discussion topics will be generated After reports!
  • d) During 1st break – facilitators sort topics'. For example: separate topics to be “siphoned to operations” from topics that are “good small group THM topics”
  • e) Why second small groups after lunch? To get more rich input after everyone is on full page from earlier reports and small social interactions.
  • f) We received a 120 sec education on nonprofit corporate structure by Kathey! The Board is closest to “owner” (signs checks to IRS) but does not necessarily contact recipients/constituents directly. Board contacts operations and operations serve public. Executive Directors/Managers – collective managers – are the link between board and operations. Board doesn't have to, or should not need to bother with items handled by operations.
  • g) (done Sept 2, 2011) Add a summary of organizational structure to opening remarks, followed by the format and intention of the THMs – between items 1 and 2 on current grid (after call to order and before reports given), culminating with what the board will do with items raised in meeting: For example, “Some things you point out will go to operations and will not be discussed in the THM or in a board meeting.” And: “FG hosts board meetings, THM is a community meeting hosted by the board – the board members are not merely talking to each other but the board and the community are talking to each other.”
  • h) When do we (volunteers) Volunteers will hold the board responsible to unresolved issues? Concerns sent to next year's agenda (this maintenance role done or delegated by the board)
  • i) Duties of the Election Committee: (previously the Council's board transitions committee) Promote self/peer/staff nomination month including checking legal financial disclosures (paid non-staff (such as "volunteers" paid by outside agencies) can vote but not run!) Organize Cork Board o' Candidates – election statements. Educate nominees. Coordinate tabulation of votes at 2 weeks and announce results? Paul M: Outsource! THM Facilitation Team?
  • j) Duties of THM Facilitation Team? logistics meeting. Record/post nominee statements at THM, Prepare qualitative meeting report with requests to the board for specific responses.
  • k) Duties of Board re THM/voting Host THM - sort through generated topics. Report back on last year's issues as satisfied by this year's meeting + issues resolved in this years or siphoned to operations etc.
  • l) Respond to qualitative meeting report from facilitators – immediately at and at an interval. That is, get report from facilitators at next board meeting, and respond at second board meeting after the THM, regarding delegation plans, what groups will be working on which issues, and etc.
  • m) done June, 2011 When does the board start meeting monthly? Designate last half hour of council meeting to the board discussion, open but more like a fishbowl, to have official board meeting starting in June.
  • n) First THM in Sept = in keeping with our timeline to use a month to prepare for nomination month by creating nomination committee:

July = Nomination Month

August = Candidacy Month

Sept #? = THM


  • o) Do we call this a pilot to allow for streamlining the month-long processes in the future?


  • p) Revised Timeline

-90 days: (latest) Monthly board meeting establishes Election Committee/ Nomination Committee (same or dif. groups?)

-60 days: Election Committee/ Nomination Committee facilitates nomination month

-30 days: FG Voter Guide and Reports released for candidacy month

-15 days (or 0 days): Election Committee releases ballots (for those who can't make THM? No consensus on date.)

0 days: THM Facilitation Committee manages Town Hall Meeting – polls open for (2 or 4) weeks.

(+15 or +30) days: polls closed: someone tabulates and THM Facilitation Committee reports on meeting

~ +30 days: At first monthly board meeting after votes are tabulated, new board installed and meets to hear report/s from THM.

+60 days: At second monthly board meeting after votes are tabulated, new board responds to THM report/Facilitation Committee's or reported concerns generated by the THM.


  • q) Schultze voting model, presented by Kathey, Schultze v Concordiset (?) presented by Paul M.

Voting instructions draft

(1) Number candidates by preference.

(2) Use the numerals 1-n with 1 as your most preferred.

(3) You may use the same number more than once.

(4) You need not use all the numbers.

(5) Unranked candidates will automatically be ranked least preferred.

(6) [You may vote for Empty Seat over any of the candidates] ...this allows for registering a lack of faith. If an empty seat is appointed, the board will either appoint, hold a re-election, or have an empty seat (to be determined before election).


Concerns to share w Council in proposal:

  • Should the nominating committee also take on responsibility for the rest of the election process and be more of an "elections committee" specifically watching ballot box and tabulating-reporting votes? Some feel this needs a separation of roles.
  • Duration of voting period (30 days) related to frequency of most volunteer's attendance patterns. Should it begin before or during the THM?
  • 2-month requirement of advance participation – what is the cost of opportunity lost by closing nominations 1 mo before? What is the value of the write-in? IS it ok not to include the write-in option?
  • We don't want to reduce an informed election to a popularity contest.
  • Some doubt any energetic board member will emerge in the 30 days of candidacy after nominations close and before the election.
  • What if the political climate changes dramatically in this last month?
  • When does council disband? We feel council should keep meeting, but til new board is elected in Sept?
  • Disclosure of financial interest happens at nomination phase.

END OF MEETING MINUTES --kathey 20:20, 18 May 2011 (UTC)

Town Hall Agenda draft for October 2nd, 2011

Notes from committee meeting with PaulM about process, structure and content of the new Annual Town Hall Meetings. --kathey 17:52, 6 May 2011 (UTC)

Annual reports and information on vetted board nominees are distributed a minimum of thirty days before the annual meeting.

TIME ITEM WHO GOAL PROCESS RECOMMENDATION
time 0 convening the meeting facilitator focusing room attention introduce the agenda and ground-rules, including brevity and "voice only" roles
x min summary of organizational structure, followed by the format and intention of the THMs Katheryn Sutter (Kathey) providing context brief (under a 100 words?)
45 minutes (This needs cleaning up: 5 min including clarifying questions, for each of (estimated 9) reports, (except first from board, which is 10 minutes?) 5 minute wrap-up at end.) annual reports: finance, mission-driven service, operations, policy changes Board directors give first , and/or presenters chosen by the board everyone "on the same page" working with the same information, formally accounting for FG service to the world. 5 min Oral "executive summaries" with 2 min of clarifying questions only. Max of 3 projected slides per report. Each report includes: how concerns raised at last year's Town Hall Meeting have been addressed, the year's successes & challenges. Should briefly by accurately reflect the reports that were distributed before the meeting.
x min (begins 2 hours before lunch) generating topic suggestions all with voice cluster similar topic-suggestions as talking points for open discussion post-it notes "votes" for topics handed to facilitation staff, or put on hanging paper sheets
x min break & collating discussion topics facilitation group don't get a break! cluster similar topic-suggestions into groups for open discussion after break organizing topic suggestions
x min clarifying questions, then discussion all with "voice" topics addressed by the core from a "big picture" perspective, with comments and questions from all board directors and staff in a core circle "fishbowl" with concentric circles of chairs outside
x min explaining the voting procedure board or someone designated by the board simplest possible accurate explanation of the voting method for board seats share simple graphics and maybe 3 projected slides, or simple drawings on paper.
x min nominee introductions nominees familiarize the community with name, face and FreeGeek interests, background etc. nominees speak and answer questions
15 min (for serving and eating, then social time) lunch all relax and get-to-know each other Select tables to encourage informal and relaxed meeting new people. Distribute staff, board, core volunteers, and nominees widely. Intro's might include: why I got involved at FG, What I do or care about now, What I'd like to do in the future.
x min (closes one hour from beginning of lunch) milling around after-lunch all except facilitator group who are re-arranging tables. building momentum and individual connections the feel of a cocktail party with relaxed, but serious discussion sans alcohol. Distribute staff, board and core volunteers around the room. opportunity to ask questions or individually speak with board, staff and nominees
x min (now 2 hours before adjournment) reconvene the plenum all structured discussion of FG big picture to be recorded for the year, and to introduce the upcoming small group topics. Describe the clusters of topics/questions raised before lunch, discuss them in the large group.
x min (1/2 the period for each of two sessions) small topic-group discussions all, but in multiple small groups specific topics to be transcribed and then reviewed by the board during the next year. Small groups at topic tables with large sheets for writing notes, perhaps with pre-written facilitation hints, (such as "short term, long term, and general areas of concern)
x min reconvene large group to hear report-backs small groups present to all sharing results of previous discussion begin with specific reports, then open for questions.
x min short break all catching breath and gathering thoughts suggest people contemplate quietly
15 min closing speech someone officious, or the facilitator evaluation of the day, closing the meeting, and distributing voting materials if needed. Thank people for coming, remind people how follow up will be delivered
4 hours since start opening ballot box the oldest person in the room formalize-ritualize the beginning of the voting period, showing no vote has yet been collected. cutting ribbon or some other such ceremony that includes unlocking a secured box.
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