Consensus Model

Consensus model (WIP draft)

This is a proposal for a Temporary consensus model. The idea would be to use it for the time being, and if passed, in 6 months review our experience with it and decide if we want to continue using it

(from jonah: this is simply a basic implementation of the consensus model/rules from 'consensus' by Peter Gelderloos thank you P for the rec - the things I have added/specified are the 2 meetings to vote rule, and the 3 votes to pass minimum aka a quorum)

• proposals must appear in a written form
  • Anybody has the right to make a proposal (even people without voting rights [on voting rights, see section ... below]).
  • The person who makes a proposal is its sponsor. A proposal must have one sponsor, and may have more than one sponsor.
  • proposals must be added to the agenda before the meeting
• The sponsor will give a live introduction to the proposal, which provides an opportunity for the sponsor to add context and open further discussion.
• only the sponsor has the unilateral right to withdraw a proposal before the voting period is completed.
• anyone can bring a proposal, and they must explain their proposal in person. The proposal must have a concrete ‘pass or fail’ action. An example of a good proposal:
  • “I propose that we build a dust shield around the wood shop, made of plexiglass sheets and screws, using existing money in our budget. me and my friend patricia will contribute the labor and build it over the next 2 weeks”
  • not : “there’s too much dust coming from the woodshop and we have to do something” (this is just an agenda item) (we decided this sentence is probably unnecessary)
• anyone that has come to at least 2 in person meetings is allowed to vote (you’re allowed to vote during your 3rd meeting)
• voting is counted both during the meeting, and online for anyone with voting power (based on the meeting notes) - the vote count is not finalized until one week later (ie. finalized at the start of the following weekly meeting)

voting proceeds as following:

1. first we count "stand aside votes". stand aside meaning you dont care/arent super in favor of the proposal, but that it doesn’t contradict your core principles
2. then we ask if there is a block vote - Block meaning the proposal stops - means it violates a basic tenant of your principles - should essentially be used in cases which you disagree with something to the degree that it passing would mean you would leave the group - Ideally most votes fail from stand asides and not blocks
3. in order for a proposal to pass it must have at least 3 votes “for”
4. based on the discussion that occurs during the meeting and online afterwards, it may become evident that the proposal is flawed in some way, and could be improved. - Proposals cannot be revised after voting has begun, but a proposal can be withdrawn by the sponsor. - Anybody can create a new, revised and improved proposal