RE: [OPE] *PROPOSAL ON ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE*

The cut-off date for becoming part of the "pool" from which the Administrative
Committee will be randomly selected is *ONE MONTH FROM TODAY*
- 12/1/08. *IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY IN THE 'POOL', PLEASE SEND A
MESSAGE TO THE LIST BEFORE THAT TIME* For this experiment to
be properly tested and be given every opportunity to succeed, we will need
the largest pool possible!
 
I will send separately a listing of all those members of the list who have
sent posts in the last eleven (11) months so that you can verify whether or
not you are now in the pool.
 
In solidarity, Jerry
 
> Date: Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:21:28 -0400> From: ope-admin@ricardo.ecn.wfu.edu> To: ope@lists.csuchico.edu> Subject: [OPE] *PROPOSAL ON ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE*> > We have had off-list discussions over a period of many months about a> change in the structure, composition, and praxis of list administration.> Over that time, several listmembers have offered feedback and helped to> shape this proposal - including Alejandro VB, Allin, Paul C, and myself> (the original author of the proposal). We can still make changes in this> procedure (after all, it is a *proposal*, not simply an announcement) if> the list as a whole wishes. As indicated below, this is an experiment. We> think it is a very exciting one.> > In solidarity, Jerry> > ========================================================================> > > *PROPOSAL ON ADMINISRATIVE COMMITTEE*> > General:> > The following proposed change in list administration is basically an> attempt to have a more *directly* democratic administrative structure.> It is an experiment in the "wisdom of crowds" model of governance and> will allow us to *practice* direct democracy. No other Internet mailing> list - to our knowledge - currently has such a democratic decision-making> structure.> > Specifics:> > 1. Change name from 'Advisory Committee' to 'Administrative Committee' (AC).> > 2. The AC will consist of five (5) members. This number was selected to> fulfill two competing goals: 1. the AC shouldn't be so large that it> lengthens the time required to reach decisions too much; and 2. the> increase in size of the AC will be needed for the AC to be sufficiently> representative of the 'crowd'.> > > 3. The term of office will be two (2) years. No member of the AC will be> asked to serve two consecutive terms on the AC. This will allow us to> bring the largest number of listmembers into list administration and at> the same time not be too much of a burden for any single member.> > 4. All of the current listmembers who have written a post in the> last year (as of 12/01/08 date) will be put into a 'pool' of possible AC> members. This 'pool' will include those who had messages forwarded by the> list coordinator who attempted to post but weren't able to because of> technical problems. Any other member can add themselves to the 'pool' by> writing a post on any subject before the cut-off date (12/01/08).> > 5. A computer program will *randomly rank* all of the members in the 'pool'.> > 6. Ask, beginning with the #1 ranked person, each individual to become> part of the AC. Keep asking until all of the five (5) positions are filled.> > Of course, some are going to decline for various reasons (health, work,> family, etc.). We would ask, though, that listmembers give very serious> consideration to such a request since for this experiment to work the> actual amuount of members who are willing to serve on the AC must be> sufficiently large.> > 7. As for AC decision-making, the following will apply:> > a. decision-making will be by majority vote.> > b. the list coordinator will have voice but no vote except in cases of a> tie.> > c. The new AC will review existing administrative policies and make> changes as desired.> > d. The new AC will periodically report back decisions to the entire list> in the event of a proposed change in list policies.>

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Received on Sat Nov 1 20:08:59 2008