Social.coop "Regeneration Team" Formation
Matthew Cropp
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Had a long and productive call with @h, @gimcgrew, @emido, @mattnoyes, @loppear & @fabianhjr tonight, and one next action is to get things moving on the formation of the "Regeneration Team" to oversee our co-op's restructuring of operations and organization onto sounder footing.
There are two piece to the process: the scope and powers of the team, and how the team will be s/elected to ensure that it is a intentionally diverse group. At the end of the call, we felt comfortable advancing a proposal defining the former, and wanted to open discussion on the latter, as there were a few different ideas for how to approach it.
So, please contribute your thoughts on this element in this thread, and, depending on the ideas advance, we'll advance the second part of the proposal if a single strong idea emerges, or take a poll if there are a few options that all seem workable to decide among them.
Aaron Wolf
Fri 7 Sep 2018 8:57PM
I support most of the proposal but do not see the need for powers to be so broad as "unilateral decisions on all aspects". Without such power, anything clearly positive and aligned with Co-op Principles should be readily accepted by members anyway.
I might otherwise support a high-bar for any check on such a team's decisions, e.g. that their decisions may only be blocked by a written statement explaining why a decision violates Co-op Principles or similar high-bar.
Michael
Sat 8 Sep 2018 6:42PM
It is imperative that we really do put our co-op "on sound footing in alignment with the Co-op Principles" and as such I support the formation of a focused team dedicated to doing just that, with the understanding that the shortcomings we have will be explicitly addressed.
Nick S
Sat 8 Sep 2018 8:01PM
Have been struggling with this proposal. I may misunderstand the vision, but as worded it sounds like a small team would be asked to run everything and create new rules for vague ends without the need for consultation or consent from the membership, and that makes me feel uncomfortable, even, or especially considering the current crisis.
Robert Benjamin Mon 3 Sep 2018 4:49AM
Just to make sure what this proposal covers (paraphrasing)
- Is this the proposal that would actually suspend the Bylaws and allow for a Regeneration? Or is that a different one?
- The entire membership would vote on a 7-9 Members Selection Committee (Board of Advisors?)
- The Selection Committee would then form a Regeneration Team (Board of Directors/Management Team) with the above diversity mandate who would serve a 6 month term. During that time they would be empowered to restructure the Organization including amending the bylaws/incorporated/policy creation/directing the use of funds?
Some questions;
Does this mean all previously passed proposals will be null and void during that time?
Will Loomio member participate governance be suspended during that time?
Will the Selection Committee have any role during the regeneration time (like continuing as a BOA?)
Will the SC instance be running (as is/improved) during that time?
Will members be expected to pay subscription fees during that time?
What happens at the end of six months? Some kind of re-launch with opt to the new and improved cooperative for existing/new members?
Fabián Heredia Montiel Mon 3 Sep 2018 4:58AM
As I understand it from the talk today:
Is this the proposal that would actually suspend the Bylaws and allow for a Regeneration? Or is that a different one?
Bylaws wouldn't be suspended but a provision for them changing operational structure would be grated. Any change to the bylaws would still be ratified the the whole coop.
The entire membership would vote on a 7-9 Members Selection Committee (Board of Advisors?)
Yeah
During that time they would be empowered to restructure the Organization including amending the bylaws/incorporated/policy creation/directing the use of funds?
Not the bylaws nor funds, they would be empower to redo all the policy.
Does this mean all previously passed proposals will be null and void during that time?
Not really, but they could decide to override decisions and amend documents like the approved CoC.
Will Loomio member participate governance be suspended during that time?
No, but the group would have veto power. (Or be able to enact something without running the proposal trough the coop)
Will the SC instance be running (as is/improved) during that time?
Will keep running, signups closed until we fix the structural issues. Mastodon upgrade scheduled by the Tech WG for tomorrow (from 2.1.3 to 2.4.5)
Will members be expected to pay subscription fees during that time?
I hope this will be a vote of confidence to fix the inclusivity problems of the coop; membership remains voluntary.
What happens at the end of six months? Some kind of re-launch with opt to the new and improved cooperative for existing/new members?
The Regeneration Team is disbanded and operations continues as per the bylaws of that time.
Robert Benjamin Mon 3 Sep 2018 5:23AM
Ah thank you for detail. Very interesting. Would be helpful to include much of that in the proposal to make sure it's super clear what the scope is.
Michele Kipiel Mon 3 Sep 2018 12:48PM
I'd like to address the concerns of those who see this as a request to be "signing away [our] rights" by stressing the temporary nature of this committee. After six months in office (or as soon as the cooperative is put on the right course) the group will self-dissolve and the usual democratic order shall be restored at once.
Matthew Cropp · Mon 3 Sep 2018 1:50AM
One potential approach for the selection process - credit to @gimcgrew for the word-smithing of the diversity language: