Quorum Wording for Charter

[lauraswantek]

From Bert Jagers

For the OpenMI Association we had the following text in this type of context:
A resolution for any amendment to the Charter can only be adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least two/thirds of the members are present or represented. If two/thirds of the members are not present or represented, a second meeting will be convened and held within four weeks. At this second meeting, a resolution can be adopted regarding the proposal that was discussed at the previous meeting – regardless of the number of members who are present or represented – as long as the resolution is adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast.

[platipodium]

A resolution for any amendment to the Charter can only be adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least two/thirds of the members are present or represented. If two/thirds of the members are not present or represented, a second meeting will be convened and held within four weeks. At this second meeting, a resolution can be adopted regarding the proposal that was discussed at the previous meeting – regardless of the number of members who are present or represented – as long as the resolution is adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast.

Change wording to our 51% quorum:

... adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least a quorum of the members are present ...

[platipodium]

And further down: ... if a quorum are not represented ...

[jdbales]

What about using asynchronous voting? For example, voting is open from X to Y, rather than having a meeting at which members must be "present." Our organization recently went to this approach because of the difficulties in getting a quorum at a meeting, and results have been positive.

[cmbarton]

This was discussed and there is nothing to prevent this. In fact it is necessary for a global community. That is why the voting is within a specified time period and meetings are in person and/or remote. Members do need to 'participate' in a meeting, even asynchronously like in the current one, in order to contribute to discussions, make amendments, etc. Such participation does not mean that people need to be present at the same time in a physical room.

[cmbarton]

I rea

A resolution for any amendment to the Charter can only be adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least two/thirds of the members are present or represented. If two/thirds of the members are not present or represented, a second meeting will be convened and held within four weeks. At this second meeting, a resolution can be adopted regarding the proposal that was discussed at the previous meeting – regardless of the number of members who are present or represented – as long as the resolution is adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast.

Change wording to our 51% quorum:

... adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least a quorum of the members are present ...

I realized overnight that I like the first part of this suggestion but remain uncomfortable with the second part. I favor changing the wording on charter revisions to.

"A resolution for any amendment to the Charter can only be adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least a quorum of two/thirds of the members are present or represented."

This requires a smaller and possibly more realistic proportion of the community to alter the charter than the way it is now written, but still requires that a significant majority of the community participate in such a decision.

I worry that the second part leaves open the potential for a small group to seize control and alter the organization to no longer represent the community or original aims.

[cmbarton]

Maybe the sentence on voting within a predetermined period should be amended a bit to specifically state "…to allow for asynchronous voting."

[platipodium]

2/3 of 2/3 is only 44%. Are we happy with this?

[platipodium]

First sentence:

A resolution for any amendment to the Charter can only be adopted with a majority of at least two/thirds of the valid votes cast in a meeting at which at least two/thirds of the members are present or represented including allowing for asynchronous votes

[platipodium]

Second sentence proposal

If two/thirds of the members are not present or represented, a second meeting will be convened and held within four weeks. At this second meeting, the quorum is reduced to 51% and a a resolution can be adopted with a 51% majority of valid votes cast.