Computer stuff

Collective council (and membership)

Shop Projects

Revise council membership

Caroline:

The new requirements would include the same quarterly 16-hour, 2 meeting obligations, and also:

* agree to abide by (and organize in the service of) Free Ride's mission statement, code of conduct, and organizational process  [Note: this has always been an implicit requirement, but I think we should make it explicit.]
* have earned trust and commitment enough to be approved by the existing collective council members.

I propose that people wanting to join the CC be considered and voted on by consensus at each meeting, similar to our current procedure for allowing keyholder access.

If someone has a blocking concern about letting a new person become a collective council member, it is that person or persons responsibility to resolve their concerns ASAP.

Possible benefits of adopting this proposal:
-- Unity under the mission and code of conduct will mean efficient and empowering communication and better serving the organization.
-- Would reduce the likelihood of a situation similar to the one we just experienced with Jeff Krueger from ever happening again.  Many members of the collective council felt wary and uncomfortable by Jeff's behavior in meetings but had no means of expressing that concern in the form of organizational blocks, because the requirements for membership were already in place, and Jeff had met them.  
-- Would allow for a greater level of trust and comfort in voicing one's feelings to be shared by all members of the collective council.

Possible costs of adopting this proposal:
-- May cause concerns about fairness
-- May create "lock-in" issues when trying to modify the missions statement, code of conduct, etc. in the future due to need
-- May create some unpredictable organizational issues like organization solidity, inaccessibility etc. that create rifts and have serious consequences in the future

Because you can become involved in Free Ride in a wide variety of ways, and organizing doesn't have to be one of them unless you really want it to be, I feel like it's reasonable to ask people who want to become organizers to put in the effort to earn the trust of their organizing peers, and to take time to understand the process, before becoming an equal part of it.  The collective council should consider its attitude in approving or even considering at the table various proposals by autonomous members or alliances for members... that is to say, if we decide to become more restrictive on who can vote within Free Ride's governing body, we need to consider how that might impede creative improvements proposed by individuals with no interest in organizing, but with a strong desire to improve Free Ride in some way.  If we adopt restrictions on how to become a CC member, then I think it's important that we make some guidelines for whether an initiative can proceed autonomously (if it costs no money or less than $100 of Free Ride's money; if it is announced one week in advance to council over email so any concerns can be raised [silence meaning no concerns, go ahead]... just as some examples.)

Additional proposal: that we keep an up-to-date list of who is on the collective council at any given time.  (Should it be council members' responsibilities to inform others if/when they decide to leave the CC, either by choice or for lack of hours?)

Scott:

I can think of one mechanism that we could use to measure whether to see if any member has earned the trust of everyone in the CC.  Once they have completed the 16 hours and attended 2 meetings they would request to be on council at a general meeting.  At that time anyone on the council who has not had an opportunity work with a certain individual seeking to join, could request a 1 or 2 month delay in order to work together with that person and build trust.  

This would be preferential to the voting yes or no, and/or outright blocking of those seeking to join the council.  But if CC members do have strong feeling about an individual, they should have the right to refuse.

This is one way that we could get more time to feel out, before making harsh decisions. The only problematic part that not all council members attend any given meeting.  I can't really think how to remedy this right now.

Oh and I started an active Collective Council Members list on Crabby.  If I left anyone out, I apologize.  Go ahead and add yourself.  Justin, sorry I forgot your last name...

Carmen:

Here are a few ideas-

In addition to the minimum hours and meetings, and before a final vote- 

- The person who is requesting council membership can propose a project that they would take the lead on.  They would be working with several (3?) council members who will have to fill out forms evaluating that person's performance. 

- A regular staffer who wants to join the council  would get evaluated by 2 or 3 other staffers and at least 2 council members.

A one month period for evaluation is appropriate.

Also, I think council members should be required to attend, at a minimum, every third council meeting.

Additional Thoughts from William

Roadmap

CLARIFICATION AND ADDITION TO THE FREE RIDE MISSION STATEMENT:

The term “community” is ambiguous. Everywhere that “community” is mentioned in the mission statement, the intent should be the community of Free Ride members.
If people are worried that this group is not broad enough, then work should be done to broaden the Free Ride member community.
One of the key values at Free Ride needs to relate to the fact that the most important resource to the organization is the people who have invested commitment to Free Ride.

ROLES WITHIN FREE RIDE (they overlap): Council Members;Officers;Staff;Members

Council members: Same requirements, see below for responsibilities
Officers: Appointed by council, see below for details
Staff: People who have key access and know computer passwords, etc.
Members: Same requirements, eligable for other roles as applicable

DEFINING THE COLLECTIVE COUNCIL:

Mission – “A fully informed, non-exclusive governing body that oversees the progress and direction of the Free Ride organization.”
RESPONSIBILITIES OF COUNCIL MEMBERS:
1. Appoint and remove individuals as officers.
2. Empower officers by granting applicable authority.
3. Maintain the Free Ride mission statement.

PURPOSE FOR GENERAL MEETINGS:

1. Officers report and council members review the success or failure of each program in achieving the Free Ride mission.
2. Officers report and council members review the success or failure of officers in meeting their responsibilities.
3. Council members Provide recommendations or requirements to officers.
4. Officers communicate policy changes to the organization.
5. Officers communicate project status to the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES FOR OFFICERS:

Responsibilities are to:

  1. Define, update and communicate Free Ride policy.
  2. Oversee Free Ride’s operation and program resources to ensure that the Free Ride mission is met.
  3. Balance Free Ride’s resources to ensure that operation and program needs are met.
  4. Report the successes and failures of operations and programs in achieving the Free Ride mission.
  5. Provide contact information to the general public and respond to all communications from outside individuals or groups.
  6. Provide contact information to all Free Ride members and respond to all correspondences from Free Ride members.
  7. Empower Free Ride members to take (shared) ownership in the Free Ride organization.

AS-IS PURCHASES:

OPEN SHOP:

MONTHLY BIKE SALES:

EAB REQUIREMENTS:

MEMBER SOCIAL HOUR:

TAG COLORS:

FIX FOR SALE:

STAFF RESIDENCY OR EXCHANGE PROGRAM:

Old projects/ideas – completed or discarded