[SSC] Fwd: Social Science Centre Constitution

[Joss Winn]

Please see Charles' comments below and send any comments you have in
response to this discussion list.

Charles is referring to my email and the draft constitution, posted here:

https://lists.aktivix.org/pipermail/ssc/2011-April/000095.html

We meet on Tuesday at 6pm, Mint Lane, to sign the Constitution and
celebrate the formation of the Social Science Centre, Lincoln (i.e. a
few drinks in the pub afterwards).

Joss



-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Social Science Centre Constitution
Date: 	Thu, 28 Apr 2011 18:16:53 +0100
From: 	Cooke, Charles <CCooke at lincolnshirecda.coop>
To: 	Joss Winn <joss at josswinn.org>



Joss

I have had a look through the constitution again and cannot readily
identify any problem.

In respect of your questions, in the order given



1.  We have decided on two distinct membership types: Academic and
Associate Academic. Local students, teachers and supporting members
would be 'Academic' members, while people who contribute more
irregularly, perhaps because they do not live locally, would be
'Associate Academics'. As you know, we hope to have around 40 Academic
members (20 students/20 teachers) and a growing number of Associate
members. Our question is: How does this model affect the section on
Quorum? (24/25/29). In particular, (29) is not at all clear to us. Does
this effectively mean that Quorum is not required? We would like a
statement that ensures that Quorum is always required.

/The constitution empowers you to create membership categories and right
of those categories of membership.  You can create a secondary rule,
outside of the constitution to define the categories of membership you
propose.  As the Associates will be remotely located it may e that they
are not able top participate in the meetings of the Co-operative and
therefore oyur definition of the membership should exclude them as
contributing to the quorum which should be defined as a proportion of
the membership in other categories.  I think this should deal with the
issue of quorums you are concerned about./



2.  Is it necessary to define the membership types, described above, in
the constitution?

/No.  This can be done in secondary rules/



3.  Could you clarify (32)?

/This clause prevents additional business which was not originally on
the agenda for the meeting being brought into an adjourned meeting
without notice to the members that it is to be discussed.  The basic
principle is that members should know what is to be discussed at a
General Meeting so they know whether or nto they need to attend./



4.  Is it necessary to define what we mean by 'consensus decision
making', as this defines our type of democracy and is central to the
governance of the co-op. Are the references to 'consensus' adequate?

/I think the constitution is safe on this point.  However you could
create a better understanding of what is meant by consensus within
secondary rules/



5.  (35c) seems to allow a potentially large spend by members of the
co-op. i.e. if our annual income is £8K, a decision could be made to
spend over £2K in one transaction by members present at the General
Meeting. How do we provide further safeguards to ensure that spending is
carefully considered?

/The way the co-operative works is that the power to dispose of assets
will only be delegated with member agreement and such agreement will
specify the scale of the disposition which is delegated.  The
constitution is a fall back which requires that no disposal of a large
scale can be delegated and must be taken by a full members decision.  If
ypou want to set a lower figure then this can be done in secondary rules
or in the schedules of delegation./



6.  We intend the roles of Secretary, Treasurer, etc. to be rotated
periodically. Do you think it necessary for this to be constituted and
if so, can you suggest how?

/This can be defined in secondary rules and not within the
constitution.  Essentially the roles will be defined by delegation of
powers by the members to individuals or small groups.  This can also
include time limits on the delegation./

/ /

/In principle you should try and keep the constitution as simple as
possible as this is the outward facing document that will define you to
other parties.  How you regulate you internal dealings with each other
is only of concern to yourselves and you can be more flexible and
adaptable if these issues are dealt with in secondary rules which can be
amended without reference to or advice to any external body./



Regards

Charles Cooke

07969875464

CEO

lcda_logo.jpg

PTCF Jpeg



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