WikiProjectMed talk:Bylaws
Changes to Bylaws Sept 2022
Am re-proposing the suggestions made by Doug previously. Doc James (talk · contribs · email) 10:10, 22 September 2022 (UTC)
Proposed changes
Fully enable online meetings
Unlike most other affiliates, WikiProject Med Foundation has a very geographically diverse membership. In order to include as many members as possible, there is a real need to be able to conduct business via online means. The following changes would facilitate voting and elections being carried out without the necessity for members to meet in person in order to make decisions.
- Article II Section 4
- Add a new paragraph:
- "Because the Corporation is an organisation with a world-wide membership, business may also be conducted by resolution conducted online. Any such resolution may be proposed by the Board of Directors via electronic communication. The vote will be conducted on MDWiki.org and will take place over a period of fourteen days, following a notice period of seven days. For the resolution to succeed, the number of votes cast must be greater than 15% of the current membership or 20 members, whichever is the lesser."
- Article II Section 2
- Add the words
- ", either in person or online,"
- between
- "A meeting of the membership will be held annually" and "for the election of directors (as required) ...".
A more realistic quorum for decisions
A concern has been expressed that once a vote of the membership is required to change the Bylaws, we may find it difficult to introduce any beneficial amendments in future if the required quorum is as high as 50 members. Experience of other affiliates suggests that a less ambitious number is likely to significantly reduce the risk of decision paralysis.
- Article II Section 4
- Change:
- "(i) fifty (50) votes or (ii) one-fifth (20%) of the total number of votes entitled to be cast"
- to
- "(i) twenty (20) votes or (ii) three-twentieths (15%) of the total number of votes entitled to be cast".
Three year terms for directors
As organisations mature, the importance in reducing "churn" of the Board membership increases. Having a more stable board helps forward-planning and reduces the likelihood of "entryism". Many charities and non-profits move towards a three or four-year term for their directors to promote that stability.
- Article III Section 2
- Change:
- "each director will hold office until the second annual meeting after their election"
- to
- "each director will hold office until the fourth annual meeting after their election"