Quick start for members of a group using Fluid Democracy
This document has three sections, one of each group size. Each section contains everything that a member needs to know in order to get started participating in a group of that size which is using Fluid Democracy. You only need to read the section for your size; to find out what size category your group is, ask your Chair, or see this longer introduction.
Each section first gives an overview of the bodies and roles, and then lists things that a member can do to have an impact on decisionmaking, starting with the things that take the least time.
For members of small groups
The Forum is a way for members to make proposals and vote on them. Members can also delegate their Forum voting power to other members using proxies. There is one official, the Chair, who leads the group, administers the rules, and implements the decisions of the group.
How to participate
Starting with the things that take the least time, here are some things you can do. If you can't do all of them, don't worry.
- Delegate your Forum votes: Give your Forum proxy to people who share your views.
- Vote in elections: Periodically there will be an election for a Chair that you can vote in.
- Participate in the Forum: If you'd like to vote directly on issues yourself, then read the Forum, discuss and vote on proposals there, and make your own proposals.
- If you'd like to run for office: If you would like to run for Chair, try to attract the support of other members.
For members of medium groups
The Forum is a way for members to make proposals and vote on them. Members can also delegate their Forum voting power to other members using proxies. The Board of Directors is a group of elected officials who make decisions for the group, along with the Forum. The Forum and the Board can veto each other, but otherwise operate independently and they can each pass proposals. There are three other officials, the Chair, who leads the group and administers the rules, the CEO, who implements most of the group's decisions, and the EEO, who implements the group's decisions relating to external affairs. The Chair is elected and the CEO and EEO are appointed by the Board.
How to participate
Starting with the things that take the least time, here are some things you can do. If you can't do all of them, don't worry.
- Delegate your Forum votes: Give your Forum proxy to people who share your views..
- Vote in elections: Sometimes there will be general elections for a Chair or for the Board of Directors that you can vote in.
- Participate in the Forum: If you'd like to vote directly on issues yourself, read the Forum, discuss and vote on proposals there, and make your own proposals.
- If you'd like to run for office:
- If you would like to run for Chair, try to attract a broad base of support from as much of the membership as possible.
- If you would like to run for the Board, try to attract a broad base of support, but also focus on some part of the membership whose views aren't adequately represented by the other Board candidates.
- If you would like to be appointed CEO or EEO, try to demonstrate your competence to the Directors.
For members of large groups
Legislative bodies
- The Forum is a way for members to make proposals and vote on them. Members can also delegate their Forum voting power to other members using proxies.
- The Elect Board is a group of 7 elected "Directors" who make decisions for the group, along with the Forum and the Delegate Board.
- The Delegate Board has the same powers as the Elect Board, but its composition is different. Members may organize themselves into constituencies. A member may choose which, if any, constituency to join. Each constituency select a delegate who sits on the Delegate Board. For very large groups, the delegates form their own constituencies which select their own second-order delegates, and so on, until the delegates of the top level become the Delegate Board. There are up to 7 delegate Directors on the Delegate Board.
The Forum and the Elect Board and the Delegate Board can veto each other, but mostly operate independently and they can each pass proposals. The Delegate Board and the Elect Board act as one body, called the Combined Board, for the purpose of selecting officers.
- Councils are discussion groups composed of 7 ordinary members. Their makeup is chosen so as to bring together members with diverse views. Any member who has joined a constituency which supports one of the Delegate Directors may request to be placed on a council. When all the members of a council agree, they may vote as a bloc in the Forum, and gain bonus voting power. There are many councils.
Officials
- The 3 Chairs oversee the group. They are elected.
- The CEOp implements most of the group's decisions relating to the Program Activity. The CEOe implements the group's decisions relating to external affairs. The CEOi implements the group's other decisions. They are appointed by the Boards. Other executives serve under the CEO and are nominated by the CEO and confirmed by the Combined Board.
- There may or may not be up to 5 Judges and up to 5 Parliamentarians. Judges resolve disputes, and Parliamentarians run meetings and moderate the Forum. They are appointed by the Combined Board. If there are not any or not enough Judges or Parliamentarians, the Chairs fill these roles.
How to participate
Starting with the things that take the least time, here are some things you can do. If you can't do all of them, don't worry.
- Delegate your Forum votes: Give your Forum proxy to people who share your views..
- Join or form a constituency: Join a constituency of people who share your views. Even if you don't vote, your support with strengthen their voice.
- Vote in elections: Sometimes there will be general elections for a Chair or for the Board of Directors that you can vote in. Your constituency will also sometimes have elections to select or replace your delegate.
- Participate in the Forum: If you'd like to vote directly on issues yourself, then read the Forum, discuss and vote on proposals there, and make your own proposals.
- Join a council: If you'd like to discuss the issues with members of differing views, and to get bonus voting power when you can agree, then apply to join a council.
- If you'd like to run for office:
- If you would like to run for Chair, try to attract a broad base of support from as much of the membership as possible.
- You must join a constituency and try to join and attend a council if you want to try to become an Elect Director or a Delegate.
- If you would like to run for the Elect Board, try to attract a broad base of support, but also focus on some part of the membership whose views aren't adequately represented by the other Board candidates.
- If you would like to become a delegate, find or gather a constituency that agrees with your views as much as possible, join it, try to get to know its members, and personally demonstrate your competence to them; after you are selected, be sure to keep in good touch with your constituents, respond to their messages, and report back to them.
- If you would like to be appointed CEOp, CEOe, CEOi, Judge, or Parliamentarian, try to get noticed by and demonstrate your competence to the Directors.
- If you would like to be appointed an executive under a CEO, try to get noticed by and demonstrate your competence to the CEO.