proj-concordDemocracy-concordBylawsRewrite220808

perhaps i should explain myself: when i have some time now and then i start rewrite this stuff from memory, figuring that the simplest/most important bits will stick in my memory, and in this way maybe i'll distill the best parts

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1. Introduction (and summary)

Concord is a governance system for organizations. It specifies how proposals are introduced and discussed, how decisions are made, and how officials are selected.

Compared to other governance systems (for example, Robert's Rules of Order), Concord aims to be simple, good at making good decisions quickly, resistant to power grabs, and able to be used both by groups that have meetings, and also by groups that don't meet but rather correspond in writing.

The parts of the organization defined in Concord are:

• voting members: the voting members are ultimately in charge
• Chairs: 3 Chairs run the discussions and votes, and watch out make sure that other officials are following the rules
• directly elected by the voters via triscore voting (proportional 0,1,2-score voting)
• the Forum: a parliamentary venue for proposals to be made, amended, and voted upon directly by the voters
• discussion can occur via meetings or in writing
• voters can directly participate in the Forum, or can delegate/'proxy' their vote to others
• the Board: a group of 7 Boardmembers elected by the voters each cycle. Like the Forum, they make and vote on proposals, and also they appoint officials
• 6 Boardmembers are elected by the voters via asset voting, and 1 by ballot raffle (weighted sortition)
• CEO: an executive who runs the organization
• elected by the Board via approval voting
• a new CEO election can be called for by 2/3 vote of the Board
• or can be immediately dismissed by a 2/3 vote of the Board
• high court: a group of Judges who resolve disputes about the rules
• 9 High Judges, in 3 classes, with each class serving for 3 cycles and one class elected each cycle by the Board via triscore voting (proportional 0,1,2 score voting)

So each cycle, public ballot for each voter asks:

• (per-category) do you want to proxy your Forum votes? (public) TODO (note: proxied forum votes can't be un-proxied until the next cycle)

secret ballot:

• (per category) (only if the person publicly said they wished to proxy) if proxy, then to whom:
• your vote for boardmember goes to:
• write in as many Chair nominees as you wish, and scores for them

Legislation:

• originates in either the Forum or the Board. If passed by one and not vetoed by the other, passes.
• voting threshold to veto is >50%
• voting thresholds to pass vary by type of legislation:
• amend these Bylaws, admit voters, expel voters: 2/3s
• temporarily alter topic, speech length, speaker queue: 2/3s (and no veto by other 'house')
• reduce the power of the organization or its officers, reduce obligations/rules binding upon members, raise less money or debt, spend less money: >50%
• otherwise: 3/5

1. Details
2. Term limits and restrictions on multiple offices

• By default:
• Chairs, Boardmembers, CEOs, High Court Judges cannot serve more than 3 cycles in total in any one of these roles
• No single person can serve simultaneously in more than one seat or more than one role within: Chairs, Boardmembers, CEOs, High Court Judges
• On each voter ballot, there is a question, "Do you want to waive term limits and restrictions on multiple offices?". If at least 2/3s vote yes, then these limits and restrictions are waived for the current cycle. Time towards term limits does not accrue while the limits are waived.

1. Motivation/justification

TODO

(refer to longer justification FAQ for more detail)

1. Appendix