Chapters Council/Draft charter of the Wikimedia Chapters Association/Amendments

This page contains a series of proposed amendments to the March 2012 draft by Ziko and Sebmol.

A1 No Judicial Board

Submitted by

Ivonne Kristiani (WMID), Nikola Smolenski (WMRS)

Content

Remove Section D. Judicial Board is not necessary for the moment.

A2 Rename Council to General Assembly

Submitted by

Ivonne Kristiani (WMID)

Content

Rename "Council" to "General Assembly".

A3 Dues

Submitted by

Ting-Fung Wong (Rover)

Content

Change B/1/2: "To determine the level of dues from the chapters according to each chapter's financial status, so the level of dues should be affordable and reasonable to each chapter"

A4 Membership of the council

Submitted by

multiple

Summary

The draft is changed to such effect that the Member Chapters decide themselves who represents them on the Council. They can thus develop their own internal procedures for this on the details.

This to ensure that the Member Chapters always can trust that their view is being represented on the Council. Votes casted are however final, even if a Council Member is replaced. This changes the model from a parliamentary model to a more representative model, and reinforces the fact that in the end the Chapters – and not the selected individuals – are the Members of the Association.

Proposed amendment

Art.B4 is changed to: "Art. 4 [Replacement of Council Members]: A Chapter may replace their Council Member for the remainder of the term according to their internal procedures by announcing a replacement Council Member to the Chair of the Council. Council Members can be removed by the Council for severe misconduct with a two third majority vote. If a Chapter leaves the Association the Council Member leaves the Council."

Difference

"Art. 4 [Replacement of Council Members]: A Chapter may replace their Council Member for the remainder of the term if the Council Member resigns, has become inactive, or has been expelled by a two thirds majority of the Council due to severe misconduct according to their internal procedures by announcing a replacement Council Member to the Chair of the Council. Council Members can be removed by the Council for severe misconduct with a two third majority vote. If a Chapter leaves the Association the Council Member leaves the Council."

A5 Associate members

Submitted by

Content

Add chapters to be as "associate members".

A6 Sanctions

Submitted by

Bence Damokos (WMHU)

Content

define more precisely what sanctions are available for chapters not fulfilling their duties or obligations

A7 Meeting

Submitted by

Lodewijk Gelauff

Summary

The draft is changed to such effect, that the method of meeting is solely decided by the Council and not by the charter - and that an annual physical (expensive) meeting of the Council is not obligatory (but still possible). The amendment could be expanded if deemed necessary with a specific way to decide the method and place of meeting.

Proposed amendment

Article B9 is replaced with: "Art. 9 [Meetings]: The Council meets at least once every year, and decides itself the method, date, time and place of meeting by majority. Other activities happen online or by other appropriate means. The convocation of the Council is the task of the Chair. One fifth of the Council Members can call for a meeting."

Difference

"Art. 9 [Meetings]: The Council meets in person at least once every year, and decides itself the method, date, time and place of meeting by majority. Other activities happen online or by other appropriate means. The convocation of the Council is the task of the Chair. One fifth of the Council Members can call for a meeting."

A8 Common programs/projects

Submitted by

WMIT

Content

add "to develop common programs and projects"

A9 Simplify amendment ratification

Submitted by

WMIT

Content

leave amendments to the charter to the council

A10 Add financial advisors

Submitted by

WMIT

Content

add financial advisors (auditors?)

A11 No umbrella organization

Submitted by

Simon Studinski (WMDK)

Content

strike A/1/5 completely

A12 No common interests

Submitted by

Simon Studinski (WMDK)

Content

strike B/1/8 completely

A13 Veto/limit on dues

Submitted by

Bengt Oberger & Holger Motzkau (WMSE)

Content

add a veto or limits on dues so a chapter can forecast their contribution

A14 Size of the Secretariat

Submitted by

Lodewijk Gelauff

Summary

The draft is changed to such effect, that the size of the secretariat is set by the Council and not by the charter. The current draft suggests a minimum of three (paid) members of the Secretariat: SG, V-SG and one Other Member.

Proposed amendment

Article C2 is replaced by: "Art. 2 [Composition]: The Secretariat may consist of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and other Members. The Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General serve for a term of two years."

Difference

"Art. 2 [Composition]: The Secretariat consistsmay consist of the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and other Members. The Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General serve for a term of two years."

A15 Majority for amendments

Submitted by

Salvador Alcántar & Daniel Bravo

Content

"For an amendment to become effective, it must be approved by a two thirds majority of votes majority in the Council and accepted by three fourths of member Chapters."

A16 Languages

Submitted by

Daniel Bravo

Content

"Art. 8 [Transparency]: The Council conducts its business in public and publishes minutes of its meetings, votes, etc., unless the subject matter requires confidentiality. The official languages used in the Council are English, German, French and Spanish."

A17 Council Members

[This is from the Representation session in Berlin.]

Art. 3 [Members]: The Council consists of its Members. Each Chapter selects one Council Member, by announcement of the Chapter to the Chair of the Council. Council Members serve for a term of one year. Each Council Member has one vote. If a Council Member cannot attend a meeting, he can pass his voting right for that meeting to another Council Member of his confidence. One Council Member cannot cast more than one vote additional to his own."