Talk:Constitution Rewrite: Difference between revisions

These are some ideas that the committee has brought up already.

# Too specific in some areas: The CON needs to be conceptual, not rule based. And I think that in some areas it wanders into this realm. We really need to modify the CON so that it officially /establishes/ the elements of our group, and then loosely defines them. It should then be left to other documents (bylaws, as well as the new documents: standard rules, and procedures) to really outline each element of our group in detail.

# Does not create other documents: Following on the heels of #1, I think that there needs to be three classifications of documents in this group which govern it (besides the CON): Bylaws, Standard Rules, and Procedures. There needs to be something written into the CON which creates these documents, shows how they are voted into existence, etc. This creates a system whereby we can more easily uphold the general ideals of the CON.

# Captains Council voting/membership: I don't see any need for non-active Captains to have a voice on the CC. Basically, my feeling is that ONLY those who are currently acting captains should have a vote on the CC. Anyone who is of the rank of captain or above, OR is a Commander, OR holds the position of First Officer may discuss at will, but may not vote. This, of course, would take my vote away on the CC -- but I think that it's right, fair, and a proper course of operation.

# "Remote Location" CO: Forums, chats, committees, etc. These are all sub-organizations which need to be defined and decided how they can be governed. I have created some minimal language for this in the draft changes to the CON.

Interestingly, the CON itself really just needs to be focused on being more general -- as paradoxical as it is. I think it tries to overreach in some places and be  /the/ singular governing document for our group, and in doing so fails to adequately be that document. So we need to whittle it down to the general principles of what UFOP is about and how it's run, and then move everything extraneous to other procedural and structural documents.

# In my mind the Captains are responsible for representing the best interests of their crew, and therefore the CC is the fleet's voice. Inactive Captains can only represent themselves so with inactive captains onboard you could have the potential for All of the 'active, out there doing it today' Captains voting in unison not being enough to sway the vote.

: The system we used to some success in another group was to create three member types. Senior Members were active CO's and had full rights. Junior Members were newer CO's had no voting rights but could speak. Observers were the FO's and others who had a keen interest in the group but were not active as such. They pushed their opinions through their own CO or the Chairperson.

To actually officially join UFOP they would need to ALSO incorporate the CON as their means of goverment and also put in place specific aspects such as 'training routine', 'rank advancement', 'style' etc to ensure quality. - this is probably a bit more like an 'external ship applying' than anything.

   

Personally I think there are several issues, mainly to do with flexibility and comprehension.

   

To me, and to make our 'law' as user friendly as possible for those involved in learning and operating it there seems a need for a damn good text book. This could also include items such as a 'code of conduct', descriptions of the 'procedures of the CC' how to go about X, how to go about Y... Basically a handbook which collates the law and puts it into everyday speak, covering everyday events.

Quick Observations from looking through the CON, bylaws etc on the member area.

* That items such as the above together with generic ship rules, member rights appeal process etc be written down in a clear format which is directly applicable to the common member. Also that this resource be made availible to every member when they join the group.

On the subject of things being too complicated without a "textbook": I already have a solution to this. One of the major projects that I want to complete ASAP is a Command Area for the new website. Part of this will be a FAQ Engine that addresses all issues of the CON, and also records precidents.

Hopefully this will clear up a lot of problems.