On Wednesday, March 19, 2014 01:24:20 Andrew Buczko wrote:
> I do not see consensus working as the group grows larger, we need to vote
> and be done with the mater at hand.

Why do you feel that voting is the better way for us to decide things?

> We can always write new proposals to deal with changes that come in the
> future.
> 
> On Wed, Mar 19, 2014 at 12:02 AM, Justin Herman <[email protected]> wrote:
> > In the risk of sounding confrontational, you have asked for feedback...
> > 
> > I have real reservations with this proposal. IMO this will create a
> > blockade where the strong willed get their way and those with less time to
> > commit to arguing will give up or quit synhak all together. Even with the
> > limited blocking option added in I question WHY. Why should 1 person be
> > able to hold the entire org hostage to make action?
> > 
> > Voting does create a winning side and losing side. But it is fair. Every
> > member in good standing is allowed 1 vote and only 1 vote. If the majority
> > decides to accept a member why should one person get to decide that it
> > should be blocked? One person does not decide the path of SynHak, the
> > group
> > does. Not everyone is going to be "happy" with all decisions. The path to
> > playing nicely and being excellent is accepting that the group feels
> > differently than you and moving forward. Not all decisions can be forced
> > into consensus, esp when the group grows beyond a handful of people (as we
> > have). Our views, disciplines, and experiences are diverse, let us accept
> > that, hear the pov, and allow the voice of the group decide how we move
> > forward.
> > 
> > Our discussion process and proposal process provides for a clear and
> > transparent method for showing different points of views even if all views
> > are of the same opinion (OMG new person is super cool). Then the
> > membership
> > can make a decision with all views (members and non-members) expressed.
> > 
> > Respectfully,
> > 
> > Justin
> > 
> > 
> > On Tue, Mar 18, 2014 at 11:31 PM, Torrie Fischer <[email protected]
> > 
> > > wrote:
> >> The last few membership applications and proposals we've had, we've
> >> sometimes
> >> used a vote, sometimes went with "does anyone raise issues"?
> >> 
> >> This is going to be a bigger year for SYNHAK. I think we should consider
> >> revisiting our consensus process to allow it to scale in a manner that
> >> helps
> >> to maintain our shared spirit of experimentation, openness, and the
> >> triumvirate of Consensus, Do-ocracy, and Excellence.
> >> 
> >> I feel that one such vector is by stepping away from the trend of having
> >> simple majority voting, or rather, any kind of vagueness on the
> >> definition of
> >> consensus, as clearly evidenced in tonight's meeting.
> >> 
> >> The original intent of our membership process was to "weed out the crazy
> >> people". I think this should also be extended to include measures to weed
> >> out
> >> people that might not fully understand what it means to be a member of
> >> SYNHAK
> >> and have an active part in our governance process. I still maintain my
> >> opinion
> >> that you can be as member as you want to be, however I wouldn't want new
> >> members joining the space that we don't all /not/ dislike. It causes
> >> tension
> >> and an increase in drama if there exists someone who creates pressure
> >> points.
> >> 
> >> The same goes for our proposal process. Traditionally its been used to
> >> bring
> >> about new rules, changes in protocol, etc. It often leads to a lot of
> >> arguing
> >> and assumption of personal attacks, acting in bad faith, and shouting
> >> about
> >> unexcellence. Voting always pits one side against another. It is an all
> >> or
> >> nothing system.
> >> 
> >> The purpose of weeding out people and ideas not universally accepted as
> >> contributing to our common vision, whatever that may be, is to ensure
> >> that our
> >> community works together as one.
> >> 
> >> I'm not arguing that we shouldn't accept new members or ideas simply
> >> because
> >> not everyone agrees with them 100%. However, if someone in the membership
> >> has
> >> serious concerns about an applicant or proposal, I feel that there should
> >> be a
> >> mechanism that addresses those concerns and ensures that everyone
> >> involved
> >> ends up happy with the outcome, even if it is just one person.
> >> 
> >> To use an extreme example:
> >> 
> >> If we've got 100 members, and one knows that a new applicant is a
> >> sociopath
> >> who has been kicked out of a bunch of other area organizations before, I
> >> think
> >> they've got a right to step up and stop them from becoming a member.
> >> 
> >> One person harboring bitter thoughts and resentment towards another does
> >> not
> >> make a healthy and vibrant community. To quote Omar, "We don't all have
> >> to
> >> like everyone, but we do need to get along."
> >> 
> >> I would like to suggest that we adopt a modified consensus process in the
> >> form
> >> of blocking with explanation. Here's a suggested protocol:
> >> 
> >> ---8<---
> >> * Proposals or membership applications may be accepted by the Membership
> >> of
> >> SYNHAK as
> >> long as nobody blocks any such application.
> >> * If a SYNHAK member wishes to block a membership application or
> >> proposal,
> >> they need to clearly state their reason for blocking.
> >> ** Not everyone has to agree with the reason for a block to be valid, it
> >> just
> >> has to be clearly stated.
> >> * Proposals and membership applications may be permitted to be blocked at
> >> any
> >> point up until the membership application or proposal is approved, for as
> >> long
> >> as six weeks.
> >> * Proposals or membership applications may only be blocked for longer
> >> than six
> >> weeks if there is support from at least two other members, meaning that a
> >> total of three members must clearly state that they are blocking and why.
> >> * Blocked membership applications or proposals with the support of at
> >> least
> >> three total members may be blocked indefinitely.
> >> --->8---
> >> 
> >> The purpose of a block is to prevent someone with some intense
> >> reservations
> >> against a proposal from feeling completely screwed over by everyone else.
> >> 
> >> If a total of three people (out of our current 20) share the same serious
> >> reservations, I think they all should have the right to not experience an
> >> environment that they do not feel comfortable with.
> >> 
> >> In essence, this is a written protocol that defines how we come to
> >> Consensus.
> >> 
> >> In closing, I want to remind everyone that we are building SYNHAK
> >> *together*.
> >> We want to create an inclusive and welcoming environment that fosters
> >> creativity. Using voting to decide how SYNHAK runs will *always*
> >> steamroll
> >> someone, without exception. If there is a method for us to avoid conflict
> >> and
> >> squashing others because a few people don't like the idea, it is
> >> necessary
> >> that we consider it.
> >> 
> >> Thoughts and feedback, please!
> >> 
> >> Let me repeat that again,
> >> 
> >> *THOUGHTS AND FEEDBACK, PLEASE!*
> >> 
> >> To reiterate:
> >>   READ THIS  VVVVVV  READ THIS
> >> 
> >> I am requesting that we discuss this proposal, as it is the spirit and a
> >> core
> >> value of SYNHAK that we all come to a common agreement where nobody gets
> >> hurt.
> >> 
> >>   READ THIS  ^^^^^^  READ THIS
> >> 
> >> I hope I was clear in stating that I am open to reaching consensus on
> >> this.
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Discuss mailing list
> >> [email protected]
> >> https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Discuss mailing list
> > [email protected]
> > https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss

Attachment: signature.asc
Description: This is a digitally signed message part.

_______________________________________________
Discuss mailing list
[email protected]
https://synhak.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss

Reply via email to