[bestbits] Note on Best Bits procedures on statements

[Deborah Brown]

Dear all,

Since there's been some discussion lately about Best Bits statements (what
constitutes a BB statement, how they're developed, etc.) on the behalf of
the interim steering committee I'd like to direct you to the wiki draft
procedures. These draft procedures are posted on the Best Bits website (
http://bestbits.net/wiki/main/procedures/) and are open to
discussion/editing. They have been posted in this format since before the
Best Bits Bali meeting, though admittedly we could do a better job of
pointing people to them, which is why we're writing now :-)

In reviewing these procedures in the current climate, it is evident that we
should probably develop more specific guidance for statements or inputs
developed in very time sensitive situations in response to a particular
meeting/process. Agreed on procedures for the interplay between those
participating actively in a particular process and the broader network
could have helped to avoid some of the challenges we've faced
post-NetMundial.

Finally, please note that this is a general friendly reminder and not
directed at a particular NetMundial statement or even limited to
NetMundial. We can all do a better job at following these procedures and
continuing to shape them to meet our needs. Please let us know if you have
any questions/concerns (either on this thread or at
steering at lists.bestbits.net) and fellow interim steering committee members,
please jump in if I forgot or misrepresented anything.
Producing Best Bits statements [RFC]

   -

   Statements are not issued by Best Bits but by individual endorsers, and
   public statements about the statement should be worded with care to avoid
   suggesting otherwise.
   -

   *In exceptional cases where a large proportion of participants are
   physically present or otherwise actively express their views about a
   statement, and it appears that it enjoys full consensus of those
   participants, they may resolve that it be issued as a statement “of the
   Best Bits coalition”.*
   -

   Anyone may propose posting a statement (eg. joint letter, submission) be
   posted to the Best Bits website. Any such proposal should be accompanied by
   either:
   -

      a proposed text, accompanied by a description of the process by which
      it was drafted and a proposed process and timetable for finalising and
      posting it for endorsement; or
      -

      a proposed process and timetable for drafting, finalising and posting
      the text for endorsement.
       -

   The process and timetable may vary depending on context and urgency, but
   in general:
   -

      the text should be finalised by a fluid working group that is open to
      civil society participants from the main Best Bits mailing list
(but which
      might work on a separate mailing list, which could be closed);
      -

      the timescale for drafting the text should normally be at least 48
      hours;
      -

      the draft text should normally be posted to the main Best Bits
      mailing list for comment at least another 48 hours before being posted to
      the website;
      -

      there should be an adequate balance between inclusiveness of the
      initial drafting process, and the finality of the text. (In
other words, we
      would seldom agree to post a text that is final and that only a
few groups
      from one part of the world drafted.)
       -

   Objections to the posting of a text for endorsement may be made at the
   stage of its initial proposal, or at a later stage when the draft text is
   posted for comment, and can be made both on strategic and on substantive
   grounds. Possible grounds for opposition include:
   -

      The statement is not on-topic for Best Bits.
      -

      Any proposed statement should not go against the Best Bits goals but
      should in fact further those.
      -

      The process and timetable are not realistic, or are not inclusive
      enough.
      -

      The process and timetable have not been complied with.
       -

   However, consensus is not required in order for a text to be posted. If
   significant opposition to the posting of the text has been voiced on the
   main list and cannot be resolved, the steering committee may make a final
   decision about whether or not to post the statement, in consultation with
   at least one proponent of the text and at least one opponent.

All the best,
Deborah

-- 
Deborah Brown
Senior Policy Analyst
Access | accessnow.org

@deblebrown
PGP 0x5EB4727D
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