[governance] Alternative amendment proposal on coordinator election dates

[Norbert Bollow]

Dear all

As an alternative to the other proposals to change our Charter with
regard to the dates of coordinator elections, I'd like to make the
proposal below. I view it as seeking to implement the same objective
as the other proposals on this topic, but without the problems
that could potentially result from updating what the Charter
says about election dates without also updating what it says
about terms of office.

As per the rules on charter amendments, this proposal will proceed to a
vote only if there are some co-proposers (The precise language is: “This
charter can be amended at any time as proposed by no fewer than ten (10)
members and as approved by no less than two-thirds (2/3) of the members
of the IGC”); if you agree to be a co-proposer, please reply with text
like "I support this" or "+1".


I propose to change the IGC charter as follows:


Change 1: (Clarify terms of office and align with calender years)

Old text: "The IGC will select two (2) coordinators, each for a two (2)
year term. One coordinator will be elected in the even years, (e.g.
2006, 2008) and one will be elected in the odd years (e.g., 2007,
2009)."

Proposed new text: "The IGC will select two (2) coordinators, each for
a two (2) year term. Except under special circumstances (see the
section “Replacement of a coordinator” below), one coordinator will
serve for an even year and then an odd year (e.g. January 2014 through
December 2015) and one coordinator will serve for an odd year and then
an even year (e.g. January 2015 through December 2016)."


Change 2: (Hold coordinator elections before year-end)

Old text: "The selection will be done by on-line voting using the
voting process according to the following formula:
* election of the coordinator will be held, whenever possible by
midsummer (the summer solstice). If events prevent an election by
midsummer, it will be held as soon after midsummer as possible.
* the coordinator(s) who are not up for election or not standing for
election will be responsible for running the election, subject to
appeal by the appeal team.
(Note: as a boot strap procedure for 2006, the interim coordinator will
serve until the end of the first election period, during which two
coordinators will be selected - one for one (1) year and one for two
(2) years)."

Proposed new text: "The selection will be done by on-line voting as
per the following:
* The election of the coordinator will be held, whenever possible,
  before the corresponding term of office is scheduled to start. If
  events prevent an election by then, the election shall be held as
  soon as possible, with the actual term of office starting on the day
  after election results have been announced, and ending as scheduled.
* The coordinator(s) who are not up for election or not standing for
  election will be responsible for running the election, subject to
  appeal by the appeal team.
* In the case of an appeal of an election result, the person who was
  announced as having won the election shall provisionally serve as
  coordinator until the Appeal Team has decided on the appeal.
"


Change 3: (Update example on coordinator replacement)

Old text: "For example, if the 'even year' coordinator for 2006, leaves
the role during an odd year, 2007, the rest of the term will be filled
with a replacement, and a new selection will be made on schedule in
2008. If on the other hand the coordinator leaves the role early in
2008, then the replacement would complete the original term and serve
the 2008-2010 term."

Proposed new text: "For example, if the coordinator for the years
2014-2015 leaves the role during the first year, 2014, the rest of the
term will be filled with a replacement, and a new selection will be
made on schedule for the 2016-2017 term. If on the other hand the
coordinator leaves the role during the second year, 2015, then the
replacement would complete the original term and also serve the
2014-2015 term."


[end of charter amendment proposal]


Disclosure of personal interest: Since I'm a candidate in the current
coordinator elections, I have a personal interest in
(a) having clarity on what the term of office will be if I should get
elected, and
(b) having rules in place that support electing a successor who can
seamlessly take over after my term of office (if I should get elected)
ends.

In particular, it seems to me that the charter currently does not
support (b) for coordinators who get elected shortly after the
beginning of a calendar year.

Greetings,
Norbert


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