Last call for tweakage to the motion. Then I suggest we post the motion this one time here and Press, Natter and wherever else people think it's appropriate, along with a sample ballot, the email address and instructions.

I am sorry to be a pain, but I thought we could discuss and tweak as necessary up until the vote was called?

And alsoo, I think we should announce to threads (if we are going to) before the discussion period ends so that other people get a chance to tweak if they want to..

Not that anybody cares, but I just set up a filter and folder for myself. All Buffista Ballots will be diverted there for safekeeping. Just please be sure not to include phrases like GIANT COCKS or NIGERIANS HAVE TOO MUCH MONEY -- WOULD YOU LIKE SOME? in your subject line. Wouldn't want your vote to get caught in a spam trap.

Suggested Post For Press

Now is the time for revisions. I'd like to post this or have it posted by someone by 5 or 6 Eastern, unless that sounds unreasonable.

ISSUES

Did anyone Nilly the discussion at WXing and here, and should it be referenced in the introductory paragraph, below?

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This weekend, there has been a lot of discussion, both here and at the Contingency Board at WXing, over the decisions we make and how we make them. There has been some (but it's not unanimous) dissatisfaction over our usual method of determining consensus. Several people suggested we start voting on the big things. Funny thing is, it's such a hot topic, there's no way to determine whether or not we want to vote on things, without taking a vote on it. The lovely jengod has agreed to tally our votes, and so I give you a proposal.

I move we hold our initial vote (to see whether or not we'll vote) starting at 12:00am Eastern Time (board time) Wednesday and continuing through until the end of Friday (12:00am Eastern Time, Saturday). In other words, the voting period equals 3 full days, all 24 hours of Wednesday, all 24 hours of Thursday and all 24 hours of Friday. Included in this motion are the following items to be included in the vote.

• Item 1: VOTING

A yes vote on this item signifies the voter agrees that we should create a voting system for community decisions that do not require immediate action.

Exemptions: Thread naming, disciplinary action against trolls (although the process itself could come up for a vote at some point) and tasks currently performed by Stompy Feet, including but not limited to board maintenance.

A no vote on this item signifies that the voter does not agree to a voting process to determine the community's will as it pertains to community decisions.

• Item 2: QUORUMS

A yes vote on this item signifies the voter wants a minimum* number of community members voting on any item in order for the vote to count.

A no vote on this item signifies the voter wants implemented the decision of the majority** of voters who participated, regardless of the number of total votes.

• Item 3: SIMPLE MAJORITY

A yes vote on this item signifies the voter agrees that a simple majority vote is sufficient to enact changes for any issue brought up for vote.

If this item passes, we will hold a discussion and vote on how to handle ties. If it doesn't pass, the point is moot.

Regardless, this item does not affect the outcome of Item 2. In other words, if people vote in favor of requiring a quorum on any issue, the quorum requirement will still stand and the smallest majority that would allow an initiative to be voted in would equal [one half + one] of the votes needed for the quorum.

A no vote on this item signifies the voter does not think a simple majority is sufficient to enact change for any initiative brought up for vote, and instead wants a higher majority.

If item is voted down, the size of the higher majority required will be put up for a separate vote.

• Item 4: Discussion and Voting Period Time Limits

A yes vote on this item signifies the voter agrees that a full week's time is sufficient to discuss and decide on the issue. The week would be broken down thusly: Discussion: Days 1, 2, 3, and 4. Voting: Days 5, 6, 7. NOTE - added on edit *** When there is a conflict for major holidays (to be defined) we will make accomodations (to be defined) as needed. ***

A no vote on this item signifies that the voter doesn't agree with this timetable and is requesting that the community continue to discuss timetables.

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* for Item 2: Quorum, yes vote: the minimum number will be a number to be determined by the community in a subsequent vote, if item 2 is voted in.

** for Item 2: Quorum, no vote: "majority" is a percentage to be determined by the community in a subsequent vote.

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Voting email address and procedures to follow in my next Press post.

I thought we could discuss and tweak as necessary up until the vote was called?

I thought so too. And for that reason, I think posting of the motion/ballot needs to happen at the last possible moment.

Perhaps an APB now saying more like "The discussion is going on; come read it while you can, and look for the final motion just before midnight in Press."?

Wow. I feel like a doof for not asking before, but does the "week discussion" mean that discussion continues during the voting, or is it that the decision process takes a week (4 talk, 3 vote days)?

I just caught that while I was skimming before I reposted. I thought we thought 4 days discussion and then 3 days of voting. There was talk about closing the discussion during voting, but I don't think there was any clear consensus on it.

We can handle this one of two ways, I think. I can be more specific in the item description, that the discussion would close. Then, if people aren't satisfied and want to hash out a different timetable, or leave the discussion open, they can vote the item down and we can include the timetable questions in the discussion we'll have on the discussion. I'm going to have a stroke if I use that word again.

The second way is to add another item, which will be similar in text to item 4. Item four will still be changed to specify that the discussion will stop during voting, and item 5 would then specify that discussion would remain open during voting. There would have to be a note that says you only vote yes on number 5 if you voted no on number four and vice versa. That's making my head hurt.

Oh wait, a third way is to remove item 4 entirely, and talk about it later.

Opinions?

I vote for leaving item 4 off for the time being.

I vote for #1 on #4.

I thought so too. And for that reason, I think posting of the motion/ballot needs to happen at the last possible moment.

Perhaps an APB now saying more like "The discussion is going on; come read it while you can, and look for the final motion just before midnight in Press."?

I'm sorry, I just have to repeat this becuase I feel really strongly about it. If Cindy isn't around to post at 11:59, I can volunteer to.

Perhaps an APB now saying more like "The discussion is going on; come read it while you can, and look for the final motion just before midnight in Press."?

Agreed.

Cindy, I think the best thing to do with #4 at this point would be to add a note that we will vote later on whether discussions end on day 4 or continue during the votes.