🚀 go-pugleaf

In <pjw.709388927@vulcan> pjw@vulcan.anu.edu.au (Peter Wishart) writes:

>I would like to propose some rules for the running of chapters in
>AUUG.  I am thinking of putting them to the incoming AUUG Management
>Committee or maybe even the next AGM.

Perhaps some existing associations, which already have
rules, may find some of AUUG's requirements daunting or
unacceptable. How many chapters are there at present, and do
they have formal rules?

>		Proposed AUUG General Rules on Chapters

>In developing this proposal I have used a few principles which I feel
>are important.  I will outline those principles here to help people
>understand the reasoning behind the proposal.  I would be very
>surprised if everyone agreed with my principles :-).

>- no changes to the current constitution.  Use the current Committee

>- allow current "financially neutral" Chapters to continue un-impeded 

>- provide financial support to Chapters which are willing to take the 

>- provide the AUUG Management Committee with chapter rules which help 
>  them track and manage use of AUUG funds.

This could be construed as undesirable interference from
AUUG in the chapters. (See my comments about equal subsidies below.)

>- allow chapters to have input into the running of AUUG through a
>  "Chapter Council".  To give chapters a formal way of making
>  recommendations to the Management Committee and to promote contact
>  between the chapters.

A good idea. If equal numbers of rep's from each chapter
sits on the council, that would be an effective way to guide
AUUG's support and utilisation of the chapters.

>- allow a chapter committee to have lots of members (up to 10).  This
>  is a way of getting people involved in Chapter operations.  But also
>  allow a chapter committee to be as small as 2 people (Chairman and
>  Secretary/Treasurer, the minimum required by the Constitution).

I don't see any limitation on chapter committee sizes, other
than the minimum of two.

>- allow members to chose which chapter(s) they wish to belong to.  (If

>- allow chapters to have "affiliates" who do not join AUUG nationally,

Sounds familiar.... didn't I mention that some time back?

>I still have some problems with membership of chapters.  When are you a
>member of a chapter?   I think it is clear enough where you have a
>direct financial interest in a chapter, but what about chapters where
>AUUG provides no funds?  I'd appreciate some suggestions.

People join a chapter, either as a full AUUG member or as a
chapter affiliate.

Personally, I'd prefer chapters to receive a per-AUUG-member
subsidy on an equal basis. I don't think any chapter would
refuse financial support from AUUG. Distribution of funds
within the chapter should be left to the chapter.

>There are also some problems with affiliates.  How do we ensure that
>AUUG funds don't end up being used on non-members?  Should we have
>affiliates at all?

No problem at all. Let the chapters handle the details.
After all, why require them to keep AUUG funds in a separate
pool from those from other sources? Let the chapters set
their own policies.

AUUG has enough to do without keeping track of multiple
financial tracking schemes. The chapter council could advise
the AUUG Managament Committee of acceptable policies under
which AUUG funds could be used by the chapters.

If chapters only receive a per-AUUG-member subsidy, then the
chapter should be able to reasonably use that source of
funds how it sees fit.

>		Chapter Rules from the Constitution

>  (2)	General rules for organisation, operation, obligations and privileges
>  	of chapters shall be resolved by the Management Committee or the
>	membership as a whole from time to time.

That bit allows AUUG to determine how it treats chapters fairly dynamically.

>		Proposed General Rules for Chapters

>Definitions

>A "Financially Endowed Chapter (FEC)" is a Chapter which receives
>direct financial delegation(s) from the Management Committee.  The FEC
>is responsible to the Management Committee for managing financial
>delegation(s) in the interests of AUUG members as defined in these
>rules.

>A "Special Interest Chapter (SIC)" is a Chapter which does not receive
>any direct financial delegation(s) from the Management Committee.  A
>SIC may receive indirect financial assistance (e.g. visits from touring
>speakers), but does not have responsibility for managing any AUUG
>funds.

I believe that the distinction is needlessly complex. Any
particular reason why an SIC should be "discriminated" against?

>Operation

>Rules for the formation of Chapters are defined in the Constitution.

Actually, just the rules as to how the become chapters.

>Responibility for interpreting these rules shall be vested with the 
>Management Committee.

It says so already in the constitution.

>The Management Committee shall be responsible for determining whether a
>Chapter is a FEC or SIC.

Again, why discriminate?

>The Management Committee shall set aside a proportion of the annual
>subscription fees for Chapter activities:

>	Twenty Five (25) percent of each members annual subscription
>	fees shall be available to be used as a direct FEC
>	contribution.  Such money can be delegated to an FEC nominated
>	by each member, for use by the FEC as defined in these rules
>	and subject to other policies as determined from time to time
>	by the Management Committee.

>	In addition, at least fifteen (15) percent of each annual
>	subscription fee shall be used by the Management Committee to
>	foster Chapter activities.  Such money shall be used in support
>	of Chapter (both FEC and SIC) activities in a manner determined
>	by the Management Committee.

>Each AUUG member may delegate their direct FEC contribution to at most
>one FEC.  They shall indicate their preference on their membership
>application/renewal form.

Why not have people join the chapter they want to, and
register their interest that way? That way, the chapter is
immediately aware of the member's status, and can
immediately start providing services. The chapter would be
responsible for passing on the appropriate fees and details
to AUUG.

Anybody who wants to join AUUG only can do so simply by
joining AUUG.

In short, almost nothing changes. The only modification is
that members joining via a chapter have their details and
fees passed to AUUG by the chapter. Obviously, chapters
should not sit on the application forms and funds for too
long.

If AUUG so decides, then a chapter member's AUUG subsidy to
the chapter could be deducted immediately by the chapter,
reducing unnecessary transfers of funds.

>If an AUUG member indicates their preference for a direct FEC

>If a member does not indicate their preference for a direct FEC

I believe that the distinction between FEC and SIC
over-complicate the situation and will in the long run, lead
to much confusion.

>Chapter Committee

Why all these rules? Sure, you can use them as a guide to
see if an association is acceptable as a chapter, but in
essence, I believe that they construe unnecessary
interference in the running of chapters.

>The Chapter Committee shall be responsible to the Management Committee
>for the operation of the Chapter.

Actually, that could be legally frustrating. If the chapter
is already incorporated in another state, laws in the
various states may prevent such a relationship.

To cut it short:

Why not simply provide chapters with the AUUG constitution
as a template? If it's a new association, or one just about
to incorporate, then they will appreciate the shortcut in
getting set up.
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