🚀 go-pugleaf

I've been following this discussion (along with the many previous ones
in both aus.auug and on the executive) for some time.  Peter's is the
first real proposal about chapters to be published and is a good point
to start the discussions from.  (Just as an aside, there is a
sub-committee working on it and I though Peter was on it?)

Anyway, down to specific comments (in some random order):

	1) WAUUG is a chapter of AUUG, as is COSUG (is that the right
name for Canberra), SWIGS and SESSPOOLE.  Due to the lack of rules
previously, they all qualified.

	2) I agree with Bernd that the SIC stuff should be dropped,
SWIGS is the only chapter that I would not currently want AUUG's money
in (and I don't think they would want it at present).  But even there
things like Summer Conferences would be under their banner so all their
"funding" could be directed to that.

	3) Regarding "incorporation" of separate chapters, I don't think
that legally they can.  Ignoring the history of how chapters happened
within AUUG, the wording from the AUUG Constitution is that members
partition "to form a chapter of AUUG".  They are not separate bodies
that join AUUG, but an integral part of AUUG.  (In this regard WAUUG
causes a major headache as they are much more like an affiliated
organisation.)

	4) There should be some limit on the size of the chapter
committee size, if only to make elections sensible.  More than that a
very large committee is unworkable.  Remember these are the people held
responsible for the chapters management, if you diminish the
responsibility too much then there is no one to prosecute :-).  Also the
number should be odd (i.e. a max of 9).  There is nothing stopping
people from either attending committee meetings and offering opinions or
the committee co-opting others on a subcommittee.  As an example, aside
from the AUUG Management Committee, AUUG has positions for the AUUGN
editor, the returning officer and the assistant returning officer.

	5) With regard to members joining chapters I feel they should
indicate their preference to the AUUG secretariat for three reasons:
	i) Many people many not know about a local chapter and so the
	   secretariat can help.  If you expect them to walk in off the
	   street they probably won't.
	ii) If a member joins a chapter you will have to check with the
	   Secretariat anyway to ensure they are not already a member
	   else where.  Remember initially many current members will be
	   becoming chapter members as they learn about local
	   activities.
	iii) If a member wants to disassociate himself from a chapter he
	   may be unwilling to approach the chapter, but willing to
	   contact Secretariat.

	6) Membership of chapters by Institutional members is a much
more difficult issue (and not addressed in the original proposal).  One
possibility is that Institutional members may join one (two?) chapters
(the chapter receiving 25% of an individual membership) and if they wish
to join additional chapters then they need to pay an additional fee.

	7) Funding is obviously one of the major issues.  The amounts
you have specified are probably too small, but that can be adjusted
later (i.e. 25% (~$20/head) won't really cover all the activities at the
local level).  Some of the other money allocated to chapters will
probably have to go "directly" to them.  The other issue in funding is
the indirect costs.  Particularly the use of various AUUG services.
WAUUG is unlikely to use the secretariat much, whereas SWIGS would.  Is
this an issue that we should worry about?  Personally I think not
because it would be too difficult, but these costs would then be swept
into the general chapter bucket.

	8) Rules governing the reporting probably need to be tighter.
Brief reports probably need to be submitted to the AUUG Management
committee at every meeting (both from the Chapter chairman (as a
separate item?) and the Secretary/Treasures (through the AUUG Treasurer)).
A financial statement will also have to be submitted at the close of the
AUUG Financial year (currently 31st May).

	9) Chapter Affiliates.  It would be nice if everyone was a member
of AUUG, but we are probably stuck with them.  Anyway, their fee should
be "at least 40%" of the AUUG membership (currently you have "equal to
40%").  This gives the chapter a chance to cover other expenses if
needed.  I agree with the principles you state, however, they will
strongly disadvantage WAUUG (particularly regarding voting rights).
I think this item needs much further discussion.

	Anyway those are my comments, the proposal looks good and with
some further changes it should work.

								Frank