Proposed Rules for Bylaws Debate

12 views
Skip to first unread message

Scott Alspach

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 4:27:20 AM2/19/19
to 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa
43rd Bylaws Committee,
I have included James Apa on this email as he will be serving as the 43rd's parliamentarian at the general membership meeting.  

During our meeting on Monday evening we discussed the process for adopting the proposed bylaws and it became clear that we could use proposed rules to guide the discussion and ensure a process that is fair to our PCOs and allows them to effectively consider the proposal we have put recommended. 

The below document is my attempt at drafting proposed rules. It was modeled after the process used during the 43rd's 2018 caucus to discuss the platform.  The basic outline is:
  1. Bylaws Committee Chair explains entire proposal.
  2. Take 10 minutes of questions from PCOs and members, additional 5 minutes upon 50% PCO vote.
  3. Go through each section and ask for a show of hands as to who thinks it warrants further discussion. A minimum of 5 PCOs are required to flag a section for further review.  Once a section is flagged the Chair shall ask for a show of hands to determine the priority of the change to the PCOs in attendance.
  4. Chair will call for a vote on non-flagged sections.
  5. Discuss each flagged section in order of the "priority" strawpoll taken during flagging.
  6. Proposed rules for debate during the discussion of flagged sections.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vf0nz2j23cq3E4VqyCcXLF0dPZZlmHTYbTBw2Q1ZIwo/edit

The intention behind the "priority vote" concept during flagging is to make sure that PCOs get a chance to discuss the issues that are most important to them. I believe that the alternative, discussing each flagged section in the order listed in the bylaws, would likely lead to the body spending more time on issues that may be important to a few PCOs while ignoring the desires of others.  

I would greatly appreciate any comments you have on this proposal. I left multiple comments explaining my intent and a few open question I have. My goal is for these rules to be adopted by unanimous consent, I think that they are very similar to the process the 43rd has used for debate in other circumstances and will help to keep things on track tomorrow evening.

I am uncertain how best to propose it to the body at the meeting and would appreciate any thoughts you all have on that.

Can this committee recommend this proposal (after modification)?
If not, what will it take to bring the proposal to the body for approval at the meeting?  I would be happy to bring copies myself and have someone move to adopt them as rules for the bylaws process if that is what is required.

Thanks,
Scott

Angyl

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 5:36:03 AM2/19/19
to Scott Alspach, 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa
Looks good to me. Fair, focused on the expressed will of the voters, respectful of voters’ time and priorities.

Yes.

I’ll only be available to check in a couple times tomorrow afternoon, so I’d also like to express clear approval of the intents outlined in the proposal and my reply, and any changes that emerge deemed to better align with those intentions procedurally.

- Angyl

Sent from ProtonMail Mobile
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to 43rd-bylaws...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send email to 43rd-...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/43rd-bylaws/CA%2B7_OahJgy2XATHQfJ%2BkxPr2V33BOkYwD_ANZx_fNY5Qui6nVw%40mail.gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.


Amy Madden

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 8:14:53 AM2/19/19
to Angyl, Scott Alspach, 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa

Brad Bell

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 2:31:30 PM2/19/19
to Amy Madden, Angyl, Scott Alspach, 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa

Scott Alspach

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 6:22:07 PM2/19/19
to Brad Bell, Amy Madden, Angyl, 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa
I made a few modifications suggested by Angyl and Tara and will bring copies in the packet we will have for PCOs tonight.

James Williams

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 6:25:19 PM2/19/19
to Scott Alspach, Brad Bell, Amy Madden, Angyl, 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa

Angyl

unread,
Feb 19, 2019, 6:42:48 PM2/19/19
to Scott Alspach, Brad Bell, Amy Madden, 43rd District Democrats Rules and Bylaws Committee, James Apa
Yes to the changes if earlier yes doesn’t cover it.

Sent from ProtonMail Mobile
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages