Fwd: Bylaws committee

[Alex Dehnert]

Hi folks,
See below email for plans for bylaws amendments (as discussed at
last week's meeting).

If you'd like to join the bylaws committee, please let me know or add
yourself at https://groups.google.com/g/dsnc-bylaws/. I've tried to add
everyone I knew was interested, but if you didn't get the forwarded
email below (or a reply today), I missed you and you'll need to join.
Also, please fill out https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G to help
schedule our first meeting.

Thanks,
Alex


-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: Bylaws committee
Date: Thu, 21 May 2026 01:23:49 -0400
From: Alex Dehnert <al...@dehnerts.com>
To: dsnc-...@googlegroups.com

Hi folks,
I've made a new bylaws committee mailing list. You've all indicated
some form of interest in bylaws in the past, so I've added you to the
list (hence getting this email) -- if you're no longer interested, you
can of course leave.

As I mentioned at Monday's meeting, here's my plan going forward:
- Encourage folks who are interested to join the list
- Schedule some meetings (see link at the end) for discussing the
various proposals (my inclination is to do this over Zoom)
- Starting next meeting, submit amendments to start the one month clock
- Provide to the membership with each proposed amendment a brief
argument in favor and (for any controversial amendments) an argument
against adopting the amendment
- Encourage discussion on dsnc-discussions before the meeting -- ideally
by the time we're voting on the amendments, people feel like they've
heard the arguments and had a chance to discuss, and we'll need less
time in the meeting
- Vote at subsequent meetings (so no earlier than the end-of-July meeting)

The doc from the earlier bylaw effort is at
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?tab=t.izkv334psuap#heading=h.q8gja1h8rcea
-- I'll be working from that to guide our discussion.

I'm not sure whether we'll be able to get through the everything in the
first month (much less the first meeting), so if anyone has thoughts on
which proposals to prioritize, let me know. I'll put out an agenda
before our first meeting.

As to meeting time: If you'd like to attend a meeting, please fill out
https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G soon. I might start thinking
about scheduling on Friday, depending on response rate.

Thanks,
Alex

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[jlau...@comcast.net]

Alan,

At the April general meeting the attendees gave unanimous consent to breaking out the quorum issue as a separate item.  The problem deserves the highest priority before any new votes on the bylaws are taken.

The current quorum number is eight members, which can be manipulated to give the nine-member executive board the right to act independently of the council membership on all matters-- or even used to give a clique of five executive members unfettered authority.

The most natural approach is to tie the quorum to a percentage of the vote for officers in the previous general election.  Fifteen percent (15%) seems a natural requirement, as it represents the rounded-up one-seventh threshold under the single transferable vote method for election of the seven board members, excluding the president and vice president.  This year the quorum would be 60-odd members, which has, I believe, been achieved in our recent meetings.

Lee Auspitz

_________________
Josiah Lee Auspitz
17 Chapel Street 

Somerville, MA 02144 

Landline phone: 617-628-6228 fax: 617-628-9441

Phones do not receive text messages

---

From: dsnc-...@googlegroups.com <dsnc-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Alex Dehnert <al...@dehnerts.com>
Sent: Saturday, May 30, 2026 9:42 PM
To: dsnc-...@googlegroups.com <dsnc-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Bylaws committee

 

Let's meet at *3pm Wednesday* on Zoom[2] -- of our five responses, we
can't get everyone at any time, but at least this gets us four people.

Please let me know by tomorrow evening if anybody has amendments[1] they
would particularly like us to discuss or not discuss this week. ("I care
a lot about amendment X, but can't make this Wednesday" is a fine reason
to ask for an amendment to not be prioritized.)

I'll aim to get an ordered list of amendments to discuss out before the
meeting.

~~Alex

[1]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.cpccdegf9rut

[2] Alex Dehnert is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: DSNC bylaws
Time: Jun 3, 2026 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://mit.zoom.us/j/97942229454?pwd=bsIeRI8aziPbbyoD0h0ZuOuwBQuCte.1

Password: 413161

One tap mobile
+16465588656,,97942229454# US (New York)
+16699006833,,97942229454# US (San Jose)

Meeting ID: 979 4222 9454

US : +1 646 558 8656 or +1 669 900 6833

International Numbers: https://mit.zoom.us/u/aezMG9cLvn

Join by SIP
97942...@zoomcrc.com

Join by Skype for Business
https://mit.zoom.us/skype/97942229454


On 5/27/26 02:01, Alex Dehnert wrote:
> Hi folks,
>     Reminder to fill out https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G if
> you want to discuss bylaws.
>
> ~~Alex

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dsnc-bylaws/658d65e5-1c62-4ad1-89ec-42ba5621f08c%40dehnerts.com.

[JOSIAH AUSPITZ]

All,

 

Basing the quorum on the most recent DSNC annual election turnout is self-correcting annually.  In the event of shrinking interest in the DSNC, this will be reflected in lower turnout and thus a lower quorum requirement.  For example, the 2025 quorum would have been geared to the 166 votes cast-- for a 25-person quorum, as opposed to the 60+ number for 2026.

 

Bear in mind that the only externally directed voting matter that "counts" for purposes authorized by the City is approving a negotiated community benefit agreement supported by an inclusive, fully representative cross-section of the neighborhood.  Anything beyond that is purely advisory to the relevant City agencies, or internally to  the DSNC itself. 

 

It is, of course, possible-- though in my view not desirable--to set a different quorum level for specialized issues like that upcoming on June 3 on the Elmway Committee's work.  But here, too, for the very reasons Colin cites, it is more prudent to tie the level to an annually adjusted number rather than to a permanent number plucked out of thin air.

 

As we all understand, the purpose of such measures as quorums, due notice, advance filing of agendas, super majorities etc. is to prevent a narrow rump of insiders from running away with the show-- a result contrary to the authorizing City ordinance.

 

Lee Auspitz

 

 

I'd advise against setting the quorum requirement too high. "Inability to meet quorum" is a common cause of nonprofits failing. It's a one-way ratchet because you can always vote to *increase* quorum when you have strong attendance, but if you don't have the critical mass to achieve quorum, you can't ever vote to *decrease* quorum and the org fails to be able to conduct any business at all.

 

I agree that the current number is far too low but something like 15-20 would be much more reasonable. I'd hesitate to project future attendance based on current trends; if the Copper Mill folks suddenly packed up and left, I suspect DSNC attendance would decline significantly because there wouldn't be nearly as much short-term controversy driving people to attend meetings.

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[Ashish Shrestha]

HiColin is right that a high quorum requirement is a concern given the invariably shifting interest in projects.  If Copper Mill were to exit tomorrow, its unlikely we would regularly hit the proposed 60 member quorum during general meetings.  Furthermore, due to our (thankfully!) easy election voting process, its entirely possible that people will vote remotely but rarely attend meetings, meaning that the denominator can easily grow very large while the numerator requires sustained interest and may not grow as rapidly. 

Even if the election voter count were to drop in the next cycle, that would still render the council useless for potentially a year.

Concerns about CBAs hitting quorums also seem unfounded.  Due to a recent bylaw amendment, CBAs now require a 1 week voting period with remote voting same as elections.  If, even with this voting accessibility, there is still a low vote count, then I think this suggests apathy and lack of interest instead of the power of a small minority to "steal" a vote by abusing rules.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dsnc-bylaws/1905421722.233348.1780257942261%40connect.xfinity.com.

[Colin McMillen]

I'd advise against setting the quorum requirement too high. "Inability to meet quorum" is a common cause of nonprofits failing. It's a one-way ratchet because you can always vote to *increase* quorum when you have strong attendance, but if you don't have the critical mass to achieve quorum, you can't ever vote to *decrease* quorum and the org fails to be able to conduct any business at all.

I agree that the current number is far too low but something like 15-20 would be much more reasonable. I'd hesitate to project future attendance based on current trends; if the Copper Mill folks suddenly packed up and left, I suspect DSNC attendance would decline significantly because there wouldn't be nearly as much short-term controversy driving people to attend meetings.

On Sun, May 31, 2026, at 10:14 AM, 'jlau...@comcast.net' via Davis Square Neighborhood Council wrote:

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[Colin McMillen]

"Self correcting annually" is way too slow. Being unable to do any official business for a year would be disastrous.

(I'm also unaware of any other bodies that with this way. We don't set City Council or town meeting quorums based on how many people voted in the last election.)

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/1905421722.233348.1780257942261%40connect.xfinity.com.

[Chris Lahey]

The rule I tried to bring from another organization I was in was 50% of the average is the last 3 meetings. This is self correcting in a quarter and has a lot of wiggle room. It does mean if you have one or two giant meetings, you fail to reach work for the next 3 meetings.

We could also include a cap. We could make it 50% of our recent average or 25, whichever is smaller. Or take 50% of the median of the last 3 meetings. Then as soon as you have 2 small meetings, you're set, and if you only have one giant meeting, it's never a problem. I actually like that quite a bit. 

Yeah, 50% of the median of the last 3 meetings sounds like a good balance.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/85dc87b6-56a7-4beb-bc1f-6c9ee5a56f12%40app.fastmail.com.

[Ashish Shrestha]

As an aside, discussing Amendment 45 which is the quorum amendment.  I've included the full text of the amendment at the end of the email for quick reference.

The second paragraph of Amendment 45 proposes essentially a re-vote system whereby members can request an electronic vote for things voted on in-person during a meeting.  I'm requesting input from those familiar with our OpaVote system or involved in the most recent election, in order to understand if this is feasible from an organization and labor perspective.  We are an all-volunteer organization, so I'm curious whether putting together a vote like this very quickly is trivial or would be prone to delays.

If it is feasible, I'd like to propose splitting this off into a separate amendment.  I believe it proposes effectively an alternate solution to the problem that quorum requirements attempt to solve, i.e. it makes it impossible to push controversial decisions through without input from the broader community by instead dropping the barrier-to-entry for community input.  I think this is generally a better solution as it allows for low-interest items to make it through without risk of being stopped due to apathy.

Text of Proposed Amendment 45:

Replace Section 6.6 Quorum with the following:

 

Five percent of the number of active members of the DSNC shall constitute a quorum. Votes may be taken at a DSNC meeting if a quorum is present (counting both online and in-person attendees).

 

The results of in-meeting votes (other than procedural motions) shall be posted to the email list and DSNC website within five days after each meeting. After the results are posted, members shall have seven days to request that any issue be reconsidered by the full membership via an electronic vote (using tools similar to the ones used for DSNC elections). Such requests may be sent by email to the DSNC officers or to the email list. If at least ten members request that a particular issue be reconsidered via electronic re-vote, the re-vote shall occur and shall override the results of the in-meeting vote; otherwise, the results of the in-meeting vote shall stand. Electronic re-votes shall be announced and held as soon as is practical after the required number of requests is reached, and voting shall be open for a period determined by the officers that is no less than seven days and no more than thirty days.

[Alex Dehnert]

Looking at the people who filled out the when2meet and those who are participating in this thread, there doesn't seem to be much overlap, which makes changes to the quorum requirement seem like a somewhat poor choice for Wednesday. Are there people who are planning to come who feel prepared to discuss it? (Presumably who either haven't chimed in on the thread yet or who didn't fill out the when2meet, or both.)

[Louisa Stephens Bissett]

Hi Alex & all,

I plan to attend the meeting, so I wasn’t saying much here. I am the person who offhandedly flagged the existing quorum as problematic in the meeting a few months ago and apologize I didn’t have a solution available then. 

Eight is much too low for an organization our size. I agree that we don’t want to make it so high that it hinders progress. An auto updating approach is a creative solution that should help prevent the need to update the bylaws as we hopefully grow. But I’m concerned about making the formula too complicated. Kendra (and future Secretaries) will need to maintain the relevant numbers and it might be too much to ask her to recalculate the latest quorum every month. 

Best,

Louisa

Sent from my iPhone

On May 31, 2026, at 9:39 PM, Alex Dehnert <al...@dehnerts.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/EEC8DD0B-A383-4A19-A77F-AFDF7526EA96%40dehnerts.com.

[Rebecca Rogers]

I am going to be there Wednesday and am happy to discuss then.  I’ve been traveling this weekend and don’t have the ability to write much on this topic today.  I can set aside some time between now and Wednesday to consider the available options to discuss then.

Regarding Opavote, it’s not exactly trivial. First, it costs about $50 for each vote.  There was also a fair bit of me and the secretary individually reaching out to voters regarding bounced emails, etc.  Additionally, a significant share of our membership is not comfortable with online voting at all.  It still might be worth doing, but there are real costs in terms of money, volunteer time, and the ability of some folks to participate.

--Rebecca

On May 31, 2026, at 21:39, Alex Dehnert <al...@dehnerts.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/EEC8DD0B-A383-4A19-A77F-AFDF7526EA96%40dehnerts.com.

[David Booth]

Some comments:

1. I agree with the idea of basing quorum on a percentage of the median
of the last 3 meetings, but I think there should also be a fixed
absolute minimum, in case participation dwindles so much that the group
cannot be considered representative. And I agree with Chris Lahey's
point that the median is a much better measure than the "average" (i.e.,
mathematical mean), for use in computing such a percentage.

2. I don't think the re-vote idea in proposed amendment 45 is wise. It
essentially tells people that they do not need to be engaged unless a
vote passes, at which point they can force a re-vote. That does not
seem to me like a good way to operate.

3. Proposed amendment 45 uses the term "active members", but the bylaws
do not currently define that term, nor does the proposed amendment. The
term should be defined if it is used. For example, does participation
on the email list qualify someone as an "active member"?

Thanks,
David Booth

On 5/31/26 21:38, Alex Dehnert wrote:
> Looking at the people who filled out the when2meet and those who are
> participating in this thread, there doesn't seem to be much overlap,
> which makes changes to the quorum requirement seem like a somewhat poor
> choice for Wednesday. Are there people who are planning to come who feel
> prepared to discuss it? (Presumably who either haven't chimed in on the
> thread yet or who didn't fill out the when2meet, or both.)
>
>
> On May 31, 2026 9:11:07 PM EDT, Ashish Shrestha
> <ashres...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> As an aside, discussing Amendment 45 which is the quorum amendment.
> I've included the full text of the amendment at the end of the email
> for quick reference.
>
> The second paragraph of Amendment 45 proposes essentially a re-vote
> system whereby members can request an electronic vote for things

> voted on in-person during a meeting. *I'm requesting input from

> those familiar with our OpaVote system or involved in the most
> recent election, in order to understand if this is feasible from an

> organization and labor perspective. *We are an all-volunteer

> organization, so I'm curious whether putting together a vote like
> this very quickly is trivial or would be prone to delays.
>
> If it is feasible, I'd like to propose splitting this off into a
> separate amendment.  I believe it proposes effectively an alternate
> solution to the problem that quorum requirements attempt to solve,
> i.e. it makes it impossible to push controversial decisions through
> without input from the broader community by instead dropping the
> barrier-to-entry for community input.  I think this is generally a
> better solution as it allows for low-interest items to make it
> through without risk of being stopped due to apathy.
>

> *Text of Proposed Amendment 45:*

> __

>>>> 17 Chapel Street <https://www.google.com/maps/
>>>> search/17+Chapel+Street+Somerville,+MA+02144?
>>>> entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>> Somerville, MA 02144 <https://www.google.com/maps/
>>>> search/17+Chapel+Street+Somerville,+MA+02144?
>>>> entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>> /Landline phone: 617-628-6228 <tel:(617)%20628-6228>
>>>> fax: 617-628-9441 <tel:(617)%20628-9441>/
>>>> /Phones do not receive text messages/
>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>
>>>> *From:* dsnc-...@googlegroups.com

>>>> <dsnc-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Alex Dehnert
>>>> <al...@dehnerts.com>

>>>> *Sent:* Saturday, May 30, 2026 9:42 PM
>>>> *To:* dsnc-...@googlegroups.com <dsnc-...@googlegroups.com>
>>>> *Subject:* Re: Bylaws committee

>>>> Let's meet at *3pm Wednesday* on Zoom[2] -- of our five
>>>> responses, we
>>>> can't get everyone at any time, but at least this gets
>>>> us four people.
>>>> Please let me know by tomorrow evening if anybody has
>>>> amendments[1] they
>>>> would particularly like us to discuss or not discuss
>>>> this week. ("I care
>>>> a lot about amendment X, but can't make this Wednesday"
>>>> is a fine reason
>>>> to ask for an amendment to not be prioritized.)
>>>> I'll aim to get an ordered list of amendments to discuss
>>>> out before the
>>>> meeting.
>>>> ~~Alex
>>>> [1]
>>>> https://docs.google.com/document/
>>>> d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?

>>>> tab=t.0#heading=h.cpccdegf9rut <https://docs.google.com/
>>>> document/d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/
>>>> edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.cpccdegf9rut>

>>>> [2] Alex Dehnert is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom
>>>> meeting.
>>>> Topic: DSNC bylaws
>>>> Time: Jun 3, 2026 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
>>>> Join Zoom Meeting
>>>> https://mit.zoom.us/j/97942229454?

>>>> pwd=bsIeRI8aziPbbyoD0h0ZuOuwBQuCte.1 <https://
>>>> mit.zoom.us/j/97942229454?
>>>> pwd=bsIeRI8aziPbbyoD0h0ZuOuwBQuCte.1>

>>>> Password: 413161
>>>> One tap mobile

>>>> +16465588656 <tel:(646)%20558-8656>,,97942229454# US
>>>> (New York)
>>>> +16699006833 <tel:(669)%20900-6833>,,97942229454# US

>>>> (San Jose)
>>>> Meeting ID: 979 4222 9454

>>>> US : +1 646 558 8656 <tel:(646)%20558-8656> or +1 669
>>>> 900 6833 <tel:(669)%20900-6833>
>>>> International Numbers: https://mit.zoom.us/u/aezMG9cLvn

>>>> <https://mit.zoom.us/u/aezMG9cLvn>
>>>> Join by SIP
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>>>> Join by Skype for Business

>>>> https://mit.zoom.us/skype/97942229454 <https://
>>>> mit.zoom.us/skype/97942229454>

>>>> On 5/27/26 02:01, Alex Dehnert wrote:
>>>> > Hi folks,
>>>> >     Reminder to fill out https://www.when2meet.com/?

>>>> 36794724-POn5G <https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-
>>>> POn5G> if

>>>> docs.google.com/ <https://docs.google.com/>
>>>> >> document/
>>>> d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?

>>>> >> tab=t.izkv334psuap#heading=h.q8gja1h8rcea -- I'll be
>>>> working from that
>>>> >> to guide our discussion.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> I'm not sure whether we'll be able to get through the
>>>> everything in
>>>> >> the first month (much less the first meeting), so if
>>>> anyone has
>>>> >> thoughts on which proposals to prioritize, let me
>>>> know. I'll put out
>>>> >> an agenda before our first meeting.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> As to meeting time: If you'd like to attend a
>>>> meeting, please fill out

>>>> >> https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G <https://
>>>> www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G> soon. I might start

>>>> thinking
>>>> >> about scheduling on Friday, depending on response rate.
>>>> >>
>>>> >> Thanks,
>>>> >> Alex
>>>> >>
>>>> >
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[Ashish Shrestha]

David,

The current system we have where your voice only counts if you are available to meet on one Monday evening a month is far worse. It's discriminatory against the working class, especially service workers who often have night shifts, families especially with young children, and anyone with busy schedules. It essential only favors retirees and those in the upper class with plenty of free time.  There's a reason we, locally and nationally, are trying to encourage remote voting to increase voter engagement and turnout. 

Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC
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[Alex Dehnert]

(DavisSquareNC to BCC, +dsnc-bylaws)

DavisSquareNC will imminently be our announce list, so I'm moving it to
BCC. Almost everyone is already on dsnc-bylaws, but those of you who
aren't I encourage you to join at https://groups.google.com/g/dsnc-bylaws.

Sounds like we do have a couple people who can speak to this who are
coming Wednesday, so I'll plan to include it on the agenda.

>> things voted on in-person during a meeting. *I'm requesting input

>> from those familiar with our OpaVote system or involved in the
>> most recent election, in order to understand if this is feasible

>> from an organization and labor perspective. *We are an all-

>> volunteer organization, so I'm curious whether putting together a
>> vote like this very quickly is trivial or would be prone to delays.
>>
>> If it is feasible, I'd like to propose splitting this off into a
>> separate amendment.  I believe it proposes effectively an
>> alternate solution to the problem that quorum requirements attempt
>> to solve, i.e. it makes it impossible to push controversial
>> decisions through without input from the broader community by
>> instead dropping the barrier-to-entry for community input.  I
>> think this is generally a better solution as it allows for low-
>> interest items to make it through without risk of being stopped
>> due to apathy.
>>

>> *Text of Proposed Amendment 45:*
>>

>> __

>>>>> 17 Chapel Street <https://www.google.com/maps/
>>>>> search/17+Chapel+Street+Somerville,+MA+02144?
>>>>> entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>>> Somerville, MA 02144 <https://www.google.com/maps/
>>>>> search/17+Chapel+Street+Somerville,+MA+02144?
>>>>> entry=gmail&source=g>
>>>>> /Landline phone: 617-628-6228 <tel:(617)%20628-6228>
>>>>> fax: 617-628-9441 <tel:(617)%20628-9441>/
>>>>> /Phones do not receive text messages/
>>>>> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>

>>>>> *From:* dsnc-...@googlegroups.com

>>>>> <dsnc-...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Alex Dehnert
>>>>> <al...@dehnerts.com>

>>>>> *Sent:* Saturday, May 30, 2026 9:42 PM
>>>>> *To:* dsnc-...@googlegroups.com <dsnc-...@googlegroups.com>
>>>>> *Subject:* Re: Bylaws committee

>>>>> Let's meet at *3pm Wednesday* on Zoom[2] -- of our five
>>>>> responses, we
>>>>> can't get everyone at any time, but at least this gets
>>>>> us four people.
>>>>> Please let me know by tomorrow evening if anybody has
>>>>> amendments[1] they
>>>>> would particularly like us to discuss or not discuss
>>>>> this week. ("I care
>>>>> a lot about amendment X, but can't make this Wednesday"
>>>>> is a fine reason
>>>>> to ask for an amendment to not be prioritized.)
>>>>> I'll aim to get an ordered list of amendments to
>>>>> discuss out before the
>>>>> meeting.
>>>>> ~~Alex
>>>>> [1]
>>>>> https://docs.google.com/document/
>>>>> d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?

>>>>> tab=t.0#heading=h.cpccdegf9rut <https://
>>>>> docs.google.com/document/
>>>>> d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?
>>>>> tab=t.0#heading=h.cpccdegf9rut>

>>>>> [2] Alex Dehnert is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom
>>>>> meeting.
>>>>> Topic: DSNC bylaws
>>>>> Time: Jun 3, 2026 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
>>>>> Join Zoom Meeting

>>>>> https://mit.zoom.us/j/97942229454?
>>>>> pwd=bsIeRI8aziPbbyoD0h0ZuOuwBQuCte.1 <https://
>>>>> mit.zoom.us/j/97942229454?
>>>>> pwd=bsIeRI8aziPbbyoD0h0ZuOuwBQuCte.1>

>>>>> Password: 413161
>>>>> One tap mobile

>>>>> +16465588656 <tel:(646)%20558-8656>,,97942229454# US
>>>>> (New York)

>>>>> +16699006833 <tel:(669)%20900-6833>,,97942229454# US

>>>>> (San Jose)
>>>>> Meeting ID: 979 4222 9454

>>>>> US : +1 646 558 8656 <tel:(646)%20558-8656> or +1 669

>>>>> 900 6833 <tel:(669)%20900-6833>
>>>>> International Numbers: https://mit.zoom.us/u/aezMG9cLvn

>>>>> <https://mit.zoom.us/u/aezMG9cLvn>
>>>>> Join by SIP
>>>>> 97942...@zoomcrc.com
>>>>> Join by Skype for Business

>>>>> https://mit.zoom.us/skype/97942229454 <https://
>>>>> mit.zoom.us/skype/97942229454>

>>>>> On 5/27/26 02:01, Alex Dehnert wrote:
>>>>> > Hi folks,

>>>>> >     Reminder to fill out https://www.when2meet.com/?
>>>>> 36794724-POn5G <https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-

>>>>> POn5G> if

>>>>> >> The doc from the earlier bylaw effort is at https://
>>>>> docs.google.com/ <https://docs.google.com/>
>>>>> >> document/
>>>>> d/1Ka6Ddd9P1tBYfsmp2MkZi2l1mqGysh2XaahwzfZBkJQ/edit?

>>>>> >> tab=t.izkv334psuap#heading=h.q8gja1h8rcea -- I'll be
>>>>> working from that
>>>>> >> to guide our discussion.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> I'm not sure whether we'll be able to get through
>>>>> the everything in
>>>>> >> the first month (much less the first meeting), so if
>>>>> anyone has
>>>>> >> thoughts on which proposals to prioritize, let me
>>>>> know. I'll put out
>>>>> >> an agenda before our first meeting.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> As to meeting time: If you'd like to attend a
>>>>> meeting, please fill out

>>>>> >> https://www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G <https://
>>>>> www.when2meet.com/?36794724-POn5G> soon. I might start

>>>>> thinking
>>>>> >> about scheduling on Friday, depending on response rate.
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >> Thanks,
>>>>> >> Alex
>>>>> >>
>>>>> >
>>>>> --
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>>>>> To view this discussion visit https://
>>>>> groups.google.com/d/msgid/dsnc-
>>>>> bylaws/658d65e5-1c62-4ad1-89ec-42ba5621f08c%40dehnerts.com <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/dsnc-bylaws/658d65e5-1c62-4ad1-89ec-42ba5621f08c%40dehnerts.com>.
>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/
>>>>> optout <https://groups.google.com/d/optout>.
>>>>>

>>>>> --

>>>>> Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://
>>>>> DavisSquareNC.org <https://DavisSquareNC.org> ·
>>>>> https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC <https://linktr.ee/
>>>>> DavisSquareNC>

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>>>
>>>

>>> --

>>> Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://
>>> DavisSquareNC.org <https://DavisSquareNC.org> · https://

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>>

>> --

>> Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://
>> DavisSquareNC.org <https://DavisSquareNC.org> · https://

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>> Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org

>> <https://DavisSquareNC.org> · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC

>> <https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC>
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>

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> Davis Square Neighborhood Council · https://DavisSquareNC.org <https://
> DavisSquareNC.org> · https://linktr.ee/DavisSquareNC <https://linktr.ee/
> DavisSquareNC>

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[Edward Woll]

I will be there also by zoom. I gather there is no in person gathering.

I think separating out the quorum issue is important and will be useful.  We should go through a number of scenarios.

Ed Woll

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/EEC8DD0B-A383-4A19-A77F-AFDF7526EA96%40dehnerts.com.

[Edward Woll]

For example, here is what Google AI says in response to the following inquiry: 

What is a good measure of a quorum for a non-profit volunteer community benefits organzation whose active membership is 450 and whose members hold a wide range of views?

A quorum of 10% of active members (45 people) is the standard industry recommendation for a volunteer-heavy non-profit of your size.

Why 10% is the Sweet Spot

• Prevents Gridlock: Volunteer organizations struggle with attendance. Setting the bar too high means you cannot legally vote on official business. [1]
• Ensures Representation: With 450 members holding diverse views, 45 people provide a large enough group to prevent a tiny faction from taking over.
• Standard Legal Baseline: Many state laws default to 10% for non-profit membership voting if the bylaws do not specify a number.

Alternative Options to Consider

• Fixed Number (e.g., 25 or 30 members): Safer than a percentage if your membership numbers fluctuate wildly year to year.
• Sliding Scale: 10% for standard meetings, but a higher threshold (like 20% or 25%) for major decisions like changing bylaws or electing board members. [1]

Safeguards for Diverse Views

Because your membership holds a wide range of opinions, a lower quorum can sometimes risk a "surprise vote" where one faction shows up in secret to pass a controversial measure. Protect your organization with these rules:

• Strict Notice Requirements: Require 14 to 30 days of advance notice via email for all voting items. Never allow unannounced major votes. [1]
• Proxy or Electronic Voting: Allow members to vote online or via proxy if they cannot attend in person. This ensures maximum participation despite busy volunteer schedules.
• Higher Vote Thresholds: Require a two-thirds (66%) majority, rather than a simple majority (51%), for highly contentious or important organizational decisions. [1]

---

[Alex Dehnert]

Zoom-only (see way below for the meeting details)

On Mon, 1 Jun 2026, Conor Brennan wrote:

> Is this meeting on Wednesday Zoom or in person?
>
> Conor Brennan
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jun 1, 2026, at 3:40 PM, Edward Woll <e...@woll.us> wrote:
>
> I will be there also by zoom. I gather there is no in person gathering.

> ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

> To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/BC549B7E-A2AD-45FD-B05A-6D189803246C%40woll.us.
>
>
>

[Conor Brennan]

Is this meeting on Wednesday Zoom or in person?

Conor Brennan

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 1, 2026, at 3:40 PM, Edward Woll <e...@woll.us> wrote:

I will be there also by zoom. I gather there is no in person gathering.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/BC549B7E-A2AD-45FD-B05A-6D189803246C%40woll.us.

[Chris Lahey]

I'm not the secretary, so they should correct me if I'm wrong, but the burden of the system I'm proposing is in keeping track of attendance counts. The math is: look at the last 3 numbers, pick the one in the middle and divide by 2 which I think is quite simple. Assuming we're already keeping attendance counts, this is trivial. 

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/davissquarenc/EDFCEAA8-3FB3-4B4A-8498-E95335391BD6%40gmail.com.