http://get.cooptools.ca/tags/governance The taxonomy view with a depth of 0. en http://get.cooptools.ca/node/102 <p> <a href="http://bettermeans.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTlgH6IhGdRxdPJA1pkga9XPHY_8Ef3YopFNSPILv-onTrHehyG" alt="snapshot of Bettermeans.com" hspace="10" vspace="2" align="right" /></a> <a href="http://bettermeans.com" target="_blank"><strong>BetterMeans.com</strong></a> has recently released a web based &quot;open and democratic project management tool&quot;, and it looks very promising.  Along with basic tools like a wiki, discussion boards and document storage, it has array of tools for <span class="span-12 left whitebox"><span class="span-6 left colborder">collectively prioritizing tasks, estimatating work item complexity, reviewing work, </span></span>allocating compensation, and voting on motions.  The entire system seems to be built around a set of values that enforce and promote transparency, accountability, cooperation, pragmatism, and distributed leadership. </p> <p> I could imagine it working with open source developers, maybe some collaborative scientists, activist collectives, and dnew not-for-profits.  I look forward to seeing how this tool evolves, what kinds of groups use and what for. </p> <!--break--> democracry governance software web Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:05:58 -0700 Jason Diceman 102 at http://get.cooptools.ca http://get.cooptools.ca/list/doc/committee_terms_reference_template It is a good idea that each committee of an organization (AKA team, working group or sub-group) be clearly defined in writing. This promotes understanding of who is in the group, what they aim to achieve, and how they intend to go about doing it. Below is a detailed template of what such a committee charter or definition sheet might include. Of course your group should customize this format to best match your group's unique needs and tendencies. <div class="post-body"> <span class="fullpost"><br /> Also See <a href="http://www.boarddevelopment.org/display_document.cfm?document_id=50" target="_blank">Standard Committee Terms of Reference - Advice from the United Way of Canada</a></span> </div> <div class="post-body"> <a href="http://www.boarddevelopment.org/display_document.cfm?document_id=50" target="_blank"></a><br /> <hr /> </div> <div class="post-body"> <span class="fullpost"> <h3 class="showhide_heading">Committee Terms of Reference </h3> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Name:</h4>(Official name of the committee or working group)<br /> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Members: </h4> <ul> <li><strong>Name</strong>, Contact Information - Roles / Responsibilities (e.g. chair, secretary, treasurer, report to the board) </li> </ul> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Goals: </h4> <ol> <li>(primary) </li> <li>(secondary) </li> </ol> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Deliverables </h4>(Specific outputs required/requested from the committee.)<br /> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Scope / Jurisdiction </h4>(What are the bounds of responsibility and authority of the this sub-group? What do they need to address and what is outside their area of concern? What can they decide on and what needs group/board input?)<br /> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Guidance from the Board / Lead Group </h4>(Initial direction and suggestions from the board and/or larger group.)<br /> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Resources and Budget </h4>(E.g. equipment, materials, rooms, funds available to the committee.)<br /> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Governance </h4>(Decision-making technique, e.g. consensus, 2/3 majority vote or chair's authority, etc. Relationships of authority within the group and with the greater organization.)<br /> <br /> <h4 class="showhide_heading">Additional Notes </h4> <ul> <li>Relationships to other committee. </li> <li>How communications outside of meetings will be conducted, e.g. phone or email. </li> <li>Where shared information, such as plans and contact information, will be stored. </li> <li>Related policies / by-laws. </li> <li>How reporting back to the organization will be conducted. </li> <li>History of the committee. </li> <li>Schedule or meetings and/or other important timelines. </li> <li>Information about specific committee projects.</li> </ul> </span> </div> <div class="post-body"> - - - - <br /> </div> <div class="post-body"> <a href="http://dotmocracy.org/"><img src="http://dotmocracy.org/sites/dotmocracy.net/files/images/dotmocracy_oise_2008_modified5a.jpg" alt="Download Dotmocracy Sheets" hspace="5" vspace="1" width="375" height="301" align="right" /></a>  </div> <div class="post-body"> Does your committee struggle with prioritizing issues and ideas? Do you find it challenging to reach agreement among a large number of meeting participants? Try using <strong>Dotmocracy Sheets</strong>, another free resource by Jason Diceman.   </div> <div class="post-body">   </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> Dotmocracy is a simple, transparent, equal opportunity, and participatory large group decision-making tool. </div> <div class="post-body">   </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> <strong><a href="http://dotmocracy.org/handbook">&gt;&gt; Download the free Dotmocracy Handbook </a></strong><br /> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <span class="fullpost"> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> </span> governance resources templates Fri, 18 May 2007 15:40:34 -0600 Jason Diceman 21 at http://get.cooptools.ca http://get.cooptools.ca/list/doc/committee_report_template <p> Committee's are often required to report their progress to the board and/or to the larger group. While such a report may be presented orally at meetings, it is often recommended, if not required, to also publish a report in print format. Below is a suggested format for such a committee report. </p> <p><span class="fullpost"></p> <p> The number of items and depth of detail depends on the nature of the committee and the issues being addressed. In general, it is a good idea to keep points of information short for easy review, with additional information available through a committee contact. </p> <hr /> <br /> <strong>Committee:</strong> (committee name)</p> <p><strong>Liaison to the Board</strong>: (board member name)</p> <p><strong>Date of last meeting:</strong> (day month year)</p> <p><strong>Date of next meeting:</strong> (day month year)</p> <p><strong>Action Items Completed:</strong> </p> <ul> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> </ul> <p> <strong>Action Items In-progress/Pending:</strong></p> <ul> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> </ul> <p> <strong>Announcements:</strong></p> <ul> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> </ul> <p> <strong>Questions for the board/larger group:</strong></p> <ul> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> </ul> <p> <strong>Other Notes:</strong></p> <ul> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> <li>(item) </li> </ul> <p> -- END OF REPORT-- </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p></span></p> <div class="post-body"> - - - - </div> <div class="post-body"> <a href="http://dotmocracy.org/"><img src="http://dotmocracy.org/sites/dotmocracy.net/files/images/dotmocracy_oise_2008_modified5a.jpg" alt="Download Dotmocracy Sheets" hspace="5" vspace="1" width="375" height="301" align="right" /></a>  </div> <div class="post-body"> Does your committee struggle with prioritizing issues and ideas? Do<br /> you find it challenging to reach agreement among a large number of<br /> meeting participants? Try using <strong>Dotmocracy Sheets</strong>, another free resource by Jason Diceman.   </div> <div class="post-body">   </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> Dotmocracy is a simple, transparent, equal opportunity, and<br /> participatory large group decision-making tool. </div> <div class="post-body">   </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> <strong><a href="http://dotmocracy.org/handbook">&gt;&gt; Download the free Dotmocracy Handbook </a></strong> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <div class="post-body"> </div> <p><span class="fullpost"></p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p> &nbsp; </p> <p></span></p> documentation governance resources templates Wed, 16 May 2007 17:30:45 -0600 Jason Diceman 16 at http://get.cooptools.ca