Post by peneloperose on Feb 10, 2012 0:54:02 GMT -5
Fellow Patriots and Supporters of the 99% Declaration,
There is a solution, and we are all part of it.
We are a team of volunteers, dedicated to facilitating the process of
drafting, debating, ratifying, and then serving upon the U.S. government a Declaration of the 99%. These are the Americans whose voices are rarely heard, let alone heeded, by the politicians and justices who are supposed to be serving US.
We have been hard at work laying the foundation, and building the infrastructure for a national base of operations to support:
+ Volunteer Coordination
+ Voter Outreach
+ A Delegate Election Process, and
+ Organization of a National General Assembly (NGA).
Michael Pollok, the founder of the 99% Declaration Working Group, has resigned from the Board; as Corporate Counsel and Treasurer. The Board and Facilitation Team have tremendous respect, appreciation and gratitude for Michael’s vision. We applaud his tireless work to create a structure to support that vision, and his willingness to pass that structure on to us, as he goes back to his law practice and personal responsibilities. We pledge to redouble our efforts, to be proven worthy as trustees of that dream, so that finally, The Voice of The People will be heard.
We look forward to continue facilitating this process, and to supporting you – volunteers and voters, donors and delegates – in developing The Declaration of The 99%. Below is an update about current operations and recent developments.
With Great Faith and High Expectations for America’s Future, We Are
Sincerely yours,
The Board and Facilitation Team for the 99% Declaration
________________________________________
DECISION-MAKING
Meetings
The Board will convene a regularly-scheduled, weekly meeting, and such additional meetings as it deems necessary. Minutes of all Board Meetings will be posted publicly; traditionally this is after the next meeting, where they are formally approved.
The Board and at least one Committee Co-Chair for each Board-authorized Committee (to be known collectively as the Facilitation Team) shall meet weekly – via teleconference, other remote electronic means, or in person. Minutes of the prior week’s Facilitation Team Meeting will be approved at each meeting,and then posted publicly the following day.
Committees shall meet no less than once a week, in a manner decided by the majority of the committee and at least one co-chair.
Committee Reports
Committee reports will be made at each Facilitation Team Meeting. Summaries of committee actions will be offered. Any items requiring Board approval will be introduced along with the reasoning behind the committee’s recommendation to the Board.
Funding Requests
Funding requests for expenses of less than $500 may be communicated directly by any Committee Co-chair to the Co-Treasurers for approval.
Requests for funding in any greater amount must be brought before the Board for approval.
Voting
Email chains are not an acceptable form of voting.
Acceptable forms of voting:
1. Roll call votes at Board and Facilitation Meetings
2. Other voting systems to be determined by the board, with consideration given to transparency, accuracy, and informed decision-making by those voting.
Only Board Members are be permitted to vote at Board Meetings. At the discretion of the Board Member chairing a given meeting, other interested parties may speak. When necessary for reasons of fiduciary responsibility or otherwise, the Board shall have discretion to meet in executive session. This discretion must be invoked only when necessary.
Facilitation Team Members – one co-chair per committee – will be permitted to vote at Facilitation Team Meetings. At the discretion of the Team member chairing a given meeting, other interested parties may speak.
A simple majority (51%) is required for approval of most matters before either the Board or the Facilitation Team.
A consensus (aka super majority vote) of 2/3 may be requested by a motion from a member of the Facilitation Committee for actions of great importance. If the motion for a consensus vote is approved by a simple majority of the Facilitation Committee, then a consensus vote will be required to pass the the matter of great importance.
During Facilitation Committee meetings, a concurrence vote (board-only vote) may be requested by a member of the Board, for actions which may have legal liability implications. If the motion for a concurrence vote is approved by a simple majority of the Board, then a concurrence vote will be required to pass the referenced motion.
An Emergency Board Meeting may be called at the discretion of the Board, when circumstances are warranted.
99% Declaration Board of Directors
The Board is currently comprised of the dedicated individuals listed below. By-laws, corporate organizational documentation, and other boring corporate stuff is available here. <—[insert LINK]
David Mauriello, Norristown, PA (Co-Treasurer)
Fran McCrory, Philadelphia, PA
Kat Bragdon, Melbourne Beach, FL (Co-Treasurer)
Penelope Seitler, Kingman, AZ
Robert Manning, ______, CA
Jondean Walwyn, The Bronx, NY
Facilitation Team
The Members of the Facilitation Team and our National Committee Structure, are listed below. The responsibilities of the Facilitation Team will be posted publicly, and will be made part of our By-laws.
The Facilitation Team works as an advisory committee to the Board, with a voting structure that should inform the Board in all policy decisions. Beyond that, where the Facilitation Team is in consensus, that consensus must weigh heavily – in most cases, be the deciding denominator – with regard to Board decision-making.
The Facilitation Team will be open to input from all who wish to actively engage in planning and coordination at the national level. The goal of our national operation is to facilitate and support district, state and regional efforts. Local and regional teams will be empowered to develop their own strategies and structures for engaging the public. We will be in a support role at every stage of the 6 Point Plan. make it a link
The Board has currently authorized nine committees:
Public Relations/Communications/Press
Fran McCrory (PA), Co-Chair: Penelope Seitler (AZ)
Town Meeting Society (TMS)
Co-Chairs and State Representatives to Facilitation Committee:
Jeremy Nation (CA)
Michael Hendricks (FL)
Dan Bencsik (PA)
TMS Education and Outreach Subcommittees
Reasonable Solutions (PA)
Other local and regional groups
Delegate Outreach:
Co-Chairs: Nancy Marcus (PA), David Mauriello* (PA), Jeff Mond (IL)
Mark Greene (TX)
Social Media Mike Hendricks (FL), Co-Chair(s): TBD
Fundraising
Amber Bowman (CA), Co-Chair: TBD
Volunteer Coordination
Deborah Delaney (MA), Co-Chair Kristen Forthun (WA)
Venue and NGA Planning
Dan Bencsik (PA), Co-chair TBD
Webmaster
Karlie Cole (MN) Co-Chair: TBD
Finance
Katherine Bragdon (FL) Co-Chair, Co-Treasurer
David Mauriello (PA) Co-Chair, Co-Treasurer
Organizational Structure, Oversight and Transparency
Lisa Longo – nominated, tabled (PA), Co-Chair TBD
PROPOSAL TO EMEND MILESTONE DATES:
The Volunteers on the Facilitation Team and Board of the 99% Declaration have been working diligently to create the educational and outreach mechanisms and grass roots interactive systems needed for development of the Petition for Redress of Grievances.
We believe at this point that more time is needed to allow the Delegate Candidates to connect with their constituents and interact with them in a meaningful way, so that any Petition for Redress ratified by the Delegates to the NGA truly reflects the voice of the people.
To enable meaningful communication among Delegates and their constituents, we will be facilitating Town Meetings, Delegate Forums, etc
To allow for community-based direct participation of citizens in the development of the Declaration and Petition
To permit sufficient time for the process of registering enough candidates and voters, promoting candidate/constituent interaction prior to the election of delegates
To provide ample time for the final formulation of Points for Redress, we propose the following:
+Convene a Kick-off Celebration for the opening of voting during the week of July 4, 2012 in the City of Philadelphia.
+Hold a rally and march in Philadelphia with speakers and state representatives of participants in 99% Declaration from across the country.
+Hold Town Meetings on July 4, 2012 across the nation, to be simulcast via livestream to a Central Coordination Center in Philadelphia.
+Discussion, debate and preparation of Points for the Petition through an ongoing Town Meeting structure.
+Elections and facilitated Town Meetings to continue through the week and weekend of July 4-8, 2012.
+Following intensive interaction between Delegates and their constituents, as well as constant communication and collaboration among the Delegates themselves, all elected Delegates convene at a Ratification Convention, at a location and date, yet to be determined. The Petition for Redress of Grievances is ratified on behalf of the Ninety-Nine Percent.
+The best possible dates for the ratification that we can determine, would be either Labor Day Weekend – the 1st and 2nd, or 2nd and 3rd of September, or the weekend prior to serving the Petition as laid out below, on September 15th and 16th. The delegates will decide.
+September 17, 2012, (The 225th anniversary of ratification of the Constitution and One Year Anniversary of the birth of the Occupy Movement): Delegates assemble in Constitutional Gardens, on the National Mall and march to serve the 99% Declaration Petition for Redress of Grievances upon the White House, both Houses of Congress, and the United States Supreme Court.
There is a solution, and we are all part of it.
We are a team of volunteers, dedicated to facilitating the process of
drafting, debating, ratifying, and then serving upon the U.S. government a Declaration of the 99%. These are the Americans whose voices are rarely heard, let alone heeded, by the politicians and justices who are supposed to be serving US.
We have been hard at work laying the foundation, and building the infrastructure for a national base of operations to support:
+ Volunteer Coordination
+ Voter Outreach
+ A Delegate Election Process, and
+ Organization of a National General Assembly (NGA).
Michael Pollok, the founder of the 99% Declaration Working Group, has resigned from the Board; as Corporate Counsel and Treasurer. The Board and Facilitation Team have tremendous respect, appreciation and gratitude for Michael’s vision. We applaud his tireless work to create a structure to support that vision, and his willingness to pass that structure on to us, as he goes back to his law practice and personal responsibilities. We pledge to redouble our efforts, to be proven worthy as trustees of that dream, so that finally, The Voice of The People will be heard.
We look forward to continue facilitating this process, and to supporting you – volunteers and voters, donors and delegates – in developing The Declaration of The 99%. Below is an update about current operations and recent developments.
With Great Faith and High Expectations for America’s Future, We Are
Sincerely yours,
The Board and Facilitation Team for the 99% Declaration
________________________________________
DECISION-MAKING
Meetings
The Board will convene a regularly-scheduled, weekly meeting, and such additional meetings as it deems necessary. Minutes of all Board Meetings will be posted publicly; traditionally this is after the next meeting, where they are formally approved.
The Board and at least one Committee Co-Chair for each Board-authorized Committee (to be known collectively as the Facilitation Team) shall meet weekly – via teleconference, other remote electronic means, or in person. Minutes of the prior week’s Facilitation Team Meeting will be approved at each meeting,and then posted publicly the following day.
Committees shall meet no less than once a week, in a manner decided by the majority of the committee and at least one co-chair.
Committee Reports
Committee reports will be made at each Facilitation Team Meeting. Summaries of committee actions will be offered. Any items requiring Board approval will be introduced along with the reasoning behind the committee’s recommendation to the Board.
Funding Requests
Funding requests for expenses of less than $500 may be communicated directly by any Committee Co-chair to the Co-Treasurers for approval.
Requests for funding in any greater amount must be brought before the Board for approval.
Voting
Email chains are not an acceptable form of voting.
Acceptable forms of voting:
1. Roll call votes at Board and Facilitation Meetings
2. Other voting systems to be determined by the board, with consideration given to transparency, accuracy, and informed decision-making by those voting.
Only Board Members are be permitted to vote at Board Meetings. At the discretion of the Board Member chairing a given meeting, other interested parties may speak. When necessary for reasons of fiduciary responsibility or otherwise, the Board shall have discretion to meet in executive session. This discretion must be invoked only when necessary.
Facilitation Team Members – one co-chair per committee – will be permitted to vote at Facilitation Team Meetings. At the discretion of the Team member chairing a given meeting, other interested parties may speak.
A simple majority (51%) is required for approval of most matters before either the Board or the Facilitation Team.
A consensus (aka super majority vote) of 2/3 may be requested by a motion from a member of the Facilitation Committee for actions of great importance. If the motion for a consensus vote is approved by a simple majority of the Facilitation Committee, then a consensus vote will be required to pass the the matter of great importance.
During Facilitation Committee meetings, a concurrence vote (board-only vote) may be requested by a member of the Board, for actions which may have legal liability implications. If the motion for a concurrence vote is approved by a simple majority of the Board, then a concurrence vote will be required to pass the referenced motion.
An Emergency Board Meeting may be called at the discretion of the Board, when circumstances are warranted.
99% Declaration Board of Directors
The Board is currently comprised of the dedicated individuals listed below. By-laws, corporate organizational documentation, and other boring corporate stuff is available here. <—[insert LINK]
David Mauriello, Norristown, PA (Co-Treasurer)
Fran McCrory, Philadelphia, PA
Kat Bragdon, Melbourne Beach, FL (Co-Treasurer)
Penelope Seitler, Kingman, AZ
Robert Manning, ______, CA
Jondean Walwyn, The Bronx, NY
Facilitation Team
The Members of the Facilitation Team and our National Committee Structure, are listed below. The responsibilities of the Facilitation Team will be posted publicly, and will be made part of our By-laws.
The Facilitation Team works as an advisory committee to the Board, with a voting structure that should inform the Board in all policy decisions. Beyond that, where the Facilitation Team is in consensus, that consensus must weigh heavily – in most cases, be the deciding denominator – with regard to Board decision-making.
The Facilitation Team will be open to input from all who wish to actively engage in planning and coordination at the national level. The goal of our national operation is to facilitate and support district, state and regional efforts. Local and regional teams will be empowered to develop their own strategies and structures for engaging the public. We will be in a support role at every stage of the 6 Point Plan. make it a link
The Board has currently authorized nine committees:
Public Relations/Communications/Press
Fran McCrory (PA), Co-Chair: Penelope Seitler (AZ)
Town Meeting Society (TMS)
Co-Chairs and State Representatives to Facilitation Committee:
Jeremy Nation (CA)
Michael Hendricks (FL)
Dan Bencsik (PA)
TMS Education and Outreach Subcommittees
Reasonable Solutions (PA)
Other local and regional groups
Delegate Outreach:
Co-Chairs: Nancy Marcus (PA), David Mauriello* (PA), Jeff Mond (IL)
Mark Greene (TX)
Social Media Mike Hendricks (FL), Co-Chair(s): TBD
Fundraising
Amber Bowman (CA), Co-Chair: TBD
Volunteer Coordination
Deborah Delaney (MA), Co-Chair Kristen Forthun (WA)
Venue and NGA Planning
Dan Bencsik (PA), Co-chair TBD
Webmaster
Karlie Cole (MN) Co-Chair: TBD
Finance
Katherine Bragdon (FL) Co-Chair, Co-Treasurer
David Mauriello (PA) Co-Chair, Co-Treasurer
Organizational Structure, Oversight and Transparency
Lisa Longo – nominated, tabled (PA), Co-Chair TBD
PROPOSAL TO EMEND MILESTONE DATES:
The Volunteers on the Facilitation Team and Board of the 99% Declaration have been working diligently to create the educational and outreach mechanisms and grass roots interactive systems needed for development of the Petition for Redress of Grievances.
We believe at this point that more time is needed to allow the Delegate Candidates to connect with their constituents and interact with them in a meaningful way, so that any Petition for Redress ratified by the Delegates to the NGA truly reflects the voice of the people.
To enable meaningful communication among Delegates and their constituents, we will be facilitating Town Meetings, Delegate Forums, etc
To allow for community-based direct participation of citizens in the development of the Declaration and Petition
To permit sufficient time for the process of registering enough candidates and voters, promoting candidate/constituent interaction prior to the election of delegates
To provide ample time for the final formulation of Points for Redress, we propose the following:
+Convene a Kick-off Celebration for the opening of voting during the week of July 4, 2012 in the City of Philadelphia.
+Hold a rally and march in Philadelphia with speakers and state representatives of participants in 99% Declaration from across the country.
+Hold Town Meetings on July 4, 2012 across the nation, to be simulcast via livestream to a Central Coordination Center in Philadelphia.
+Discussion, debate and preparation of Points for the Petition through an ongoing Town Meeting structure.
+Elections and facilitated Town Meetings to continue through the week and weekend of July 4-8, 2012.
+Following intensive interaction between Delegates and their constituents, as well as constant communication and collaboration among the Delegates themselves, all elected Delegates convene at a Ratification Convention, at a location and date, yet to be determined. The Petition for Redress of Grievances is ratified on behalf of the Ninety-Nine Percent.
+The best possible dates for the ratification that we can determine, would be either Labor Day Weekend – the 1st and 2nd, or 2nd and 3rd of September, or the weekend prior to serving the Petition as laid out below, on September 15th and 16th. The delegates will decide.
+September 17, 2012, (The 225th anniversary of ratification of the Constitution and One Year Anniversary of the birth of the Occupy Movement): Delegates assemble in Constitutional Gardens, on the National Mall and march to serve the 99% Declaration Petition for Redress of Grievances upon the White House, both Houses of Congress, and the United States Supreme Court.