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Click here to read the introduction to the series of posts relating to Decision-making Structures.

This is a complete list of procedures for reference purposes. They were all agreed either by consensus or unanimity at: Selectorate meetings on 24th and 31st May for Section 1-3, and at Foundation-Wide meetings on 31st May, 7th June, 14th June and 20th July for Sections 4- 7.

1. General Decision Making Procedures

Decision Making Procedures for All Meetings
1) Meditation and attunement are an integral part of the process by which important subjects are addressed and important decisions are made.
2) Decisions at all meetings shall ideally be made by unanimity, failing that by consensus.
3) If consensus cannot be reached, the following applies.

Foundation and Community-Wide Meetings
4) If the chairperson of the meeting so moves, a decision can be made by a 90% majority of those voting, at a subsequent meeting.
5) The chairperson of a meeting who invokes a majority decision shall be required to place an article in the Rainbow Bridge (or its successor) explaining the background, reasons and decision. This must be done both in advance of, and subsequent to the second meeting.

All Other Meetings
6) If the chairperson of the meeting so moves, a decision can be made at that meeting by a two-thirds majority of those voting.
7) The chairperson of a meeting who invokes a majority decision shall be required to place an article in the Rainbow Bridge (or its successor) explaining the background, reasons and decision.

Review
8) These procedures can be amended by a meeting of the Selectorate, using the procedures for Foundation and Community-wide meetings, but by a two-thirds majority, rather than 90% if required.

Definitions
a)’Consensus’ means everyone involved agreeing to the course of action, or agreeing to be a ‘loyal minority’.
b) A ‘loyal minority’ is made up of those who may disagree with the decision as such but who agree to support the enactment of the decision. It is not composed of individuals who agree to go along with a decision but then act in a subversive way afterwards.
c) A ‘majority’ shall be calculated on the basis that anyone who abstains, doesn’t know, is ineligible to vote, or otherwise does not make a clear choice shall not count towards the total votes cast.

2. Foundation Focaliser Appointment and Review
The Selectorate shall appoint the Foundation Focaliser, who shall also seek the approval of the trustees.
The Foundation Focaliser shall be reviewed by the selectorate every two years. Any individual receiving less than a two-thirds majority supporting them in the post shall be asked to step down.

3. Core Group Appointments
A Core Group shall be appointed by the Selectorate every two years by a method to be announced in advance by the Foundation Focaliser.

4. Managerial Appointments & Reviews

Preamble
The onus rests with those making the appointments to gather appropriate input and feedback.

Appointments
1) The Park Focaliser shall be appointed by the Park Family with the approval of the Foundation Focaliser.
2) The Cluny Focaliser shall be appointed by the Cluny Family with the approval of the Foundation Focaliser.
3) The Education Focaliser shall be appointed by the Foundation Focaliser with the approval of the Education Group (or its successor).
4) The Administration focaliser shall be appointed by the Foundation Focaliser with the agreement of the Management Committee.
5) The HRD Focaliser shall be appointed by the Foundation Focaliser with the agreement of the Management Committee.
Note: It is current practice for new members of the HRD to come to a Park or Cluny Family meeting for appropriate input and feedback.

Definitions
a) The Park family shall be as defined from time to time by the Park focaliser. For the purposes of selecting a Park focaliser it is currently ‘all those working for the Foundation at the Park and not living at Cluny.’
b) ‘With the agreement of’, and ‘with the approval of’ mean that both parties have a veto.

Reviews
The Management Committee as a group shall organise an annual meeting of the selectorate for the purposes of feedback, assessment and dialogue. Should any individual receive less than a two-thirds majority support in their post, the group which appointed them will be asked to review their appointment.

5) Foundation-Wide Meetings
5.1 Preamble
It is an important part of the focaliser of a meetings task to clearly identify any agenda items requiring a decision. It is also vital that as much information about the topic be circulated in advance as is possible, and that it is made clear in advance who is eligible to come, who is eligible to speak, and who is eligible to participate in any decision making procedures.

5.2 Attendance at Decision Making Meetings
Attendance at Foundation meetings for the purposes of making a decision shall be open to:
To Speak and Decide – Members; staff builders and Foundation employees who have completed an orientation programme.
Silent Observers – Others as invited from time to time by the Chairperson of the Meeting.

Notes:
1) The Chairperson of the meeting may also invite individuals to assist in the facilitation of the meetings.
2) The position of Associates in regard to these meetings will be reviewed after the forthcoming Foundation meeting(s) about membership.

5.3 Chairperson
The Chairperson of a Foundation wide meeting for the purposes of making a decision shall be appointed by Management Committee, or Core Group, dependent on which of these two groups called the meeting.

5.4 Decision Making Subjects
Management Committee shall be responsible for organising Foundation Meetings to decide upon the following items.
Financial
An annual budget
Any item of unbudgeted expenditure of over £10,000
Any asset sales of over £25,000
Annual Reviews
Of any statement of purpose
An annual agreement about priorities for the year ahead
Of administrative/line management structures (preferably after the above item)
Feedback and assessment (but not re-appointment) for Management Committee
Other Items
Changes to the rules of membership[68] Major land-use planning decisions

Note: ‘Major land-use planning’ issues would cover for example, a proposal to apply for outline planning permission for an entire cluster, but not usually refer to a proposal for an individual house.

5.5 Additional Meetings
In addition to those concerning the above topics, Foundation-wide meetings for the purposes of making a decision may be called by Management Committee or Core Group.

6. Family Meetings
1) Decision making procedures shall be as outlined for all other meetings, i.e. aim for unanimity, accept consensus, if absolutely necessary have a vote by two thirds majority.
2) In addition to the appointments outlined above topics to be decided upon shall be introduced at the discretion of the focaliser of the group or his/her appointed deputy.
3) If there is no duly appointed focaliser, responsibility for these meetings shall be taken by the Foundation focaliser.

7. Community-Wide Meetings
Community-wide meetings for the purposes of making a community-wide decision shall be called by Core Group. Core Group shall also appoint a chairperson for such meetings.