[KI-LC] Comments on the "Quorum Issue"

[Eve Maler]

Thanks, Roger, for relenting!

My preference between the options you list is for the less invasive  
one: establishing rules for getting work initiated in the absence of a  
quorum.  But I could be convinced otherwise.

By the way, minutes for today's meeting are now up; all, please note  
well the various action items:

http://kantarainitiative.org/confluence/display/LC/Leadership+Council+Teleconference+-+2009-07-15

	Eve

On 15 Jul 2009, at 10:03 AM, Roger Martin wrote:

> To: Leadership Council
>
> I have relented from my position that I was simply lurking and would  
> not volunteer to address the quorum issue raised on today's LC call  
> and offer the following comments for the LC's consideration.
>
> The concern that was raised is that as more WGs are chartered and  
> the number of voting members of the LC becomes larger, it will  
> become increasingly difficult to conduct business because the LC  
> will not be able to gather a quorum of voting members on many  
> calls.  This "Quorum Brick Wall" could prove to be a very serious  
> impediment to getting work done (as it has in technical groups in  
> the past in other organizations).
>
> After investigating this, I think I have good news.
>
> Section 3.3 (2nd paragraph) of the Kantara Initiative Bylaws states:
> "Except when otherwise specified in these Bylaws and other  
> Controlling Documents, approval requires a Simple Majority (greater  
> than 50%) of those voting when a Quorum exists."
> Section 2.6 (2nd paragraph) of the Kantara Initiative Operating  
> Procedures states:
> "A majority of the voting members of the LC shall constitute a  
> quorum.  Actions taken in the absence of a quorum shall be confirmed  
> by electronic ballot of all voting members of the LC."  (emphasis  
> added)
> This permits the LC to initiate business without the presence of a  
> quorum, but requires an electronic ballot to approve any business if  
> a quorum is not present.
>
> Since Section 2.6 does not provide further guidance, I recommend  
> that the LC make clear how it will operate when a quorum is not  
> present by passing a resolution to establish the threshold number of  
> voting members that must be present for an LC meeting to be able to  
> initiate votes.  This resolution should be passed either at an LC  
> meeting where a quorum is present or via an electronic ballot.  In  
> my opinion it does not require a change to the Bylaws or Operating  
> Procedures.
>
> If you do not wish to do take the above action, a workable  
> alternative would be the one that Conor suggested on today's call --  
> Establish a rule to place LC members in non-voting status for  
> failure to attend (and not be counted in the Quorum and votes-needed  
> totals).  This rule must include a "simple/easy" way to be re- 
> instated as a voting member.  To do this will require a change to  
> the Operating Procedures since the Operating Procedures (section  
> 2.1) includes the following statement: "WG Chairs (or Alternate) are  
> voting members of the LC."
>
> Footnote: The Kantara Initiative Bylaws defines four (4) types of  
> majority:
> Simple Majority (<50% of those voting)                          
> vs       Majority (>50% of all voting members)
> Supermajority of those Voting (<=75% of those voting)   vs       
> Supermajority (<=75% of all voting members).
>
>           ..... RogerM
> -- 
> ******************************************
> Roger Martin, Treasurer, Kantara Initiative
>      AOL
>      22260 Pacific Blvd    41A:A03
>      Dulles, VA 20166
> email: roger.martin at corp.aol.com
>          AIM:       rjmartin99
>          phone:  703-265-6203
>          mobile: 703-389-1547
> *******************************************
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Eve Maler                                          eve.maler @ sun.com
Emerging Technologies Director                    cell +1 425 345 6756
Sun Microsystems Identity Software                www.xmlgrrl.com/blog

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