[council] The strange importance of proxies
Last week's NC teleconference bought to light an important
matter with regard to the status of an NC vote. In short the absence of proxies
can downgrade an NC vote.
The maths bit
Based on a 19 member NC the by-laws tell us:
- A quorum is a majority of members in office =
10
- A recommendation of the NC is an "act of the majority
of NC members" at a meeting (which may include proxies). This means that
abstentions count the same as a vote against. For a meeting of all 19, a minimum
of 10 votes in favour is needed.
- A "consensus position" of the NC requires a 2/3 majority of
NC members in office = 13 votes. Such a position has a special status in the
by-laws.
What does all this mean for
proxies?
It means the threshold for an NC recommendation or consensus
recommendation is high. If NC members are absent and appoint a proxy, all is
well, but if NC members fail to appoint proxies then their absence effectively
acts against achieving a quorum and against achieving consensus
recommendation.
Conclusion
Please ensure you appoint proxies by sending an e-mail to the
NC list before a meeting.
Philip
|