Re: [council] The strange importance of proxies

["Oscar A. Robles Garay" <orobles@nic.mx>]

I think this is very important.
Last NC teleconf I was sure to call, until 10 minutes beofre, then I couldn't even send an email for this proxy purpouse.

So, It would be good to incorporate in our procedures, prior to a meeting in which we have an agenda items requiring 2/3, to define, by default, one person (or two?) which may be our proxy in case we couldn't make it. It could be called by the chair, 48, 72 hrs before or so.

At least for Erica and for me, this would jelp last NC teeconf.

Oscar


On Mon, 2 Apr 2001, Philip Sheppard wrote:

> 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
>