add decision-making section

diff --git a/charter.mdwn b/charter.mdwn
index a4504c83d68860b44ec80154b24aeadd64706e10..ca1fa01fdf78095c5072967d69371b1fc85619df 100644 (file)
--- a/charter.mdwn
+++ b/charter.mdwn
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 This document is based on the Titanian's "Code of Honour" and on
 the Systemic Laws of Organisations, listed in "Invisible Dynamics".
 
 This document is based on the Titanian's "Code of Honour" and on
 the Systemic Laws of Organisations, listed in "Invisible Dynamics".

-Comments and [[discussion]].
+Comments and [[discussion]] elaborates.

 
 # The Code of Honour
 
 
 # The Code of Honour
 


@@ -44,3 +44,16 @@ to grow and be part of the group.
 * Everyone is rewarded equitably for their contributions.
 * Everyone is responsible - and accountable - for their actions; good and bad,
   "Guilt" and "Merit" belong with whoever earned them.
 * Everyone is rewarded equitably for their contributions.
 * Everyone is responsible - and accountable - for their actions; good and bad,
   "Guilt" and "Merit" belong with whoever earned them.

+
+Further explanation can be found in [[discussion]].
+
+# Decision-making and new contributors
+
+* All decision-making shall be unanimous, including changes to the goal
+* Abstention is permitted.
+* New contributors must agree to abide by this Charter prior to being
+  involved in decisions
+* Only after agreement may new contributors propose changes (which will require
+  unanimous agreement to implement)
+
+Further explanation can be found in [[discussion]].

diff --git a/charter/discussion.mdwn b/charter/discussion.mdwn
index 33624b0b7c09dfeccab84f647fb76245ec3ea52c..5737147ba8ae6c3841b8d65f6a8f0ca481f33190 100644 (file)
--- a/charter/discussion.mdwn
+++ b/charter/discussion.mdwn
@@ -38,12 +38,12 @@ reality, particularly if other Systemic Laws are being violated as well.
 
 When someone leaves a project, particularly under less than ideal circumstances,
 it is still vitally important to value and respect both them *and* their
 
 When someone leaves a project, particularly under less than ideal circumstances,
 it is still vitally important to value and respect both them *and* their

-contributions.  
+contributions.

 
 ## Role, Seniority and Expertise are all respected.
 
 This can be very challenging, particularly when someone with more expertise
 
 ## Role, Seniority and Expertise are all respected.
 
 This can be very challenging, particularly when someone with more expertise

-meets someone whose length of service is greater.  
+meets someone whose length of service is greater.

 
 ## We accept the responsibility of our position
 
 
 ## We accept the responsibility of our position
 


@@ -75,3 +75,23 @@ opportunity to grow and learn, we know and trust that nobody will take
 that away from us, and, further, that our achievements and the credit
 will be ours.
 
 that away from us, and, further, that our achievements and the credit
 will be ours.
 

+# Decision-making and new contributors
+
+This section has two aspects.  The first is that everything but unanimous
+decision-making is disempowering and de-motivating (harmful).  Majority rule
+(mob rule) is easily demonstrated to be so: anyone *not* in the majority
+quickly gives up in resignation, even if their contribution is critically
+important.  Unanimous decision-making requires that the issue be discussed
+until it is fully understood by *all* members (or members recognise that
+they do not or cannot understand the issue, and abstain).
+
+The introduction of new contributors really requires specially spelling
+out.  The last thing that is needed is for a new contributor to introduce
+changes that drain the time and resources of prior contributors to the
+point where the project fails.  Unanimous decision-making ensures that
+all members (who inherently have a longer term of service to the project
+than any new member) have the right to veto proposals that disrupt the
+project.  In a "mob rule" scenario, there is the potential for enough
+new members to join simultaneously that they could easily completely
+take over the project.  Unanimous decision making prevents this scenario.
+