NCI Constitution (proposed draft)

NOTE: This is barely a stub document. It is more of a simple laying out of some basic ideas that I (Quite Oh) would like to seem implemented in the constitution. Consider that at the moment of this writing (2009-10-06), that this is a very superficial outline of what could eventually be included in a constitution. This document will not a description of the structure, but the voluntary agreement made to create and sustain the structure.

NCI is a helper organisation. We help newbies, helpers and occasionally third parties. It is not yet determined if we will go to a model where we offer services for hire.

My own personal intent in this constitution is to ensure the long-term stability of NCI so that members may enjoy its benefits and that volunteers have a safe, fun environment in which to socialize and enjoy being of assistance to newcomers and each other alike. It must have a structure that is both highly flexible AND simulteneously ever integral.

Many people make a call for NCI being “more democratic”. Democracy has been said to be the tyranny of 51% over 49%. I'm not sure that's the way that NCI can best serve newbies or it's own community.

I believe (and must gather information on) what people mean when they use the broad term “democratic”. What specific values or attributes are they referring to that might be served in any number of ways? I will hazard some guesses:

• Transparency
• Ability to have a persuasive and measurable effect on NCI's policies, rules, regulations and directions. While on the positive side of human nature, this is a good thing, human nature also has a darker side that would be utterly foolish to overlook in the contruction of a structure designed to be long lasting and remaining faithful to it's mission. See “The integrity of NCI as an organisation.”
• Ability to allow people to contribute positive value to the organisation
• I am currently looking into this: Please see the forum thread entitled "What is democracy?"

The integrity of NCI as an organisation. The structure of NCI must integrate some basic self-preservations mechanisms. This means that it's very structure is created in such a way to be resistant to

• Ensuring that first and formost that all members at all levels measurably serve NCI's mission
• Ensuring accountability of all members for their words and actions
• Ensuring that the entirety combines correct discretion with transparency
• Ensuring that those entrusted with a given position are qualified and are performing their duties in accordance with the overall mission, policies while permitting NCI to be a light-weight and flexible organisation
• Preventing corruption of any member at any level. This specifically means to prevent and cure
  • Engaging people who desire to serve their own purposes above that of NCI's
  • Preventing “corruption” though political and influential means
  • Preventing “corruption” though the manipulation of rules and regulations to benefit the individual or a group of individuals over the mission of NCI
  • Preventing the “stacking” the organisation's influence points
  • Preventing the accumulation of long term influence, ability to seize or control NCI processes and resources to the detriment of NCI's mission.

Once, as in nature the organisation that is NCI has basic defences in place, it must be by it's nature:

• Enduring - This means that it's continuity mission and operations are ensured
• Open - Meaning that the organisation as a whole operates in the light of transparency to promote the vigilance of the entire NCI community to ensure it's proper functioning. Perhaps not unlike some Open Source projects.
• Light weight and flexible. The structure of the organisation has to be easily maleable and flexible to handle changes is circumstance, as well of personnel (all while retaining its integrity)
• Collaborative. We want to promote a culture of joyfulness, easy sharing and enthusiastic collaboration.

Tateru Nino based NCI's model on that of the Red Cross. I think this is an excellent example. I am currently looking at structural models to see which best fits a flexible, fluid volunteer organisations that have the above criteria. At the moment, I'm taking a close look at the model used by Alcoholics Anonymous. It has many similarites to how NCI operates, and could perhaps be adapted to suit our needs. Specifically, its designed to be self-maintaing, cheap, flexible, membership driven, generally corruption resistant and self-propagating. It has as its very basis the notion that some people might fly off the handle and is resistant to that. These ideas are described in what they call “the 12 traditions”. This is, at the least an interesting start. It is in some ways related to the sociocratic model, which at the time I writing I'm strongly looking into as something potentially useful.

If I were to use a few simple words to describe what I'm looking for they would be: intelligent, effective, nimble, robust, adaptable, suited to NCI and SL's culture, corruption resistant, people oriented and life enhancing. Ideally, it would be nice if it were self-organizing as well.