We believe that the full seasoning of proposals with ample opportunities for reflection and discussion will provide the best outcome on decisions and the greatest support and ownership by all members of the community.
Proposal
All proposals will be e-mailed to members, placed on the agenda and discussed at a minimum of 2 meetings before being adopted by the PTEV, unless it is considered urgent enough by the Steering Team to warrant a decision at the meeting when it is first presented.
Specifics
1. An individual who has an idea for a proposal introduces it to the appropriate team. If there is no appropriate team, the proposal should go to the Steering Team.
a. If the team is supportive of the proposal, they will develop it further for consideration by the PTEV.
b. If after review, the team is NOT supportive of the proposal, and the original presenter is still in favor of pursuing it, he/she should bring it to the Steering Team to see if the idea merits further consideration.
2. The Steering Team will decide if a proposal has been adequately seasoned and is of high enough priority to be given time on the regular PTEV meeting agenda. If the Steering Team decides not to put the proposal on the agenda, the person who would like to see the proposal considered by the group may make an announcement at the end of the Sunday meeting in order to recruit at least 2 others who support the proposal. The proposal then goes to the Steering Team to be placed on the agenda.
3. The agenda for every meeting will be sent out at least 3 days prior to each meeting, and will include a list of proposals to be considered. The agenda will specify whether a proposal is up for discussion or for a decision.
4. A proposal that is on the agenda of a meeting for discussion or decision will be sent out by e-mail at least 3 days prior to that meeting. This is typically no later than 3PM on Thursday for a regular Sunday meeting.
5. Every proposal will be considered at 2 separate meetings, unless approved specifically by the Steering Team for reasons of urgency. Each proposal will be clarified and discussed at the first meeting and then only presented for a decision at the second meeting when the facilitator determines that adequate discussion has occurred.
Background
The purpose of this proposal is to make sure that a proposal has been thought through and "seasoned" before it comes to the group for a final decision. It is also important that someone who has missed a meeting has the opportunity to give his/her opinion on the issue. We are assuming that everyone will check e-mail and give some thought to the proposal before coming to the meeting. Feedback to the originators of the proposal before the meeting is strongly encouraged. This can be accomplished by e-mail, phone calls, at pre-meeting discussions and/or meeting ahead of the general meeting with members who may well have some objections to the proposal.
