[wlug_org] Online Voting

[Tony Wills]

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At 07:51 8/08/04 +1200, Jethro wrote:
>Appoliges all,
>
>I've pulled the current issue, and added a notice saying that these
>aren't offical decisions, only an indicater for the org list.
>
>I thought these were want were wanted, but I was too fast. ;-)

Yes I think the voting system may be what the LUG wants, but we need to 
agree how it is going to be used and need agreement on the actual poll 
contents.

The website polling system could be used to make decisions for the LUG and 
may be preferred over votes at meetings as it is far more accessible - you 
don't have to be at a particular time and place to vote so potentially you 
could get better participation.

1) But you'd firstly have to define a LUG member as being someone who is 
registered on the website.

2) Then you'd have to decide whether decisions were made upon a majority of 
the votes cast, or whether you need an actual majority of the total 
registered members to vote in favour.  (This has already been discussed a 
little).  I am adamant that you need a majority of the total LUG members to 
vote in favour of a motion (poll) to make a decision otherwise the system 
is too easily abused.  Which may mean you have to work quite hard to get 
anything agreed upon (but then again those who bother to register are 
probably those who'd bother voting so you may get good participation).

3) As for deciding upon a poll question, I think you basically treat it 
like a 'motion' at a meeting and require a person to put forward a question 
or options within a poll, and another person to second that motion.  That 
way there is nothing to stop any motion (poll) on anything so long as at 
least two people want it and hopefully people have enough restraint and 
good sense not to second frivolous or stupid motions.

4) Then there is the question of how to decide how long to run each poll 
(there should be a minimum period for all polls).  You could have a poll 
finish early if a majority of members have already voted for/against it and 
further votes can't change the result.

5) And finally there is the question of whether a meeting should be able to 
over-ride a poll result (if you got better participation via a poll perhaps 
it is more valid than the vote of those who manage to get to a meeting).

If this is going to go anywhere we need feedback from as many members as 
possible, so press that reply button! 

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