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Discussion: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
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JonPincus |
A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 4 2009, 1:22 AM EST
Bob Fertik posted a comment on our blog ... thoughts? Please reply here or on the blog thread at http://getfisaright.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/on-to-the-second-round-of-ideas-for-change-in-americajon I agree with Harry about the synergy between your Constitutional agenda and the Accountability agenda we’re promoting at Democrats.com. Towards that end, I’d propose we cosponsor a “Constitutional slate” consisting of our two questions and promote both through blogs, emails, etc. I just post this idea in draft form here - all comments are welcome: http://www.democrats.com/restore-the-constitution-through-change.org 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
eggy1943 |
1. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 4:37 AM EST
I support his idea, but here we are jumping all over the board to find the information, than vote. We need a "social site" model here so we can discuss, deliberate, decide which items to support and than do so as a group. That is the only way an Initiative can be approved. I suggest a Drupal site, which would likely require technical volunteers or paid technicians. We must begin to think in ways to utilize our strength. A site that offers a Forum, voting for different ideas so they rise to the top, a place for the best ideas to be posted, commented on and decisions taken. We will need some money to do this, donations etc. We must begin. Thanks for all who are doing it now!!!!! Bruce Eggum 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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JonPincus |
2. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 9:44 AM EST
Bruce, it would be great to get some technical volunteers to help. Thus far while a couple of people have offered nobody's followed through. Once we get some momentum with Ideas for Change and the ad, we'll give it another try.We had set up some Drupal-based dicussion forums in July and they never got a lot of adoption and so in December I proposed shifting the discussions here to the Wetpaint wiki (as well as setting up a blog) -- see http://get-fisa-right.wetpaint.com/page/2009+Communication+channels. I agree that voting etc is important longer term but right now traffic is relatively low; Join the Impact has shown that the combination of a blog and Wetpaint-based discussions can work for an activism campaign much larger than we currently are. As for money, right now we don't have any fundraising infrastructure. It's another thing on the list but there are some fundamental questions here: do we set up a 527 or PAC, or try to become a 501c4? Thus far nobody's taken the lead in looking at the options ... jon 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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eggy1943 |
3. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 11:37 AM EST
Perhaps just start. We don't have to be non profit at first. Is there a bank account, some type of accountability so expenses, income, donations could stand a audit if necessary? Even with no money and volunteer book keeping a system must be followed and I suspect you have something in place. I compare our group to MoveOn Org. I found some information on them, below. Political action committee - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Dec 10, 2008 ... In the United States, a Political Action Committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to ... en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_action_committee - 37k - Cached - Similar pages - 527 group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia A 527 group is a type of American tax-exempt organization named after a section of the United States tax code, 26 U.S.C. § 527. A 527 group is created ... I think we would be a 527 PAC which is not as regulated but still a PAC. MoveOn.org Civic Action is a 501(c)(4) organization which primarily focuses on nonpartisan education and advocacy on important national issues. MoveOn.org Political Action is a federal political committee which primarily helps members elect candidates who reflect our values through a variety of activities aimed at influencing the outcome of the next election. MoveOn.org Political Action and MoveOn.org Civic Action are separate organizations. I belive we would have to be a PAC [527PAC] because of involvement in elections and this appears so as Move On Political Action is a PAC. We are also "educating" people about democracy etc. Thus we would also be a 501(c)(4) ORG. Do you find this valuable? |
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eggy1943 |
4. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 11:38 AM EST
I think we need to begin developing structure along these lines. If we "submit application" what name do we want to use? This name will be ours for a long time.I am no attorney and obviously we need legal advise. But we must do the beginnings as a group and the group decides how to structure the organization. Could we begin as two groups? 1. Get FISA Right public education a [application draft 501(c)(4)] [our main group] and 2. Get FISA Right political action group [application draft PAC] We can than raise funds for the necessary costs and attorney fee's to become a 501(c)(4) and a PAC. Let us discuss this here, all members encouraged to participate. We can develop this deliberation / Initiative and than bring it to the group for their consideration. I have been in a number of groups. It seems impossible to hold discussion and Referendum as people read, form an opinion but do not post or vote. The solution is to use the Sociopatic method, which is an accepted legal practice. I suggest we post it as an Initiative and if no objection it will become policy in fifteen days. [can always be changed] I. Decision Making: 1. Sociocracy Process Any proposal, initiative posted to the website group or Get FISA Right which has been posted on line fifteen days shall be accepted if no objection has been posted. If an objection is posted, attempts to resolve the objection may be made. If the objection is resolved, the item is reposted and if it remains without objection fifteen days it is accepted and implemented. If no resolution is likely and the decision must be taken, a democratic referendum may be held. The petitioner for the referendum shall declare the terms of the referendum. Do you find this valuable? |
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eggy1943 |
5. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 11:39 AM EST
I had to post in two parts because it would only take limited amount of words ???? Can this be changed?
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JonPincus |
6. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 12:19 PM EST
How about this as a process suggestion: let's wait until the end of the change.org competition and then kick off a discussion on the blog. It probably will make sense to use a process like the one you outline; however, I'd like to make sure that the people who discover us as part of our change.org work have a chance to get their opinions heard.jon PS: unfortunately the word limit can't be changed ... like I said, we tried to get discussion going on a fuller-featured platform and it just didn't happen. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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eggy1943 |
7. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 6 2009, 1:04 PM EST
u holler when ready to go for it. The little yes no vote helps rank the interesting issues at least.bruce Do you find this valuable? |
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Hwaisbren |
8. RE: A "constitutional slate" for Ideas for Change?
Jan 7 2009, 2:46 PM EST
"Bob Fertik posted a comment on our blog ... thoughts? Please reply here or on the blog thread at http://getfisaright.wordpress.com/2009/01/02/on-to-the-second-round-of-ideas-for-change-in-americaGoing back to the original question, I also think this is a good idea and that we should preemptively start networking for our longer term aspirations. I also agree that waiting until after the Change.org competition to begin making changes is understandable, as if we hold out and get our question asked it would give us even more added credibility (and let our old members know the group is reconstituted). However, utilizing the blog more could also help entice more blog sponsors, and that is something I think we should consider (especially if we could get an extremely widely read blog like Hullabaloo to promote it). Lastly, Bruce, I think you have some great ideas and experience to bring to the table! My name is Harry Waisbren, and I look forward to getting to know you more through this work. I completely agree about the need for a "social site" and have been working on developing one through the Center for American Progress and New Assignment in the model of Off the Bus (where New Assignment paired with the Huffington Post). I'll have a lot more on this in the days to come, and I would be extremely appreciate to have your input (and hopefully support) ensuring this gets off the ground and is as directly tied to GFR as possible! 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
