Freegle Reps Report 2010-05-31

Covering period from April 15th to May 31st 2010

This month we are trialling a different format for the Reps report. Since all of our decisions are backed up by polls, we have set out below a summary of all the non-confidential polls and the results.

As at 31st May there were three open polls which will be published in in the next report.

We have done this report for a six week period because of the hiatus during the second half of April until the voluntary suspension of one Rep.

There were 28 polls during the period (just over one every other day) and there have been 1679 messages on the group during the period (averaging 37 messages per day). The polls are always the culmination of discussions and provide a record of our decisions.

Areas covered that were not polled in this period (either because they were actions following previous polls or have not required a poll yet) include:

• Progressing and facilitating four separate complaints / appeals.
• Progressing a finance policy and procedures document and undertaking further research in respect of a bank account for Freegle.
• Discussing the draft Mediation and Appeal document.
• Talking to the Charities Commission.
• Agreeing an ADMIN for Central regarding ex-Group Owners access to Central.
• Agreed on Reps link members for each Working Group, as requested by Structure - to be published with other Working group related recommendations.

Warm Regards,

Cat, Edward, Jane, Kath, Mark, Ollie, Paul and Sian

Polls and Results

Note, the date quoted is when the poll opened. Any Rep can start a poll at any time.

Abandoned Polls - 3

Confidential Polls - 3

April 15th

I agree with the proposed Remit & Process for the Manchester/Stockport/Wigan Investigation Team

Result: Agree

April 15th

The Start group has proposed some further guidelines to how that GAT examines groups. The Reps have been asked to sign off on the use of these new guidelines.

Result: Approve.

April 16th

Susan and Jacky should be confirmed in position as handling the info mailbox.

Result: Agree

April 20th

Should we have a Rep observer on Investigation Panels to monitor that the investigation stays within remit, and interject if it appears not to be; to answer questions on general matters of policy but not specific cases; and to liaise with the Reps to answer any other questions?

Result: Yes

April 20th

Investigation Panels will create a closed Yahoo group to discuss the investigation and store evidence. Should the group remain closed for ever, or should we assume it will be opened one day?

Result: Investigation Panel Groups should remain closed forever

April 21st

Should the creator of a Poll on Reps be entitled to delete it if no one has yet voted on it?

Result: Yes

April 22nd

We should appoint Kath to make an initial reply to all enquiries and complaints to the reps@ilovefreegle. org before a full response is agreed by the Reps.

Result: Agree

April 22nd

Should we publish the results of our polls* in the monthly summary that we send to Central? *There may be some polls which should remain confidential, publishing will be at the discretion of the reps.

Result: Agree

April 27th

We should send an email to begin the process of electing a new returning officer.

Result: Agreed

April 27th

It is becoming apparent that Central would like a proper removal procedure put in place before Carol's status is ultimately decided. It is proposed that all business of the Reps is immediately suspended and a procedure for the removal of a Rep by the other Reps is agreed as a matter of urgency.

Result: Agree

April 29th

Please read the proposed ADMIN regarding the situation with Carol to see if you agree with the proposed course of action, and that the message can go to Central. Minor improvements to the wording can easily be accommodated.

Result: Agree

May 4th

We should send the Equal Ops policy in to Legal for their review.

Result: Yes

May 4th

Structure have proposed working group roles. Do we support this proposal?

Result: No majority; most votes were abstain. Further discussion and work required; Paul to lead.

May 7th

We agree with Jacqui H's suggestion that candidates for the Returning Officer role should be that they be asked to write a brief bit about themselves and their expertise so that voters will have something to go on. We also suggest that there is an opportunity for Central to ask the candidates questions, as was done for the Reps' election.

Result: Agree

May 7th

The Freegle Group Assessment Team (GAT) propose that a GAT co-ordinator carries out certain tasks (as defined within the proposal sent to the Reps). They would like Tom (from Cramlington) to take on the role of GAT co-ordinator.

Result: Agree. Note, we later decided that the role was better described as Group Launch Co-ordinator.

May 7th

We should accept Peter Morris's offer to take over updating the blog on the website.

Result: Agree

May 7th

Jonathan Woods should be asked to proof read Caroline Holding's draft FAQs. If he agrees, he should also be given the Reps comments on the draft FAQs.

Result: Agree

May 13th

The Returning Officer role should not include any candidate selection.

Result: Agree

May 13th

There should be questions for candidates for the Returning Officer role.

Result: Agree

May 14th

We should ask the Media Working Group to review the 'blog' on the Freegle website, to include: Whether the title 'blog' is accurate. Whether the categorisation of content is useful. Whether some of the categories should be linked from elsewhere on the website. How the updating should be handled.

Result: Agree

May 15th

Did you send an offlist email to David Benison (Moray)?

Result: No (unanimous)

Abandoned polls

April 15th

The Start group has proposed some further guidelines to how that GAT examines groups. The Reps have been asked to sign off on the use of these new guidelines.

Result: Abandon Poll. This was because we could agree on most of the guidelines, it was just one that we were unhappy with, so we abandoned the poll, and started a new poll on the same day with the guidelines that we were happy with.

April 27th

It is becoming apparent that Central would like a proper removal procedure put in place before Carol's status is ultimately decided. In the meantime, the Freegle Representative group very much needs to be able to get on with work. This includes the need to be able to trust the confidentiality of the FreegleReps yahoo group. As such, I feel Carol should be temporarily suspended as a Rep pending the outcome of the policy definition process. This suspension would include removal from the FreegleReps yahoo group.

Result: Abandon Poll. This was because the Reps do not have the remit to suspend one of their member.

May 13th

We should publicise the Returning Officer vacancy via mails to -owner addresses.

Result: Abandon Poll. This was because we agreed should do this in future but left it too late this time.