Transparency Standards: Difference between revisions

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Topics could be things like
Topics could be things like


1. how long before/after:
1. how long before/after a new WG meets for the first time should it:


- a new WG meets for the first time should it tell the GA that it exists?
- tell the GA that it exists?
- a new WG meets for the first time should start posting its meetings?
- start posting its meetings?
- a new WG meets for the first time should post a page on the wiki with info about how to join?
- post a page on the wiki with info about how to join?


2. the maximum time after a meeting that:
2. does a concall or email list exchange constitute a "first meeting"?


- minutes should be posted
3. how much time before a meeting should an agenda be posted?


3. do meeting have to be in public spaces? or are private homes that aren't accessible to the public OK?
4. what should the maximum time after a meeting be, before minutes are posted?


4. can WG members talk about meeting topics outside of the email lists and/or public meetings?
5. do meeting have to be in public spaces? or are private homes that aren't accessible to the public OK?
 
6. can WG members talk about meeting topics outside of the email lists and/or public meetings?
 
In general, transparency activists "demand" that governmental groups post agenda 48 working hours before a meeting. And that only posted topics be discussed at a meeting.
 
At OB, our Declaration of Occupation demands a society that is more transparent and accountable.
 
Do we want to be "at least as good" as the government that we are criticising as "not transparent or accountable enough"?


People may want to review the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law guide, which was a hard fought for level of transparency in Massachusetts that became a standard for the country:
People may want to review the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law guide, which was a hard fought for level of transparency in Massachusetts that became a standard for the country:

Revision as of 01:17, 1 February 2012

This working group is to discuss what we think should be "standards" for transparency for Occupy Boston Working Groups.

Topics could be things like

1. how long before/after a new WG meets for the first time should it:

- tell the GA that it exists? - start posting its meetings? - post a page on the wiki with info about how to join?

2. does a concall or email list exchange constitute a "first meeting"?

3. how much time before a meeting should an agenda be posted?

4. what should the maximum time after a meeting be, before minutes are posted?

5. do meeting have to be in public spaces? or are private homes that aren't accessible to the public OK?

6. can WG members talk about meeting topics outside of the email lists and/or public meetings?

In general, transparency activists "demand" that governmental groups post agenda 48 working hours before a meeting. And that only posted topics be discussed at a meeting.

At OB, our Declaration of Occupation demands a society that is more transparent and accountable.

Do we want to be "at least as good" as the government that we are criticising as "not transparent or accountable enough"?

People may want to review the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law guide, which was a hard fought for level of transparency in Massachusetts that became a standard for the country:

http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/government/oml-guide-032411.pdf

Full details on the law are available here:

http://www.mass.gov/ago/government-resources/open-meeting-law/

Contact: volunteer@occupyboston.org for more info.

An in person meeting time is not set up yet. But there will be discussion online. Please contact us if you are interested in developing transparency standards.