Previously, only elections to the board (by the membership) were secret ballots. Other decisions made by the membership such as new member recommendation, employment matters, or budget decisions, were voted in open ballots. We are recommending to change all these member votes to secret ballots so all members can vote without social pressures or repercussions.
Note that:
we are still allowed to temperature check in the open, but the binding vote is by secret ballot
this does not cover day-to-day low stake operational decisions, like when to hold coffee break, is not considered a "member vote"
board of directors will still vote in open ballots as it is now, as each director needs to be accountable to the membership
Membership voting is switching to secret ballot.
Previously, only elections to the board (by the membership) were secret ballots. Other decisions made by the membership such as new member recommendation, employment matters, or budget decisions, were voted in open ballots. We are recommending to change all these member votes to secret ballots so all members can vote without social pressures or repercussions.
Note that: