Subject:
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LDraw.org Bylaws Draft
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.cad.dev.org.ldraw
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Date:
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Sun, 18 Jan 2004 08:38:47 GMT
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Viewed:
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2514 times
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As a follow-up to my previous post, introducing the Bylaws and Policies and
Procedures documents, here is the draft of the proposed LDraw.org Bylaws.
Tim Courtney
Bylaws of the LDraw Organization
Article 1: Name
How we are known, web presence
The name of this Organization shall be the LDraw Organization, also referred to
as LDraw.org. The organization shall use the Internet domain ldraw.org for
identity purposes, and has a website at the URL of http://www.ldraw.org.
Article 2: Purposes
The LDraw.org goals, charitable nature
Section 2.01: The LDraw.org Goals
The purposes of this Organization shall be:
- maintain and distribute the core LDraw properties, the file format and parts library, as free and extendable resources for everyone’s benefit, in the spirit of James Jessiman; and
- develop and maintain the LDraw format; and
- foster communication among people interested in virtual LEGO® building, and
- promote the virtual LEGO hobby through online resources, events, media exposure, literature, etc; and
- support developers of new and innovative LDraw software; and
- represent the interests of the LDraw/virtual LEGO builders’ community to The LEGO Company, LEGO fan organizations, clubs, educators, organizers of special events, the CAD industry, and the like; and
- adapt and respond to other existing and potential future LEGO CAD formats, whether fan developed, existing CAD formats, or formats released by The LEGO Company.
Section 2.02 : Non Profit Nature and Charitable Purpose
LDraw.org is a non-profit organization.
The property of this Organization is irrevocably dedicated to charitable
purposes and no part of the net income or assets of the Organization shall be
used to benefit private persons.
Article 3: Individual Membership
Individual members, types and qualifications, non-discrimination
Section 3.01 : Classes of Membership
There shall be three classes of Individual Membership: Active, Fellow and
Honorary. Where these bylaws refer to Individual Member without a distinguishing
qualifier, the provision shall apply to all Individual Members, including
Active, Fellow and Honorary.
Section 3.02: Acceptance Procedures for Individual Membership
The procedure and application for accepting all new classes of membership shall
be determined by the Steering Committee or sub-committee and recorded in the
LDraw.org Policies and Procedures document.
Section 3.03: Active Membership
Active Membership may be granted to applicants:
- Who are natural persons (individual humans, not corporations or other entities); and
- Who are of the age of majority in their country (18 in the USA); and
- Who positively affirm the LDraw.org goals; and
- Who fulfill one of the following requirements for identity verification as specified in the Policies and Procedures document.
Active Members shall be entitled to one vote on all matters placed before the
Active Membership. The Steering Committee may place business before the Active
Members and hold a vote by ballot, in accordance with the provisions in these
Bylaws.
Section 3.04: Fellow Membership
Any Active Member who has pre-eminently distinguished him or herself in LEGO CAD
shall be eligible for Fellow Membership.
An Active Member must be nominated for Fellow member status by at least three
members of the Active Membership. The Steering Committee will then consider the
nomination and decide whether or not to present it to the Active Membership for
a vote. If it is put to a vote, the status will be bestowed by the affirmative
vote of a simple majority of the Active Membership. This status shall not be
bestowed on any Active Member until at least 1 year after the date of adoption
of these bylaws.
Fellow Members have all rights and responsibilities of active members except
shall be exempt from any dues and assessments.
Section 3.05: Honorary Membership
Any non-LDraw.org member who has rendered meritorious services in one of
LDraw.org designated areas of interest shall be eligible for Honorary
Membership. Honorary members are entitled to all rights and privileges of
LDraw.org except the right to vote or to hold office.
An Honorary Member must be nominated for Honorary member status by at least
three members of the Active Membership or Steering Committee. This status will
then be bestowed by the affirmative vote of a simple majority of the Active
Membership. The Steering Committee shall have the power to veto the Active
Membership’s affirmation vote. The Active Membership shall not bestow such
status on any individual until at least 1 year after the date of adoption of
these bylaws.
Section 3.06: Termination or Suspension of Individual Membership
An Individual Member may terminate his or her membership voluntarily (see
procedure for this in the Policies and Procedures document). All rights,
privileges, and interests of such member shall cease on resignation from the
Membership. Resignations shall be effective upon fulfillment of all obligations
to the date of withdrawal. Members may request their personal information be
deleted from LDraw.org records upon resignation or termination for privacy
reasons.
An Individual Member may be suspended or terminated for due cause. Sufficient
cause for such suspension or termination of Membership shall be any of the
following:
- violation of the provisions of these Bylaws or any lawful rule or practice duly adopted by LDraw.org; or
- nonpayment of dues or other financial obligations; or
- Willful misrepresentation or falsification of any material statement of fact; or
- Any other conduct prejudicial to the interests of the LDraw.org, as so identified by the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee will determine the procedures to be followed for
suspension and termination. A former member so suspended or terminated may be
reinstated by resolution of the Steering Committee. Particulars will be found in
the Policies and Procedures document.
Section 3.07: Individual Membership Policy
It is the policy of LDraw.org not to discriminate in its qualifications for
membership against any person by reason of his or her sex, race, religion,
creed, sexual orientation, or other physical condition, or national origin.
Article 4 : Dues
Dues, the levy and payment thereof
Section 4.01: Fees Levied Against the Membership Classes
Any fees levied against any or all classes of membership, including changes in
annual dues, shall be proposed by the Steering Committee and presented to the
membership classes affected.
- For changes to annual dues the Steering Committee shall present the proposal for a 30 day public discussion period.
- For all other fees, not including changes to annual dues, the Steering Committee shall present the proposal for public discussion as soon as the Steering Committee is aware of the need for a fee. In any case, the public discussion period shall not be less than 12 days.
At the conclusion of the public discussion period, all eligible members of the
affected membership classes who do not wish to abstain shall vote on the
ratification of the fee proposal. A measure shall pass by a simple majority of
votes cast in a poll.
Section 4.02: Suspension of Membership
Any Individual Member behind in dues, after two dues notices having been sent,
shall have his or her membership susupended 90 days after the date of the second
notice. Records, electronic or otherwise, covering suspended members shall be
kept on file in case the member seeks reinstatement in the future.
A Member may be reinstated upon payment of the annual dues in effect at the time
of reinstatement. Notices sent to last known email address are deemed
sufficient.
Article 5: Meetings of the Membership
LDraw.org is an electronic organization, the mailing list, and convention
particulars
Section 5.01: Electronic Communication
LDraw.org is an electronic facilitated organization; and as such, physical
meetings will not be required. Meetings of the LDraw.org Steering Committee, and
other formed sub-committees, will be conducted via electronic mailing lists. A
notice sent by electronic mail to a member’s last known email address shall be
deemed sufficient.
Announcements and public records shall be made available on the LDraw.org web
pages. The organization shall also ensure a system is in place to email notices
to members upon request. What constitutes “sufficient notice” of announcements
and public records can be found in the Policies and Procedures document.
Section 5.02: Physical Meetings
A physical meeting is defined as any meeting with the intent to carry out
official LDraw.org business that is not conducted via electronic mailing lists.
Since LDraw.org is an electronic organization, physical meetings are discouraged
but the occasional need for these physical meetings is recognized.
The Steering Committee, LDraw.org Standards Committee, and members of a Special
Interest Group may conduct a physical meeting but, due to the potential size,
physical meetings or a physical quorum of the Active Membership are not
recognized.
Physical meetings can be held in any form that all the participants agree to,
and as long as there’s a permanent record of the discussion. The permanent
record may in form of meeting minutes or a transcript of the meeting.
Section 5.03: Convention
An LDraw.org annual convention may be established by LDraw.org as membership
numbers and interests deem possible and as the Steering Committee shall direct.
In the interim, LDraw.org update meetings may be held at other LDraw.org related
conventions or gatherings as convenient and as the Steering Committee shall
direct.
Article 6: Steering Committee Members
Number of Officers, Election, Vacancy and Succession, Appointed Officers
Section 6.01: Number of Members and Term of Office
There shall be five (5) elected officers of LDraw.org. These five officers shall
collectively be known as the Steering Committee Members, and shall collectively
constitute the Steering Committee.
All Steering Committee Members shall have a term of office of (1) year.
Section 6.02: Nomination and Election Process for Steering Committee Members
Steering Committee Members shall be democratically elected.
Elections shall be held annually, via electronic ballot.
No full-time, professional employee of The LEGO® Company or any affiliated or
subsidiary company shall be eligible to be a Steering Committee Officer.
Part-time and/or student/intern employees of The LEGO Company (or its affiliates
and subsidiaries) shall be eligible to hold office on the Steering Committee.
All Steering Committee Members shall enter into the performance of their elected
duties 30 days after the election and shall continue in office until their
successors shall be duly elected and qualified, unless they resign, are removed,
or are otherwise unable to fulfill the term.
Subsection 6.02(a) Nomination Process
Nominations for the 5 offices shall open no less than 2 months prior to the
scheduled election of officers. Nominations must be made public on the
electronic communication mechanism then in use by the Organization. A nomination
shall consist of a name of the Individual Member and the affirmation of at least
two Members (the Nominator and the Second). Optionally a supporting statement
may be included.
Nominated individuals must accept their nomination in order to appear on the
ballot. If the individual does not respond to the nomination publicly, on the
electronic communication mechanism then in use by the Organization, it is
assumed he or she declines nomination.Nominations for officers shall be deemed
closed just prior to the commencement of the election process.
Subsection 6.02(b) Election Process
The officers of LDraw.org shall be elected annually on or before 1 March of the
year.
The ballot shall be secret. The Steering Committee shall determine details of
the balloting process and make them known to the Membership at least one week in
advance of the election. Balloting process for the first Steering Committee
shall be determined by the Ad-Hoc Organizing Committee
(http://news.lugnet.com/cad/dev/org/ldraw/?n=1183) and made known to the
Membership at least one week in advance of the election.
Subsection 6.02(c) Votes Required
Steering Committee Members shall be elected by popular ballot. All Active
Members in good standing as of the commencement of the election shall be
eligible to vote. Each member can select up to 5 candidates on their ballot. The
top 5 vote getters in the Steering Committee Member election shall be deemed to
be elected. In the event of a tie in which it is not clear who the top 5 vote
getters are, a runoff election shall be held for whatever number of committee
members were not clearly elected, with the candidates restricted to those who
tied for votes, and the number of selectable candidates shall be the number of
tied positions. See the Policies and Procedures document for examples.
Subsection 6.02(d) Qualification Process
30 days after the election, the five newly elected Steering Committee Members
shall be deemed to be qualified and as a group, shall now constitute the new
Steering Committee, which shall supplant the old one.
Subsection 6.02(e) Assumption of Office
The outgoing Executive Committee shall give every aid and advice to the incoming
Executive Committee during the transition period between election and assumption
of office.
Section 6.03: Roles of Steering Committee Members
Once elected, the Steering Committee Members shall vote amongst themselves to
determine a chairperson, secretary, and treasurer.
Subsection 6.03(a) Duties of the Chairperson
The Chairperson is the primary executive officer of the organization and shall
preside at organization meetings, should such be held. The Chairperson shall be
the representative of the Organization on any occasion when a person is required
to act in that capacity. The Chairperson shall make appointments and removals of
Appointed Officers as he or she sees fit.
The Chairperson may appoint a Vice Chairperson to preside in the chair’s
absence. The Vice Chairperson is the natural successor to the office of
Chairperson should the Chairperson vacate the position for any reason.
Subsection 6.03(b) Duties of the Secretary
The Secretary shall be responsible for compiling and publishing a quarterly
report of Steering Committee activities and progress.
Subsection 6.03(c) Duties of the Treasurer
The Treasurer shall manage all financial transactions, and maintain a correct
record of funds available, Organization debts outstanding, and Member debts to
the Organization outstanding. The Treasurer shall report financial activity and
status at all annual and monthly meetings. The Treasurer must supply the
Secretary with the financial records for inclusion in the quarterly report.
Section 6.04: Vacancy and Succession
If any of the Officers cannot fulfill his or her duties, resigns, is removed, or
is otherwise unable to fulfill the term then a replacement shall be appointed by
the remaining Steering Committee. This appointment shall have effect until the
next scheduled election is held.
Section 6.05: Appointed Officers
The Steering Committee may appoint Additional Officers, as it deems necessary,
with such authority and duties as it may designate, to serve at its pleasure,
from among the Individual Members of LDraw.org. Such Additional Officers are not
themselves members of the Steering Committee.
Additional Officers appointments must be approved by 3 of the 5 members of the
Steering Committee.
Section 6.06: Reimbursement of Members
Steering Committee Members shall not receive any compensation for their services
as Officers, but the Steering Committee may authorize reimbursement of expenses
incurred by any member while representing or working to benefit LDraw.org
provided such authorization is documented and published to the Membership using
the electronic means of communication then in use. These expenses should,
whenever practicable, be approved by the Steering Committee prior to a Member
undergoing said expense. If the expense is not pre-approved, the Steering
Committee may consider reimbursement but is not obligated to grant it. If such
expenses are reoccurring the authorized prescribe procedures may be added to the
LDraw.org Policies and Procedures document. See the Policies and Procedures
document for details.
Article 7: Representation of LDraw.org
Steering Committee to approve spokespersons, Use of trademarks
Section 7.01: Representation in Policy Matters
No member may represent LDraw.org in policy matters without the approval of the
Steering Committee. There may be instances that volunteers need to represent
LDraw.org on an ongoing or recurring basis – these cases should be outlined in
the LDraw.org Policies and Procedures document so permission does not need to be
sought at each occurrence.
Section 7.02: Trademarks and Visual Representation
Use of the name, logo, seal, trademark, or other graphic representation
(including new artwork and graphic designs) of LDraw organization by any Member,
Section, or Committee or his/her designee, that gives appearance of representing
LDraw.org or implies approval by LDraw.org in an official manner or capacity
must have the prior approval of the Steering Committee.
Article 8: Amendments
Process for Amendment, process applies to this article too
Section 8.01: Amendment of Bylaws
The Steering Committee may propose to alter, amend, or repeal any provision of
these Bylaws or make any additional Bylaws. Such alteration, repeal, or addition
shall be proposed by a representative to the Active Members and Steering
Committee to be considered for a period of 30 days. At the end of this period an
affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the entire Active Membership must be
achieved in order to ratify the alteration, repeal, or addition.
Section 8.02: Procedures for Amendment of Bylaws
Amendments to this Article of the Bylaws may be made only by the same voting
procedure described in Section 1 of this Article.
Article 9: Special Interest Groups
LSC, other special interest groups, their creation, operation and termination
To further the goals of the Organization, the Organization may from time to time
create Special Interest Groups. These groups are intended for like minded
Members to come together for the purpose of furthering a common interest.
Section 9.01: Creation
An individual or group of individual Active Members may approach the Steering
Committee with a proposal to create a Special Interest Group. The proposal shall
define the name, purpose, membership criteria, powers, and duties of the Special
Interest Group. The Special Interest group will come into existence upon
approval of the proposal by the Steering Committee.
Section 9.02: Ongoing Operations
Each Special Interest Group shall have the powers and duties defined in the
resolution or resolutions adopting it, and shall have a designated
representative (the “SIG Chair”) to report to the Steering Committee and to the
Active Membership at least quarterly. Such SIG Chair serves at the pleasure of
the Steering Committee Chairperson and is an Appointed Officer within the
meaning.
SIGs shall not have separate treasuries. Their expenditures, if any, shall come
from the general Organization Treasury, and their revenues, if any, shall
likewise accrue to the Organization Treasury.
Section 9.03: Dissolution
A Special Interest Group may be dissolved by proposal of the Steering Committee
and by an affirmative vote of the Membership under normal voting procedures.
Section 9.04: LDraw.org Standards Committee
The LDraw.org Standards Committee shall be construed as a Special Interest Group
within the meaning of this article, governed under the LSC Proposal. Its
existence is grandfathered and does not have to be approved by resolution. Like
all SIGs, it is subject to the Ongoing Operations and Dissolution provisions of
this article.
Article 10: Dissolution
The process of dissolution of LDraw.org. Should LDraw.org be dissolved, assets
go to charity
Section 11.01: Dissolution by Resolution
LDraw.org may be dissolved by Resolution. Such Resolution shall be presented by
the Steering Committee to the Individual Members and shall require an
affirmative vote of a three-fourths majority of the membership. The resolution
shall outline the date for termination and the charity to which the remaining
assets, if any shall be directed.
Section 10.02: Disposition of Assets
Upon the dissolution or winding up of LDraw.org, its assets remaining after
payment, or provision for payment, of all debts and liabilities, shall be
distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or corporation which is organized
and operated for charitable purposes.
Section 10.03: Retention of Name and Identifying Marks
The name, distinctive trade dress, logo and artwork of LDraw.org are significant
and meaningful. Therefore, no other organization shall be allowed to use the
organization name, acronym, distinctive trade dress, logo or artwork of
LDraw.org without express permission. This Section shall survive any subsequent
dissolution of LDraw.org.
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Message has 3 Replies:
 | | Re: LDraw.org Bylaws Draft
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| (...) The text generally looks good, but ... (...) [...] (...) This distinguishing between part-time and full-time employees seems very artificial to me in this context. I think that all the organisations that I have been employed by here in Europe (...) (20 years ago, 22-Jan-04, to lugnet.cad.dev.org.ldraw)
| | | Re: LDraw.org Bylaws Draft
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| I think this is a good thing and would really turn LDraw into a machine that gets more things done. I've been heavily involved with Mac OS X Labs Org ((URL) for the last year. The steering committee for that group has had weekly conference calls and (...) (20 years ago, 23-Jan-04, to lugnet.cad.dev.org.ldraw, FTX)
| | | LDraw.org Bylaws Draft v.2
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| This is a re-post of the bylaws draft, omitting paragraph 3 of Section 6.02, per the discussion here: (URL). This copy of the draft supercedes the draft this message is in reply to. If there are any modifications to the draft before it goes to a (...) (20 years ago, 2-Feb-04, to lugnet.cad.dev.org.ldraw, FTX)
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