Sorry I missed the board meeting, my computer is playing up. I've come downstairs to use a college computer and I see from the minutes (which were uploaded in record time, by the looks of it!) some input is required from me regarding the motion I proposed (I haven't actually been emailed about it yet, but I can preempt that!).
For those having difficultly keeping track, the motion is to require a Special Resolution (that is, a 75% majority of members) to amend or terminate the Chapter Agreement (our agreement with the WMF which covers trademarks and the like).
I've proposed this motion because I think that Wiki UK Ltd.'s chapter status is fundamental to its identity and reason for being. It is why we founded it in the first place. For that reason, I think the chapter agreement (which is the legal embodiment of that status) should be given equal status to the Memoradum and Article of Association (our governing documents). Under the Companies Act 2006, a Special Resolution is required to amend the Mem and Arts, so I feel it should also be required to amend/terminate the Chapter Agreement.
It has been proposed that my motion be amended to only require a Special Resolution to terminate the agreement, not to amend it. That is a non-starter. If you can amend something you can terminate it - you just amend it to say nothing (or to just have some nominal clause). You would need to add something along the lines of future versions being "in the same spirit" as the original. I am very much against such subjective rules - they are liable to cause major disagreements in future due to different interpretations. (There are enough disputes over the new version of the GFDL and that has the advantage of being based on a clear ideology, the Chapter Agreement isn't.)
It has also been proposed that the requirement for a Special Resolution be replaced by a requirement for an Ordinary Resolution - I see little point in this. There just isn't that much difference between 50% and 75% when it comes to inconvinience - a meeting is a meeting, regardless of the majority required (there may be slightly different notice requirements if you intend to debate a Special Resolution, I can't remember, but they aren't too onerous either way). If Written Resolutions can be done online (and I think they can, as long as there is some way to verify identities - email can be used for that, as long as people don't mind the chapter knowing the connections between pseudonyms and real names) then it shouldn't be too difficult to get 75% of members to sign a webpage.
So, in summary, I am currently not inclined to change my proposed motion. I am, however, open to futher discussion on it.
Tom (Tango)