Andrew Whitworth wrote:
On Sat, Sep 6, 2008 at 5:03 PM, Ross Gardler ross.gardler@oucs.ox.ac.uk wrote:
So, trying to move forwards I have a few questions (and I've made them deliberately general, please be as complete in your answers as you can)...
a) What is this board needed for?
b) What are the objectives of the structure the board will oversee?
c) What is expected of individual members of the board?
a) I'm no expert in UK legal matters, but typically a board is a required component of a corporation (even non-profit ones). Prior to incorporation, such a board would serve as a sort of "steering committee" and will help to guide and direct the organization of the group.
Sure - but that's not what I meant (see my other mail in reply to Thomas for clarification).
b) The board at this stage will typically be in charge of overseeing the creation of bylaws, articles of incorporation, applications for corporate status, etc. They will also help to organize and oversee drives for formal membership. Also, the board will arrange and oversee any general meetings that the group decides to hold. There are probably a few other tasks that I'm missing that the board will want to play a part in.
OK that all sounds fine, and is very helpful, thanks.
I'm still concerned that it appears that people are expected to sign up to a legal entity that does not yet have any defined objectives. Maybe I'm misreading something, maybe this board is an interim step to the final legal entities board?
c) Depends on how much the group wants to do, and how soon they want it to be done by. For many chapters, board members don't do a lot of work: they participate in discussions (IRC, mailing list, etc), and are typically required to attend any formal meetings. Beyond that, they must be willing to wade through the bog of government bureaucracy to help form the chapter. This requires a certain willingness to learn legal issues, if not a prior familiarity of them.
Again, helpful, thank you.
Ross