2008/9/10 Ross Gardler ross.gardler@oucs.ox.ac.uk:
I'm concerned that there is confusing messages about how decisions are made.
In one thread it has been stated that the community will decide (a general comment).
In another thread it is stated that the board will decide (about CRB checks specifically).
I think there needs to be some clarity on this issue. The community will soon be asked to vote on an initial board. If this board is to have full decision making power then that will affect the vote.
Legally speaking, the board has complete decision making power and there is no way for the community to restrict that (before becoming members, at least). The board ought to follow the wishes of the community, but at the end of the day they are legally obliged to act in the way they personally think is in the best interests of the charity, so they must have the power to override the community otherwise they can't do their jobs.
Anyway, most of the decisions we're making now are about how to run the election, so those decisions won't be relevant once the board is elected.