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enpen — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 01:03:41 CDT

Preamble

As members of the OlyBlog community, we acknowledge our mutual responsibility for maintaining conditions under which communication can flourish - conditions characterized by openness, honesty, civility and fairness. These conditions carry with them certain rights and responsibilities, expressed in this Social Contract, a document that will define and guide the blog's values and operation from this time forward. The Social Contract is an agreement; a guide for civility and tolerance toward others; a reminder that respecting others and remaining open to others and their ideas is an essential ingredient for successful community building. By registering for an account on OlyBlog individuals agree to abide by this contract.

The Social Contract

OlyBlog is a self-organizing community that offers an alternative civic forum for the discussion of news and events in Olympia, Washington. OlyBlog can thrive only if members respect the rights of others while enjoying their own rights. Members of the community may differ widely in their specific interests, in the degree and kinds of experiences they bring to OlyBlog, and in the level of involvement that they wish to undertake. All must share alikein responsibly obtaining and providing full and accurate information and in resolving differences through a process with a strong will to collaboration.

The individual members of the OlyBlog community are responsible for protecting each other and visitors to the blog from uncivil abuse and personal threats. Civility is not just a word; it must be present in all our interactions. Members of the community must be allowed to exercise the rights accorded them to voice their opinions with respect to basic matters of policy and other issues.

The practice of communication without the benefit of face-to-face interaction poses certain unique challenges. In order to address these challenges, members of OlyBlog agree to the following practices:

Publish as fact only that which you believe to be true.
If material exists online, link to it when you reference it.
Publicly correct any misinformation.
Write each entry as if it could not be changed; add to, but do not rewrite or delete, any entry.
Disclose any conflict of interest.
Note questionable and biased sources.

As participants in the human activity of communication, we also acknowledge and value the use of humor as an important component of building a community. However, given that humor is highly subjective, there is the possibility of misunderstanding and conflict when humor was the intent. The use of humor does not absolve an individual from their responsibility to protect other members from uncivil behavior.

An essential condition for community is the freedom and right on the part of an individual or group to express minority, unpopular, or controversial points of view. Only if minority and unpopular points of view are tolerated and given opportunity for expression will OlyBlog provide bona fide opportunities for significant consciousness raising. There shall be no discrimination at OlyBlog based on race, sex, age, handicap, sexual orientation, religious or political belief, or national origin in considering individuals' membership.

OlyBlog Bylaws

enpen — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 00:56:11 CDT

I. Name and Purposes

1. NAME The name of the corporation is OlyBlog.

2. PURPOSES The purpose of OlyBlog is to provide a civic space for hyperlocal news and discussion specifically about Olympia, Washington, through a not-for-profit cooperative organization that relies on consensus decision making. We strive to create a better informed public with an emphasis on civic particiation and community building. Our goals are to:

a. Distribute information about local history, events and politics;
b. Provide an open forum for citizen journalism;
c. Provide a civic forum for the discussion of important
local issues;
d. Support efforts to increase democratic process;
e. Support efforts to foster communication across social and economic differences;
f. Assist in the development of local community resources.

II. Membership

1. ELIGIBILITY Membership in OlyBlog is open to any person who meets all qualifications set forth in these bylaws and who agrees to abide by the Social Contract.

2. NON-DISCRIMINATION OlyBlog strives to be egalitarian in all aspects of its business operations. OlyBlog works to serve a diverse population by incorporating procedures and practices that remove barriers to classes of people who are oppressed or are denied power and privilege in society generally. These classes of people include people who are discriminated against based on race, sex, religious creed, age, disability, size, sexual orientation, gender orientation, marital status and economic status.

3. MEMBER STATUS An active member may be demoted to a probationary member if that member;

a. fails to abide by the Social Contract; or
b. attempts to use the blog for predominately commercial purposes.

4. ANNUAL ELECTION The membership shall elect at least five, but no more than nine, Docents each year. The slate of candidates for Docent shall be posted on OlyBlog at least 10, but not more than 50 days, prior to the election.

5. MEMBER VOTING All instances of member voting shall take place on OlyBlog. No proxies are allowed and each active member shall have one vote. Unless otherwise specified in these bylaws, or by law, a simple majority vote is required for elections and other membership actions. The Docents may prescribe additional rules and procedures for elections as appropriate. The Docents shall take steps to encourage maximum participation by the membership.

6. QUORUM An election must meet a quorum of 100 active members to be considered valid.

III. Docents

1. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES The day-to-day affairs of OlyBlog shall be managed by an elected group of Docents.

2. NUMBER, AND TERM There shall be seven docents at all time. Docents will be elected by the membership and shall serve two year terms.

3. ELIGIBILITY Any active member is eligible to serve as a Docent of OlyBlog.

4. ELECTION OF DOCENTS Docents shall be elected by the membership. The Docents may prescribe the manner and procedures for membership elections, except that elections shall be held annually.

5. VACANCIES In the event of a vacancy among the Docents, the remaining Docents may appoint a new Docent. The appointed Docent shall serve until the next election. Any appointed Docent is eligible to run for an elected term at the next election.

6. MEETINGS Docents shall meet quartely in person to discuss issues pertaining to the administration of OlyBlog.

7. DECISION MAKING Decisions are made by consensus of the Docents.

8. QUORUM For purposes of action on OlyBlog, a quorum shall be a majority of the Docents.

9. REMOVAL Any individual Docent may be removed from the Blog whenever the Docents determine that such removal will be in the best interest of OlyBlog. Before a Docent is removed that Docent shall be given reasonable prior notice and a reasonable opportunity to speak on OlyBlog. Removal shall require a consensus minus-one vote of the Docents.

10. DOCENT DUTIES Except as to matters reserved to membership by law or by these bylaws, the business and affairs of OlyBlog shall be directed by the Docents. The major duties of the Docents are to:

a. Contribute regular content to the blog.

b. Monitor comment threads, and carry out the social contract.

c. Be a point of contact for the membership to the Docents.

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