Free Geek Structure
If you’ve been to Free Geek, you’ve probably noticed that it’s big and sprawling, a little crazy, with lots of people doing lots of different things. Coincidentally, that’s also how it’s run! Free Geek is proud to be a non-hierarchical organization (in fact it’s one of our Principles), in which every volunteer can be involved with the decisions - small to large - that shape the present and future of the organization. But the fact that we’re non-hierarchical doesn’t mean there’s no structure at all. Like any legal non-profit, we have [bylaws] and a board of directors. But having a small group of people like the Board call all the shots would just not suit our egalitarian ways (and the Board would get pretty tired of it, too). So our bylaws recognize three groups that share responsibility for the big decisions:
Board
Our Board of Directors consists of five to seven volunteers who meet quarterly and are responsible for making sure that Free Geek’s decisions are legally and financially responsible. Big contracts have to be approved by the Board, and they also have oversight over the budget. We’re always on the lookout for good candidates for the Board, so if you know someone who would really get and love Free Geek AND has legal, financial, fundraising, or other organizational skills, steer them our way! Board elections take place in October.
Council
Who elects the Board? The Community Council! Who makes up the Community Council? Why, uh, YOU! (Maybe.)
The Council is made up of members of the Free Geek community - volunteers, staff, board - who are committed to understanding how the organization works, dealing with its growing pains and other crises, and planning for its future. In many organizations, such long term planning is a job of the board, but we feel that’s too important to leave to just a few people. The council meets monthly (and spins off subcommittees as necessary to get more in-depth discussion and research done); new members are always welcome.
Staff
The staff is the most visible group of the three, and its members are in charge of the actual on the ground implementation and day-to-day administration of the policies and plans created by the Council. The staff itself is a collective, all equally paid and equally responsible for making it all run smoothly. No bosses here!
All of the above groups are democratic, making their decisions not by majority vote, but by consensus. You may be familiar with consensus decision-making from your extensive contact with Quakers, who have been using it since the 17th century.
